Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter BP Guide – Max BP & A-Rank

Quick Answer

For A-Rank, aim for the full 452 BP route even though the rank only requires 450. Save before red BP choices and unusual quest battles, report every quest, then compare your total with the chapter checkpoints below. At a completed chapter checkpoint, being more than 2 BP below the maximum means A-Rank is already out of reach on that run.

There is almost no room for a casual mistake in the Bracer route.

Senior Bracer A-Rank requires 450 BP, while the entire game contains 452 BP. That leaves only two points of slack. A reduced reward that looks harmless in Chapter 1 can still matter dozens of hours later, and one particular Chapter 6 battle can cost three points by itself.

The quest side is just as important. There are 87 quests counting the main-story entries used by the game, and several optional jobs either have bonus conditions, appear only during a short story window, or can fail entirely.

My approach is to use BP as a chapter-by-chapter checkpoint rather than one giant endgame total. I protect the bonus conditions while they are active, report the quests before changing regions, and compare the Guild total whenever a chapter closes.

A-Rank Needs 450 BP, but the Safe Target Is 452

The full Bracer Rank ladder is:

The Rank C reward is particularly useful because Aqua Master can use any bait, but for an A-Rank run I care more about the number behind each promotion than the item itself.

A normal rank-up does not tell me whether I am still on the maximum route. For that, I compare the actual BP total against the chapter checkpoints in the next section.

Max BP Checkpoints by Chapter

These are the totals I use after finishing and reporting everything available in each stage.

The maximum total is the number that matters when I audit a save.

For example, finishing Chapter 5 at 304 BP is still theoretically recoverable because only two points have been lost. Finishing at 303 means the best possible final result would be 449, one point short of Rank A.

Prologue – 16 BP Maximum

The Prologue has several small bonuses packed into Midnight Attack, so this is the first place where an A-Rank run can quietly lose points.

For the maximum route:

• when the gunfire wakes the group, choose the second option and get up immediately: +2 BP;
• defeat the Jaeger in the Le Locle lodge instead of accepting the continue-after-loss option: +2 BP;
• when asked who moved Estelle and Anelace into the forest, choose the answer blaming the Jaeger attackers: +2 BP;
• when reconstructing what the Jaeger Corps did next, choose the third option, that they relocated their base: +3 BP;
• for Estelle’s bluff, choose the second option, refusing the need to call: +2 BP.

That brings the Prologue to 16 BP total.

The important failure state is the lodge battle. The game lets the story continue even after losing, so “the story advanced” is not proof that the maximum BP condition succeeded.

Chapter 1 – Ruan: 66 BP Maximum

Chapter 1 has more optional bonus conditions than any early section, and several are attached to otherwise ordinary side quests.

Ingredient Inquiry – Bring All Six Ingredients

The quest can be completed with fewer ingredient types, but the full +2 BP bonus requires all six:

• Monster Bone
• Monster Fang
• Monster Tender
• Monster Roe
• Monster Bird Egg
• Monster Horn

Monster Horn is the one I would specifically check before returning because Flying Shrimp in Sapphirl Tower can provide it.

Sapphirl Snapshot – Center the Device

For the +2 BP, take the tower photo looking straight at the device, centered behind the front pillars.

I would rather reposition and retake this than accept a technically valid but poorly framed shot on an A-Rank run.

Lighthouse Learning – LOW, MID, HIGH

Set the lighthouse controls through:

LOW → MID → HIGH

before starting the mechanism.

After completing the switch sequence and speaking with the keeper, choose the second dialogue option that offers to handle anything else. That adds +1 BP.

The White Shadow – Pick the Direction Difference

When the three witness statements are compared, choose the second option, identifying the direction in which the white shadow disappeared.

That gives the full +3 BP. A different answer can still award reduced BP, which is exactly the sort of mistake that is easy to overlook because the investigation keeps moving.

Sunday Scholar – Answer Sequence

For the full +2 BP, the ten quiz answers are:

2 → 1 → 3 → 3 → 2 → 2 → 3 → 2 → 2 → 3

I keep the sequence in front of me rather than relying on memory halfway through the quiz.

