Scarlet Nexus is an action-packed RPG with a complex combat system and a variety of upgrades and abilities. If you’re just getting started, it can be a bit overwhelming. This guide covers essential beginner tips to help you get the most out of your playthrough, from managing bonds and resources to optimizing your combat strategy.

---

1. Bond Episodes: Strengthening Your Team

Bond Episodes become available once you reach the hideout. These side stories help flesh out the characters but, more importantly, they increase your Bond Level with teammates.

Why It Matters:

• Higher Bond Levels unlock more SAS (Struggle Arms System) effects, allowing you to link more effectively with teammates’ powers.
• Improved Bond Levels lead to more frequent healing and revives from teammates during combat.

Tips:

• Complete all Bond Episodes when available.
• Give teammates gifts from the exchange tab in shops to further boost bond levels.
• Respond to Brain Messages (text messages) for additional Bond Episodes.

---

2. Collect Resources and Use Exchange

Resource Collection:

• Green Collectibles: Provide consumable items like jellies and potions.
• White Collectibles: Offer tradable items for exchanging at shops.

Exchange Tips:

• In the shop’s Exchange Tab, trade collected items for weapons, plugins, and gifts.
• Weapon upgrades obtained through exchanges are often better than those available for purchase.
• Prioritize weapon upgrades and plugins for teammates.

---

3. Unlocking Plug-in Slots for Teammates

Parallelization Program:

• Found in the exchange tab, this item unlocks additional plug-in slots for teammates.
• Extra plug-in slots allow you to equip more damage, defense, and support enhancements.

Recommendation:

• Unlock all available slots as early as possible to maximize your team’s potential.

---

4. Managing the Brain Map

The Brain Map is where you expand your character’s abilities.

Key Skills to Unlock Early:

• Concurrent SAS Activation: Enables the use of two SAS abilities simultaneously, later expanding to four.
• Extra Plug-in Slots: Found on the Support Tree, these nodes unlock up to three plug-in slots.
• Reduced Damage in Brain Field: Makes you invincible in Brain Field mode.
• Gauge Boost: Extends your Psychokinesis bar, allowing more object throws.

Tips:

• Focus on the Support and Enhanced trees for survivability and additional plug-in slots.
• Unlock new combos and attack options as you progress.

---

5. Choosing the Right Plugins

Recommended Plugins:

• Power Enhance: Increases attack power significantly.
• Force Field Plug-in: Boosts defense, more effective than flat HP increases.
• Body Enhance Attack Plug-in: Prevents interruption during attack animations.

Deluxe Edition Bonus Plugins:

• Special Bonus Contract: Boosts XP and money gain.
• Application Assist: Extends SAS duration and increases attack power.

---

6. Understanding L1 vs. R1 in Combat

• R1 + Button: Activates SAS Links to borrow teammate abilities.
• L1 + Button: Activates Combo Vision for a single powerful attack with a teammate.

Tips:

• Combo Vision consumes 60% of the SAS gauge, so plan usage carefully.
• Utilize Concurrent SAS Activation for powerful multi-element combinations.

---

7. Using Side Missions Efficiently

• Access side missions by speaking to NPCs with quest markers.
• Rewards include weapons, plugins, and resources.

Tip:

• Prioritize side missions offering weapons and plugins rather than consumables.

---

Conclusion

These beginner tips should set you on the right path in Scarlet Nexus. Focus on building bonds, collecting resources, and unlocking powerful abilities in the Brain Map to maximize your effectiveness in combat.

For more guides and in-depth strategies, stay tuned!