Chapter 4: The Ganglion Menace

BLADE plunges deeper into the mystery of hostile xenoforms as they chase after the Lifehold Core. What they find, however, may not be good news…

Chapter Prerequisites

• Explore 15 percent of Primordia.
• Complete the mission “BLADE Level Basics.”
• Complete the mission “The Probe-fessional.”
• Complete Chapter 3
• Required Members: Elma and Lin.

Story Mission Walkthrough

Once you’ve completed your prerequisites, it’s time to accept the story mission proper. Go to the barracks and do so.

When you accept the mission, it’s time for dinner, courtesy of Lin!

Go ahead and make a request. Every new story mission from here to the end, you’ll be able to ask Lin to make a new dish, minus any of the ones she’s made for you already.

After chow, it’s time to get to work. A piece of the all-important Lifehold has been sighted in Noctilum. Your objective writes itself.

New Story Mission: Chapter 4

A piece of the Lifehold was detected in the Noctilum region to the west of New LA.

Objective 1

Meet with Lao near Primordia’s green threshold.

Get yourself geared up, then head to the rendezvous point however you see fit. Once there, you’ll be introduced to Lao and his squad of Pathfinders.

Once introductions are done away with and the situation is explained, congratulations—you’ve got a new party member.

If you let Lao into your party, don’t forget to deck him out in your best gear and tend to his Arts and Skills before continuing your mission.

Objective 2

Head to the the Lifehold unit in Noctilum’s Sunlit Spring.

It’s time to visit a new continent (if you haven’t already)! Noctilum is past Primordia’s northwestern borders. As usual, follow the arrow.

The path to the Sunlit Spring is a little less straightforward than you’ll be used to by this point. There’s a chance your trip will have you cutting through the Whale’s Nostril cave, by entering the southeast entrance and exiting through the northeast entrance. Be prepared for large numbers of indigens within, and use the Follow Ball and the maps located in the Maps section of this guide if you find yourself getting turned around. Fortunately, off-beat paths won’t usually be an issue during your adventure.

Once you reach Goblin’s Narrow, you’ll know you’re on the right track—a cutscene triggers, and a newcomer approaches your party.

This charming fellow is L, and he says he’s found a piece of the Lifehold, even if it’s not quite the one you’re looking for. Fortunately he’s a non-hostile, and he offers to lead you to the piece.

With acquaintances made, continue to the Sunlit Spring—get ready for a terrible surprise, as well as a series of fights.

Lambert, The Divine Wind

Lv. 15: Tyrant

On the trail between you and this chapter’s boss, at FN Site 219, stands a possible block to progress. Lambert is a Lv. 15 Tyrant who hits fast and hard.

However, if you’re comparatively leveled to him and know how to break out the offensive Arts as quickly as possible, you definitely stand a chance against him. If he beats you, simply grind a level or two and re-challenge him.

Objective 3

Achieve all objectives:

• Defeat the Prone destroyer.
• Defeat the Prone destroyer.
• Defeat the Prone destroyer.

Prone Destroyer x3

Lv. 11-20: Enemy

Concentrate your attacks and use standard flanking maneuvers. With four characters in your party instead of three like before, you won’t have to be over-leveled to stand a chance. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful, however.

Once you’ve dispatched the destroyers, reinforcements show up—heavy ones. Meet your first Ganglion general: Goetia.

Objective 4

Achieve all objectives:

• Defeat the Marnuck rook.
• Defeat the Marnuck rook.
• Defeat Goetia.

Marnuck Rook x2

Lv. 11-20: Enemy

Goetia

Lv. 16: Boss

Goetia has a tough hide, uses powerful debuffs and electrical attacks, and can heal herself when her HP gets low. If your party members’ levels were only up to par with the Prone destroyers, then this fight could go either way. If you lose, there’s no shame in it—go grind some levels once you’re warped back to the landmark.

Still, odds are you want to do your best to make sure it doesn’t come to that. The best way to do so is to order your party members to concentrate their fire on one enemy at a time. You can do this by pressing (+) and picking the corresponding order once you’re locked on to your desired enemy. This is a tactic that serves you well over the course of the entire game, so it’s best to learn it now.

Start with the Marnuck rooks. Treat them like your normal Prone, and don’t give them a chance to breathe. Once they’re dispatched, go for Goetia herself. Cure yourself of any status ailments or heavy hits that you needed to take, but for this battle, the best defense is a good offense. Never let up your attacks, and with patience, Goetia will fall.

Objective 5

Report back to Commander Vandham in New LA’s BLADE Tower.

Once you’re debriefed at BLADE Tower, you’ll have a new party member and a new corporation (Meredith & Co.) to donate miranium to for Armory R&D. Good times.