Nexomon Extinction

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Settings


This playthrough already turned out differently than I expected, and I've just begun!  Custom Mode settings are as follows and are locked for the rest of the game:


RANDOMIZE STARTERS

-Randomize the starting Nexomon, including evolved forms as well as legendary Nexomon.


RANDOMIZE WILD BATTLES

-Completely randomize the wild encounters (no distribution).


RANDOMIZE TAMER BATTLES

-Randomize tamer battles completely, and allow any evolution stage to appear.


MUTATE TAMER PARTIES

-Every time I beat an enemy tamer, mutate their team composition (only possible if the setting "Randomize Tamer Battles" is active).


RANDOMIZE BOSSES

-Allow randomization of story bosses.  Requires "Randomize Tamer Battles" to be active.


CAPTURE RESTRICTION

-Do not restrict which Nexomon I am allowed to capture.


RANDOMIZED OVERWORLD ITEMS

-Randomize the items found in the overworld.


RANDOMIZE ORE BOULDERS

-Randomize the content of ore boulders, such as items and NexoTraps.


MAXIMUM LEVEL

-Limit the maximum level of a Nexomon to 99.


EARLY EVOLVED ENCOUNTERS

-Allow evolved Nexomon to appear early in the wild.


INCREASED DIFFICULTY

-Do not boost the game's difficulty.


PERMANENTLY FAINT NEXOMON

-Allow me to restore my fainted Nexomon.


LIMIT BATTLE ITEMS.

-Do not limit the number of items I can use in battles.


DISABLE SHOPPING

-Do not disable any shops.


FLEE FROM BATTLES

-Don't let me run from battles.  I am the danger.


COINS (WILD BATTLES)

-Do not change the amount of coins I receive from wild battles.


COINS (TAMER BATTLES)

-Do not change the amount of coins I receive from tamer battles.


BOOST EXPERIENCE

-Do not change the amount of experience I receive from battles.


RANDOMIZE SKILLS

-Completely randomize the skills that can be learned, even if the element is different.


STARTING LEVEL

-Do not alter the level of my starting Nexomon.


REVERT EVOLUTIONS

-Do not adjust the evolution stage of any Nexomon I've copied from other files.


RANDOMIZATION SEED

-The current seed is 985267.  This affects the randomization process in Custom Mode.  Share it with your friends for the same experience!

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 1:  VADOS Vs The World


My smartphone hates me, so unfortunately there no screenshots.  Hopefully the storytelling will make up for it. . .


The player character was now a girl with an oversized hat named ERIS for reasons obvious to anyone who didn't sleep through Greek mythology class.  Searching through the Orphanage item stash hinted that randomized items would work in my favor, as there was an Elixir.  Finding loot may be less reliable overall, but you're also more likely to get healing items you aren't supposed to find at the beginning.


Starter selection still had to represent all 9 types, but I didn't expect it to be this hilarious:


Wind:  SOUNSE (mouse)

Mineral:  BOULDCRAN (rock scorpion)

Psychic:  SUNNOS (cat-like quadruped)

Electric:  EXCRAVATOR (crab excavator)

Fire:  RIBOMBO (frog)

Normal:  TAIPLUFF (fluffy and almost looks like a tadpole)

Water:  MALLISH (fish with a cone above its head and dorsal fins)


And Ghost was. . .PROTOVADOS, the first form of the final boss.  For comedy value alone, I had to pick that.  It still didn't stand a chance against the first battle.  Instead of GRALOON the Mineral dragon, it was a Rare Level 45 Ghost called SPEKTAR that cast PROTOVADOS into the Darkness for 71 damage.


Ulzar's ghost was now a woman to reflect ERIS's gender.  Guess they decided not to go imitate Morgan from Fire Emblem Awakening, who is always the opposite gender of their parent Robin.  The Nexomon catching tutorial involved a Common Level 6 HELIWURM (Wind).  PROTOVADOS's only attack was Gust Wind that had 80 power, 75% accuracy, and 20% critical chance. 


The challenge would later become different from what I expected, so ERIS caught KAMELEVO (Electric), WADGON (Psychic), KOLPHUR (Fire), and BOILGOG (Fire), among others.  ERIS even trained BOILGOG for a bit against some wild Nexomon.  But I couldn't resist the call of the solo challenge for long.  PROTOVADOS was so much better than the rest, I resolved to head to Parum as fast as possible and stuff the other monsters into PC oblivion and see if it could win the game on its own.  VADOS was a loner even in the story since it wasn't a true Nexomon. 


If PROTOVADOS died before reaching Parum, I would reset.  This occurred when one tamer had a Level 7 MOONLINE (Psychic) that cast LUMEREI's final attack Solar Flare for super effective damage.


DEATH COUNT:  1


The second attempt was successful when PROTOVADOS dodged a Solar Flare, and also sent the Level 6 WADGON (Psychic) flying.  It seems the seed is preset until you fight a tamer for the first time, so you can't just reload hoping for a different team.


ERIS took out the trash in Parum to get the Vault Key and traded a few minor items for a passive Exp Booster.  250 Coins bought a Max Potion, a Max Ether, and a Max Elixir in a trade.  Quests are fixed even in the most randomized Custom Mode settings.  Parum's move relearner showed potential in PROTOVADOS's moveset.  Electric Current at Level 9 had 95 power, 75 accuracy, 25 critical chance, and a Paralysis side effect.  Twin Tornado at Level 13 had only 50 power, but came with a 30% Confusion chance.  And Solar Flare would show up at Level 28.


