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The difference between utilizing a proper plug-in chip setup in Nier Automata and completely ignoring it is night and day. This mechanic is something all Nier Automata players should take the time to explore. If they've collected the game's best chips, they can make 2B or 9S as powerful as they can be.
While Nier Automata is not a hard game by any means, there are still a couple of bosses that can give players a difficult challenge. With a proper chip setup, these bosses too can be dealt with swiftly. These chips are how builds are formed in this awesome JRPG. Players can either use an offensive-first approach, a defensive chip setup, or a setup that prioritizes hacking.
Melee-Focused Chip Setup
2B, 9S, and A2 are characters that players later play as and are all suited to use a melee-focused chip setup. This is for players who want to make the best out of the game's most powerful melee weapons.
Plug-In Chip | Function | Cost |
|---|---|---|
OS Chip | An android's central system. Removing this will result in death and triggers ending T. | 2 |
HUD: HP Gauge | Shows the player's HP. | 2 |
HUD: Enemy Data | Shows the HP and level of enemies. | 2 |
HUD: Mini-map | Displays a mini-map on screen. | 2 |
Weapon Attack Up +8 | Increases weapon attack by 100%. This is the max attack bonus players can receive. | 21 |
Critical Up +8 | Increase critical hit rate by 30%. This is the max percentage players can receive for critical hit rate. | 21 |
Counter +7 | Gives players the ability to counterattack that deals 200% of the incoming damage. | 17 |
Down-Attack Up +6 | Increase the damage to down attacks by 50%. | 14 |
Offensive Heal +7 | Recover 80% of damage dealt to health. | 17 |
Charge Attack +4 | Increase the damage to charged attacks by 200%. | 9 |
Overclock +6 | Slows down time for four seconds after a Perfect Evade. | 14 |
Evasive System | Slows down time when close to enemy projectiles. | 6 |
Total Storage Used: | 127 | |
This chip build accounts for melee damage and compensates for lack of HP and defense. The Offensive Heal in particular helps the player avoid running out of health since they'll simply keep replenishing it when they attack. The Overclock and Evasive System chips also make playing strictly as a melee attacker easier.
Ranged-Focused Chip Setup
This chip build is suited for any character. This is for players who prefer to attack enemies from afar with the help of the Pods and Pod Programs.
Plug-In Chip | Function | Cost |
|---|---|---|
OS Chip | An android's central system. Removing this will result in death and triggers ending T. | 2 |
HUD: HP Gauge | Shows the player's HP. | 2 |
HUD: Skill Gauge | Shows the skill gauge and the cooldown of Pod Programs. | 2 |
HUD: Enemy Data | Shows the HP and level of enemies. | 2 |
HUD: Mini-map | Displays a mini-map on screen. | 2 |
Range Attack Up +8 | Increase the damage to projectiles and Pod-based attacks by 100%. | 21 |
Shock Wave +8 | Gives melee attacks a powerful shock wave that hurls forward. | 21 |
Auto-Heal +8 | Restores 18% of health per second if no damage has been received for four seconds. | 21 |
Fast Cooldown +8 | Reduces the cooldown time of Pod Programs by 50%. | 21 |
Moving Speed Up +8 | Increases movement speed by 20%. | 21 |
Evasive System | Time slows down whenever the player is near an enemy projectile. | 6 |
Total Storage Used: | 121 | |
This chip build doesn't only prioritize range damage but also mobility, cooldown, and health regeneration. The Shock Wave chip allows players to use melee attacks and damage opponents while still distant from the enemy. There are seven plug-in chip slots remaining in this build. Players can use other chips of their choosing to fill this in.
Defense-Focused Chip Setup
There are a lot of players who prefer to opt for a defense-focused build. This build allows them to tank damages and simply focus on attacking without relying too much on dodges. This chip build is for those players.
Plug-In Chip | Function | Cost |
|---|---|---|
OS Chip | An android's central system. Removing this will result in death and triggers ending T. | 2 |
HUD: HP Gauge | Shows the player's HP. | 2 |
HUD: Enemy Data | Shows the HP and level of enemies. | 2 |
HUD: Mini-map | Displays a mini-map on screen. | 2 |
Melee Defense +8 | Reduces melee damage received by 80%. | 21 |
Ranged Defense +8 | Reduces ranged damage received by 80%. | 21 |
Max HP Up +8 | Increases maximum health by 100%. | 21 |
Anti Chain Damage +8 | Turn invincible for 6 seconds after receiving damage. | 21 |
Offensive Heal +8 | Recover 100% of damage dealt to HP. | 21 |
Damage Absorb +6 | There's a 35% chance players will recover 100% of damage received to HP when attacked. | 14 |
Total Storage Used: | 127 | |
Players can most definitely last throughout the game with just this chip build. Their damage output may not be mind-blowing, but they'll withstand attacks and recover HP at the same time on a constant basis.
Balanced Chip Setup
Most Nier Automata players will most likely choose to use a balanced build. This makes playthroughs consistent whether they're playing as 2B, 9S, or A2. A lot of players will want to have a decent damage output while also being able to withstand attacks.
Plug-In Chip | Function | Cost |
|---|---|---|
OS Chip | An android's central system. Removing this will result in death and triggers ending T. | 2 |
HUD: HP Gauge | Shows the player's HP. | 2 |
HUD: Skill Gauge | Shows the skill gauge and the cooldown of Pod Programs. | 2 |
HUD: Enemy Data | Shows the HP and level of enemies. | 2 |
HUD: Mini-map | Displays a mini-map on screen. | 2 |
Weapon Attack Up +8 | Increases weapon attack by 100%. | 21 |
Range Attack Up +8 | Increase the damage to projectiles and Pod-based attacks by 100%. | 21 |
Melee Defense +8 | Reduces melee damage received by 80%. | 21 |
Ranged Defense +8 | Reduces ranged damage received by 80%. | 21 |
Max HP Up +8 | Increases maximum health by 100%. | 21 |
Total Storage Used: | 115 | |
This plug-in chip build considers everything from melee and ranged attack damage to melee and ranged defense. The total chip storage used is only 115, which means there are 13 slots left for the player to use. They can use other chips for this such as Overclock or Offensive Heal.
Hacking-Focused Chip Setup
This chip build is exclusive to 9S. This combat system is a little unconventional, but 9S can be extremely overpowered as long as hacking is used right, and the right chips are used.
Plug-In Chip | Function | Cost |
|---|---|---|
OS Chip | An android's central system. Removing this will result in death and triggers ending T. | 2 |
HUD: HP Gauge | Shows the player's HP. | 2 |
HUD: Enemy Data | Shows the HP and level of enemies. | 2 |
HUD: Mini-map | Displays a mini-map on screen. | 2 |
Moving Speed Up +8 | Increases movement speed by 20%. | 21 |
Hijack Boost +8 | Remotely controlled enemies are at +8. | 21 |
Combust +8 | Short-circuited enemies are on fire for 7 seconds. | 21 |
Stun +8 | When a hacked foe is zapped, they emit a blast that covers a 25m radius. They then remain stunned for 5 seconds. | 21 |
Heal Drops Up +8 | Foes that are defeated by hacking have a 100% chance of dropping a healing item. | 21 |
Total Storage Used: | 113 | |
This chip build leaves the player with 15 chip slots. They can use this to either increase their melee damage or ranged damage. While hacking can be extremely powerful, players may still want to use their other attack options in certain situations.
Nier Automata is available on Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.