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Environment 8 - Thundering Arena is actually just the same as Env 7. The functions available, the difficulty and drop percentage is the exact same as Env 7. The only thing that changed is the starting Negative Protocol. Instead of having -10% HP and damage for every 2 dolls of the same class, Env 8 simply only allows you to use 4 dolls.

Therefore, depending on the dolls you raised, your reinforcement class RNG and the layout of the layers you get, you may just encounter impossible to clear scenarios. Therefore, Env 8 Extreme is just a huge RNG fest.

So, why would anyone run Env 8 Extreme? Two reasons:
- You want to farm Youtube views like me right now
- You want to challenge yourself

So, what are the pre-requisites to running Extreme?
- Have a lot of progress in Survival Strategies. Highly recommend that you have at least 50/50/28 with at least one Overload Protocol unlocked (I run Elite Prowler. Vee with Burst Shooting is funny)
- Have 2 good dolls to start. Puzzle is amazing as one of the 2 dolls to start in Extreme runs. You can run Puzzle + 1 DPS, Puzzle + 1 Medic, 1 DPS + 1 Medic or 1 DPS + 1 Guard at the start. Personally, I prefer running Medic start because my Croque is only 3* lmao, and I don't have Puzzle. I run Vee and Persicaria as my starting lineup

So, which Selectable Protocol to use? Imo, there are only 2 good options:
- Ample Preparations gives 30% HP, Atk and Hash. This is the nobrain choice to take
- Terrain Mapping sees good use in Extreme. This allows you to skip straight to Reinforcement Area, allowing you to get the 3rd doll instantly. It makes Layer 1 much more consistent

Now, Layer 1 is the first RNG barrier you have to get through. Depending on your starting 2 dolls, there are some layouts which you just cannot win no matter how you try. Therefore, you will have to retry until you get a layout which you can win with just 2 dolls.

At the end of Layer 1, you get to pick one of the following:
- +1 function slot and 50 cache coins
- A random Positive Protocol
- Select one Overload Protocol that you've unlocked, if any
It is highly recommended that you have at least one Overload Protocol for Extreme. Which you choose to run depends on your team lineup. Personally, I run Elite Prowler, which allows Warriors to utilize Sniper Functions. Burst Shooting makes Vee very powerful.

Layers 2-4 can be very RNG. Some layouts are free no matter what dolls you use. Some layouts are impossible with the functions and reinforcements you get. Don't hesitate to reset layers if you have to. Pick +1 function for every layer unless you want to run another Overload on Layer 3.

General strategies I use:
- Go hard on Advanced Conflict Zones. These zones give you 30 Cache Coins, an Ultimate and a Positive Protocol. All of these are essential for you to survive the later layers
- Go hard on Trading Areas. That's the only realistic way to complete function sets, and my setup lives or dies by the functions I own
- Take Anomaly Areas when I can. You almost always get good stuff from them.
- Plan out the various function sets you choose to use depending on which reinforcement dolls you get. I have different sets of functions I'd use depending on which dolls I get, and I have them pretty much memorized

I typically run:
- Burst Shooting. Works very well with Vee
- Desperate Raze works pretty okay for Vee
- Deadly Blow is a very good crit damage function set. I'll always run it if it's available
- For Medics, Global Healing Shield pairs very well with Striking Bulwark
- If I get Guards: Overlapping Reflections. Backlash go brrrr
- If I get Specialists: Malignant Interference. Allows my Specialists to do substantial damage
- Freezing Bullets does not work well with Atk Warriors, but works very well on Specialists and Snipers
- Striking Bulwark is amazing. It allows dolls with HP shields to do additional damage. Pair it with Global Healing Shield for maximum effect
- Excess Reutilization, Warding Afterglow, Fighter's Boldness and Offensive Fortification are nice to have if you have excess space for more functions. Works nicely with Striking Bulwark
- You can also use Absolute Defense Domain with Striking Bulwark

Somehow, I keep getting Ranko in Nightmare. I don't know why. Anyway, Ranko tips in pinned comment, as usual.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Initial Setup
0:30 - Layer 1
10:35 - Layer 2 Fail
12:20 - Layer 2
15:30 - Layer 3
21:55 - Layer 4
26:00 - Layer 5
27:05 - Ranko clear
28:10 - Functions used
28:28 - Survival strategies used