ERIS cleared the "Lost Woods" ripoff screen and earned another Vault Key, then decided to take the boat to Palmaya.  It was almost as if PROTOVADOS were following its orders in the original story, as the beach was rife with Tyrants!  ERIS noticed two BOLZENs and a PETRAM.  Even ZIEGLER the Normal type ruler of the underworld was taking a vacation here at Level 9.  DRACON the Legendary Fire dragon was in a random tamer's roster too at Level 8.  Not all enemy tamers were fortunate enough to have Legendary creatures.  One had to settle for Level 8 YARNESTY. 


(Apparently the element I've been calling Physical in the original playthrough is Normal.  At least according to the official PQube type chart.  Some moves in Nexomon Extinction are called Physical, so perhaps the developers had no proofreading budget.)


PROTOVADOS won all those battles thanks to its high stats and Ghost typing.  Although movesets were randomized, Nexomon used more resisted Normal moves like Spinning Kick than you'd expect from chance.  



Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 12, Legendary


HP:  55
ST:  146
ATK:  33
DEF:  23
SPD:  31


Gust Wind
Rock Prison
Electric Current


(Rock Prison is Mean Look from Pokemon and prevents the enemy from switching out.  It might actually have some use in this game since the tamers are more intelligent than Pokemon trainers.)


PROTOVADOS does evolve. . .at Level 90.  That could happen in a solo playthrough with Experience Core III, especially if that item stacks.

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 2:  In Which PROTOVADOS Has No Need Of Items In Battle


In the Outlands east of Parum, PROTOVADOS was at Level 13, 4-5 more than his enemies.  (According to the Database, VADOS is male.  Nexomon rarely have a gender specified.)  The first Nexolord cultist in the game had a Level 9 SWACTRUM (Ghost), a Level 8 CHOWSER (Fire), and a Level 9 ARISPAUVA (Normal).  PROTOVADOS only took 4 damage against all 3 Nexomon and dominated with Electric Current.  On the other hand, a random tamer  had a Level 9 KRAINNULL, a Ghost type Legendary that I've never seen before.


One NPC offered 250 Coins and a Protection Core I in exchange for 3 Nexotraps.  ERIS didn't need to catch any more Nexomon, so she took the deal.  At the entrance of Frozen Lake, PROTOVADOS had some difficulty with a Level 11 OSTROLT due to its Electric typing.  I only had Wind or Electric moves at the time, and OSTROLT resisted both. 


If you still needed to be convinced that randomized Nexomon Extinction is easier than Story Mode, consider that ERIS found an Ultra Elixir as a random item inside the cave.  Atlanta had the character model of NIVALIS beside her but couldn't afford to bring the Tyrant to the fight.  PROTOVADOS had to settle for killing a half health EXCRAVATOR with Electric Current and a Twin Tornado finisher instead.  Electric Current's accuracy was low, but then so were EXCRAVATOR's odds of attacking when Paralyzed.  The best my opponent could do was a 9 damage Forest Energy.


Thunder is rumbling outside, so I'll have to type the rest along with the Stats and Equipment later.

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 3:  In Which I Forget To Heal But PROTOVADOS Wins Anyway


The "missing" girl in the Outlands summoned a Level 12 MOSKA (Wind), a Level 12 NOKI (Water), and a Level 9 STRACKAL (Psychic).  Electric Current's critical hit destroyed the last one in one hit, and PROTOVADOS only lost 6 HP in that fight.  This variant was starting to feel as easy as a Pokemon solo.


ERIS delivered a package to the Outlands outpost in a trivial quest and gained an Experience Core II for +13% more experience points.  The only noteworthy battle that occurred in the cultist attack on the Orphanage was a Level 11 FLIZARD that used Frost Bite and rendered PROTOVADOS helpless for a turn.


One random tamer in Haunted Woods imitated HERMAN and brought a DOMIGATOR and a MEARN.  I probably won't do the talking tree quests, since it demands the same Nexomon species in spite of me eliminating all regional distribution.  When PROTOVADOS fought Hannah, he had only 47/82 HP and 64/149 Stamina because I had stumbled into that house without healing.  She had a Level 14 CANINUI (Psychic), a Level 12 COUPLET (Plant), and a Level 14 HELIWURM (Wind).  PROTOVADOS barely held onto life with 9 HP in spite of my incompetence. 


(The "Pokemon Center" in Immortal Citadel isn't in the center of town where you'd expect, and I'd forgotten where it was.)


The three rampaging Nexomon that Eliza released into town were FROGICK (Psychic), VOLT (Electric), and SHARDRINE (Mineral).  None were difficult to kill.  ERIS traded 200 Coins for various Shards, which were less common in the randomized playthrough than in HERMAN's journey.


The cultist kidnappers in Eliza's house had a Level 14 FAINFLORI (Wind peacock), Level 14 RAPNUX, Level 15 TARRAGON (a Normal demon or gargoyle, not a Plant), a Level 15 COUPLET (Plant), a Level 14 SIKIPHA (Plant).  Gust Wind was unusually effective here thanks to the Plants, and was a faster move than Electric Current.  PROTOVADOS was more concerned about his Stamina than his HP.


Some random tamer near Immortal Citadel had a Level 18 Legendary VOLTA dragon with Vine Whip, but brute force and Electric Current's Paralysis won the battle for PROTOVADOS.  A duel against a FELARNIA made me learn that Puzzled was a "chance of losing a turn" ailment like Demotivated and Paralysis, but I had never seen it in action until now.


The old man who was eager to battle with his new Nexomon was as pathetic here as in HERMAN's playthrough.  A single Electric Current zapped his Level 16 HINAZURU Wind bird.  He coughed up an Exp Booster when PROTOVADOS won.


One tamer in the desert with a Level 18 NAMANSI (Normal evolved starter) and a Level 19 HYPHOON (Mega Rare Wind dragon) was respectable, but PROTOVADOS still had over 2/3 HP remaining.


