AIGameGuides.com v4/27/2025

Trails Through Daybreak II (X channels: @nihonfalcom, @NISAmerica) is the twelfth mainline Trails game and a direct sequel to Daybreak, set in the Calvard Republic in S.1209. Van Arkride, a spriggan, investigates a crimson beast tied to a series of murders, alongside returning characters (e.g., Elaine, Swin, Nadia) and new allies.

The game features a hybrid combat system (action-based Field Battles and turn-based Command Battles), a split-route structure with time manipulation via the Genesis artifact, and the Märchen Garten dungeon for grinding. Expect a 60-80 hour campaign with deep side content and interconnectivity to prior Trails lore.

1. Mastering Combat

Combat blends real-time Field Battles and strategic Command Battles, with new tweaks in Daybreak II.

Field Battles (Action-Based):

•Basics: Control one character (usually Van) in real-time, using attacks (Square/X), dodges (Circle/B), and Quick Arts (L1/LB + R1/RB). Stun enemies to trigger Command Battles.

New Features:

•Quick Arts: Cast weak elemental spells (e.g., Fire Bolt) in Field Battles via Arts Drivers. Costs EP, has a cooldown—use to hit weaknesses (e.g., fire on Sticky Bombs).

•Cross Charge: Perfect dodge (time it ~0.5 seconds before an enemy hit) to charge this counterattack (R2/RT). Deals bonus damage and builds stun gauge.

Tips:

•Spread out—enemies like DRS Zoonays use AoE attacks. Dodge laterally, not back, to avoid follow-ups.

•Stun tougher foes (e.g., bosses) with Cross Charge, then switch to Command mode for an advantage (+0.2 Tactical Bonus).

Command Battles (Turn-Based):

•Basics: Control up to 4 party members, positioning them with a movement grid. Use Crafts, Arts, S-Crafts, and SCLM links (like Cold Steel’s Brave Orders).

New Features:

•EX Chains: Stun an enemy (via Field or Command), then attack with a linked party member for a simultaneous strike (massive AoE damage). Requires SCLM bonds.

•Dual Arts: Combine two elements (e.g., Fire + Wind) into one spell via Arts Drivers. Unlocks mid-game—great for exploiting multi-weaknesses.

Tips:

•Position pairs for SCLM synergy (e.g., Van + Feri for melee, Risette + Agnès for ranged). Avoid clumping—bosses like the prologue’s Grendel-Zolga hit all nearby targets.

•Stack Tactical Bonuses: First Strike (+0.2), Weak Point (+0.2), Hyper Chain (+0.5 via multi-hit Arts like Aerial Dust). Aim for 4.0+ for the trophy Tactical Thinker.

Progression:

•Equip Quartz for speed (Action 3, Cast 2) early—faster turns win fights. Unlock Dual Arts and EX Chains via Märchen Garten rewards (see below).

2. Route System and Time Loops

Daybreak II reintroduces a split-route structure (like Trails into Reverie) with a twist: Dead Ends and Genesis-driven time rewinds.

Mechanics:

•Routes: Each Act splits into multiple chapters (e.g., Act I-A, I-B), focusing on different characters (Van, Elaine, Swin). Complete them in any order—story converges later.

•Dead Ends: Some paths end in failure (e.g., party wipe by Grendel-Zolga). Agnes’ Genesis rewinds time, letting you retry with altered choices.

•LGC Alignment: Law, Gray, Chaos stats shift based on decisions (e.g., “Spare the thief” = +Law). Affects ally recruitment in Act III—max all three for Enlightened Centrist.

Tips:

•Route Picking: Start with Van’s route (A) for story context—others (e.g., Swin’s B) assume Daybreak knowledge. Save Elaine’s for pacing—she’s combat-heavy.

•Dead Ends: Don’t reload—embrace failures. Each retry tweaks events (e.g., avoiding an explosive room), unlocking dialogue and SP (+2 per optimal choice).

•Save Often: Manual saves (10 slots) before route splits or Dead Ends—beta testers on X noted softlocks if you overwrite during rewinds.

Progression:

•Earn SP (Spriggan Points) via quests and choices (e.g., “Investigate alone” in Prologue = +2 SP). Rank up to SSS (40-50 SP) for the AAA Spriggan trophy.

3. Exploration and Collectibles

Calvard’s districts (Edith, Blacklight) and dungeons (e.g., Old Sewer System) are packed with loot and side content.

Key Activities:

•4SPG Quests: 62 requests (e.g., “Sewer System Sweep”). Yield SP (+2-4), mira (1000-3000), and gear. Check boards in Edith or via holo core.

•Treasure Chests: 163 total (6 in Prologue). Use Treasure Hunter shard skill (Earth 3 on Weapon line) to spot them—contents include U-Materials, Quartz (Shield 2), and Zeram Powder.

