The Recruits system in Deltarune allows players to spare certain enemies and invite them to live peacefully in Castle Town. First introduced in Chapter 2, this mechanic expands further in Chapters 3 and 4, adding a new cast of recruitable characters that enhance both the town’s atmosphere and the narrative experience. Unlike typical battles that reward aggressive tactics, the Recruits system encourages a more thoughtful, non-violent approach—focusing on mercy, timing, and strategic interaction.
Recruits System in Deltarune
The Recruits system allows players to convert standard enemies into peaceful inhabitants of Castle Town by sparing them during combat. Bosses and major NPCs you can’t recruit for recruitment. To recruit an enemy type, players typically need to spare a specific number of that type often three, though exceptions exist.
However, this mechanic has a strict limitation: if a single member of an enemy type you defeat through violence, that entire type becomes “Lost” and can no longer be recruited in the current save file. Lost recruits do not appear in Castle Town and can’t be recovered without starting over or loading a prior save.
Recruitment progress can be seen through the Recruit Book in Castle Town (typically found near the café) or via SAVE points during chapters. Recruited characters add unique dialogue, flavor, and presence to Castle Town, contributing to both the charm and narrative progression of the game.
Not all ACTs raise Mercy directly—some require a specific sequence or need to be followed up by waiting for the enemy’s reaction. Watch the Mercy percentage bar during battle to ensure your actions are having the intended effect.
Chapter 3 Recruits: Enemies to Spare for Peace
Chapter 3 introduces eight (8) unique recruitable enemies. Players must actively choose the Act option and avoid automatic attacks during combat to spare these characters. Several enemies in this chapter are deceptively easy to miss due to sparse enemy appearances or misleading areas with no combat.
Here are the Chapter 3 recruits and how to find or spare them:
- Shadowguy: One of the earliest enemies encountered. Appears as a cloaked figure with flashy moves. Use Pacify or calm-based Acts.
- Shuttah: A high-energy, spinning enemy that typically appears in groups. Spare them with coordinated non-aggressive moves.
- Zapper: Found in tech-themed areas. Emits sparks and should be disarmed through careful Act selection.
- Ribbick: A frog-like enemy that uses tongue attacks. You’ll need to act before it escapes.
- Watercooler: A literal sentient watercooler. While easy to spare, it players can miss entirely if the area is skipped too quickly.
- Pippins: Nervous factory-dwelling enemies found near the end of the chapter. Focus on defense to spare them.
- Lanino: A rhythm-themed enemy resembling the sun. Requires precise timing to match rhythm-based Acts.
- Elnina: A cloud-like creature that appears near the end of Chapter 3. She may be located in a side room or detour that’s easy to overlook.
Pro Tip: Watercooler and Elnina are especially prone to being missed during normal progression. Be sure to fully explore any side paths or hidden chambers before advancing to new areas.
Note: Most recruits require sparing three of their type, though some only need one. If a type appears rarely (like Watercooler or Elnina), sparing even one is enough. Use SAVE points to track your progress.
Chapter 4 Recruits: Sparing with Strategy and Timing
In Chapter 4, players you meet to another eight recruitable enemies, all with distinct behaviors and environmental cues. Successful recruitment often requires recognizing unique battle patterns and choosing non-aggressive Actions that increase Mercy.
Here are the Chapter 4 recruits and guidance for sparing them:
- Guei: A ghost-like enemy found in dimly lit rooms. Observe its behavior to select the appropriate Actions.
- Balthizard: Large and heavy-hitting, this lizard enemy appears in transit tunnels. It should be dealt with carefully, using Acts early in the encounter.
- Bibliox: A book-shaped enemy from library zones. Avoid aggression; use defensive strategies or calming commands.
- Mizzle: A fire spirit that bounces unpredictably. Prioritize Mercy-boosting Actions to neutralize quickly.
- Miss Mizzle: A fancier counterpart to Mizzle, often appearing in pairs. Respond with flattery or mimicry-based Acts.
- Wicabel: A spellcaster with chaotic attack patterns. Defensive magic or disruption Acts can interrupt her flow.
- Winglade: A flying enemy using feather attacks. Dodge effectively and use peaceful strategies.
- Organikk: Nature-based golems that appear only after unlocking specific areas with ClaimClaws. These enemies respond well to nurturing or restorative Acts.
Pro Tip: Some recruits in Chapter 4 only become accessible after completing specific puzzles or unlocking tools like the ClaimClaws. Be sure to revisit earlier zones after acquiring new items to ensure no recruit is overlooked.