I had never done the "give guy on the ground some Anti Poisons" quest before, so ERIS was kinder than HERMAN.  It was just a ruse to get free Anti Poisons, and the con artist ran to the east.


A close call in this episode came during a tamer battle against a Level 19 THRAMMER (Water) with Thorn Pit and a Level 17 LURKENNIE (Ghost) with Cyclone.  Despite PROTOVADOS's Ghost resistances, these moves still dealt heavy damage and my solo survived with 29/101 HP.  Now ERIS and her fake Nexomon were gazing at Grunda's Chasm, ready to descend to New Ignitia and battle whatever was impersonating MULCIMER.


Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 25, Legendary


HP:  109
ST:  152
ATK:  64
DEF:  45
SPD:  55


Gust Wind
Rock Prison
Electric Current

Twin Tornado


Protection Core I
Destruction Core I
Experience Core II
Vitality Core I

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 4:  Boss In The Bush


ERIS began this episode by trading 350 Coins, 4 Ethers, and 2 Super Ethers for 2 Stamina Core II units.  Stamina may be even more of a limiting factor for solos than HP, since you gain 1 per level if you're lucky, and the best attacks use 25 per cast. 


Atlanta in the New Ignitia caves led with a Level 18 MANTOO (Grass) and Level 19 DURTACLES (Mineral), whom PROTOVADOS blew away with Gust Wind.  DURTACLES was useful for two moves against my solo Legendary:  Frosty Winds froze him, and Mind Shake caused Confusion.  PROTOVADOS smacked himself and then came to his senses to Gust Wind DURTACLES to death.  A single Electric Current defibrillated Level 17 NAKAZURU (Wind), and PROTOVADOS pressed on with Electric Current against Level 20 HEDDECA.  HEDDECA cast a mild Cyclone and whifffed with Pummel, and PROTOVADOS triumphed with 57/113 HP at Level 26.



PROTOVADOS learned Solar Flare just in time for Fenrir.  The son of Omnicron transformed into a CANINUI (Psychic) with 246 HP instead of his true form.  Fenrir had a chance at killing PROTOVADOS with Rocknite Bursts if my Legendary botched enough Solar Flares, but Amelie's creation conquered with 40/121 HP at Level 28.


MULCIMER was AWOL in the confrontation with Jin in New Ignitia.  ERIS's opponent led with a Level 21 BLIZZARM (Water) that conducted Electric Current well.  Level 21 BIBALO (Normal), Level 21 TESLING (Electric) sublimated instantly after a Solar Flare, while Level 23 HYPHOON (Wind) had just enough HP to survive and call an Electric Storm.  Another Solar Flare burned up HYPHOON, though Level 22 ALGON (Plant, Uncommon) had 148 HP likely due to being MULCIMER's substitute.  PROTOVADOS had to rest for a turn to recover enough Stamina to launch another Solar Flare and win the battle at Level 28 with 71/121 HP.



The Nexolord in Drake Isles had a team that was initially weak to Solar Flare.  Then Level 26 VANAWIRL (Water) lashed out with Vine Whip after surviving a paralyzing Electric Current.  The true threat of his team was Level 26 LUXA, a Legendary Electric type that inflicted Leech with Soul Feeder and required two Solar Flares to kill.  Leech drained some of PROTOVADOS's HP right after the battle ended.  How many players got a Game Over after having their last Nexomon Leeched to death after they thought they won?


One tamer with a Level 25 GRATH (Fire), Level 26 BOMBLASTA (Fire), and Level 25 GRIFFGAR (Normal) nearly added to the DEATH COUNT.  BOMBLASTA's Fire Stigma charred PROTOVADOS, and the frog was hardy enough to survive more than one Electric Current.  GRIFFGAR had a Freeze chance with Ice Assault, but PROTOVADOS remained warm with only 14/135 HP remaining.


An NPC traded her Experience Core II and Immunity Core II to ERIS for 3 Super Potions, 3 Super Ethers, and 2 Super Revives.


Another tamer battle on Drake Isles was a closer victory than the last.  Level 26 SWAMPLOW (Plant) survived a Solar Flare and made Soul Feeder's Leeches crawl on PROTOVADOS.  LAMPAROS was a Level 25 Fire type that required two Electric Currents to destroy.  Next was Level 25 LUMEREI who Super Slammed PROTOVADOS.  Only a Paralysis turn loss saved PROTOVADOS from disaster here.  The tamer saved their weakest Nexomon for last, a Level 25 EQO (Electric) that one Solar Flare vaporized.


Drake Isles's gatekeeper made the mistake of having an entire team weak to Solar Flare:  Level 25 BEHILDA, Level 26 GHOUZE (Ghost), Level 25 BUSHNOME (Plant), Level 26 FELARNIA, and Level 25 HELIPA (Wind).


MULCIMER could not avoid the Tyrant killing abomination forever.  Jin's Legendary Fire type was hiding in a grass patch at Level 23 with 93 HP.  Two Electric Currents sent it to ZIEGLER's underworld.


Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 34, Legendary


HP:  147
ST:  175
ATK:  81
DEF:  59
SPD:  71


Gust Wind
Solar Flare
Electric Current
Twin Tornado


Stamina Core II
Experience Core II
Experience Core II
Vitality Core II

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 5:  Finally, A Battle Where PROTOVADOS Needs Healing Items


In the Drake Isles town, ERIS traded 300 Coins, 3 Blazing Shards, and 3 Nature Shards for another Exp Booster.  PROTOVADOS entered the local cave and fought wild Nexomon such as a DOMIGATOR, but had to leave since ERIS didn't have Nadine's power yet.


