Final Selection is the documented Slayer trial that leads to Nichirin Ore and the next weapon step. A current public-test walkthrough found conflicting goals: the mode description asked for 15 minutes and 15 demons, while the in-match objective said “Slay 10 demons before dawn,” and defeating 10 without dying triggered success. Follow the active objective on your server.
Prepare before queueing
Build one defensive loop: block a full string, parry one predictable hit, use a short punish, and disengage. Fresh characters can encounter demons with very different health and damage, so do not judge every target by the first one.
Keep enough health and resources for the whole run. Do not spend the full Breathing bar on a low-risk enemy when the next encounter is unknown. Review your hotbar and place the reliable starter, defense or movement option in easy reach.
Queue solo or with a party
Current coverage shows Final Selection available through the Familiar/menu interface with solo and party options. Solo gives you full control of target choice and pace. A party can split pressure and rescue positioning, but coordination matters.
Agree on the live counter, regroup points and who takes a difficult target. The observed build returned the party to the hub when a member died, so avoid unnecessary separation. Confirm current failure rules before promising a carry.
Follow the live objective
Read the in-match text after spawning and keep it visible. If it says 10 demons before dawn, track that number. If a later server displays another target, use the new target and record the date. Do not combine the old 15-minute/15-demon description with the newer active counter into a fictional requirement.
The safest strategy is to satisfy the displayed counter while surviving. After reaching it, avoid unnecessary risk and watch for the completion trigger. If success does not appear, recheck remaining time or another live condition.
Choose targets and route
Start with enemies whose attacks you can read. Keep the camera clear and avoid pulling several unknown targets. If a demon has far more health or damage than earlier enemies, disengage when possible and find a safer route.
Use landmarks because the mountain is dark. Mark spawn direction, a central route, a safe regroup point and any high-risk enemy. A party should return to the same landmark after each split.
Combat priorities
Survival is more valuable than a long combo. Block unfamiliar strings, parry only clear cues, and punish briefly. Use guardbreak against a visible block rather than at neutral. Save a movement tool for a bad position.
If you rely on a Breathing form, confirm the compatible weapon and resource before queueing. Do not discover at the mountain that the wooden blade prevents the move.
Failure and recovery
If you die and return to the hub, record the enemy, attack cue and resource state. Change one weakness before requeueing: more Vitality training, a clearer hotbar, better parry practice or a safer target order. Repeating the identical route without diagnosis wastes currency and time.
For a party failure, determine whether the group split, pulled too many enemies or lost one member to an unfamiliar strong target. Set a shorter regroup interval on the next attempt.
Reward and next step
The observed successful route awards Nichirin Ore. After completion, check the inventory and current objective. Use the Familiar/menu world route to Ivory Passage, find the Blacksmith and forge the Nichirin Katana. See the Nichirin guide for the next actions.
Do not claim a fixed extra reward until the current completion screen shows it. Reward tables can change independently from the core ore progression.
Common mistakes
- Following an old description instead of the current in-match counter.
- Entering with no defensive practice because a dummy combo worked.
- Splitting a party without a regroup landmark.
- Spending all resource on the first target.
- Fighting a high-health enemy when a safer valid target is available.
- Leaving without checking the ore and new objective.
Sources and confidence
The route, party option, objective conflict, successful 10-demon clear and Nichirin Ore reward are community reported from a detailed October 19, 2026 public-test walkthrough. Current target, timer, death rules, enemy strength and rewards require live confirmation.