Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium is the highly anticipated sequel to the popular tactical RPG Girls’ Frontline, offering players an immersive experience filled with strategic battles, team-building, and plenty of new features. Set 12 years after the events of the first game, you step into the boots of the Commander, now a bounty hunter onboard the Mobile Construction Vehicle (MCV) Elmo, with a squad of T-Dolls (android soldiers) by your side. Whether you are a returning player or a complete newcomer, this guide will provide you with all the essentials to start strong in Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium.
1. Understand the Premise and Setting
Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium brings a fresh perspective to the franchise, shifting the world’s focus 12 years after the fall of Griffin & Kryuger, the global Private Military Company.
As the Commander, you’ve left this once-powerful organization and now operate as a Bounty Hunter aboard the MCV Elmo, where you work with your trusted team of T-Dolls. These androids, previously part of Griffin & Kryuger, now follow you through missions, battles, and exploration as you strive to uncover new stories and progress in your mission.
Your key characters include Groza (OTs-14), your main adjutant, and Mayling Shen, the MCV’s logistics officer and mechanic. Together, they will guide you through this new adventure.
2. The Evolution of Combat and Strategy
In the first Girls’ Frontline, combat was based on a turn-based, strategy map with auto-battles. In contrast, Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium introduces a more tactical combat system, similar to XCOM—a “turn-based tactical RPG.”
This change marks a big shift, requiring you to manage smaller squads, typically 4 to 5 T-Dolls, on a grid-based map. Your mission objectives may range from reaching a target point to wiping out enemies or successfully extracting from the area.
This “XCOM-lite” system offers more control over positioning, abilities, and tactics, requiring careful planning to achieve victory. Be sure to check out the Combat Guide to fully grasp the new mechanics and nuances.
3. Class System
While Girls’ Frontline used a “Type” system based on weapon categories (e.g., SMGs, ARs, etc.), Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium shifts to a more dynamic “Class” system, which influences how you deploy and utilize your T-Dolls. The four main classes are:
- Bulwark Class: Your “Tank” unit, designed for the front lines. They offer defensive buffs, taking the brunt of enemy attacks and protecting weaker units.
- Sentinel Class: The “DPS” class, excelling in damage output. These T-Dolls are your primary source of offensive power.
- Vanguard Class: Known for high mobility, Vanguards can perform flanking maneuvers and act as secondary damage dealers, offering tactical flexibility.
- Support Class: The backbone of your squad, providing healing and various buffs to enhance your team’s overall performance.
Understanding these classes is vital for building a balanced team capable of handling a wide range of combat scenarios. You’ll need to mix and match these classes to build a squad that can tackle any challenge the game throws your way.
4. Gacha System
The “Production” system from the previous game has been replaced by a standard “Gacha” system in Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium. Players now summon new T-Dolls through two main banners:
- Standard Procurement: The permanent banner that features six base SSR T-Dolls and their respective SSR weapons. This banner does not update and includes T-Dolls like Mosin-Nagant, Peritya, and Vepley. The SSR pity rate is set at 80 pulls, guaranteeing an SSR character or weapon.
- Limited Procurement: A rotating banner featuring new and rerun T-Dolls. This banner has two categories: Character and Weapon banners, where you can summon for specific T-Dolls and their respective weapons. Be mindful of the rates, as Limited banners often feature highly desirable T-Dolls.
In addition to standard resources, Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium uses Access Permissions (tickets) to summon on the Standard banner. Be sure to farm events and objectives to earn these tickets and maximize your pulls.
5. Skill and Character Progression: Fortification System
Unlike the original game, which used the “Skill Training” system with timed AFK training, Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium has adopted a “Fortification” system. In this system, dupes (duplicates of a T-Doll) no longer unlock new skills. Instead, they serve to enhance existing abilities. All skills are unlocked from the beginning, and dupes act as a means to increase skill potency.
As you progress, you will need to focus on fortifying your T-Dolls to maximize their effectiveness in combat. The more dupes you gather, the more powerful your squad will become.
6. The Currency and Stamina Systems
There are three main currencies in Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium:
- Collapse Piece: The non-premium currency used to purchase items, refresh stamina, and summon tickets.
- Sardis Gold: The premium currency, primarily used to upgrade T-Dolls and weapons.
- Credit Tokens: A premium currency used for purchasing packs and costumes. Though it can be exchanged for Collapse Pieces, it’s typically best used for higher-tier purchases.
The game also uses a stamina system, known as Intelligence Puzzle, which refreshes at 0500 UTC-5. You can increase your stamina limit as your Commander level rises. If you’re running low, use Access Keys or Collapse Pieces to refresh it and keep progressing.
7. Unlocking Key Features Through Progression
As you level up your Commander, you’ll unlock new features and game modes:
- Neural Survey and Neural Helix: These modes unlock at Commander Level 15 and help you progress your T-Dolls further.
- Boss Fights: Available from Commander Level 27, these are weekly challenges where you can face off against powerful raid bosses.
- Combat Exercise and Peak Value Assessment: PvP and tower modes that unlock at Commander Level 30, providing additional challenges and rewards.
Your Commander level is crucial for unlocking new content and progressing through the game’s story, so focus on leveling up early.
Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium offers a fresh and engaging experience for both new and returning players. Understanding the new combat mechanics, class system, and gacha elements is essential for progressing smoothly through the game. Be sure to focus on upgrading your T-Dolls, gathering resources, and mastering the new tactical combat system. Whether you’re diving into the story or tackling endgame content, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy in this exciting sequel. Good luck, Commander!