How to Use the Map
A good map route prevents missed treasure, expired requests, and unnecessary backtracking across Liberl. This trails in the sky 2nd chapter map guide focuses on the early regions and the landmarks that make exploration easier.
The game revisits familiar territory after Estelle begins searching for Joshua, but its routes contain new objectives, enemies, treasure, and side activities. Check the current Bracer Guild board before leaving a town, then clear nearby roads and dungeons in a single loop.
| Region | Main exploration purpose | Important locations |
|---|---|---|
| Le Locle | Prologue training | Training Lounge, Balstar Channel |
| Ruan | Chapter 1 investigation | Ruan Guild, landing port, casino, shops |
| Gull Seaside Way | Side quests and beach route | Ruan entrance, hidden shoreline path |
| Saint-Croix Forest | Story progression and loot | Camp area, forest paths |
| Grimsel Fortress | Prologue dungeon | Exterior, floors 1-4 |
Your map is most useful when paired with the quest log. Some requests have deadlines, so complete medium-deadline work before advancing obvious story objectives such as major buildings, travel departures, or chapter-ending scenes.
Balstar Channel Route
Balstar Channel is the first major dungeon and an excellent place to learn how the game’s maps communicate progression. It is split into several compact areas, with gates, bridges, switches, and enemy encounters leading toward Kurt.
Begin by exploring each accessible branch before operating the nearest mechanism. A lever may alter a bridge elsewhere in the section, so return to the crossing point after every switch.
| Balstar Channel area | Map feature | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Early passage | Tutorial encounters | Learn movement, attacks, Arts, and turn order |
| Frog encounter | Tough magic-resistant enemy | Favor Arts over ordinary physical attacks |
| Bridge section | Retractable bridges and levers | Pull nearby levers, then cross newly connected paths |
| Flooded section | Water-blocked stairs | Use the entrance switch to drain the water |
| Final corridor | Healing crystal | Heal before speaking with Kurt |
The safest route is straightforward:
- Clear or bypass enemies while keeping enough healing items for the final fight.
- Inspect side paths before crossing a newly lowered bridge.
- Drain the water immediately after entering the flooded area.
- Use the stairs and bridge levers to reach the final gate.
- Save and heal at the crystal before challenging Kurt.
Kurt’s battle is also a map checkpoint: once you reach him, you have completed the dungeon’s navigation challenge. During the fight, use the combat lessons from the earlier rooms, including S-Crafts and S-Breaks. His late battle state is dangerous, but he is nearly defeated at that point, so a quick finishing attack can end the encounter.
Early Treasure Chest Map Notes
Treasure chests are distributed across routes, forests, towers, and dungeons. Many contain immediate survival tools such as EP Charge, Tear Balm, Reviving Balm, sepith, Quartz, and equipment upgrades.
Balstar Channel has fourteen listed chests across its middle maps. The most valuable early finds include Mind 1, Attack 1, Cast 1, a Silver Earring, and several recovery items. These are especially helpful because Estelle’s party receives newer Tactical Orbments during training, making earlier Quartz setups obsolete.
| Area | Notable treasure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Balstar Channel | Mind 1, Cast 1, Attack 1 | Supports early Arts and physical builds |
| Balstar Channel | EP Charge, Tear Balm, Reviving Balm | Keeps the party moving through the tutorial dungeon |
| Saint-Croix Forest | Enhanced Leather, Reinforced Boots | Early defensive upgrades |
| Saint-Croix Forest | Fencer, Break Rod | Useful weapon options |
| Grimsel Fortress | Night Goggles, ID Unit | Distinct dungeon rewards |
| Gull Seaside Way | Hard Loafers, Purging Balm | Mobility and status recovery |
Do not treat a cleared chest as a one-time visual check only. Reexamine empty chests when pursuing completion goals; the game can display additional chest messages after they have been opened.
