This guide contains spoilers (not for any of the new optional content, though), and assumes you know the location of every secret and chest and whatnot. If you don't know those, this was a freeware game from 2008; most secrets are 1:1 here and you can find guides scattered around the internet from way back when.

Also, this guide is lacking in pictures. I just put in the enemy sprites (the ones I have access to, anyway, cause the new enemies haven't been ripped yet).

Although a lot more engaging in combat, this remaster still isn't that hard except for the Zodiac bosses. So I figured maybe a minimum EXP challenge would spice things up.

...It's not really all that hard until halfway through Zone 2, though. But spice things up it did.

I wrote down my levels and how much EXP gained for each fight. This guide basically serves as a way to show those benchmarks to other people who might want to try this for themselves, along with showing the rules that I followed. I'll also give out tips for standout moments.

This could also serve as a basis for more challenging runs, like ones where you can only use each save block once, or where you can't buy anything from Zacharie or anything like that.

1. Minimize EXP gain, mostly by fleeing encounters and avoiding optional ones
   
2. Every party member must be alive by the end of every fight to get EXP
   
3. Chests that have unfleeable encounters are not allowed (i.e. the ones in the dark smoke mines). Any other chest is fair game

• Fleeing doesn't always work, and since only The Batter can choose it, you should just have your Add-Ons defend while you wait for his turn again
  
• If a fight is required with enemies that spawn midway (i.e. speech bubbles), be as fast as possible to ensure they do not spawn! I'll point out instances of this however
  
• I made the rule of every party member being alive, because I realize if they are dead, they get no EXP, and EXP distribution doesn't change depending on how many party members there are. This felt too cheesy so I made that rule
  
• I only used one zodiac orb, a Virgo Orb, in the entire run for a specific purpose. I will point out when to use it. Otherwise, you can use the two sets from Zone 2/3 as you'd like (the ones from Zone 1 are behind unfleeable optional encounters)
  
• Since money is scarce, I only spent really spent it on Luck/Fortune Tickets, Silver Flesh, and defensive equipment. I tried Inspiration/Expiration spam to no avail. How you spend your money is entirely up to you, though I will bring up suggestions for when to buy consumables or other things
  
• I didn't go into any purified zones at all, because you cannot flee from Secretaries. Theoretically it's possible to loot a whole purified zone without an encounter, but I'm not that lucky nor insane to try over and over again

Below, I will list each required encounter, with how many enemies of each type is in the fight, and how much EXP you gain after. Under each encounter is the levels of party members just before that fight, for you to check before you do that encounter yourself.

I will leave notes for any standout moments.

Location: Smoke Mines
Batter: Level 2, EXP 736/2207
Alpha: Level 1, EXP 0/776

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Location: Barn
Batter: Level 2, EXP 1136/2207
Alpha: Level 1, EXP 400/776

The five encounters will always be in the same order, no matter which ghost you interact with.
Here's the order:

• Fat Specter x1
  
• Fat Specter x1 (Hasty)
  
• Fat Specter x1, ahah x1 (Hasty)
  
• Fat Specter x1 (Hasty)
  
• Fat Specter x1, ahah x3

In all cases, try to kill the Fat Specters ASAP. If their action meter fills, they will spawn another enemy, and therefore you get more EXP. That isn't very ideal, but thankfully not much of a problem. Just use Run with Courage and Saturated String to kill them before they move (works even while they're Hasty). The CC cost is minimal as well.

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Location: Shachihata Postal Services
Batter: Level 2, EXP 1926/2207
Alpha: Level 2, EXP 1190/2327

This guy uses Clock Out on his second turn, immediately ending the battle while hurting you for quite a bit. You can literally just defend to take minimal damage, and then move on with your day.

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Location: Shachihata Postal Services
Batter: Level 2, EXP 2036/2207
Alpha: Level 2, EXP 1300/2327

This is the one you fight when getting the code correct, not any of the random encounters.

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Location: Alma Entrance
Batter: Level 2, EXP 2176/2207
Alpha: Level 2, EXP 1440/2327

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Location: Alma Fountains
Batter: Level 3, EXP 2536/4413
Alpha: Level 2, EXP 1800/2327

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Location: Alma Fountains (First Pedalo Recovery Point)
Batter: Level 3, EXP 2791/4413
Alpha: Level 2, EXP 2055/2327

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Location: Alma Fountains (Second Pedalo Recovery Point)
Batter: Level 3, EXP 3046/4413
Alpha: Level 2, EXP 2310/2327

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Location: Alma Fountains (Third Pedalo Recovery Point)
Batter: Level 3, EXP 3416/4413
Alpha: Level 3, EXP 2680/4653

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If you need the code for the blocks, it's 49826590. If you have this code, you don't need to fight again just to have access to the rest of the numbers.