EURUS appeared as a Level 26 random encounter in grass, and was obliterated with a Solar Flare and Gust Wind.  One tamer had a Level 27 NIVALIS that dealt no damage due to being Paralyzed by Electric Current.  PROTOVADOS really worked as Amelie advertised against Tyrants!


The "dragon" that Xanders punched was really a YOMNOM (Psychic) ice cream monster with 261 HP.  Solar Flare and a Gust Wind finisher ate it up, and PROTOVADOS won at Level 36 with 111/156 HP.  Nadine transformed into a MAGNIPUS (Psychic) with 234 HP that fell to about 3 Solar Flares.  Icicle froze PROTOVADOS, but MAGNIPUS stupidly thawed him out with Suncore.


After acquiring the power of Wind, ERIS returned to the Drake Isles cave and unlocked Vault #5.  The Tribute of Tempest was still there, meaning that the Tribute items are NOT randomized like other treasure chests.


Lydia seemed to have a decent team at first when she summoned a Level 30 Legendary KRAINNULL (Ghost), but a Solar Flare evaporated most of its HP.  Electric Current was necessary to deal with Level 29 KEROMB (Fire).  Solar Flare scorched Level 30 WADTAIL (Psychic).  Level 29 WYSIL (Normal) had 215 HP and seemed to be coded as the "boss" to take EURUS's place.  A couple of Solar Flares were too hot for WYSIL and it tagged out to Level 30 PONT (Mineral).  Gusty Wind eroded the rock, and a Twin Tornado + Gusty Wind exhausted WYSIL.  PROTOVADOS had run out of Stamina near the end of the fight and had to recharge in order to cast the final Gusty Wind.


Ross in the abandoned laboratory had questionable team selection:  he started with a Level 28 SHROMPORO, an unevolved Plant I had ditched early in the HERMAN playthrough.  Solar Flare sublimated SHROMPORO, Level 28 CHIRRENT (Electric), and Level 29 CARCAROS (Ghost).  Level 29 OREGOON tried to salvage Ross's honor by inflicting Bind damage with Piercing Root before falling to Gust Wind.


Nora followed the Ross battle by summoning a Level 29 FOREER (Plant) that burned up in a Solar Flare.  Level 30 GREBAL (Water) passed through Electric Current.  Level 30 VOLT (Electric) and Level 29 NAVRIGAL (Wind) both succumbed to their Solar Flare weakness and PROTOVADOS triumphed with 124/172 HP at Level 40 with little Stamina to spare.


Nora was nice enough to give ERIS a Protection Core II in Frozen Tundra, and PROTOVADOS replaced Twin Tornado with Psy Blast, a 60 power Psychic move with 85 accuracy.  The real benefits to Psy Blast were its 56 attack speed and 5 Stamina cost.  If PROTOVADOS had to waste a turn regaining Stamina, at least he could cast Psy Blast twice on the next round.


One random Frozen Tundra tamer had a BOLZEN, while others near the end of the episode had a PROTOVADOS and a VADOS.  None of them were as strong as the bosses in Story Mode, and VADOS's Ultimate form collapsed after being hit with a Solar Flare and a Psy Blast.  No element changes, no resurrection, nothing.  The game treated VADOS as a regular enemy.  Which Nexomon will impersonate VADOS and serve as the final boss?


Ulzar in the ice cave was the most difficult battle in the playthrough so far.  She led with a Level 35 STREAMOAD (Water) that dropped PROTOVADOS into Thorn Pit for 34 damage, and the first Electric Current missed.  A critical Static Burst was weaker but still hit for 18.  Level 32 BARICLE (Psychic) had enough HP to require both a Solar Flare and Gust Wind.  PROTOVADOS zapped Level 35 NEKPACHI (Fire) with 2 Electric Currents. 


Next on Ulzar's team was a Level 33 IMBUZI (Fire) that sprayed 21 power Furious Torrent.  PROTOVADOS was slowly dying from attrition, so ERIS was forced to feed him a Super Elixir to recover 90 HP and Stamina.  Two Solar Flares incinerated Level 33 FISTUFF (Normal), and a Solar Flare + Psy Blast struck down a Level 34 BRIAR (Plant) that failed to sling a Cyclone.  PROTOVADOS earned a dishonorable victory at Level 41 with 92/176 HP.


(No item solos don't seem to be viable, since eventually PROTOVADOS is going to run out of Stamina in a gauntlet like the Grandmaster trial.  It's a shame I have to do it this early to avoid power leveling, though.)


Most of the cultist battle in the house east of Frozen Tundra was simple:  Level 33 WYSIL (Normal), Level 32 SHROMBORO (Plant), and Level 33 SHROMBOFF (Plant) took heavy damage from Solar Flare.  Then the cultist sent out Level 33 LUXA (Electric), a Legendary dragon.  Two Solar Flares sent it to the sun, and a critical Solar Flare melted Level 33 VOLTAIC (Electric).  PROTOVADOS won the battle with 93/180 HP at Level 42.


Two Level 32 NEKPANCHIs (Fire) replaced the usual monsters on the way to the bunker.  Both were trivial with Electric Current.  That makes me wonder about the randomizer seed:  when you randomize bosses, does it replace all incidences of Monster A with Monster B?


The only fact worth mentioning in the first form of the weightlifting bunker robot was that an unusually weak OMNISUN appeared that burned up after taking 2 Solar Flares.  The second form had a Level 34 NOOCIDAL that cast Cyclone and was weak to the low cost Psy Blast.  NOOCIDAL left the ring with 111/188 HP at Level 44 and only 5 Stamina.


