Beaten to the Punch Walkthrough | Echoes of Aincrad ( SAO EoA )

Beaten to the Punch Summary

You meet your friends again, but Kayaba, the developer, reveals the awful true nature of the game. You're now stuck in his world unless you defeat the boss at the top level.

Wyzeman thinks it's wise to become prepared for what's to come and suggests to all meet up at Horunka, a place with a special quest.

Beaten to the Punch Walkthrough

[1] Meet up with your friends.

Wow, that's a lot of people. Iori gets excited at the prospect of creating a guild.

You go to the plaza to meet with Saayu and Wyzeman. She tells you Clark went off on his own to 'make up for lost time' and can't be contacted because of it....uh oh.

The plaza bell starts ringing, and people start being teleported from elsewhere to the main plaza. What is going on?

People start noticing that their logout button has disappeared...

The sky becomes overriden with red panels and a huge cloaked figure appears. He introduces himself as Akihiko Kayaba, the developer of the game. He tells everyone that no one is experiencing a defect - SAO is meant to be played or rather lived this way - essentially a death game. If anyone tries to forcefully take the gear off in real life, they will die. If they die here, they die for real.

The only way for the game to end is for someone to reach the 100th floor and defeat the boss there.

He says he left a gift in everyone's inventory. You check your pouch, and inside is a hand mirror. Soon, everyone's looks start changing, and you realize that they're looking like what they look like in real life.

Why did he do this? He has a god complex and wanted to create a world where he controlled everything.

Iori turns to you and it's revealed she's actually a girl. And well, depending on you, the player, the same might be revealed to her.

[2] Make sense of what is happening.

Iori narrates that when she started SAO, she found a place where she could freely be herself and not be judged. She felt like she had the freedom she didn't possess in the real world. However, with how things turned out, she now has to face others and her fears. She also has to find people she can trust.

The opening sequence starts, focusing on you, Iori, and some companions you have yet to meet.

Iori apologizes for using a male avatar as she hadn't meant to deceive anyone. No one is bothered by it though.

The party now tries to make sense of the situation. Wyzeman thinks they might have to start raiding and get stronger while Saayu says if they stay in town, they'll remain safe. However, it's not a guarantee that Kayaba will not somehow change things and start letting monsters into town.

Wyzeman says that they do have the advantage of being beta players though and they can start by doing quests at Horunka.

Iori asks if you have ever gone to Horunka. Either answer means no. Iori explains that it's a town near the Town of Beginnings and where a lot of beginner quests are.

Iori then remembers to contact Cal and Argo. The more people they can band together, the better.

Argo says she's busy but she'll pitch in when she can and Cal says something along the same lines. He is with his non-gamer brother after all, so he has to prioritize him.

Saayu says she can't join for now because she wants to look for Clark and splits up from the party.

Wyzeman thinks that it's best to split up in going to Horunka in order not to gain attention. However, since you have less play time with everyone else, you should probably team up with someone. It's hinted that you can choose between him and Iori as your partner when you proceed to the quest.

[3] Make your way to Horunka.

For now, manage your gear and items. All your items from the beta test are currently in the chest storage. You might also want to give those new recipes you picked up a try at the Smithy.

Recommended Player Level: 10

Proceed back to the Main Highway and start heading towards Horunka. You will also be passing through the Plains of Departure all through until Goldenpeak Hill like before.

Back at the Yanya Road junction. This time, cross the bridge.

Follow the path going north, and as your partner will mention, there is a boss-class enemy waiting by the gaits of Horunka.

[4] Defeat the Raging Boar

This boar will keep trying to hit you head first and stagger you. Try to roll around it instead of guarding as it can easily exhaust your stamina. It will also call on boar reinforcements.

It has 3 phases. Don't forget to use heavy attacks when you see the blue light once you get their HP to 0! Else, it will recover some HP for that phase.

Go inside Horunka and activate the Warp Terminal.

Related Guides

List of All Main Quests