I am talking, from the beginning of the game until you fight Saccubus and set out to get Noah.
-Go into Camineet Cave, get chest with 50 MST
-Fight Swarms and the occasional Scorpion until I have 300 MST. I do not bother to upgrade Alis's sword yet.
-Get LAC.POT, get ROADPASS, get PASSPORT, go to Motavia, get Myau.
-Fight for a bit, then go get Odin and Compass.
-Save up to buy NEEDLGUN (400 MST)
-Save up to get THCK.FUR (630 MST)
At this point, I am comfortable fighting Fishmen. Before this, it's too risky.
-Save up to get CRC.SWD (1120 MST)
-Save up to get ZIR.ARMR for Odin (1000 MST)
-Save up to get two CRC.SLD, one each for Odin and Alis (1400 MST each)
-Save up to get MAG.LAMP (1400 MST)
-Go into Naula Cave, get Shortcake (1000 MST)
-Go get IRN.FANG in Iala Cave
-Save up to get DMD.ARMR (15000 MST)
-Level up a bit more, then go fight Saccubus. If unsuccessful, level up a bit more and try again until I win.