Xanders assaulted ERIS with a Level 34 GRATH (Fire) that took two Electric Currents and a Psy Blast to kill.  Level 35 BARBORACO (Fire) died the same way.  Solar Flare + Psy Blast clipped the wings of Level 36 CANDLY (Normal).  A Solar Flare + Psy Blast forced Level 36 BRAUNCER (Normal) to retreat, and one Gust Wind crushed Level 34 WORB (Mineral).  PROTOVADOS was Tired and had to wait a turn before finishing off BRAUNCER with Psy Blast and used the second Psy Blast to damage Level 35 VOLTAIC (Electric).  Another turn of waiting provided enough Psy Blasts to kill VOLTAIC with 89/192 HP remaining at Level 45.


The cultist at the entrance of Tomb of Omnicron sent out a Level 35 MALLISH (Water) that was microwaved with an Electric Current.  Solar Flare + Psy Blast shattered Level 34 CANINUI's psyche, while Electric Current + Psy Blast dessicated Level 36 VARAWIRL (Water).  Two Gust Winds eroded Level 34 WARGOYLE (Mineral), and Solar Flare set Level 36 SNUSH (Plant) ablaze for a victory at Level 46 and 163/196 HP.


Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 47, Legendary


HP:  201
ST:  182
ATK:  110
DEF:  86
SPD:  95


Gust Wind
Solar Flare
Electric Current
Psy Blast


Stamina Core II
Experience Core II
Protection Core II
Vitality Core II



(Experience Cores don't seem to stack.)


I want to get through this playthrough as quickly as possible, since randomized Nexomon Extinction isn't as fun as I'd hoped.  It really shows how well balanced the enemy tamers and boss fights are in Story Mode if it can still be exciting with a typical team of 6.  If I'm not sick of the game by the end, I have plans for a monotype challenge. . .

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 6:  Return Of The DEATH COUNT


It seemed appropriate that a wild Level 33 OMNISUN appeared in their grandfather's Tomb of Omnicron.  Two Solar Flares proved that Tamer's Guild technology was superior to nature.


Of the four branching paths in Tomb of Omnicron, only the one with Atlanta was notable.  She started with a Level 36 CARCAROS (Ghost) that PROTOVADOS vaporized with a Solar Flare.  Level 36 NEKGIRI (Fire) Confused PROTOVADOS with a Sandstorm, but Electric Current + Psy Blast put it down.  Level 34 ANTLORM (Fire) must have been the NIVALIS substitute since it had 312 HP.  Electric Currents Paralyzed ANTLORM and dropped it below half HP, and then Atlanta sent in Level 34 OREGOON (Mineral). 


Gust Winds scraped Atlanta's OREGOON and forced ANTLORM to return and cast Psy Ray for 31 damage.  ANTLORM lost a turn to Paralysis, giving PROTOVADOS a chance to finish it off with Psy Blast.  Level 36 ONIN (Plant) was cooked with Solar Flare, and PROTOVADOS was victorious with 137/204 HP.


The dragon at the end of Tomb of Omnicron was replaced with a less intimidating CORAL (Water) with 311 HP.  At least it could cast Tsunami for 17 damage.  The battle was simple:  release Electric Current until CORAL was bleached. 


Not only are the items random in this playthrough, but the amount of them as well.  In Vault #7, one spot contained 3 Golden Nexotraps.  Imagine finding 3 Master Balls in a trash can, and you'll have the right idea.  (Though Golden Nexotraps are already more common in Story Mode than Master Balls.)


TIKALA of Hidden Village never battled in Story Mode, but did show up as a Level 38 Plant type random encounter in a cave.  One Solar Flare started a forest fire on its body.


HERMAN had a team of 6 to get through Mega Arena of Doom in Cadium without items, but ERIS only had a single Legendary Nexomon.  Ross opened with a Level 41 HAINOK (Water) with Psy Bomb which conducted Electric Current.  Level 40 MAGNIPUB (Psychic) and Level 39 TAIPLUFF (Normal) sublimated due to a Solar Flare. 


Challenger #2 started with a Level 41 SCAILLA (Water) with 26 damage Arcane Magic, which PROTOVADOS shocked with Electric Current.  Challenger #2's second Nexomon was. . .Level 39 PETRAM.  Too bad his Earth Tyrant only seemed to use the resisted Spinning Kick.  Gust Wind blew away PETRAM, but after the battle ended PROTOVADOS only had 68/212 HP and 29/184 Stamina at Level 50. 


Trash Can Man sent out Level 40 LUME which died to Electric Current + Psy Blast.  Level 41 FOREER (Grass) was weak to Solar Flare but PROTOVADOS was too Tired to cast it.  Instead, he tried Psy Blasts, and had to take a 46 critical Suncore from the enemy.  If Level 42 PONT (Mineral) had missed every attack, perhaps PROTOVADOS could have survived, but a Pulse Storm ended his hopes of becoming the Mega Arena of Doom champion.


DEATH COUNT:  2


You can tell solos have a harder time in Nexomon Extinction when a Legendary monster that's the main antagonist of Story Mode has to spend time power leveling.  ERIS went to Palmaya to activate the warp point and fight a few tamer battles.  One of the tamers on the way to the boat had a VADOS.  When PROTOVADOS returned to Cadium, he was at Level 53.  A Gust Wind eroded Trash Can Man's PONT, and PROTOVAODS conquered with 101/224 HP and 0 Stamina.


A NEGLENTE (Plant) with 420 HP had replaced BOLZEN for the Logan battle in Cadium, and several Solar Flare casts were more than enough to burn it up.


In the desert by Lateria, ERIS found Miner's Goggles in a random rock, which ensured rocks would come back faster.  Good news in case ERIS needed to hunt for items.