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Batter: Level 3, EXP 3786/4413
Alpha: Level 3, EXP 3050/4653

I saved all my money up to this point to buy defensive equipment, and nothing else. Keep Dedan poisoned at all times (poison will be your best friend), and make sure any ahah's get destroyed ASAP. Spam Saturated String until Alpha runs out of CC, at which point you can use Silver Flesh or guard to get CC back. The Batter can just attack, heal, and funnel items into Alpha.

Keep your HP above 60 or so, and take advantage of the fact that guarding with a crit restores 25 CC (good for longterm).

I'm not aware if and how it is possible to minimize the amount of ahah's spawning, or if they even add to the EXP total.

Location: Library 3rd Floor
Batter: Level 4, EXP 6816/7354
Alpha: Level 4, EXP 6080/7754

I will tell you when to get it.

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Location: Park
Batter: Level 6, EXP 11816/15441
Alpha: Level 5, EXP 11080/11630

Pro-tip for the balloon game: always make sure that four balloons are popped total. For example, if the Elsen pops one, you pop three, if he pops two, you pop two, etc. This guarantees a win if you go second.

This ensures that Omega will have the least EXP possible, as if you get it ASAP, or have it join on the way to/after Japhet, it will have more EXP than it would if you got it right now.

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Location: Residental District
Batter: Level 6, EXP 12136/15441
Alpha: Level 5, EXP 11400/11630
Omega: Level 5, EXP 7824/11735

This next part requires some setup. First, get the Loyal Symbol from the Pedalo ride in the park. Get the roller coaster photo with the Zacharie statue to gain access to Zacharie's office, and grab all the zodiac orbs. Use the Virgo Orb on Alpha to increase its agility by 1.

Alternatively, if you want to keep the Virgo Orb, buy the Emmanuel Bat for The Batter. I didn't do this in order to save money. Having the Loyal Symbol on Alpha is still advised regardless of what you choose.

The reason you need all this setup is because Porter Specters give out 330 EXP if you kill them before they split. Otherwise you get an extra 200 EXP from the mini ghosts as well. So clearly we need to kill them ASAP.

Spam Run with Courage and Converted String, while Omega uses a normal attack. If you used the Virgo Orb, Alpha's second turn should happen the instant before the Porter Specter goes. With that you should be able to kill it in time with the Loyal Symbol. Otherwise, with the Emmanuel Bat, The Batter will kill it on his second turn.

I recommend having Combat Selection set to Auto here, because otherwise you will need to select your party members the frame they are ready. This needs to be exact, or else the Porter Specter will get to have its turn, so make sure The Batter has at least 32 CC and Alpha has 28 CC before every fight.

During all this, do not underestimate the Specter-mite swarms. They can dish out serious damage, and they get crits pretty often. What I did was use one Luck Ticket on every party member after each fight with them.

Do not fight any burnts, but feel free to get the Golden Flesh in the northwest bunker.

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Location: Library Rooftop
Batter: Level 6, EXP 14256/15441
Alpha: Level 6, EXP 13520/16281
Omega: Level 5, EXP 9944/11735

Not very difficult, just buy some Luck/Fortune Tickets, defensive equipment, along with Silver Flesh, and have Omega be the item user. Make sure The Batter and Alpha don't stop attacking, keep Japhet poisoned, and Omega can heal muteness with items or Competence.

Same deal as before. You don't need to wait as long, though.

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Location: Area 1 West Dormitories
Batter: Level 7, EXP 19256/20587
Alpha: Level 7, EXP 18520/21707
Omega: Level 6, EXP 14944/16428

This fight can be pretty tough. Go for the Crown of the Dead first.

However, Epsilon doesn't actually have any Competences at the moment; you are underleveled, after all. And, don't get your hopes up, Epsilon will learn literally nothing until after you fight The Queen. Hence the thumbnail:



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Location: Area 2 Sugar Storage
Batter: Level 7, EXP 20456/20587
Alpha: Level 7, EXP 19720/21707
Omega: Level 6, EXP 16144/16428
Epsilon: Level 6, EXP 11495/16092

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After that fight, be wary of the Elsen who chase you in the next room, because those encounters are unfleeable. You need to use the switch to your immediate left in order to leave.

