Introduction
Welcome to Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium (GFL2), a tactical turn-based RPG developed by MICA Team. This game combines the strategic depth of XCOM-style gameplay with the gacha mechanics beloved by mobile players and some really good fan service.
Whether you’re familiar with its predecessor, Girls’ Frontline, or new to the series, this guide will give you all the essential knowledge to start your journey confidently.
Unlike many gacha games, GFL2 is generous to free-to-play (F2P) players. There’s no need to stress over rerolling or keeping up with every banner—good strategies and team-building will carry you far. Let’s dive into the gameplay basics, gacha mechanics, and tips for mastering GFL2.
Classes and Gameplay Basics
In GFL2, Tactical Dolls (T-Dolls) are divided into four main classes, each serving a unique role on the battlefield:
- Bulwark Class (Tank)
- Frontline defenders with high durability and defensive buffs.
- Essential for protecting squishy damage-dealers and healers.
- Sentinel Class (DPS)
- The primary source of damage for your team.
- Focused on high-output attacks to eliminate enemies quickly.
- Vanguard Class (Scout/Sub-DPS)
- Fast-moving units capable of flanking enemies.
- Provide moderate damage while disrupting enemy formations.
- Support Class (Healer/Buffer)
- Keeps your team alive with healing and status buffs.
- Critical for maintaining stability during tough battles.
Each T-Doll has unique skills and attributes. Understanding their roles and synergizing their abilities is key to success in GFL2.
Combat Mechanics
GFL2’s combat system combines strategy and tactical depth. Here’s a breakdown of the core mechanics:
1. Turn-Based Strategy with Movement and Action Phases
Combat revolves around a carefully structured turn-based system, divided into the Movement Phase (positioning) and the Action Phase (attacking). During the Movement Phase, your T-Dolls can move across the grid, limited by their Action Points. Each T-Doll’s movement range depends on their stats, and proper positioning is crucial. Movement is restricted to once per turn, but certain skills or buffs can grant “Additional Movement.” This allows T-Dolls to reposition themselves but comes at the cost of losing their ability to attack or perform other actions in that turn. Mastering the balance between offensive positioning and defensive setup is key to outmaneuvering your enemies.
2. Cover, Stability, and High Ground Mechanics
Positioning isn’t just about offense; it’s critical for defense as well, thanks to GFL2’s robust cover and Stability systems. Units standing next to cover gain a flat 30% damage reduction, and an additional Stability Index further decreases incoming damage by up to 60%. However, when the Stability Index is depleted, units enter Stability Collapse, losing their damage reduction until they recover Stability using specific skills.
The game features several types of cover:
- Half-Body Cover: Reduces damage while maintaining full attack range.
- Full-Body Cover: Provides better protection but limits attack range.
- Destructible Cover: Can be broken by powerful skills to expose the enemy.
- Special Cover: Includes Iron Fences (blocks movement and melee attacks) and Energy Covers (blocks ranged attacks).
Additionally, high ground offers a tactical advantage, allowing units to bypass both cover and Stability defenses. However, units on high ground must have a clear line of sight to attack effectively, making careful positioning critical. Learning to manipulate cover, Stability, and high ground can turn the tide of even the most challenging battles.
Gacha System Overview
GFL2 features a player-friendly gacha system. Here’s what you need to know:
- Beginner Banner
- The Beginner Banner offers a special discount for new players, where the first 50 pulls are part of a discounted pool. You’re guaranteed to get an Elite Doll within these 50 pulls, which makes it a valuable starting point.
- Complete this banner by playing the story mode without spending Collapse Crystals unnecessarily.
- Limited Character and Weapon Banners
- Limited-time character and weapon banners provide higher chances for specific rate-up units and powerful Signature Weapons. These banners are time-limited (3-4 weeks) and have a pity system that guarantees a rate-up item after a certain number of pulls.
- Event-exclusive banners with soft pity (80 pulls for characters, 70 pulls for weapons) and hard pity (160/140 pulls).
- Character banners feature a 50%-50% chance for Elite Dolls, while Weapon banners focus on Signature Weapons with a 75%-25% chance.
- Save Premium Pulls for these banners if you’re aiming for top-tier units.
- Standard Banner
- A permanent banner featuring a mix of T-Dolls and weapons.
- Offers an Elite Doll Selector after 260 pulls, allowing you to choose a specific Doll.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush to spend Collapse Crystals on standard pulls; prioritize event banners and tier-list recommendations for optimal results.
Rerolling: Is It Worth It?
Rerolling in GFL2 is not recommended. Why?
- It’s time-consuming, taking up to 6 hours for a guaranteed SSR Doll.
- The game is generous to F2P players, allowing you to obtain all Dolls over time without rerolling.
However, if you’re a hardcore reroller, aim for a 5-star limited character or check our tier lists to prioritize top-tier units.
and for the Novice Banner go for : Qiongjiu, Sabrina or Tololo
For everyone else, focus on enjoying the game and building a balanced team!
Skill Trees and Key Systems
Every T-Doll has a Neural Helix (Skill tree) and key system for customization:
- Neural Helix
- Unlocks as your T-Doll levels up, providing stat boosts and skill upgrades.
- Each segment of the skill tree enhances base stats (HP, damage, stability) and improves existing skills, making your T-Dolls more effective in combat.
- Upgrading the Neural Helix requires materials obtained from Intel Assessment battles in the simulation stages.
- Key System
- Keys are specialized augmentations that unlock new abilities or improve existing ones. They can drastically alter a Doll's combat role and synergy within your team.
- Fixed Keys: Unique to each Doll who unlocked them, enhancing specific abilities such as increasing damage, shorter cooldowns, or additional effects.
- Common Keys: Usable across multiple Dolls as long as you unlock it, offering general buffs for all the dolls.
Beginner Tip: Focus your resources on a core team instead of spreading them too thinly. Experiment with key combinations to find the best setups for your playstyle.
Final Tips for Beginners
- Build a Balanced Team: Ensure you have Tanks Or a Healer, DPS, and Support units for versatility.
- Utilize the Rewind System: Don’t hesitate to rewind turns to correct mistakes and optimize strategy.
- Save Resources for Future Banners: Avoid spending Collapse Crystals recklessly—limited banners are your best bet for top-tier units.
- Experiment and Learn: Try out different team compositions to discover synergies and playstyles that suit you.
Closing and Further Resources
Congratulations on starting your journey in Girls’ Frontline 2! With this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. For more in-depth tips, check out our character tier lists and stay tuned for future guides on team-building, skill optimization, and advanced strategies.
Good luck, Commander, and may your pulls be blessed with Elite Dolls!