Celine sent Level 44 GREBEN (Water) against PROTOVADOS at the beginning of the battle.  Two Electric Currents each zapped GREBEN and Level 45 MERMELLA (Water).  Solar Flare + Psy Blast made Level 45 CALFTER (Normal) into beef.  The same combo shot down Level 46 DRACLY (Wind).  PROTOVADOS's tactic against Level 46 SPIKARM was a little different:  Solar Flare + Gust Wind.  NEGLENTE returned as Celine's final monster, and died the same way as SPIKARM.


CADETO (Wind) with 463 HP took PETRAM's place.  PROTOVADOS was almost at full HP, but only had 53 Stamina at the start of the battle and could only cast Solar Flare twice.  CADETO also knew Electric Current and managed to Paralyze PROTOVADOS for a turn with it.  Repeated Psy Blasts ended the battle and served as the cue for the fake VADOS to destroy the fake PETRAM with its laser.


Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 55, Legendary


HP:  233
ST:  187
ATK:  128
DEF:  100
SPD:  110


Gust Wind
Solar Flare
Electric Current
Psy Blast


Completely random item, move, and monster distribution ironically makes Nexomon Extinction feel more ordered since everything is uniform everywhere.


Stamina Core II
Experience Core II
Protection Core II
Vitality Core II

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 7:  Xanders Mirror Match


PROTOVADOS obeyed his anti-Tyrant programming and launched Gust Winds at a Level 45 PETRAM in Hannah's cave before rescuing Atlas.  Hannah sent her Level 47 SCOOPTOR (Electric) at PROTOVADOS when she learned her bitcoin scheme would fail, and it was taken out with the typical Solar Flare + Psy Blast combo.  Level 48 YUMMO (Psychic) didn't even survive a Solar Flare, and Level 48 BULLOGAN (Normal) retreated after being hit by one. 


Level 47 CHIBBIT (Electric) had as weak a constitution as YUMMO.  A second Solar Flare grilled BULLOGAN.  Hannah's last Nexomon was relevant to the story but never seen in battle:  Level 48 NARA (Plant), or Deena's true form.  Solar Flare + Gust Wind murdered ERIS's mother.


A battle against a random tamer with a Level 48 MOLTANO (Fire) was more dangerous than some bosses.  MOLTANO's Vine Whip inflicted Bind residual damage, and PROTOVADOS limped out of the arena with 76/241 HP at Level 57.


In a Khan Woods cave, a Level 51 LUMBI (Fire) impersonated the Story Mode monster and was killed with Electric Currents.  Pith Hat Tamer #1 came close to defeating PROTOVADOS.  It didn't seem that way at first when a Solar Flare + Psy Blast eliminated Level 50 MALENOSTER (Ghost).  Level 50 YOMNOM (Psychic) dodged a Gust Wind and drained 24 HP per turn since it knew NOOCIDAL's Soul Feeder.  Level 51 KEROMB was Paralyzed for enough rounds that Electric Current could kill it.  Solar Flare baked Level 49 HINAZURU (Electric), and PROTOVADOS survived with only 29/245 HP (!).


Pith Hat Tamer #2 was a relief.  Level 51 ORGOT (Mineral) was weak to Gust Wind, Solar Flare + Psy Blast knocked out Level 50 YUMMO (Psychic), and Electric Current + Psy Blast slapped down Level 50 CHOWSER (Fire).  Level 51 SUNKNIGHT (Fire) was a fully evolved Nexomon and required two Electric Currents + Psy Blast to defeat.  Level 49 PARCHIDNA (Mineral) was susceptible to Gust Wind, and a Provoked PROTOVADOS won with 140/245 HP at Level 58.


Out of the 5 Tyrants, ERIS chose to resurrect PETRAM first.  I did this in order to avoid having to worry about having too few Shards to give to the Laterian mercenary.  It's likely that respawned rocks contain the same item every time, since ERIS found a second Miner's Goggles in the same place.


Celine blocked the way to PETRAM with a Level 51 TIKI (Fire) that was fortunately Paralyzed with Electric Current.  Level 51 TILAMBER (Fire) hurled 24 damage Meteor Shower and 19 damage Psy Blast before falling to Electric Current.  Electric Currents + Psy Blast put out Level 52 BLIT (Fire), and Solar Flare + Psy Blast set Level 50 CHAPARRAL (Plant) ablaze.  The battle between PROTOVADOS and Level 52 MALENOSTER (Ghost) was close after the former ran out of Stamina and had to recharge to use Psy Blast.  Level 51 DUH (Ghost) was weak to Psy Blast but required another Stamina recharge.  PROTOVADOS triumphed with only 31/249 HP at Level 59.


Another PETRAM was slaughtered in Cadium's abandoned east side.  Level 51 ODIBORG (Electric) with 510 HP cornered Logan instead of the Story Mode enemy.  Hydro Sphere drenched PROTOVADOS for 37 damage as a critical, but Solar Flares were hotter and a Psy Blast overwhelmed its mind.


ZIEGLER summoned a STREAMOG (Water) with 284 HP that happened to know Solar Flare.  Electric Current's side effect kept STREAMOG from casting it as often as it could have.  PROTOVADOS dessicated a GRIFFGAR (Normal) with 474 HP with Solar Flares.  PROTOVADOS defeated the underworld guardian with 99/253 HP at Level 60.


Lydia doubted Xanders's intelligence earlier in the game, but he had figured out ERIS's plan long before the other antagonists.  PROTOVADOS almost had a chance of winning without items until it stared down its reflection!  Xanders had a Level 54 PROTOVADOS with an identical moveset, so the randomizer must assign movesets by species rather than individual Nexomon.  PROTOVADOS empathized with all his enemies once he learned what a PROTOVADOS Solar Flare felt like.