Drawbridge Defect

When asked what caused the bridge problem, choose the second option, pointing to deliberate human interference.

Reward: +1 BP.

Finish the Post-Chapter Ruan Quests Before Leaving

After Chapter 1’s main story is over, two quests still matter before traveling to Zeiss:

Election Office Outrage and Winners Wanted.

Election Office Outrage does not have bonus BP, but I finish every investigation topic instead of using the give-up route.

Winners Wanted is more dangerous because failing the card sequence fails the quest itself.

With Scherazard:

1. Estelle keeps the pair, then plays.
2. Olivier keeps the pair, then folds.
3. Scherazard keeps the spades.

With Agate:

1. Agate keeps the king, then plays.
2. Olivier keeps the pair, then folds.
3. Estelle discards the whole hand.

Once the Ruan work is reported, the maximum running total is 66 BP.

Chapter 2 – Zeiss: 125 BP Maximum

Chapter 2 mixes story decisions with side-quest performance conditions. The full route adds 59 BP, bringing the maximum total to 125.

If you need the actual earthquake route rather than the BP conditions, follow the Chapter 2 walkthrough.

Earthquake Investigation – Two Separate +3 BP Checks

Near the start of the chapter, investigate the blue sub-event in Kaldia Tunnel and speak with the NPC who saw the suspicious person.

That adds +3 BP.

Later, when comparing the current earthquake with Wolf Fort, choose the third option indicating that both relevant differences applied.

That is another +3 BP.

Firearm Field Test – Do 15 Command Battles

The basic request asks for fewer fights, but maximum BP requires:

15 total Command Battles

rather than stopping at 10.

Reward: +2 BP.

Drill Duty – Keep Going After Two Battles

After the initial two training fights, continue into the additional bout with Lt. Colonel Cid.

Reward: +2 BP.

Probe for Parts – Find All Eight

The maximum condition is all 8 parts:

• 3 in the 3F Workshop;
• 4 in the 4F Laboratory;
• 1 with Antoine the cat in the 4F Infirmary.

Reward: +2 BP.

Epicenter Investigation – Choose Elmo Village

When the calculated location is given as roughly 165 selge east and 228 selge south of Zeiss, choose Elmo Village.

Reward: +2 BP.

Guest Gone Missing Appears After the Chapter

Do not board for Grancel as soon as the Chapter 2 story ends.

Guest Gone Missing becomes available in Zeiss after the chapter and must be handled before leaving the region. The route goes into the previously sealed section of Kaldia Tunnel.

Once everything is reported, check for 125 BP.

Chapter 3 – Grancel: 169 BP Maximum

Chapter 3’s maximum is 44 BP, taking the running total to 169.

The story route itself is covered in the Chapter 3 walkthrough; the BP-sensitive parts are concentrated in the Renne investigation and the Tea Party.

Lost Child at Erbe Royal Villa – Two Bonuses

After checking the villa locations, search under the desk beside Raymond before moving on.

Reward: +3 BP.

Later, when asked whether Renne entered Liberl overland, choose the second option, rejecting that explanation.

Reward: +2 BP.

The Tea Party – Recognize the Trap

At Gurune Gate with Kevin, choose the second option identifying the situation as a deliberate deadly trap.

Reward: +3 BP.

Two Quests Appear After the Main Boss

Do not immediately leave Grancel once the chapter boss is finished.

Before departing, complete:

• Piscine Pilferer
• Kirsche Avenue Monster

The full Chapter 3 checkpoint is 169 BP / 39 quests.

Chapter 4 – Rolent: 236 BP Maximum

Chapter 4 adds 67 BP, and this is one of the chapters where timing matters as much as dialogue.

For the story route through Rolent and Mistwald, use the Chapter 4 walkthrough.

Find That Feline Has a Short Window

I would do this quest as soon as it appears.

The route moves between the airship crew and Abend Bar until Estelle gets permission to board, then the cat is found on the lowest deck.

Waiting too long risks losing the quest entirely.

