Ultimate "Snowgrave" Route Guide

A precise checklist to 100% guarantee entry into this hidden route.

Serious Warning

The "Snowgrave" route is a hidden, non-standard, and extremely dark storyline. It will cause you to miss a significant amount of the normal Chapter 2 plot and character interactions, and it will permanently alter the chapter's ending. It is strongly recommended that you complete at least one normal run before attempting this route. Follow this guide strictly, as any missed step can break the sequence.

The Golden Rule

This route has only one core rule that you must follow from beginning to end:

All enemies must be defeated by Noelle using her ice magic for the final blow.

Kris's only role in combat is to build TP by using Defend, or using Act in specific situations. Never have Kris attack physically or spare enemies.

Detailed Checklist

  1. Triggering the Route: After Noelle joins your party, immediately turn around and go left, back to the previous area. Noelle will be confused, but keep going. You will encounter a new enemy here that wasn't there before, marking the start of the route.
  2. The First Battle: In the fight against this enemy (Virovirokun), have Kris continuously Defend while Noelle uses Iceshock. Each Defend by Kris gives the party 16% TP, just enough for Noelle to cast Iceshock. Use this method to freeze the enemy.
  3. Clearing the Initial Area: Starting with the first enemy, head west all the way back to the initial trash zone. Defeat every single enemy you see using the 'Kris Defends, Noelle Freezes' method. Do not miss any, including the one hidden under a traffic cone.
  4. Proceed and Solve Puzzles: After clearing the initial area, return to where Noelle joined and continue right. New enemies will spawn; freeze them all the same way. When you reach a puzzle blocking your path, and Noelle asks what to do, choose options like "Proceed." This is the first critical dialogue choice; a wrong answer will break the route.
  5. Getting the FreezeRing: In one room, you'll see an Addison selling a ring. Keep choosing "Get it" to force Noelle to take it. This FreezeRing boosts Noelle's magic damage.
  6. Getting the ThornRing: Continue freezing every enemy. Once you've frozen enough, go to the dumpster in the bottom-left of the area with the two long roads. Spamton will have a shop here and will sell you the ThornRing. You must buy it and immediately equip it on Noelle from the menu. This is the point of no return for the second half of the route.
  7. The Final Confrontation: After equipping the ThornRing, proceed. You will encounter Berdly. In this fight, continue having Kris defend to build TP. You will notice a new spell in Noelle's list: SNOWGRAVE. It costs 200% TP, but the ThornRing's effect reduces it to 100%. When TP reaches 100%, have Noelle cast SNOWGRAVE.

The End of the Route

Once you cast SNOWGRAVE on Berdly, you have successfully locked in the route. The rest of the game will change drastically. You will face a different final boss than in the normal route and receive a very... quiet ending.

Good luck.