DEATH COUNT:  3


PROTOVADOS trained in the Outlands for a while and saw Legendary Nexomon like a Level 54 BYEOL (Normal) and a Level 53 VENTRA (Wind) on the same team.  A TRESAUR in the Frozen Lake region Paralyzed PROTOVADOS with a critical Thunder Blast.  PROTOVADOS jolted a Level 53 Legendary ARQUA (Water) with Electric Current, and then I began to wonder if there were as many Legendaries/Ultra Beasts as in the later Pokemon games.


At Level 64, PROTOVADOS now had a chance to defeat Xanders and resurrect EURUS.  Solar Flare + Psy Blast killed Level 54 MARASUMA (Plant), and Electric Current + Psy Blast dried up BLUBLUB (Water).  Two Electric Currents forced Level 54 BLIZZARM (Water) to retreat.  Level 53 IMBURION (Fire) was troublesome because it had enough HP to take Electric Current and could cast Solar Flare for 80 damage.  Good thing it was Paralyzed for one round and wasted one turn using Psy Bomb for 43 damage instead. 


Psy Blast finished off BLIZZARM, and two Solar Flares sent the enemy PROTOVADOS to its Nexotrap.  By the time Level 53 SIKIHOB (Plant) appeared, my PROTOVADOS was Tired.  Gust Wind after recharges blew away SIKIHOB with just enough Stamina for one last Psy Blast against the enemy PROTOVADOS.  ERIS's solo monster destroyed Xanders's team with only 37 HP remaining at Level 64.


Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 64, Legendary


HP:  269
ST:  192
ATK:  157
DEF:  109
SPD:  126


Gust Wind
Solar Flare
Electric Current
Psy Blast


Stamina Core II
Experience Core II
Destruction Core II
Vitality Core II

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction Part 8:  In Which The Game Crashes


ERIS traded several replaceable healing items for another Exp Booster, raided Vault #4 for the Tribute of Mind, and fought a Legendary Level 55 FANE (Ghost) near New Ignitia.  A tamer had a Legendary that was new to me:  a Level 55 GLAMOND (Water) dragon.  Keep in mind that there are about as many Nexomon as Pokemon circa Hoenn, so the programmers were a bit too excited to make Legendaries.


MULCIMER was replaced with a MANTOO (Plant) with 574 HP.  The match started normally as PROTOVADOS charged a Solar Flare and MANTOO used its attack, but then Nexomon Extinction couldn't handle the randomization and shut down without warning. 


CRASH COUNT:  1


Nexomon Extinction has autosave by default, so you don't lose much progress in a crash.  The game was stable in the HERMAN playthrough and that took over twice as long.  To avoid the possibility of any more glitches, PROTOVADOS began with Gust Wind to change the random number generator before switching to Solar Flare.  MANTOO cast Psy Ray for an Effective 60 damage before being immolated, and PROTOVADOS convinced the next Tyrant to join the team with 182/273 HP at Level 65.


The first cultist in Tomb of Omnicron led with a Level 59 SUNKNIGHT (Fire) scorpion that died to 2 Electric Currents + Psy Blast.  Solar Flare + Psy Blast demoted the Level 58 PUGGARD (Normal), who had saluted PROTOVADOS the whole time.  Level 59 RAKSUMA (Plant) was another victim of Solar Flare + Psy Blast.  Last was Level 58 AFERAID (Ghost), who learned the hard way that ectoplasm was inflammable.  PROTOVADOS won with 161/278 HP at Level 66.


Lobo the cult leader opened with a Level 58 MANTOO (Plant).  Guess the random seed really liked praying mantises.  Solar Flare + Gust Wind tested its devotion.  When Level 60 OROLOGIKUS (Psychic) showed up, I knew PROTOVADOS would never survive both Tomb of Omnicron battles without healing items.  PROTOVADOS drank a Max Elixir and cast Solar Flare until OROLOGIKUS tagged out to Level 59 LAMPAROS (Fire).  LAMPAROS appropriately had its own Solar Flare that burst for 96 and was hardy enough to take multiple Electric Currents.  PROTOVADOS chugged an Ultra Potion at this time, which prompted a switch to OROLOGIKUS.


OROLOGIKUS flew off after a Gust Wind.  LAMPAROS came back with more Solar Flare fury.  Fortunately Electric Current Paralyzed it for a round and gave PROTOVADOS time to send a Psy Blast its way.  Solar Flare + Psy Blast turned Level 58 TAIPLUFF (Normal) into a pillow, and the same combination unwrapped Level 57 CARCAROS (Ghost).  Last was Level 59 SWAMPLOW (Plant), and PROTOVADOS was low enough on HP and Stamina to need an Ultra Elixir.  A critical Solar Flare finished off SWAMPLOW, and Lobo was forced to acknowledge the Queen of Monsters.


The final challenge before the endgame was the "Elite 4" Grandmaster gauntlet.  The developers were merciful enough to allow healing items, unlike the Mega Arena of Doom.  Nolan had a Level 60 SNAIFLOW (Water), a Level 60 PROTOVADOS, a Level 60 NEGLENTE (Plant), and a Level 59 GRADOW (Ghost).  Enemy PROTOVADOS liked to throw Super Punches instead of Solar Flares, and my PROTOVADOS was more aggressive and defeated the lookalike with 2 Solar Flares + Psy Blast.  Nolan's other Nexomon were killed with the appropriate super effective moves.


PROTOVADOS drank a Max Elixir before starting the fight with Finn.  Solar Flare + Psy Blast eliminated Level 59 BRIAR (Plant), 2 Solar Flares burst on Level 61 REEFERUS (Plant), and Solar Flare + Psy Blast uprooted Level 59 POTPOT (Plant).  It seemed like the random seed accidentally made a true type specialist, but Level 59 CROMEON (Electric) disproved that.  Two Solar Flares and a Psy Blast burned out the light bulb.


