I'm literally 2 years late to the party, but I can report. I beat up to the entirety of Star besides Xiao exclusively pressing P (realizations too). Xiao I had to manual for *some* reason.
The first time I used the Thumb Squad was when I was using the art floor to create a "Thumb vs Index" fight. It went horribly wrong when I saw only Netzatch alive with Esther, Hubert, and 1 grunt. Then somehow Esther became my friend and killed the other two. Still can't believe how I won that fight.
Esther: seems to be going well like the prescript intended voices in his head: bitch you were suppose to lose!! please kill your team mates Esther: oh. if the prescript wills it then...