For chest hunting, work from the outermost dead ends inward. On a road map, take every fork that does not point toward the next zone exit. In towers and fortresses, inspect every room before using stairs or story doors. This method is slower during a first visit, but it dramatically reduces return trips.
Ruan Region Navigation and Quest Planning
Ruan becomes the first broad chapter hub after the prologue. The main investigation begins near the local Bracer Guild, where the bulletin board supplies optional work alongside the White Shadow case.
Before heading onto regional maps, prepare in town. Joan Arms and Guards sells early equipment, while O’neil’s Duty Free carries consumables, ingredients, and useful footwear. The casino also offers token exchanges and minigames, though it is optional for basic story progress.
| Ruan task | BP | Deadline | Map priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredient Inquiry | 2 | Long | Complete during normal town shopping |
| Sapphirl Snapshot | 2 | Medium | Prioritize before major story progress |
| Vista Forest Road Monster | 3 | Long | Combine with nearby travel |
| Seaside Way Monster | 3 | Long | Combine with Gull Seaside Way exploration |
Start at the guild board, collect all available requests, then form a route around their locations. If a quest targets a monster on a road, finish that objective while opening every chest on the same map. Return to town only after multiple tasks are ready to turn in.
The Ruan region includes Gull Seaside Way, Manoria Byroad, Krone Trail, Aurian Causeway, Sapphirl Tower, and the Jenis Royal Academy’s Old Schoolhouse. These maps reward thorough exploration, particularly Sapphirl Tower and the Old Schoolhouse, which contain several floors of chests.
A useful order is:
- Gather requests at the Ruan Guild.
- Buy equipment, ingredients, and recovery items.
- Clear Gull Seaside Way and its monster request.
- Visit connected roads and the appropriate quest destinations.
- Explore towers or schoolhouse floors methodically.
- Return to Ruan, report completed work, and advance the main case.
Fishing is another reason to pause at water. The fishing notebook and Progress Rod become available during the early airliner sequence, and fish can support cooking or collection progress. When you see a fishing spot while following a map route, check it before leaving the area.
Map Completion Tips
The best navigation habit is to separate story travel from completion travel. Follow the objective marker only after you have checked the current town, quest board, shops, road branches, and nearby optional dungeon sections.
Keep these practical rules in mind:
- Save before entering a new dungeon floor or committing to a story event.
- Mark unopened branches mentally before pulling switches or crossing bridges.
- Restock EP and revival items before long dungeons.
- Equip new Quartz as soon as an upgrade changes your available setup.
- Check deadlines after every major story scene.
- Talk to notable NPCs while exploring hubs; some conversations provide context, recipes, or useful leads.
Party choice can also influence how you approach the map. Early in Chapter 1, Estelle travels with either Agate or Scherazard for an extended stretch. Agate emphasizes strong physical damage and aggressive Crafts, while Scherazard offers more flexibility with Arts and support. Neither choice changes the basic map layout, but it can affect whether you prefer fighting every enemy or conserving resources while moving quickly.
When a route feels difficult, spend time gathering sepith, opening chests, and updating your Orbment setup rather than forcing repeated boss attempts. The game offers a forgiving route forward after defeat, but a prepared party will make exploration smoother and more rewarding.
FAQ
Where should I start with the trails in the sky 2nd chapter map?
Start at the current Bracer Guild board, accept available requests, then clear nearby town services and connected roads before advancing the main objective. This keeps deadline-sensitive work from being missed.
How do I get through Balstar Channel?
Use levers to extend retractable bridges. In the flooded section, activate the switch near the entrance to drain the water, then use the newly accessible stairs and bridges to reach the final corridor.
Are Balstar Channel chests worth finding?
Yes. The area includes useful early Quartz, sepith, healing supplies, and accessories. Mind 1, Cast 1, Attack 1, and recovery items are particularly helpful after the Orbment upgrade.
What should I do before leaving Ruan?
Collect all guild requests, upgrade equipment, buy supplies, and prioritize medium-deadline quests. Then combine monster requests with chest hunting on the roads outside town.