NieR Automata: Route B - what can be transferred? NieR Automata guide, tips

Last update: 09 August 2021

This page of the NieR Automata game guide contains information about what can be transferred from Route A (centered around 2B) to Route B (centered around 9S). This knowledge can be useful to you while planning when to complete the campaign for the first time.

Route A and Route B - what are they?

The design of NieR Automata's campaign is quite unusual. It goes as follows:

1. You must first complete 10 chapters of Route A. The only available playable character during this time is 2B, while 9S appears as an AI-controlled partner in certain chapters.
2. When you complete Route A, you will automatically proceed to Route B. For a change of pace, this time you will be playing as 9S, occasionally accompanied by an AI-controlled 2B during some of the chapters. Route B also consists of 10 chapters to complete and they are largely very similar to those of Route A, with some scenes and plot points being changed and expanded upon. Route B cannot therefore be described as a traditional New Game Plus mode, as it contains some new content and reveals many new details about the plot.
3. When Route B is complete, it will unlock more paths with "fresh" content and we won't focus on describing them on this page.

Point of no return - does it occur in the game?

In NieR Automata, there are two "unofficial" points of no return, crossing which can block access to selected optional game content:

1. During Chapter 7 in Route A, take your time before using the Flight Suit on the coast (pictured above). Using it may cancel some unfinished side quests from your log and may prevent you from completing them. You can try to complete unfinished quests when you proceed to Route B or later when you unlock the chapter select option. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to replay them from the beginning.
2. During chapter 10 of Route A, going to the machine village will be tantamount to proceeding to the final part of the game.

What is being transferred to Route B?

The good news is that the game directly transfers most of the progress from Route A to Route B. This mainly includes:

1. Character experience level - 9S in Route B will begin at the same level as you finished Route A as 2B.
2. All equipment - You will be able to use all the items that you had in your inventory at the end of Route A, including consumables.
3. Gathered gold- The game will transfer all gold (G) gathered and unused while completing Route A.
4. All collected weapons - You do not have to revisit the locations of unique weapons or buy them again. Note, however, that you will need to re-select the active weapon. What's more, 9S can only use light attacks and, instead of heavy attacks, they can hack.
5. All pods and their programs - You don't have to re-obtain pods or rediscover their programs. The only nuisance is the need to re-select the active programs by placing them in the pod slots.
6. Intel tab progress - It isn't reset and, from the start of the route, you will have access to Unit Data and Archives unlocked in Route A.
7. Unlocked endings - In addition to the main Ending A for completing Route A, all unlocked minor endings that you unlocked while passing Route A will also be retained.
8. Discovered Access Points - You do not need to find these stations on the world map again or re-activate them, but you won't be able to fast travel until you once more reach chapter 6.
9. A few side quests from the journal- This mainly concerns quests related to the DLC 3C3C1D119440927, that is, tied to completing trials / challenges in arenas. You may also retain the side quest Half-wit Inventor, which concerns the delivery of large amounts of gold to the inventor of the village of machines.

What will not be transferred from Route A to Route B?

The following things will not be transferred to Route B:

1. Main chapters completed - Theoretically, this is not 100% true. Despite the fact that during Route B you must complete the 10 previous chapters again, there may be some noticeable differences between them (for example, chapter 1 looks completely different than in Route A) or they may include additional dialogues or cut-scenes. Therefore, you won't be replaying the same exact content again.
2. Side quests (except for the ones mentioned above) - unfinished quests from Route A are reset and you have to initiate and complete them again. It is worth noting here that the game allows you to complete all the side quest once more during Route B, including those that you have originally compelted during Route A. This will allow you to obtain the rewards for completing them for a second time.
3. Fast travel - Just like in the case of Route A, you must reach Chapter 6 to unlock fast travel as part of progressing the main storyline. Until then, access points can only be used to save your game and read messages.