Mission 25: Faulkner's Trap

Mission Overview

Situation: Don't let that bastard get away! Objective: Annihilate all enemies.	3D Map:

Enemies

	Faulkner (Solarus ATAC)
	HP: 126			Level: 12			Money: N/A
	BAS: 13	POW: 14	DEX: 9	AGL: 8	DEF: 12	WEP: 14	Spirit: 51	Range: 5	Speed: 4.94
	Equipment: Darkblade, Ruby			Attacks: Slash, Thrust, Tackle, Str. Slash, Kick, Fireball, Melting Flare			Dormant Abilities: Parry, Mass Menace
	Imperial 1 (Einlager ATAC)
	HP: 97			Level: 9			Money: 5000
	BAS: 11	POW: 10	DEX: 8	AGL: 9	DEF: 5	WEP: 8	Spirit: 42	Range: 5	Speed: 5.10
	Equipment: Gladius, Garnet			Attacks: Slash, Thrust, Tackle, Str. Slash, Kick			Dormant Abilities: NONE
	Imperial 2 (Einlager ATAC)
	HP: 97			Level: 9			Money: 5000
	BAS: 11	POW: 10	DEX: 8	AGL: 9	DEF: 5	WEP: 8	Spirit: 42	Range: 5	Speed: 5.10
	Equipment: Gladius, Garnet			Attacks: Slash, Thrust, Tackle, Str. Slash, Kick			Dormant Abilities: NONE
	Imperial 3 (Barbatos ATAC)
	HP: 66			Level: 6			Money: 3500
	BAS: 6	POW: 7	DEX: 7	AGL: 4	DEF: 4	WEP: 9	Spirit: 33	Range: 4	Speed: 3.70
	Equipment: Gladius, Onyx			Attacks: Slash, Thrust			Dormant Abilities: NONE
	Imperial 4 (Barbatos ATAC)
	HP: 70			Level: 6			Money: 3500
	BAS: 7	POW: 6	DEX: 6	AGL: 4	DEF: 5	WEP: 9	Spirit: 33	Range: 4	Speed: 3.74
	Equipment: Gladius, Turquoise			Attacks: Slash, Thrust			Dormant Abilities: NONE
	Imperial 5 (Barbatos ATAC)
	HP: 62			Level: 6			Money: 3500
	BAS: 5	POW: 7	DEX: 6	AGL: 5	DEF: 5	WEP: 9	Spirit: 33	Range: 4	Speed: 3.90
	Equipment: Gladius, Onyx			Attacks: Slash, Thrust			Dormant Abilities: NONE
	Imperial 6 (Barbatos ATAC)
	HP: 66			Level: 6			Money: 3500
	BAS: 6	POW: 6	DEX: 6	AGL: 5	DEF: 5	WEP: 9	Spirit: 33	Range: 4	Speed: 3.94
	Equipment: Gladius, Turquoise			Attacks: Slash, Thrust			Dormant Abilities: NONE

Important Battlefield Events:

- You cannot lose or win this mission. If Bastion loses all of his HP, or if he enters a round of combat with Faulkner, the mission ends. - Bastion is the only one on your team in this mission. - Bastion begins the battle in an angry mood (higher attack power). As he dodges attacks, it lightens to a normal mood, and when he's hit or hits the enemy, he gets angry again. Defeating all of the soldiers makes him happy.

Strategy

Alone and surrounded by Imperials, the situation looks bleak. And it is, but to brighten things up a little, we're going to humiliate the Imperial Army and their Stormtrooper-like fighting methods. This strategy is one from the official Vanguard Bandits guide for the game, and it works so very well (thanks!) Start the battle by slashing Imperial 5 in the back, and do it again on your next turn (which should happen before Imperial 5 can react.) This will kill him. Now, head to the southwest corner and hide in the little niche in the bushes. The Imperials will follow, but they will only be able to attack one at a time. Avoid their attacks, attacking with Str. Slash on your turns. The Imperials 3-6 have low hit rates and low POW scores, so you should be able to defeat them all this way. If you want, save your game before every round of combat, attack, and if it hits, keep going. If it doesn't hit or you take a hit, reset and reload from where you last in-battle saved. This isn't really needed for the Imperials 3-6, but 1-2 may need this special treatment, as they have higher stats and will hit more frequently with more damage. Using this method, you can get Bastion up to Level 11, giving him a very good start. After defeating all of the Imperials, Faulkner will leave his perch and attack. One round of combat will end the mission, but try to get a hit in anyway. If you hit and are not killed by his counter, you will get more EXP, possibly getting you up to Level 12! How's THAT for a head start? Granted, you don't have to do this, but I highly recommend that you do.

Now that the mission is complete..

- You now control 4 more team members; Sadira in the Sylpheed ATAC, Franco in the Korbelan ATAC, Halak in the Korbelan ATAC, and Cecilia in the Barbatos ATAC.

- You move on to Mission 26

Before beginning Mission 26, save your game and load stats from the Options screen (do this after every mission to be safe), and head to the Interview screen. Think about what ending you're going for, and talk to the corresponding female 3 times to boost her morale. If you're unsure on who's ending you want or you want to save a game before the Cecilia morale-boosting event and THEN decide, talk to Franco or Halak instead.

Head to the shop. Buy the Preshuze for Bastion, Cecilia, Franco and Halak, but when it comes time to buy stones, don't bother with Franco and Halak, as they are already equipped with Emeralds (Level 2 Wind Stones). Purchase an Emerald for Cecilia, and either save your money for later or buy any Amulets you might want. When you're all geared up, head to Mission 26: Cave of the Cretins.