Investigation of Coma Cases – Two +3 BP Answers

When comparing the witness accounts:

1. choose the second option, identifying the absence of witnesses as the common point;
2. when asked what happened where the woman in black appeared, choose the third option, identifying Luke falling asleep.

Each correct answer gives +3 BP, for +6 total.

The first question can still award reduced BP with another answer, so I treat the dialogue result as important even when the investigation does not fail.

Fishing Spot Scout – Show All Seven Rolent Spots

For the maximum +2 BP, catch at least one fish at all seven relevant locations:

1. pond beside the Bright family home;
2. Elize Highway bridge;
3. hidden cave on Malga Trail;
4. Milch Main Road pond;
5. left side of Verte Bridge Checkpoint;
6. Rolent Sewers;
7. the pond near the Chapter 4 boss area.

The seventh location only becomes available after the Chapter 4 boss, so this quest cannot be fully finished the moment it first appears.

Woman in Black – Escape Mistwald Cleanly

The Mistwald pursuit awards +3 BP for navigating the loop without repeatedly failing the route.

The correct navigation itself stays with the Chapter 4 route; for BP purposes, the important point is that repeated mistakes can reduce the bonus.

Chapter 4 Has Post-Boss Quests Too

Before leaving Rolent for Bose, finish the newly available work, including:

• Recipe Reminiscence
• Dabbling with Diaset
• Commission Caper

The maximum checkpoint is 236 BP / 53 quests.

Chapter 5 – Bose: 306 BP Maximum

Chapter 5 contributes 70 BP, reaching 306 total.

The full Ragnard and Nebel Valley route is in the Chapter 5 walkthrough.

Extermination of Monsters – Notice Their Behavior

After the third required monster hunt, Estelle comments that something seemed wrong.

Choose the second option, identifying that the monsters looked afraid.

Reward: +3 BP.

Building Collapse – Plan Before Acting

During the rescue at the collapsed building, choose the second option and make a plan first.

Reward: +3 BP.

Delicacy Delivery – Bring 10 of All Eight Ingredients

Orvid gives you 7 of each required ingredient, but the BP condition asks for:

10 of all eight types

for the full +2 BP.

This is one of the few quests where I check my Monster Handbook before buying or grinding blindly. I collect the missing ingredients while doing the required monster hunts around Bose instead of farming one route without knowing which enemy has what I need.

Damsel Disappearance

When the dialogue asks how to deal with Felicity, choose the second option, calling out her cowardice.

Reward: +1 BP.

Businesswoman’s Bodyguard – Under 10 Minutes

This quest appears after Chapter 5’s main story and before the Valleria events.

Reach Ravennue within 10 minutes for +2 BP.

Because a boss is on the route, I restore HP, EP and CP before starting instead of using part of the timer on preparation.

Finish the Bose Cleanup Before Going to Valleria

The late Chapter 5 quest window includes:

• Businesswoman’s Bodyguard
• Distant Days
• Mine Mop Up

For Mine Mop Up, the objective specifically means the Vogel 560 and Vogel 225 enemies. The older mine enemies do not all need to be cleared again.

The chapter should close at 306 BP / 66 quests.

Chapter 6 – The Three BP You Cannot Afford to Lose

Chapter 6 looks small on paper:

14 possible BP, reaching 320 total.

In practice, it contains the most dangerous A-Rank condition in the game.

For the surrounding research facility and Glorious route, use the Chapter 6 walkthrough.

The Enhanced Jaeger Fight Is +2 for Surviving, +5 for Winning

During Research Facility Infiltration, Estelle eventually reaches the deck of the Glorious and gets forced into a solo battle against five Enhanced Jaegers.

The game can move forward without a full victory.

That creates the trap:

• survive until the encounter advances: +2 BP
• actually defeat the group: +5 BP

The difference is 3 BP.

Because the whole game only gives 452 BP and A-Rank needs 450, accepting the +2 result caps the best possible final total at:

452 - 3 = 449 BP

That is one point short of A-Rank.

Prepare Before Entering the Valleria Shore Story Event

This is one place where preparation before the chapter actually matters.

