Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm

The Ganglion have officially had enough of your shenanigans and are bringing the fight to your doorstep. Time for you and the rest of New LA to be gracious hosts.

Chapter Prerequisites

• Explore 10 percent of Mira.
• Complete “The Matchmaker” affinity mission.
• Complete Chapter 7.
• Required Members: Elma and Lin.

Story Mission Walkthrough

Dinner is interrupted by alarms, and Secretary Nagi tells you in short order that the Ganglion are marching en masse toward New LA. All fighting personnel are to defend the city—no matter the cost.

Team Elma is tasked with defending the Administrative District. No one is to get in through the gate if you can help it.

New Story Mission: Chapter 8

Ganglion forces are approaching! Defend New LA against the onslaught.

Objective 1

Leave the BLADE barracks.

Tatsu and the Nopon have made it so that you can buy supplies and gear and use the Armory in the barracks for this chapter. Get whatever you need, and gear up however you see fit. If you have any Skells, outfit them with as many weapons as possible.

Once ready, walk out that door to punch Armageddon in the face.

Objective 2

Achieve all objectives:

• Defeat the scout puges.
• Defeat the strike pugiliths.

Scout Puge x3

Lv. 28: Enemy

Strike Pugilith

Lv. 28: Enemy

You’re battling fodder of all sizes in this fight. You’ve fought them before—don’t be afraid to advance a little in order to hit them from the back and sides. Having at least one Skell makes this battle much easier.

Objective 3

Defend the east gate of New LA from the Ganglion’s attack for three minutes.

Once you’ve gotten rid of the warmup, it’s time for the real appetizer. Level 28-29 Ganglion mechs assault your position. Once again, you’ve fought them all before, and Skells will only make defeating them easier. If you don’t have Skells, then conquer your enemies by concentrating all of your party’s fire on one foe at a time. Three minutes is enough to tear through a few Qmoeva. Then prepare for the next wave.

Objective 4

Achieve all objectives:

• Defeat the impact Galdr.
• Defeat the impact Galdr.

Impact Galdr x2

Lv. 27: Enemy

Impact Galdrs are rather new, and also rather massive. Treat this like the fight against Almandal last chapter—their capabilities are similar. Expect fast, hard-hitting attacks that can only be matched by hitting harder and faster. Topple them if possible, and if you have Skells, you have a lot less to worry about.

A massive Ganglion ship presence makes its way toward the city, filled with loads of mechs. Like it or not, this battle’s going to the streets. It also appears two new generals are leading this charge…

Vandham has a job for you as soon as you enter the city—two really nasty Ganglion are tearing through absolutely everything. If Team Elma can’t handle it, it’s safe to say no one can.

Objective 5

Head to New LA’s Commercial District and eliminate the invading forces.

You’ll fight some enemy fodder and mechs along the way, none of which should prove a problem after the waves you just went through to get this far. Dispatch them as quickly as possible so you can arrive at the Commercial District and the real fight.

The biggest threat blocking your way to the Commercial District is this level 30 talon knight Qmoeva. Treat it like any other boss-class Qmoeva you’ve fought thus far, and don’t give it an inch.

Once you make it to the Commercial District, the Ganglion give you an extra-warm welcome. Whatever you do, don’t rush into the fray full-force. Instead, pick at the assorted enemy mechs and troops from as far away as possible, pushing slowly into the ranks. You don’t want too many enemies drawing a bead on you at once, otherwise you will be toast, Skell backup or no.

Survive the onslaught and it’s time for the main event: Team Elma vs. Ganglion generals Ryyz and Dagahn! They have an imposing presence and absolutely have the strength to back up that presence and their words.

Objective 6

Achieve all objectives:

• Defeat Dagahn.
• Defeat Ryyz.

Dagahn

Lv. 31: Boss

Ryyz

Lv. 31: Boss

So far the enemies being thrown at you have been relentless and stronger than in previous chapters. This boss battle follows suit. Either general will give you a run for your money, so it doesn’t matter who you go for first. However, you do want to be quick about shaving off those hit points, so definitely have all four party members concentrate on one general at a time.

Ryyz brings gravity-based attacks such as Gravity Shell, Gravity Barrier, and Gravity Drop to the party, all of which make her hard to hit while she’s able to hit single enemies hard. Meanwhile, Gravity Rain has an area of effect. Suffice to say, if you can tune your gear to defend against gravity, you’ll have a much easier time.

When her HP approaches zero, Ryyz surrounds herself with dopplegangers (you won’t see them, but trust us, they’re there) making all of your subsequent attacks miss. Simply keep hammering her to finally finish her off.

Dagahn, meanwhile, is a flame and physical attacks master. Dynamite Punch and Flame Stomp will light up the field and put the hurt on anyone within their area of effect, and his sword slashes and punches are to be avoided at all costs.

Since Dagahn’s so big, you can actually Bind him with a Skell—if you see the opportunity, take it and don’t look back (just make sure Ryyz isn’t taking pot shots at you while you’re holding her partner in place!). Dagahn will take longer to defeat than Ryyz because he’s an absolute tank, but if you can get past one, you can definitely get past the other.

After some revelations, optimistic words, confirmations of suspicions, and vows of revenge, this chapter’s over! Take a rest—you’ve earned it.