Any% Cadet NG Beginner Guide

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vDZ3MB_75qYfFVxjffxBVeoCZKj-iAdkTwY0RcKJFx4/edit?usp=sharing

Notes written with the intent that even someone who has never looked at this game before can finish a run and eventually get an average time. Over detailed. You'll likely want to make your own tldr notes after getting some runs under your belt.

(Edit 9/4/24) - These notes will still get you through a run, but at this time some edits are in the works thanks to a lot of community effort on rerouting. If you have any questions about the changes to come, please ask in the FF discord! These notes will remain fairly untouched as the beginners guide to learning the game except for some easy optimizations.

Complete New Game+ Guide

I recommend starting the run with Rem, Ace, Cater, and Machina at level 50 or higher. All other cadets can be at any level, but the 4 listed are the cadets that I personally think are the best to use for the run, since the first 3 are all fast both in battle and in Akademeia, allowing you to spend less time menuing and more time doing things fast. The only reason Machina is on this list is because the chapter 7 Code Crimson Mission is done solo with him.

The Akademeia Liberation
1st Area - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma to disable the barriers until the leader appears. Defeat them, then continue.
2nd Area - Defeat all enemies. Skip the cutscene. Wait by the red barrier until the Nox Suzaku leaves, then continue to the gate.
3rd Area - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma, then continue.
4th Area - Skip.
5th Area - Go to the lever, then push it. Defeat the leader, then board the elevator.
6th Area - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma, then continue.
7th Area - Defeat the leader, then place the magicite. Run up to the 2nd leader that appears afterwards, and defeat it.
8th & 9th Areas - Skip.
10th Area - Defeat the enemies, then continue.
11th Area, Part 1 - Charge up Zantetsuken to >50%, then attack Dainsleif with it.
11th Area, Part 2 - Attack Dainsleif until she runs out of health. After she heals, attack until she runs out of health again, then land the killsight on her, which will complete the mission.

Chapter 2, Free Time 1
Head to Classroom Zero, skip the cutscenes and dialogue. After talking to Moglin, go out to the graveyard in the Back Garden. Skip the scene, then start heading for Central Command. Skip the cutscene with the Relic Terminal and Aki's dialogue. Talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day.

The Cadets' First Deployment
1st Area - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma, then continue
2nd Area - Skip
3rd Area - Destroy the Autoturrets, defeat the leader, then continue.
4th Area - Skip.
5th Area - Defeat the leader, then continue.
6th Area - Skip.
7th Area - Defeat the leader, which will complete the mission.

Chapter 2, Free Time 2 & 3
Head straight for Central Command, and talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day. Skip the sortie when you talk to Kurasame. Return to Akademeia, skip the cutscenes, then talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day.

Operation Breakthrough
1st Area - Enemies will appear in pretty quick succession here, and you will need to defeat them all and collect their phantoma before advancing.
2nd Area - There will be 7 enemies here when you first arrive. Defeat them all and collect their phantoma to advance.
3rd & 4th Areas - Skip.
5th Area - Defeat the 2 Autoturrets and 2 Colossuses to advance.
6th & 7th Areas - Skip.
8th Area - Interact with the gear at the center, then head back out. 
7th Area (Return 1) - Go left from the Dynamo entrance.
9th Area - Skip.
10th Area - Go straight for the leader, defeat them, then continue through the door.
11th Area - Skip.
12th Area - Gather the 2 items, then continue out the door.
3rd & 4th Areas (Return) - Skip.
5th Area (Return) - Defeat all 5 enemies, move towards the corner on the left side of the door to the stronghold, draw their phantoma, then pick up the item before heading back into the stronghold.
6th Area (Return) - Skip.
7th Area (Return 2) - Go left from the Stronghold entrance.
13th Area - Gather the 3 items, then wait to be teleported out to the forest.
14th Area - Defeat all waves of enemies until the leader appears, then defeat them and draw their phantoma to finish the mission.

Chapter 3, Free Time 1
Talk to Kursame in Central Command, then leave. Wait for Moglin to finish his speech, then return to Central Command. Talk to Kasumi to skip to Mission Day.

The Infiltration of Iscah
1st Area - Skip.
2nd Area - Drain the water, then continue.
3rd Area - Go right.
4th Area - Place the Magicite.
3rd Area, Return - Go left.
5th Area - Skip.
6th Area - Drain the water, then go to the Dynamo.
7th Area - Place the Magicite.
6th Area, Return - Skip.
5th Area, Return - Go through the new path.
8th, 9th, & 10th Areas - Skip.
11th Area - Place the Magicite.
9th & 10th Areas, Return - Skip.
8th Area, Return - Open the door, then continue.
12th Area - Skip.
13th Area - Defeat the enemies, then wait for the door to open.
14th Area - Drain the water, defeat enemies while you wait, then continue.
15th Area - Defeat the marked enemies, draw their phantoma, then continue.
16th & 17th Areas - Skip.
18th Area - Defeat the leader, then continue.
19th Area - Skip.
20th Area - Defeat the marked enemies, draw their phantoma, then continue.
21st Area - Defeat the leader, then continue.
22nd Area - Skip.
23rd Area - Defeat the leader, then continue.
24th Area - Skip.
25th Area - Defeat the marked enemies until the leader appears, then defeat them. This will end the mission.

