Mercenaries Blaze: 100% Achievement Guide

Welcome to my humble 100% achievement guide for Mercenaries Blaze: Dawn of the Twin Dragons!

Mode Completion (Mutually Exclusive)

Hard Boiled
Cleared the game in Hard mode


Tactics Mania
Cleared the game in Maniac mode


Beating the game in Maniac mode will not automatically unlock Hard Boiled. The game requires a minimum of 2 playthroughs to secure all achievements.

I recommend 3 playthroughs with the first one being on Easy or Hard so that you can free farm and prepare (magic items, SP, gold, and synthesis) for the harder modes without any resistance. Whenever you beat the game, you are asked to save over your file so that I can be loaded over to start NG+. In NG+ you only get to keep:

1. Gold (sell all your white items before completing ch22)
   
2. Skill Points (SP) up to 99,999 (should be enough to max all characters' skills on all classes
   
3. Magic Items - blue, rainbow, and gold-colored
   
4. Puzzle Pieces - currency that carries over and accumulates after each run

Difficulty Modes - Take Note

Difficulty	Easy	Normal	Hard	Maniac
Enemy Stats	Stats = 80% of Normal	Stats = 100% of Normal	Stats = 130% of Normal	Stats = 140% of Normal
Equipment Swapping (Battle)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Consumes Action	Not allowed
Turns before Retreat	8	5	3	2

If you are looking to farm Magic Items, SP, Gold, and get the level 99 achievement then Easy difficulty would be the most efficient path to take for your first run since all the gains from each battle remain the same no matter what difficulty you are currently in.

Story - Unmissable

These achievements are unmissable but you are forced to pick one of 2 paths per run. To help the reader anticipate what to prepare for, I will make note of certain chapters that have unique map features or enemies (if any).

Check this playlist which contains my entire playthrough for the 100% trophy. The playlist has 16 videos and each video has timestamps (up until the end of normal mode) in the description for easy access. I completed the game in the order of Normal>Maniac>Hard modes.

The Twin Dragons
Cleared Chapter 1


Encounter
Cleared Chapter 3


Decision
Cleared Chapter 7


After the Chapter 7 battle, you are made to choose between joining General O'Brien (Knight route) or sticking with your mercenary crew (Mercenary route). For my first run on Normal, I chose the Knight route. Note that if you also take the Knight route, you won't have access to magic attacks until later (after ch11) due to the new team you are left with.

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Desire
Cleared Chapter 10 of "Knight route"


Enchanted Sword
Cleared Chapter 12 of "Knight route"


Hesitation
Cleared Chapter 15 of "Knight route"


Punishment
Cleared Chapter 17 of "Knight route"


Guidance
Cleared Chapter 20 of "Knight route"


Knight route:

• Ch9 - one of the loot piles on the ground is beside the bridge (JMP+ will help)
  
• Ch10 - again, 2 of the loot piles in the back of enemy lines are elevated and JMP+ will help
  
• Ch12 - take note that the battle ends if Alvah is defeated (in case you are still getting loot)
  
• Ch16 - the loot here is on top of elevation on each side of the map (MOV+JUMP+Hide)
  If you don't have ALL/PHYS-RES gear then it'll be tough to loot while dealing with Alvah and Xan.
  Stack Pamela with AVD to take some of the heat off.
  
• Ch18 - This map is ALL elevation so stack MOV+ and/or JMP+ on all characters so that you don't get split up and Dalton can keep up the support. You have a nerfed team since it's a temporary arrangement.
  
• Ch19 - You're still stuck with the nerfed team so kill the towers first (they're weak to Dark items) as they can summon more minions. Use Dalton's Anti-Ice and Anti-Fire since and try to fight only 1 dragon at a time. Stack all your characters on the side of the dragon you're fighting.

Before you clear chapter 22, I suggest getting to level 99 on any character for "Proof of Growth" and farming up magic items to synthesize. I completed my first run in Normal mode (Easy would be faster of course) because enemy stats aren't as high and therefore I could farm faster.