Importance and Rewards of Recruiting
While recruiting enemies you don’t need to to complete the game, it does influence how Castle Town evolves. Each recruited character appears in town and can interact with the party, often offering light-hearted dialogue and environmental charm. Some features—like shared drinks in the café, special table interactions, or appearances in side areas—are only unlocked if enough characters are recruited.
In previous chapters, recruited enemies contributed to gameplay mechanics like the Thrash Machine. Although this isn’t repeated in Chapters 3 and 4 directly, the sense of community and the additional lore from character interactions remain a strong incentive.
Save File Tips for Recruit Preservation
The recruit system is tightly linked to save file behavior, and several important mechanics can affect whether a character can be recruited successfully:
- Progress links to individual save files. Enemy types spared in one save slot will not appear as recruited in another.
- Recruitment is permanent per save. Once a type is spared in sufficient quantity, they appear in Castle Town. Conversely, if a single enemy of that type you defeat violently, they are permanently marked as Lost in that file.
- You cannot recruit retroactively. Starting a new chapter without completing recruit conditions in the previous one locks your ability to complete those conditions later.
- Shadow Crystal collection and secret boss status are also file-specific. Defeating a boss or collecting a key item you must do before progressing, or those elements will not carry forward.
- Create multiple saves strategically. Use them to experiment with different routes, ensure complete recruitment, or retry specific battles without risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I recruit an enemy type after I’ve already defeated one?
- No. If you attack and defeat even one enemy of a recruitable type, that type becomes Lost for the duration of that save file.
Q2: Is it possible to go back to Chapter 3 and recruit enemies after starting Chapter 4?
- No. Recruits are locked per chapter and must be completed before moving on. Progress to Chapter 4 prevents changes to Chapter 3’s recruit list.
Q3: What benefit is there to recruiting every enemy?
- While not essential to complete the game, recruiting adds new characters and interactions in Castle Town, enriching dialogue, optional events, and atmosphere.
Q4: How do I check which enemies I’ve recruited?
- Visit the Recruit Book near the café in Castle Town, or check the recruit progress via SAVE points in eligible areas.
Q5: Does recruitment differ based on the route I take?
- Yes. In alternate routes such as the Snowgrave path, some recruits may be inaccessible, and the Recruit menu may be disabled in parts of the game.
Q6: If I beat a boss after moving to the next chapter, can I still get the reward?
- No. Rewards such as Shadow Crystals must be earned before starting the next chapter from that save file.
Q7: Can I spare enemies in one file and switch to another to see the results?
- No. Recruiting is not shared across files. Only the save slot where the recruitment occurred will reflect the changes.
Q8: Do all enemies require the same number of successful spares to be recruited?
- No. Some require only one spared encounter, while others (like Pippins or Shadowguy) may require two or three.
Q9: Do Party Dojo battles count toward recruiting?
- No. Combat in the Party Dojo does not count from recruitment tracking. Only regular overworld battles count.
Q10: What does it mean if an enemy is “Lost”?
“Lost” indicates that the enemy type has been permanently disqualified from recruitment due to being defeated with attacks.
Q11: Do any recruits unlock special side content?
- Yes. Some recruited characters unlock optional interactions in the café, while others contribute to thematic moments or support dialogue during major events.
Q12: How can I make sure I don’t miss any recruits?
- Avoid auto-attacking in new areas. Use Act-based strategies, explore thoroughly, and check your Recruit Book regularly to confirm progress.
Q13: Can recruitment be affected by my item use or spells?
- Indirectly, yes. Using Pacify or healing items can help manage tricky enemies who might otherwise flee or be defeated by accident.
Q14: Does recruiting affect endings or major choices?
- Not directly, but Castle Town’s atmosphere and certain scenes will be noticeably different based on who you’ve brought back.
Q15: Can recruiting enemies influence future battles?
- While they don’t join your party, recruited enemies may be referenced in later dialogue or featured in side events in Castle Town.
Final Thoughts
Recruiting in Deltarune is more than a side activity, it’s an invitation to engage with the world through empathy, patience, and attention to detail. Chapters 3 and 4 reward players who take the time to explore, experiment with Act options, and avoid violence. These recruits breathe life into Castle Town and reflect the choices you make along the way. For those seeking a fuller narrative experience, careful recruitment is a journey worth undertaking. Play Now
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