Chapter 3, Free Time 2
Head straight for Central Command, and talk to Kasumi to skip to Mission Day. 

A Fog-Laden Foray
Azurr District - Go right for the mission location. 
1st Area - Defeat the Leader, then continue through the gate
2nd Area - Defeat the troops in front of the barrier, draw their phantoma, then defeat the leader, and continue through the gate.
3rd Area - Defeat all enemies, then continue through the gate.
4th Area - Defeat the troops in front of the barrier, draw their phantoma, then defeat the leader, and continue through the gate.
5th & 6th Areas - Defeat all enemies, then continue through the gate.
7th Area - Skip.
8th & 9th Areas - Defeat all enemies, then continue through the gate.
10th Area - Skip
11th Area - Defeat the Leader, then wait for the cutscene to play.
12th Area - Use Trey to shoot the sniper. A blue emblem will appear when you are in range to hit him.

Chapter 4, Free Time 1
Skip the cutscenes, head outside, then talk to Moglin to skip to Mission Day.

Mission Under Ceasefire
Skip all areas until you reach the Communications Facility. Your best bet will be to use the Magic Cancel/Quick Draw ability with the Fire RF spell. Once you draw the monster's phantoma, the mission will be over, and you can continue on with the game.

Chapter 4, Free Time 2
Skip the cutscenes, then talk to Eight to skip to Mission Day. Head towards the airship in Jubanla, fighting any encounters you run into on the way there.

Chapter 5, Free Time 1 & 2
Skip the cutscenes. Head straight for Central Command, and talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day. Skip the sortie when you talk to Kurasame. Return to Akademeia, skip the cutscenes, then talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day.

Operation Vulturnus
Before the mission, send the 3 cadets at the bottom of your reserves to Big Bridge.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Areas - Skip.
4th Area - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma to disable the barrier, then continue.
5th & 6th Areas - Skip.
7th, 8th, & 9th Areas - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma to disable the barrier, then continue.
10th Area - Defeat all enemies until mog says "Keep going, Kupo!", then continue.
11th Area - Defeat the Diepvern, then continue.
12th Area - Skip.
13th Area - Defeat the Wingvern, then continue.
14th & 15th Areas - Defeat all enemies until the named Dracoknight, or "leader", shows up. Defeat them, then continue.
16th Area - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma to disable the barrier, then continue. 
17th & 18th Areas - Defeat all enemies until the named Dracoknight, or "leader" shows up, Defeat them, then continue. In the 17th area, there is a little bit of arrow confusion because the bridge you need to take is out, and you need to defeat 2 "leaders" in this area. You need to take the northeastern door, go to the 18th area and defeat the enemies there, then loop back around to the 17th area to continue.
19th & 20th Areas - Defeat all enemies and draw their phantoma to disable the barrier, then continue.
21st and 22nd Areas - Skip.
23rd Area - Defeat the boss, then the mission will end.

Chapter 6 Beginning
Head straight to Kurasame to start the mission.

The Last Line of Defense
Dash through this mission using Cater to defeat enemies, until the 20 minute timer runs out. Then, once you land inside the Nox Suzaku, have The Condemned defeat any cadet in your party to make the Nox Suzaku attack you directly. You can finish him off in a few hits, and the mission will be over after a short, unskippable scene, from the battlefield.

Chapter 7, Free Time 1 & 2
Head straight for Central Command, and talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day. Skip the sortie when you talk to Kurasame. Return to Akademeia, skip the cutscenes, then talk to Tachinami to skip to Mission Day.

Machina's Struggle
1st Area - Defeat all enemies according to the Will of the Crystals SO you received, then continue.
2nd Area - Skip.
3rd Area - Defeat Golem according to the Will of the Crystals SO you received, then continue to the subway.
4th, 5th, & 6th Areas - Defeat all enemies and harvest their phantoma to disable the barrier, then continue.
7th, 8th, & 9th Areas - Skip
10th Area - Defeat Golem according to the Will of the Crystals SO you received, then continue.
11th Area - Land Breaksights on Gilgamesh to stun him when he does his single downward slash, then use Cyclone Drive when he's stunned to deal massive amounts of damage until he goes down. Dodge all of his other attacks. The mission will end when you defeat him.

Chapter 8, Free Time 1
Skip the first cutscene, then head out to the Fountain Courtyard. After the cutscene/battle finishes, head into the entrance hall, and towards Classroom Zero. After skipping the two cutscenes, go to Central Command and talk to Naghi, then head out and talk to the Tribune in the entrance hall. Return to Central Command and talk to Naghi, then head back to Classroom Zero. Skip the cutscene, then head back out to the entrance hall. Skip the cutscene with Celestia, talk to her, then go to Pandaemonium.