Pre-NG+ checklist:

1. SP - farm at least 60-70k so that you can max out any character in NG+ with minimal effort.
   
2. At minimum, synthesize enough ALL-RES+15 and PHYS-RES+25 gear for at least 6 members.
   You should be aiming for 75-100% PHYS-RES and 75+ ALL-RES. Some MPR, +100 FATAL-RES and some offensive stats like STR/INT/ATK/MATK.
   
   
3. Synthesizing will be expensive but you can reduce this cost by searching for good deals like so:
   
   Just check the shop after each battle to see what deals are available.
   
4. Buy at least 6 Blessed Necklace and 4 Saint's Shoes using Puzzle Pieces to boost EXP (+40%) in NG+. Once you have all your resistance gear you won't need to grind much in Free Battles.

New Age
Cleared last chapter of "Knight route"

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If you are starting NG+ on Maniac mode, play very carefully in Chapter 1 to get a feel for the statistically buffed enemy. You can't swap equipment mid-battle in Maniac mode.

Mercenary route is much easier in my opinion which is why I recommended it for Hard and Maniac mode. The selection of characters is just stronger on average and it features 2 of the strongest characters in the game -- Connie and Xan. Check out my character guide for more information.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2803274168
If you pre-farmed all of the resistance and offensive gear through synthesis (even though it may be expensive) then you should be all set to steamroll through the harder difficulties. Parts 14 and 15 of my playlist above show hard mode cleared in about 6 hours thanks to all of the pre-farm.

Never changing
Cleared Chapter 10 of "Mercenary route"


Heart of Iron
Cleared Chapter 12 of "Mercenary route"


Faith
Cleared Chapter 15 of "Mercenary route"


Rescue
Cleared Chapter 17 of "Mercenary route"


Mastermind
Cleared Chapter 20 of "Mercenary route"


History Maker
Cleared last chapter of "Mercenary route"

Equipment/Synthesis

First Trade
Traded a puzzle piece for rare equipment


Sometime around chapter 3, there will be a story-driven explanation on puzzle pieces. They are scattered around story maps (not free battles). Additionally, you can obtain more by selling unused magic items (the rainbow-colored ones) and through additional runs in NG+. The shop has a special tab where you can trade in puzzle pieces to buy equipment (triggering the achievement).



First Synthesis
Used Synthesis to create a magic item


Synthesis requires a base item (white or blue only) and a magic item (blue only). Through this process, you can apply the stats from the magic item (2nd slot) into the base item. There are certain restrictions in which stats/effects can go into what piece (such as ATK on weapons only). Additionally, there's a limit of 3 stats that can be transferred into an item (with a maximum of 2 "+" stats/effects).

Synthesis Master
Used 20,000G on synthesis to create a magic item


To reach the 20k cost required for the achievement, simply find 3 effects of the highest tier (such as ALL-RES+15 and PHYS-RES+25) and synthesize it all together into one piece of gear. Some are worth less than others as you can see in the screenshot below.



Mascot Costume
Dressed up party member to look like a mascot


To dress up as a mascot, equip certain matching pieces of gear such as Bean Head+Plant Suit which you get as story/free battle loot. Some set items can also be purchased from the puzzle piece store.

Combat/Growth

Blaze Exceed
Used Blaze Exceed


Blaze Exceed is essentially your ultimate move. The counter gauge is represented on the top right of your screen as a green bar. You can use it as soon as it hits level 1 or let it go up to higher levels for greater damage and effect (up to a level 3 effect).



These next 2 achievements can be unlocked naturally as you progress and earn levels + SP.

Unlocked Intermediate Class
Party member changed to Intermediate Class


Unlocked Advanced Class
Party member changed to Advanced Class


Unlocked Special Class
Party member changed to Special Class


On top of being level 20 and having 900 SP to spare, you will also need to buy a special item to unlock advanced classes for each of your characters. They can be purchased in the puzzle piece shop and each character has 2 distinct special classes (except Alvah).