The upcoming Critic-burnt gives no EXP, so don't worry about that.

In Area 4, you don't need to fight anyone. Instead, just input this code into the controller:
↓ ← ↑ → Y X B A B Start

For keyboard users:
↓ ← ↑ → Shift V Z X Z C

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Location: Area 4
Batter: Level 8, EXP 21476/26468
Alpha: Level 7, EXP 20740/21707
Omega: Level 7, EXP 17164/16428
Epsilon: Level 6, EXP 12515/16092

Enoch can and will destroy you instantly. Omega and Epsilon cannot do much in this fight, as they have poor offensive capabilities (Epsilon still knows nothing), so use them as item users. You're going to need a lot of Luck Tickets, Silver Flesh, and some Jokers (hopefully you accumulated some this far into the game, but they're actually not too pricey). Despite the fact that Omega and especially Epsilon cannot do much, remember you must keep everyone alive. It helps The Batter and Alpha to focus entirely on damage, anyway.

The Batter should use Special Home Run, while Alpha keeps Enoch both Poisoned and Lethargic. If he is, use Converted String. Make sure they are constantly dealing damage as much as possible, you do not want to be caught up managing your party without outputting damage.

When Enoch gets serious (literally), he has the potential to instantly wipe your entire team if you aren't careful. Try staying at around 75% HP and above the whole fight, although you need to worry less when Enoch is tired.

Also, I didn't forget anything. Enoch straight up gives no EXP. Hardest fight in the run at this point and you get rewarded with only money.

Location: Chapter 5 - Hallway
Batter: Level 8, EXP 21476/26468
Alpha: Level 7, EXP 20740/21707
Omega: Level 7, EXP 17164/16428
Epsilon: Level 6, EXP 12515/16092

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Location: Chapter 1
Batter: Level 8, EXP 23436/26468
Alpha: Level 7, EXP 22700/21707
Omega: Level 7, EXP 19124/21903
Epsilon: Level 6, EXP 14475/16092

Yup, that's right, already at the final boss. This will be a long fight, so strap in.

This is the hardest fight in the game. There's plenty of potential for multiple party members to be killed before you can even course correct. However, it is still pretty manageable if you play your cards right.

Since Epsilon still knows literally nothing, have it be the item user. Omega does that job too, although it can occasionally cure Lethargic. Use Belial's Meats to your fullest advantage, while they cannot get rid of the debuffs Sigma deals out, they can get rid of anything Vader Eloha does. Make sure to also equip Special equipment like Sunday and Secret Day to help with some statuses, too.

The Batter and Alpha are on the offensive, as per usual. When either of them are out of CC (which will happen, a lot) have them defend and wait until Omega or Epsilon can give them Silver Flesh. The Batter should use Special Home Run, while Alpha keeps Vader Eloha Lethargic, and gives Poison to whoever you're targeting (you could also spread the poison out, but I recommend focusing on one enemy at a time). If you ran out of Luck/Fortune Tickets (which will probably also happen) have The Batter heal, but make sure Alpha is attacking still.

I go for Delta first, followed by Ipsilon, then Vader Eloha herself. Delta can dish out nasty damage to the entire party, and Ipsilon can heal. It might be more ideal to go for Ipsilon first, but in my attempts, that always ended up in failure. Sigma doesn't matter too much, it dies when Vader Eloha does.

Location: Chapter 0
Batter: Level 10, EXP 33436/40435
Alpha: Level 9, EXP 32700/34884
Omega: Level 9, EXP 29124/35199
Epsilon: Level 8, EXP 24475/27584

A coughing baby gives more EXP than Enoch...

With that, all the fights that give EXP have been taken care of. Congratulations for doing a challenge run ...that isn't all that challenging, to be honest. Here's what your party ought to look like:



Batter: Level 10, EXP 36436/40435
Alpha: Level 10, EXP 35700/42635
Omega: Level 9, EXP 29124/35199
Epsilon: Level 8, EXP 24475/27584

Pablo/The Batter aren't difficult fights, even when doing minimal EXP. Feel free to now stunlock The Batter with Staggering Sclerosis.

Also, shoutout to OFF OST + SFX Restored[ferase.itch.io] which I used during this run. Very cool.