A practical stockpile for the solo encounter is:

• at least 20 Red Pepper;
• at least 12 Dragon Beans;
• at least 12 Marbled Tenderloin;
• at least 12 Acerbic Tomato;
• at least 12 Monster Fang;
• at least 12 Monster Tender.

On the Glorious, a chest near Estelle’s starting area contains the Spicy Meatballs recipe. Agate can turn that into Draconic Meatballs, which can hit the group at once and apply useful pressure before Rage Boost starts cleaning up status effects.

The exact build can vary, so I care more about the preparation rule than reproducing one fixed loadout: save before the fight, enter with a real damage plan, and do not rely on merely lasting long enough.

The correct Chapter 6 checkpoint is 320 BP / 68 quests.

Chapter 7 – No Bonus BP Decisions

Chapter 7 is unusually simple from a Bracer Point perspective.

Tetracyclic Towers Anomaly gives 12 BP, and there is no extra Bonus BP to protect.

That takes the maximum total to:

332 BP / 69 quests

You can concentrate on the actual tower route rather than hunting for a hidden dialogue bonus. The Chapter 7 walkthrough covers the four Shadow Towers and their combat hazards.

Chapter 8 – 452 BP and the Final Quest Sweep

Chapter 8 carries an enormous 120 BP, because Liberl opens into a final region-wide quest sweep.

Most of the remaining jobs are monster exterminations, but the Zero Field Generator route changes how I order them.

Clear Monster Routes Before Handing Over Each ZFG

As you enter each region, the Zero Field Generator is eventually handed over at the local Guild.

Once that happens, Arts stop functioning for that party.

So I prefer to clear nearby monster quests before delivering that region’s ZFG whenever the route allows it.

Enemies defeated before formally accepting a monster quest can still count, so taking out obvious hordes while traveling is useful rather than wasted effort.

Fix Rolent’s Communicator Early

Miner’s Mayday cannot begin until the communicator at the Rolent Guild branch has been repaired.

That makes Rolent a sensible early stop in the Chapter 8 circuit rather than something I leave until the very end.

Lugran’s Lifeline – Calvard Embassy

Start the sequence by seeing the optional event in Ravennue, then return to the Bose Bracer Guild.

When asked where Lugran’s medicine should be checked, choose the third option: Calvard Embassy.

Reward: +1 BP.

Hot Springs Salvation – Bring Tita

This quest appears late in Chapter 8.

Bring Tita into the pump room to trigger the required progression.

Stop at 86 / 87 Before the Point of No Return

After installing all Zero Field Generators and using the Guild communicators, the game warns that free travel around Liberl is about to end.

Before accepting that transition, I check:

86 / 87 quests completed

The final quest comes after the warning.

This is the moment for any remaining Chapter 8 cleanup. Once the last story quest is reported, a maximum run reaches:

452 BP / 87 quests

and A-Rank is secured.

What to Do If Your BP Is Already Low

The chapter-end table makes the answer straightforward.

At a completed checkpoint:

• 0 BP behind — still on the 452 route;
• 1 BP behind — A-Rank still possible;
• 2 BP behind — exactly enough for 450;
• 3 or more BP behind — A-Rank is no longer possible on that run.

That is why I keep multiple saves around the end of chapters and before unusual BP conditions.

A reduced result is not always obvious. Some dialogue mistakes still award part of the bonus, and Chapter 6 can continue after the reduced +2 outcome. Without checking the total, those runs can look perfectly healthy until the final report.

Quest Master and A-Rank Are Related, but Not the Same Check

For a completion run, I track two separate things:

BP total and quest completion.

A-Rank requires 450 BP.

Quest Master requires all 87 quests to be completed and reported.

A quest with reduced bonus BP may still count as completed, while a quest that fails outright threatens the quest total even if the current BP deficit is small.

That is why the safest route is not merely “pick enough correct dialogue to hit 450.” I aim for the full 452 while keeping the quest count aligned with the chapter checkpoints.

By the end of Chapter 8, the clean completion state is:

452 BP + 87 / 87 quests.