Quick Links
- What Is "Brain Drive"?
- What Does It Do?
- How To Best Utilize it?
- Other Common Questions Related To Brain Drive
There are a ton of mechanics in Scarlet Nexus, from SAS Abilities to Assault Visions and even super-states like the Brain Drive and Brain Field “transformations”. Now, having this many mechanics is actually a good thing, since it adds more complexity to the game's combat, but, there are times when it can get a bit confusing about what mechanic does what and why.
RELATED: Lingering Questions We Have After The End Of Scarlet Nexus
So, to help anyone struggling just a bit, we’re going to specifically describe what the Brain Drive status is, what it does, and how to best use it. That said, the story of Scarlet Nexus is pretty great for a JRPG, so we won't talk about the canonical explanation of the "Brain Drive", this guide will only be focusing on mechanics.
What Is "Brain Drive"?
Brain Drive is the mechanic in Scarlet Nexus that actually turns on that cyberpunk-esque face mask on either Yuito or Kasane that’s automatically enabled whenever their Drive Gauge fills up in-game. In-universe, it’s simply described as a state of heightened focus that massively buffs their already powerful Psychokinetic abilities. It functions in a similar way to the Devil Triggers in the Devil May Cry games or even the Focused State from Code Vein, another action-oriented anime game.
Both Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall automatically unlock the Brain Drive mechanic right at the start of the mission in the Abandoned Subway, though Yuito will be with Tsumugi and Kagero while Kasane will be with Shiden and Gemma at the time.
What Does It Do?
So, what does activating Brain Drive actually mean mechanically? Well, you’ll notice that when it’s active, you move faster, attack faster, your animations for Psychokinesis (and even regular attacks) are faster, and even generate additional EXP. It’s a super-state where both characters just perform better while under the effects of it, and it's charged up both from taking damage from enemies and inflicting damage on them.
How To Best Utilize it?
The biggest problem with Brain Drive is that it’s an automatic activation, as in you have no input that turns it on or off. Devil Triggers in the DMC series are so fun to use because you build up the meter and then choose which fights require it, using that meter as a resource. Comparatively, more often than not in Scarlet Nexus, you’ll activate Brain Drive just after clearing a room or finishing off a group of enemies, and will end up scrambling around looking for more enemies to fight so as not to "waste" it.
Thankfully, the Drive Gauge drains much slower outside of combat, but you actually should be scrambling for more combat anyway, at least if you want to make the most of it. There’s also a whole branch of both Kasane’s and Yuito’s Brain Map dedicated to Brain Drive-related skills that you should absolutely try and pick up sooner rather than later, as seen below:
We didn't include the BP required to unlock these skills, since the cost and spread of skills are different depending on if you're playing Yuito's story or Kasane's
| Skill Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| BD: Gauge Charge Rate Up | +20% Brain Drive Gauge Accumulation from both receiving and inflicting damage to enemies |
| BD: Auto-Heal | Steadily restores health while Brain Drive is Active |
| BD: Status Ailment Recovery | Cures All Status Ailments While Brain Drive Is Active |
| BD: Consecutive Assault Visions | All Assault Visions activated while Brain Drive is Active are unleashed twice |
| BD: Restore Brain Drive 1 & 2 | Two separate skills that both restore Drive Gauge slightly when defeating enemies while Brain Drive is Active |
| BD: Bonus Multiplier Up | Increases the EXP Bonus Multiplier while Brain Drive is Active |
| BD: Attack Crush Effect Up | Increases Crush Gauge Damage against enemies while Brain Drive is Active |
| BD: SAS Gauge Restore | All SAS Activations are fully restored when Brain Drive Activates |
As far as how to "Best Utilize It", activating Brain Drive is your cue to go all out. Once it activates, go nuts with the Psychokinesis Follow-Up Attacks, get as many Brain Crushes as possible, and really just go on the total offensive.
Other Common Questions Related To Brain Drive
Question: Can I Obtain The Brain Drive/Brain Field "Mask" As A Cosmetic Item?
Answer: Sadly no. For as cool as that mask looks, the developers likely intentionally tied it to these two mechanics so that it felt more unique. Thankfully, the game does have a ton of other cosmetic items you can kit out your party with.
Question: Does The Drive Gauge Deplete If Left Alone?
Answer: No, whatever Drive Gauge you have will stay at that level until it fills up and activates Brain Drive, no need to worry about it draining if you walk away from the game without pausing.
Question: Can You Use Both Brain Field & Brain Drive Simultaneously?
Answer: Not really, since Brain Field is basically just the penultimate version of Brain Drive. But, with the Brain Field: Free Drive Charge skill, if you wait to activate Brain Field until after you automatically activate Brain Drive, you get to use Brain Field for free and will have an additional use of it when you come out of it.
NEXT: Things Everyone Completely Missed In Scarlet Nexus
