Crush Gauge and Brain Crush Guide

Scarlet Nexus is an action-JRPG from Bandai Namco iset on a post-apocalyptic "brain punk" future where technology and psychic abilities collide. Scarlet Nexus has its own set of terminologies and mechanics that are similar to other RPG games. In this guide, we will discuss how the Crush Gauge works and how to reliably execute a powerful finishing move called a Brain Crush.

Crush Gauge

This is the yellow gauge that you’ll find under the names of enemies. For bosses, you can find the crush gauge in the top middle of the screen. While the crush gauge is up, the enemies will have considerable damage resistance against weapon attacks. You can still slowly deplete their HP but most of the damage will be taken by the crush gauge first. This is especially problematic when you’re surrounded by such enemies.

There are different methods of depleting the crush gauge reliably and quickly. This will vary by enemy type. However, enemies of the same type will usually share the same weaknesses anyway so you can use almost the same tactics to take out their other variations with ease. You can damage the crush gauge using normal and psychokinesis attacks. Performing combos and follow-up attacks are generally great in depleting the enemy crush gauge. However, there are other reliable methods of breaking their crush gauges quickly.

Imbued Weapon Attacks

Shiden’s electrokinesis and Hanabi’s pyrokinesis can enable Kasane/Yuito to deal electric and fire damage using their weapons. If an opponent is inflicted with priming status effects like flooded (wet) and oiled, they can get easily stunned or burned, leaving them vulnerable to additional attacks.

Attack Weak Points

These are the bulb-like clusters found in different parts of the bodies of enemies. These are weak points; attacking them deals a lot of damage to the enemy’s crush gauge. You can even completely shatter the crush gauge of some enemies by attacking their weak point directly. Using Tsugumi’s Clairvoyance, enemy weak points will be highlighted, making it easier for you to distinguish and attack them.

Armor Break

The weak points of some enemies are protected by a thick armor shell. Using psychokinesis attacks and consistent combos/follow-up attacks are great ways of destroying these armors. Normally, once you break these armor and with their weak points exposed, you can easily destroy these enemies.

Brain Crush

Once a crush gauge is depleted, the enemy will be stunned and vulnerable to a finisher attack called Brain Crush. This can be executed at almost any range and will instantly kill a non-boss enemy. You can even brain crush multiple enemies as long as you’re able to deplete their crush gauges almost at the same time. Finishing off enemies with a brain crush will always yield an item. For boss enemies, a Brain Crush will deal massive damage to them. You’ll normally need to do 2-3 brain crushes on bosses to defeat them completely.

You’ll need to activate Brain Crush immediately since an enemy can recover from getting stunned and replenish its crush gauge shortly after. If that happens, you normally have to deplete the crush gauge again or just flat out destroy the enemy by depleting its HP with trickle damage. The Brain Map skill “Brain Crush Chance Expand” will increase the window in which you can trigger a brain crush. There are also other Brain Map skills that can further improve your Brain Crush effects like increased EXP, money, and SAS gauge restoration.