Ys X: Nordics is a bit of a departure for Adol Christin. We're trading the sprawling party systems of Ys VIII and IX for a focused, "duo" combat system and a whole lot of sailing. If you're looking for an Ys X trophy guide, you’ve probably realized that while the list isn't as punishing as a Soulslike, there are plenty of missable bits that can force a second 40-hour playthrough if you aren't careful.
I’ve spent way too much time staring at the Sandras’ hull and tracking down every single buried treasure in Obelia Bay. The good news? You can get the Platinum in a single run. The bad news? You have to play on Nightmare difficulty from the jump, or at least switch before the final boss, depending on how much you want to sweat.
The Nightmare Difficulty Hurdle
Let's get the big one out of the way. Like almost every Falcom game, there is a trophy for beating the game on the hardest setting. In Ys X, that’s Nightmare. If you’re a veteran of the series, you know the drill. Enemies hit like a truck, and your timing on the new "Duo Guard" and "Duo Dodge" mechanics needs to be crisp.
Is it actually hard? Honestly, not really. Because you only have two characters to manage—Adol and Karja—the combat feels much more controlled. Once you master the Perfect Guard, which refills your Revenge Gauge and boosts your damage multiplier, most bosses become a rhythm game. If you’re struggling, focus on the "Mana Ride" upgrades early. Being mobile is your best defense.
If you hate yourself less than I do, you can play on Easy for 99% of the game to mop up collectibles, then swap to Nightmare for the final boss. However, be warned: Falcom occasionally patches these "difficulty swaps" in Western releases, so check your version number. If you want to be safe, just start on Nightmare. It makes the ocean exploration feel much more dangerous and rewarding anyway.
Everything is Missable (Well, Sort Of)
The biggest threat to your Platinum trophy isn't a giant sea monster. It’s the "Adventurer's Log." To get the Ys X trophy guide completion, you need 100% in your journal. This includes:
- Every single person met (Character notes)
- Every fish caught
- Every recipe cooked
- Every treasure chest opened
- Every monster defeated
The "Character Notes" are the real killers. Many of these only trigger during specific "Free Time" segments or by talking to NPCs on the Sandras at very specific story beats. If you progress the main plot too fast, those entries are gone. Poof. My advice? Every time the "Time of Day" changes or you finish a major story dungeon, fast travel back to your ship and talk to everyone with an icon over their head.
The Fishing Grind
Fishing in Ys X is significantly more involved than in Monstrum Nox. You aren't just standing on a pier; you're often hunting "Tuna" spots on the open sea with the Sandras. There are 28 species of fish. Some only appear in specific "Fishing Spots" marked on the map, while others are found in the middle of the ocean.
You’ll need to give these fish to Joel on the ship to get rewards. If you miss a fish in an early-game area, you can usually go back, but it's much easier to just clear out every fishing icon as you see it. It saves a massive headache during the endgame cleanup when you're trying to remember if you caught that one specific bass in the Gulf of Solitude.
Naval Combat and Ship Upgrades
A huge chunk of the trophy list is tied to the Sandras. You need to max out every part of the ship. This requires a metric ton of materials—specifically Basic, Rare, and Unique Wood/Iron/Stone.
Don't ignore the "Recapture Battles." These are the naval skirmishes where you reclaim islands from the Griegr. Not only are they required for the "Liberator of Obelia Bay" trophy, but they are also the primary source of the high-level materials needed for the "Ultimate Vessel" trophy.
- Mana Sails: Prioritize these for speed.
- Plating: Essential for Nightmare difficulty; the Griegr ships will shred you otherwise.
- Cannons: Get the "Rapid Fire" upgrades early to deal with the smaller, faster ships.
The Secret Boss: The "Old Man" Tradition
Falcom loves their superbosses. Without spoiling the lore, there is a specific encounter late in the game that requires you to have completed almost all other side content. This boss makes the final story boss look like a joke. To even stand a chance, you’ll need to engage with the "Release Line" system—the Ys X version of a skill tree.
Maximizing the Release Line
The "Master of Mana" trophy requires Adol and Karja to reach their maximum potential. This isn't just about level; it's about depth. You need to find "Mana Seeds" hidden in chests and rewarded from side quests.
A common mistake is just slotting whatever seeds you have. To truly optimize for the secret boss, you need to look at the "Dark," "Light," and "Formal" attributes. Dark seeds usually give high raw power but have negative side effects. Light seeds are defensive. You want to balance these to unlock the "Hidden Skills" buried in the junctions of the Release Line.
Rare Collectibles: The Raven Stones and Runestones
While sailing, you’ll find "Runestones" scattered across various islands. These provide backstory on the Normans and the Griegr. Finding all of them is mandatory for the "History Buff" trophy. Most are easy to spot because they glow blue, but a few are tucked away in platforming challenges that require the "Mana Glide" or "Mana String" abilities.
Then there are the "Raven Stones." These are essentially the "Golden Shuri" or "Mishy" collectibles of this game. There are 20 in total. They are often hidden behind destructible walls or at the very top of rock formations that look inaccessible. If you see a suspicious-looking bird statue, you're in the right place.
The Relationship Trophy: "Trust in the Duo"
The heart of Ys X is the bond between Adol and Karja. Throughout the game, you will have dialogue choices and side quests that increase their "Affection Level." While most of this happens naturally, there are a few gifts you must buy from shopkeepers in various ports.
For example, buying a specific hair ribbon or a carving kit for Karja isn't just flavor text; it unlocks a "Bond Episode." Missing one of these can lock you out of the 100% Character Notes trophy. Always check the "Exchange" shops in every new town. They often carry unique items that don't appear anywhere else.
Actionable Steps for the Platinum Run
If you want to wrap this up efficiently, follow this loose roadmap:
Step 1: Start on Nightmare. It's easier than you think, and it saves you a full second playthrough. Focus on the "Perfect Guard" timing immediately.
Step 2: The "Rule of Talk." Every time you return to the Sandras, talk to everyone. If an NPC has a "!" on the map, do not leave that island until you've cleared it.
Step 3: Clear the Fog. As soon as you get the ship, sail to every corner of the map. This makes fast traveling easier later and ensures you don't miss those tiny "Unknown Island" icons that house the rarest fish and Runestones.
Step 4: Hoard Materials. Do not sell your raw materials for gold. You will need thousands of pieces of wood and iron to fully upgrade the Sandras. Use the "Gold" you get from Recapture Battles to buy gear instead.
Step 5: Check the Log. Before entering the final dungeon (the game will give you a very clear "point of no return" warning), open your Journal. If there are any "???" entries in the People, Monster, or Fish tabs, go find them now. You cannot backtrack once the final sequence begins.
The Platinum in Ys X: Nordics is more about diligence than raw skill. It’s about being a completionist in a world that actually rewards you for exploring every nook and cranny of the sea. Keep Adol and Karja’s gear updated, don't skip the naval battles, and you'll have that shiny trophy in your collection before the credits roll on the North Sea.
Ensure you have reached level 10 for all skills on both characters. This is a notorious grind toward the end. The best place to do this is in the final dungeon against the high-HP golems. Just spam the skills until they hit level 10; it takes about an hour of dedicated effort but is required for the "Skill Master" trophy.
Good luck, Adventurer. Obelia Bay doesn't explore itself.