Riley was 3rd, and she led with a Level 60 MASQAT (Psychic) that learned the prominence of two Solar Flares.  Level 60 LUME was the cue for a Max Elixir, and Electric Currents sent it running to a Level 58 TIKI (Fire) torch that was put out with more Electric Currents.  Psy Blast struck down LUME, and more Solar Flares scorched Level 59 BIRALO (Normal).


Admin prepared for PROTOVADOS with a Level 61 FORTOISE (Mineral).  Its Burn would have damaged PROTOVADOS after every turn if he didn't drink an Anti Burn.  A Max Elixir followed, and once FORTOISE's HP went to red after Gust Winds, Admin switched to Level 59 SCALDER (Water).  SCALDER became an Electric Current conductor in two hits.  A Level 61 DREDMORE dream catcher (Psychic) was sent to the dungeon with Solar Flares.  Solar Flare did not stop until it singed Level 59 GRIFFGAR (Normal). 


Stamina was running low, so PROTOVADOS drank an Ultra Elixir before fighting Level 60 ARISPAUVA (Normal) with Solar Flare.  Gust Wind eroded FORTOISE when it was forced to enter the arena again.  Solar Flares and Psy Blast plucked the feathers of Level 60 OSTROLT (Electric), and PROTOVADOS was declared Grandmaster at Level 69.


Stats and Equipment


PROTOVADOS Level 69, Legendary


HP:  289
ST:  194
ATK:  169
DEF:  118
SPD:  135


Gust Wind
Solar Flare
Electric Current
Psy Blast


Stamina Core II
Experience Core II
Destruction Core II
Vitality Core II

[Herman Gigglethorpe]

Randomized Nexomon Extinction FINALE:  Inevitable Final Battle


Xanders began his final battle with a Level 64 BORBORACO (Fire) who retreated in cowardice to make a Level 64 CRUFF take the Electric Currents instead.  BORBORACO was remorseful afterwards and accepted its Electric Current fate.  Third was Level 63 GLIMOORY (Water), who was fried with a critical second Electric Current.  PROTOVADOS had exhausted both HP and Stamina, and needed to drink an Ultra Elixir before casting Electric Current on Level 63 TIKI (Fire). 


The TIKI torch knew both a 58 damage Water Blast and a 70 strength Thorn Pit, which scared PROTOVADOS into using an Ultra Potion before finishing it off with Psy Blast.  Solar Flares almost burned out Level 62 CROMEON (Electric), who tagged out to Level 64 FORTLE (Mineral).  FORTLE's Phantom Abyss had Hexed PROTOVADOS, causing him to lose 34 HP at the end of every turn.  It was essentially the Ghost type version of Burn.  A Max Elixir filled PROTOVADOS's HP bar, and FORTLE and CROMEON died to a Psy Blast. 



Edward's Level 66 RAKSUNA (Plant) was brave and refused to retreat even from Solar Flares and a Psy Blast.  Level 64 GREBAL (Water) and PROTOVADOS both Paralyzed each other with Electric Current before the former fainted.  Level 64 OROLOGIKUS (Psychic) dropped PROTOVADOS into a Thorn Pit for 74 damage and prompted an Ultra Elixir.  Solar Flare sent OROLOGIKUS running to Level 66 GLUNCH (Psychic) that hurled Psy Blast for 55 damage.  Only a Max Elixir + Anti Paralyze could save PROTOVADOS now.  Solar Flare made GLUNCH switch with OROLOGIKUS, and the one-eyed Nexomon fell down in a Gust Wind. 


Edward's last two Nexomon were Level 65 SAKKA (Wind) and Level 63 EURUS.  A Tamer's Guild leader has a Tyrant, and they don't call him a traitor?    An Ultra Elixir defense and Solar Flare offense caused Edward to surrender.


The antagonist PROTOVADOS may have dressed up as an ANTARZEN, but it followed the same element switching tactics as Story Mode.  SOLUS showed up on cue as well.  Even the final VADOS sequence with the 6 Tyrants was identical except for the BLIZZAUR model appearing instead of the final boss.  The part where VADOS kept refilling its HP bar was slightly different because it was weak to Electric due to not being a Ghost anymore.  It seems SOLUS and the other Tyrants scale up to the highest level Nexomon on your regular team, since they weren't Level 72 at the end of the HERMAN playthrough.


So the "real" final boss of the variant was Amelie.  She decided to imitate Edward and send out a Level 64 GREBAL (Water).  It conducted Electric Current, and so did most of the health bar of Level 67 CORAL (Water).  A Psy Blast bleached CORAL and summoned Level 65 SHARDBERG (Psychic).  Solar Flares spooked SHARDBERG and it tagged out to Level 65 BALOOMPA (Wind), who became a Hindenburg after two Solar Flares.  Another Solar Flare + Psy Blast finished off SHARDBERG.


PROTOVADOS ran out of Stamina when Level 64 TESLING (Electric) appeared and quaffed an Ultra Elixir.  Two Solar Flares started an Electrical fire.  Amelie's final Nexomon was a Level 64 WARGOYLE (Mineral) who made PROTOVADOS into a popsicle with a Frost Bite.  Anti Freeze cured that ailment.  Gust Wind chipped away WARGOYLE until it was dead.'


ERIS beat the game in less than half the time that HERMAN needed.  Part of that was skipping through the dialogue and progressing through the story rather than exploring the world.  Solos in Nexomon Extinction need items to succeed towards the end, even for Legendaries.  Eventually you run out of Stamina no matter what.  Super effective moves fail to kill off enemies in one hit at higher levels because Nexomon are tougher than Pokemon.