Proof of Growth
Party member reached Lv.99


To efficiently reach level 99, I suggest using a character that can cash Earthquake and equipping them with Saint Shoes and a Blessed Necklace (at minimum) purchased from the puzzle piece store for a 40% boost in their EXP gains. You can also deck them out even more with additional EXP gain synthesized gear (might get expensive) as long as it doesn't nerf their damage too much.

EX Stages

To preface this section, all EX Stages are straightforward. There are no complex gimmicks. To steamroll it you just want to be prepared with the right elements, resistances, and rely on that sweet Connie and Xan crutch.

Copper Giant
Cleared EX stage 01


You'll face off with 2 giants that have different elemental attacks. Minos is weak to fire so Xan's Ignition will deal a ton of damage. You can trap these enemies with 4 bodies.



Recommended Resistances: FIRE, WIND, HOLY, EARTH, ICE, PHYSICAL

Twin Dragon
Cleared EX stage 02


Once again, you'll face off with 2 dragons that have different elemental attacks. Their elements are pretty obvious from their colors. Xan and Connie are perfect here since they can cover both elements quite easily. Same as above, these dragons can still be trapped with the right amount of bodies despite their 2x2 size.



Recommended Resistances: FIRE, ICE, PHYSICAL


Holy Beast
Cleared EX stage 03


2 Unicorns and a Saintess. Unlike the previous bosses, she can't be body blocked. Her regular attacks (and Arrow Rain) are infused with ICE due to her bow. She also has a instant death move bound to a countdown timer. +100 FATAL-RES will be your friend here.



Recommended Resistances: HOLY, ICE, PHYSICAL, FATAL(+100)

Gold Knight
Cleared EX stage 04


Use Lester and Xan (with Marching Song) to destroy the 2 towers beside the Gold Knight. I believe he is invulnerable until those 2 towers are destroyed. These towers can also summon more enemies so it's in your best interest to destroy them early. The towers are weak to Dark (to Xan). Once everything else is out of the way, you can body block the boss. Use Crimson Rage to prevent him from healing as he heals quite often. You can then use Sacred Light to pummel him with holy attacks from all 4 body blockers. He's only a bit bulky because of those heals, valkyrie guard, and his shield that sometimes blocks 99% of your damage.



Recommended Resistances: HOLY, DARK, PHYSICAL, WIND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9_KYxkOTLs&t=1s
Trial Master
Cleared EX stage 05


This is a series of 10 continuous battles against enemies that increase in level after each battle. If you choose to leave after a battle, you'll have to start from the first one again. I suggest using Alvah's Leader Skill which boosts stats by 25% at the cost of being unable to recover from KO (available only on the Mercenary route). His stat boosts are even more important if you're entering EX05 without being over-leveled since the enemy levels range from 40-60. The extra stats will help you land hits and end the battles faster.

Each floor has a "theme" of enemies (Slimes, Gryphons, Boars, etc.) and there are 2 variations per floor. These variations can have different resistances (i.e. not every boar will be weak to FIRE). Xan and Connie shine here because Xan has strong elemental coverage, huge AoE range, and strong neutral magic (Meteor) and his single target DARK Magic is strong enough to matter even against enemies that have 0 resistance against DARK. Blizzard and Ignition will be useful for about 4-5 levels. Connie on the other hand has ultimate coverage against all elemental weaknesses due to a plethora of damage items sold in the shop. Her Item Increase skill increases damage dealt by items by up to 300-400%. Additionally, a mana box (AoE mana recover) heals for 160 MP instead of 100 MP when used by Connie. Items do not miss and deal as much if not more damage than your regular damage dealer. She's just an overall great character. I have a video below showcasing both of them in action throughout the 10 floors (continuous run starts at 9:00).

Recommended Resistances: HOLY, DARK, PHYSICAL, WIND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqkkrHkOFY

100% and Outro

Congratulations! This achievement should pop simultaneously as your 2nd last achievement.

Dawn of the Twin Dragons
Completed all trophies



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