Why Every BP Matters
A-Rank requires 450 Bracer Points, but only 452 are available in a complete playthrough. Losing more than 2 BP means the top Bracer rank is no longer possible, so tracking rewards from the Prologue onward saves a frustrating late-game discovery.
Use the Bracer Notebook as an audit tool. Check it after reporting quests and before leaving a region. Story progress alone does not confirm that you earned every available bonus.
The safest routine is:
- Save before red BP dialogue prompts and unusual quest battles.
- Finish green side-quest markers before advancing the main story.
- Report completed work before traveling to another region.
- Retry battles that offer the option to continue after defeat.
- Compare totals only after all currently available quests are reported.
| Goal | BP needed | Maximum available | Allowed loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Rank Senior Bracer | 450 | 452 | 2 |
| B+ Rank | 360 | 452 | 92 |
| C Rank | 240 | 452 | 212 |
Rank promotions provide useful rewards, but the total BP value is what matters for an A-Rank run. Reaching a new rank only proves that you crossed its threshold; it does not prove you are still on the maximum route.
BP Checkpoints and Rank Rewards
Use chapter checkpoints to spot missed points while an earlier save is still practical. These totals assume every available story reward, side quest, and bonus condition has been completed and reported.
| Completed stage | BP earned in stage | Running maximum | Quests completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prologue | 16 | 16 | 3 |
| Chapter 1 | 50 | 66 | 16 |
| Chapter 2 | 59 | 125 | 28 |
| Chapter 3 | 44 | 169 | 39 |
| Chapter 4 | 67 | 236 | 53 |
| Chapter 5 | 70 | 306 | 66 |
| Chapter 6 | 14 | 320 | 68 |
| Chapter 7 | 12 | 332 | 69 |
| Chapter 8 | 120 | 452 | 87 |
For example, Chapter 5 ending at 304 BP is still recoverable because only 2 points were missed. At 303 BP, even a perfect remainder ends at 449.
| Rank | BP threshold | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| G+ | 15 | Silver Chain |
| F | 30 | Cobalt Guard |
| F+ | 50 | Septium Vein |
| E | 80 | Master Beads |
| E+ | 120 | Ingenuity |
| D | 160 | Thermal Cape |
| D+ | 200 | Sleep II |
| C | 240 | Aqua Master |
| C+ | 280 | Grail Locket |
| B | 320 | Gladiator Belt |
| B+ | 360 | Strega B1 |
| A | 450 | Aura Guard |
Do not compare a mid-chapter number to the table. Some rewards are not reflected until you complete the relevant report. Audit your total only after every available job has been turned in.
Prologue: Secure the First 16 BP
The Prologue contains several small bonuses during “Midnight Attack.” It is the first point where an A-Rank route can lose ground without an obvious failure screen.
When the night disturbance begins, choose the second response and wake up. Later, defeat the Jaeger at the lodge instead of accepting the option to continue after losing. The game permits progression after defeat, but that route loses BP.
| Prompt or situation | Best response | Bonus BP |
|---|---|---|
| Gunfire during the night | Wake up immediately | 2 |
| Lodge encounter | Defeat the Jaeger | 2 |
| Who carried Estelle and Anelace? | The Jaeger assailants | 2 |
| What did the Jaeger Corps do? | Move to a new base | 3 |
| How should Estelle bluff? | There is no need to call | 2 |
The “move to a new base” response is especially easy to overlook because another answer can still give a smaller reward. Keep a separate save before the investigation sequence if you are unsure of your current total.
Explore before leaving the Prologue as well. Early areas contain equipment, blue sub-events, and limited-time books. They do not directly add BP, but they improve party preparation and reduce pressure during later optional fights.
A perfect Prologue ends at 16 BP. If your total is below 14, A-Rank is already impossible unless you reload.
Chapter 1: Ruan Bonus BP and Quest Tips
Ruan has several bonus conditions attached to quests that otherwise appear ordinary. Complete monster requests after your party expands when possible; the extra members, healing options, and Arts make these battles less risky.
