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1. Understand the Multiple Route Structure
NieR: Automata requires multiple playthroughs to reach the true ending.
Progression structure:
- Route A → 2B perspective
- Route B → 9S perspective
- Route C → Continuation with new outcomes
Do not stop after the first ending.
The full narrative and gameplay depth unlock after completing multiple routes.
2. Prioritize Chip Optimization Early
Plug-in Chips define your combat efficiency.
Core chip categories:
- Offensive (Melee/Ranged Attack Up, Crit Up)
- Defensive (HP Up, Damage Reduction)
- Utility (Auto-Heal, HUD enhancements)
Optimize by:
- Combining duplicate chips
- Reducing chip cost
- Removing unnecessary HUD chips to free space
Efficient chip management dramatically increases survivability and DPS.
3. Upgrade Weapons Strategically
Weapons scale significantly with upgrades.
Each weapon has:
- Unique movesets
- Passive bonuses at higher levels
- Hidden story elements
Upgrade priority:
- Main weapon set first
- Complementary secondary weapon
- Match weapon speed with your playstyle
Balanced weapon scaling outperforms constant weapon swapping.
4. Master Combat Flow and Canceling
Combat in NieR: Automata rewards fluid movement.
Core mechanics:
- Dodge canceling
- Perfect evade slow-motion
- Pod firing during combos
- Aerial juggling
Standing still leads to damage.
Maintain constant movement and rhythm control to dominate encounters.
5. Use Pods Effectively
Pods are not secondary tools—they are core DPS contributors.
Functions:
- Continuous ranged fire
- Charged laser attacks
- Special Pod Programs (shield, gravity, missiles)
Upgrade Pods to:
- Increase firepower
- Reduce cooldown
- Expand utility
Pod synergy increases overall damage output significantly.
6. Balance Melee and Ranged Pressure
Effective combat uses both:
Melee:
- High burst damage
- Combo chaining
- Crowd control
Ranged:
- Safe DPS from distance
- Air control
- Pressure during evasion
Alternate fluidly between both instead of committing to one exclusively.
7. Complete Side Quests Strategically
Side quests provide:
- Large XP rewards
- Weapon materials
- Narrative depth
- Additional endings
Do not ignore side content.
Efficient leveling comes from quest completion rather than random enemy farming.
8. Manage Healing and Resources
Healing options:
- Recovery items
- Auto-Heal chips
- Defensive builds
On higher difficulty:
- Damage is punishing
- Reaction time matters
Stock healing items before major missions and boss encounters.
Preparation prevents unnecessary deaths.
9. Adapt to Bullet-Hell Segments
NieR: Automata blends hack-and-slash with bullet-hell gameplay.
In these sections:
- Focus on movement patterns
- Stay centered for reaction space
- Use Pod charged attacks strategically
Patience and positioning are more important than aggression.
10. Push Toward Ending E
True completion requires:
- Completing Routes A–D
- Making final narrative choice
- Committing to Ending E
Ending E unlocks the emotional and thematic resolution of the game.
Stopping early means missing the full experience.
Final Thoughts
NieR: Automata rewards mechanical precision, chip optimization, and narrative commitment. The strongest players refine combat flow, optimize plug-in builds, and complete all routes to experience the full depth of the game.
