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NieR: Automata - All Playable Characters

By MiaMar 14,2025

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NieR: Automata's compelling narrative unfolds across three playthroughs. While the first two share similarities, the third playthrough reveals significant story elements, enriching the overall experience even after completing the initial credits. While three main playthroughs are crucial, numerous endings await discovery, each with varying degrees of detail. Some endings require playing as a specific character and completing particular actions. Below, we detail the three playable characters and the mechanics of switching between them.

All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata

The story centers around 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S, partners in the narrative, dominate screen time depending on the playthrough. Each character boasts a unique combat style, offering diverse gameplay experiences even with consistent plug-in chips. While all three are playable, switching isn't always straightforward.

How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata

Character selection isn't freely available during the initial playthrough. The assigned character for each playthrough is:

  • Playthrough 1: 2B
  • Playthrough 2: 9S
  • Playthrough 3: 2B/9S/A2, with the story dictating character changes.

Completing a main ending unlocks Chapter Select mode, enabling character selection. This mode allows revisiting any of the game's 17 chapters. Numbers displayed to the right of the screen indicate completed or incomplete side quests. If a character shows numbers for a chapter, that chapter can be replayed as that character.

Note that later chapters, primarily in Playthrough 3, restrict character selection. Chapter Select allows for character changes, but the story progression must align with the chosen character's availability in the main storyline. Saving before changing chapters ensures progress carries over, allowing for leveling up all three characters’ shared levels towards the maximum.

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