“Ingredient Inquiry” can be turned in with fewer materials, but the full reward requires all six requested monster ingredients. Do not report it early.
| Quest | Requirement for full result | Bonus BP |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient Inquiry | Deliver all six requested monster ingredients | 2 |
| Sapphirl Snapshot | Frame the device straight-on and centered | 2 |
| Lighthouse Learning | Set LOW, MID, HIGH; offer further help | 1 |
| The “White Shadow” | Identify the disappearance direction | 3 |
| Sunday Scholar | Answer the entire quiz correctly | 2 |
| Drawbridge Defect | Identify human intervention | 1 |
For Ingredient Inquiry, collect Monster Bone, Monster Fang, Monster Tender, Monster Roe, Monster Bird Egg, and Monster Horn. The Horn is the usual missing item; Flying Shrimp in Sapphirl Tower can drop it.
For Sapphirl Snapshot, center the target device directly ahead behind the nearest pillars. A usable photograph can still miss the bonus if it is framed poorly, so save before submitting it if possible.
Lighthouse Learning requires a specific setup sequence. Set all relevant controls to LOW, then MID, then HIGH before activating the mechanism. Once the work is done, speak to the keeper and select the response offering to handle anything else.
During “The White Shadow,” choose the statement that identifies the direction in which the white shadow disappeared. The investigation continues with another answer, but the BP reward is reduced.
Sunday Scholar’s answer positions are:
- 2nd answer
- 1st answer
- 3rd answer
- 3rd answer
- 2nd answer
- 2nd answer
- 3rd answer
- 2nd answer
- 2nd answer
- 3rd answer
After Chapter 1’s main events, finish remaining Ruan work before traveling onward. Short availability windows are often more dangerous to an A-Rank run than hard encounters.
Keeping a Max-BP Run Safe
A successful BP run depends more on prevention than recovery. Keep separate saves at the start of each chapter, before major conversations, and before optional boss-style fights. A single rolling save can turn a one-point mistake into a much larger replay.
Watch map markers whenever you enter a town:
- Red markers advance the main story.
- Green markers indicate side quests.
- Blue markers mark sub-events and optional discoveries.
Prioritize green markers when a red objective appears likely to move the party elsewhere. Check the Bracer Notebook after major scenes, because some quests have narrow completion windows.
Combat preparation supports quest completion. Bring status-resistant accessories when a boss is known to inflict a specific ailment. Keep party speed high with Action Quartz or agility-focused gear, since extra turns create room to heal, interrupt Arts, and claim favorable turn bonuses.
Orbment layout also matters. Characters with one long connected line are better suited for advanced Arts because elemental values accumulate along that line. Characters with split lines often perform better as physical attackers or durable support units built around speed, HP, defense, status effects, and Crafts.
Save S-Crafts for important moments instead of spending them immediately. They can interrupt turn order, secure a critical bonus, finish a fleeing Shining Pom, or prevent a dangerous enemy action. Against bosses, apply buffs before committing major attacks so your limited resources produce meaningful damage.
FAQ
How many BP are needed for A-Rank?
A-Rank requires 450 BP. Since the maximum available total is 452, you may miss only 2 BP and still receive the Aura Guard.
What is the best trails in the sky 2nd chapter bp guide habit?
Check the Bracer Notebook after reporting every chapter’s remaining work. Compare your total with the checkpoint table before moving on, then reload if you are more than 2 BP behind.
Can I continue after losing the Prologue Jaeger battle?
Yes, but continuing after defeat misses 2 BP. Retry and win the battle to remain on the maximum route.
Which Chapter 1 quest is easiest to short-change?
Ingredient Inquiry is a frequent problem because the quest can be completed without every requested material. Deliver all six ingredients, including Monster Horn, to earn the extra 2 BP.
Are side quests visible on the map?
Most side quests use green minimap markers. Check the Bracer Notebook and revisit towns after story events, since some work becomes unavailable after progression.