•Gourmet/Fishing: Eat at shops (e.g., Shino’s Bar: Spicy Salami) to boost Gourmet Rank (+stats). Fish in new spots (e.g., Centre Aprilé) for sepith and minigame trophies.

Tips:

•Map Use: Pin red story markers, blue side quests. Press Down (D-pad) to check minimap—shops update stock (yellow icon) post-chapter.

•Backtrack: Post-Dead End rewinds open new paths (e.g., Prologue sewer chest #4 after boss). X posts confirm 100% chest trophy (Treasure Tracer) needs all 163.

•Mira Farming: Sell excess sepith (200 per type from chests) or grind Märchen Garten—5000 mira per floor clear.

4. Märchen Garten (Virtual Dungeon)

A new optional hub for grinding and upgrades—think Cold Steel’s Reverie Corridor.

Mechanics:

•Floors: Multi-level dungeons with enemies, bosses, and rewards (sepith, Quartz, craft upgrades). Unlocks post-Prologue.

•Teams: Use your full roster (8-10 characters by Act II). Swap mid-run via holo core—rest heals at checkpoints.

•Rewards: Boost crafts (e.g., Van’s Magna Slash +10% power), unlock Dual Arts, or gain mira (up to 10,000 per run).

Tips:

•Grind Early: Clear Floor 1 (Prologue enemies like Sticky Bombs) for Quartz (Action 2) and sepith—cuts early-game scarcity.

•Team Balance: Pair melee (Feri) with ranged (Risette) and healers (Agnès). Elaine’s arts pierce armor—use her on bosses.

•Difficulty Spike: Floor 5+ introduces EX enemies—equip ailment resist (Grail Ring) for freezes or burns.

Progression:

•Max Märchen Garten for Garden Master trophy—requires all floors (+Fairy Garden Castle DLC if purchased).

5. Character and Orbment Progression

Customize via Quartz, shard skills, and crafts—less grindy than Daybreak.

Orbment System:

•Slots: Weapon (offense), Shield (defense), Drive (arts). Quartz like Attack 2 (Weapon) add fire damage, Shield 2 (Shield) boosts HP.

•Shard Skills: Unlock passives via elemental values (e.g., Earth 2 on Weapon = Earth Impact, +10% melee). Nerfed from Daybreak—Ark Feather’s evasion dropped 5%.

•Holo Cores: Voices (e.g., Carabia) boost stats—swap at orbment stations.

Crafts:

•Upgrades: Spend Märchen Garten points—prioritize Van’s Magna Slash (AoE) and Agnès’ Aerial Dust (multi-hit for EX Chains).

•S-Crafts: Use at 100 CP (stun enemies first)—Van’s Grendel Slash wipes packs, earning Van the Stampede trophy (8 kills at once).

Tips:

•Early Quartz: Equip Defense 1, Mind 1 (Prologue gifts)—survive sewer bosses. Add Action 2 (Chest #6) for turn advantage.

•LGC Choices: Boost Chaos with gray options (e.g., “Break the rules”)—unlocks Heiyue aid in Act III.

•Connections: Max bonds (5 stars) via gifts (e.g., Yumé’s Cartoon Handkerchief) and events for Unbreakable Bonds.

6. Early Game Priorities

Prologue (February 20th):

•Clear Sewer System Sweep (6/163 chests, +2 SP). Equip Defense 1, Mind 1—beat Grendel-Zolga with Quick Arts (fire).

•Pick “Investigate alone” (+2 SP) at Grand Circuit.

•Act I: Grind Märchen Garten Floor 1 for sepith, finish 4SPG quests (e.g., “Friendly Felon”) for mira.

•Gear: Buy Shino’s Screwdriver (Centre Aprilé, 900 mira)—heals in a pinch.

7. Boss Strategies

•Grendel-Zolga (Prologue):

•Weak to fire—use Agnès’ Fire Bolt (Quick Art) in Field, then EX Chain with Van in Command. Dodge its AoE slam (~2-second windup).

•Rewards: U-Material x4, +2 SP.

•Later Bosses (e.g., Act III):

•Equip freeze resist (Grail Ring)—time-loop foes exploit ailments. Stack Dual Arts (Fire + Time) for weakness breaks.

Final Notes

Daybreak II rewards strategic combat, exploration, and narrative choices. Lean into Märchen Garten for resources, master EX Chains for fights, and embrace Dead Ends for story depth—X posts praise its character focus over Daybreak’s broader plot. With 60+ hours of content (100+ for completionists), pace yourself across routes and save often. It’s less newbie-friendly than Daybreak due to Reverie ties (Swin, Nadia), but a stellar sequel for Trails fans.