Lots of video games throw excess materials at the player, but not quite with the same gusto as Nier Replicant. A rather faithful remake of 2010s original Nier, Replicant really only changes two key details: the main character and the core combat. Otherwise, Nier is exactly as it was – as sad as it is grindy. Striving for 100% completion in Nier Replicant can feel like an exercise in futility, especially while trying to rack up some spending money.

When it comes down to it, most items in Nier Replicant just aren’t safe to sell. Side quests and the weapon upgrade system demand that you hold onto as many materials as you can. Uninformed selling isn’t safe in Nier since it can lead back to a grueling grind in the long run. It pays to know what you can and can’t actually sell in Nier Replicant.

Select Animal Parts

Animals appear in abundance during Nier Replicant’s first half before being mostly culled after the time skip. There are still animals present during Part 2, but a large majority have gone missing. All the same, it’s not like every animal can be comfortably hunted for sellable parts. Only the following materials are safe to sell without worry:

  • Bat Fang Bat Wing Boar Hide Boar Liver Boar Meat Deer Antler Giant Spider Silk Goat Meat Rainbow Spider Silk Scorpion Tail Wolf Fang

It’s worth keeping in mind that Bats, Deer, and Spiders all disappear in Part 2. Similarly, Sheep are gone as well – depriving players of their source of Wool and Mutton (both needed for side quests). Boars and Goats can only be found in the Southern Plains post time skip while Wolves and Scorpions litter the Desert outside Facade.

Shade Books

Whereas dead animals need to be stripped for parts, Shades drop materials on death. A good number of Shade drops are used for weapon upgrading and the assorted side quests, but there are a surprising amount that are designed to be simply sold. Anything with “book” in the title can be comfortably exchanged for gold.

  • Closed Book Grubby Book Old Schoolbook Technical Guide Thick Dictionary Used Coloring Book

Even though books don’t sell for too much, they drop frequently and Shades start showing up in greater numbers starting with Part 2. It’s also worth selling off some books whenever you see a shop, especially since they’ll only pile up on repeat playthroughs.

Leather Goods

Along with books, Shades also drop leather goods that can be sold off at stores. Anything with “Leather” in the title is safe to sell, but there are other leather materials that aren’t tied to any side quests or upgrades.

  • Dirty Bag Flashy Hat Leather Boots Leather Gloves Pretty Choker

Leather goods won’t drop as often as books, but Shades show up enough during the second half of the game where you’re bound to find enough to plump your wallet.

Flowers & Select Crops

Nier Replicant features a robust farming system that’s very easy to ignore, but should not be missed by anyone looking to make money. The fastest and easiest way to earn gold in Nier is to simply grow flowers and crops to sell. Some crops (especially produce) are tied to side quests, but the following can be comfortably grown to sell.

  • Beans Bell Pepper Blue Moonflower Dahlia Flower Freesia Flower Gold Moonflower Gourd Indigo Moonflower Lunar Tear Peach Moonflower Pink Moonflower Red Moonflower Tomato Tulip Flower

Do keep in mind that the Indigo, Peach, and Pink Moonflowers all need to be grown by splicing different seeds together in your garden. Similarly, the Lunar Tear is an extremely rare flower that requires you to splice multiple hybrid flowers (Indigo, Peach, and Pink) together for a White Moonflower. It’s also worth pointing out that only 11 Watermelon, 11 Wheat, and 1 Pumpkin are needed for side quests. Anything excess can and should be grown & sold.

Select Fish

Just like Farming, Fishing is an often overlooked gameplay mechanic in Nier Replicant that’s designed to help players make money. While fishing is difficult at first, the Fisherman’s Gambit quest line will gradually improve your fishing skills – allowing Nier to reel in tougher fish. Each quest requires the player to hand over a different set of caught fish, but they can always be caught and sold after the fact. You can also catch sellable items in the water.

  • Any fish from prior Fisherman’s Gambit quests Aquatic Plant Empty Can Dunkleosteus Rhizodont

Outside from any fish caught for the Fisherman’s Gambit questline, the only safely sellable fish are the Dunkleosteus and Rhizodont, which are also the single hardest fish to catch in the game. Catching Dunkleosteus requires completing the first 7 installments of the quest while the Rhizodont requires completing the entire Fisherman’s Gambit questline.