Invasion of the Rursus
1st Area - Spilt your party into 2 groups of 3. I recommend sending your two highest cadets as the leaders, then filling the other two slots with decent cadets that can at least cast Cure if you take too much damage. I also recommend putting Ace in your first party. Take the 1st Party left, and the 2nd Party right.
1st Party, 1st Area - Accept the Crucible, defeat the Rursan Reaver and draw its phantoma, then continue.
2nd Party, 1st Area - Accept the Crucible, defeat the Rursus and draw their phantoma until time runs out, then continue.
1st Party, 2nd Area - Skip.
1st Party, 3rd Area - Accept the Crucible, then dodge through the area, twice, and try your best not to get hit. You'll complete the Crucible after reaching the door without taking any hits for the 2nd time in a row.
1st Party, 4th Area - Skip.
1st Party, Reunion Site #1 - Skip.
2nd Party, 2nd Area - Skip.
2nd Party, 3rd Area - Accept the Crucible, light the Candles, then defeat the Rursan Reaver, and continue through the door.
2nd Party, 4th Area - Skip.
2nd Party, Reunion Site #1 - Defeat the enemy, then continue to the door.
L'Cie Offer - Refuse and Skip these scenes.
1st Save Room - Switch your party out to solo with Cater or Ace.
Portal Maze - Accept the Crucible, and walk through the first portal. Defeat the 1st Rursan Reaver and harvest its phantoma, then go RIGHT. Defeat the 1st Tonberry and harvest its phantoma, then go LEFT. Defeat the 2nd Rursan Reaver and harvest its phantoma, then go RIGHT. Defeat the 2nd Tonberry and harvest its phantoma, then go STRAIGHT. Defeat the 3rd Rursan Reaver and harvest its phantoma, then go LEFT. Defeat the last 2 Rursus, draw their phantoma, and continue to the portal.
2nd Party Split - Same recommendations as before, but bring Party #1 (Ace's Party) right instead. Make sure your highest level character in Party #2 is a decent attacker and has at least one spell equipped.
1st Party, 1st Area - Defeat all enemies, and try to dodge the portals.
2nd Party, 1st Area - Defeat all enemies using MAGIC AND ABILITIES ONLY. You will need to harvest their phantoma to spawn more.
1st Party, 2nd Area - Skip.
1st Party, 3rd Area - Defeat all Rursus and the 2 Cubes. Then, destroy 3 of the "Pillars of Monad". Before destroying the 4th, wait until the flames match up with the sigil. Then walk over to the sigil and wait for the room to rotate to the door before you can continue.
1st Party, 4th Area - Skip.
1st Party, Reunion Site #2 - Skip.
2nd Party, 2nd Area - Skip.
2nd Party, 3rd Area - Defeat all enemies using PHYSICAL ATTACKS AND ABILITIES ONLY. Then, cross over the bridges as they rotate to make your way to the door. This is probably the most annoying part of the run.
2nd Party, 4th Area - Skip.
2nd Party, Reunion Site #2 - Defeat the enemy, then continue to the door.
2nd Save Point - Skip.
Elevator - Defeat the enemy, twice.
Portals of Destruction, Save Point - Set your party to your highest-level cadets.
Portals of Destruction, Rubrum #1 - Defeat both Rursan Reavers before they kill the Dominion Soldiers.
Portals of Destruction, Rubrum #2 - Defeat the 4 Dominion Legionaries and Golem.
Portals of Destruction, Milites #1 - Defeat all 3 Rursan Reavers and harvest their phantoma, then continue.
Portals of Destruction, Milites #2 - Defeat the 2 MAs
Portals of Destruction, Concordia #1 - Defeat all Rursan Reavers and harvest their phantoma, then continue.
Portals of Destruction, Concordia #2 - Defeat all of the Dracobaltians
Portals of Destruction, Lorica - Defeat Gilgamesh, dodge the bullet fire from above.
Spiral - Dodge the Cubes' bullets until you reach the top
Sanctuary of Descension - Dodge through, skip over the cutscene, dodge some more.
3rd Save Point - Set your party to include Jack and Cinque, then continue down to the Final Boss. Make sure none of your characters have the spell "Avoid" equipped, and that they all have an RF spell equipped if they can't use ranged attacks.
Final Battle, Part 1 - Have Cid kill all of your cadets one by one, bringing in new ones as they die. Save all of your ranged characters for the last party. This will allow you to have a faster chance at landing one of Cid's breaksights when the first few happen.
Final Battle, Part 2 - As you draw Cid's phantoma, bring in all of your ranged characters except 1 to start. For all other cadets, just use their RF spell to land the breaksight. Use the last ranged character to finish off the fight, and call time when you draw Cid's final phantoma.

Name	Author
Any% Cadet NG Beginner Guide	koinu93 5 years ago
Complete New Game+ Guide	VioletInspector7878 5 years ago
Final Fantasy Type 0 - speedrun notes (Any% / Cadet / PC)	kirlimfaul 8 years ago