Tutorials

Tutorials explain some of the mechanics for combat including Additions, Counterattacks, Guarding, Items, Elements, and Dragoons. There are three total and if not observed during their brief availability they become permanently inaccessible. As the tutorials explain only surface level mechanics, each section below links to a main article or embeds that offer deeper insight.

Tasman

Tasman is a resident of Seles and taught Dart swordsmanship. During Sandora's assault on Seles he fought back against the invaders and was wounded. Despite being injured, he offers to spar with Dart ahead of his mission to rescue Shana from Hellena Prison in order to determine that Dart is suited for the task. Tasman warns Dart that he will also leave Seles soon, so Dart should ask for any advice beforehand. Once Dart enters Hellena Prison, Tasman departs from Seles and is no longer accessible.

Tasman's tutorial teaches Additions, Counterattacking, and Guarding.

Additions

Main article: Additions

Additions are the basic mode of damaging enemies usable by selecting the "Attack" command in battle. After selecting a target and an attack begins, the "timing sight" appears. When the large rotating square overlaps the stationary square in the center of the screen, press X. Mistiming an input will terminate the Addition, and bonus damage will be lost. Characters learn more Additions as they level up. Additions may be selected from the "Addition" option in the "System Screen" accessible with the triangle button and may not be changed during battle.

Counterattacking

Embed: Counterattacks

Counterattacking is a possible enemy response to Additions. Sometimes during an Addition, the enemy will glow and the timing sight will turn red. Instead of pressing X button, the player must press the circle button when the rotating square overlaps the stationary square in the center. Failing an input during a counterattack will end the Addition, bonus damage will be lost, and the attacking player character will receive damage.

Guarding

When using the "Guard" Command, a character will recover 10% of their maximum HP. Also until their next turn they gain immunity to Status Ailments and *most incoming damage is halved.

• Guarding will halve all damage received except for damage resulting from being Poisoned.

Merchant

The merchant is a passing vendor in the Forest the morning after the raid on Seles. The merchant only offers their tutorial after selecting, "Buy something" in dialogue, although actually purchasing anything is not required. Once Dart enters Hellena Prison, the merchant moves on from the Forest and becomes inaccessible.

The merchant's tutorial teaches attack Items and Elements.

Attack Items

Main article: Items

Attacks Items are deal magical damage to enemies. They are usable by selecting the Item command in battle. The damage dealt by attack items is determined by the Magical Attack, or MAT, of the character using it. Attack items may affect one or multiple targets. In battle, targeting is indicated in the item description with "S" for single targets or "A" for all targets. Attack items with multiplying damage are indicated in the item description by the key term "(multi)." When used, a button prompt appears on screen. While the graphic displays, pressing the X button as rapidly as possible increases the amount of the damage that the item will do. The damage bonus has a maximum possible value of 268%.

Elements

Main article: Element

Elements modify a combat unit's weaknesses and resistances. All playable characters and enemies in the game have an element. A combatant's element can be identified by the color of the window screen displaying their name. "Red" is  Fire , "light blue" is  Water , "green" is  Wind , "brown" is  Earth , "yellow" is  Light , "dark blue" is  Darkness , "magenta" is  Thunder , and "grey" is  Non-Elemental .

Six of the eight elements have opposing elements. When an elemental attack is used against a target of the same element, the attack deals half damage. When an elemental attack is used against a target of the opposing element, the attack deals 50% more damage. The opposing sets of elements are:  Fire  and  Water ;  Wind  and  Earth ;  Light  and  Darkness .  Thunder  and  Non-Elemental  have no opposite.

Rose

Main article: Rose

Rose is a Dragoon warrior who awakens Dart's Dragoon spirit in the heat of battle. She impresses upon him the importance of being selected by a Dragoon spirit, explaining that it is his fate to wear the mantle of a Dragon Knight and rule over Dragons. Feeling an attachment to Dart and his companions, Rose volunteers to join the party and aid in their quest to slay the Dragon Feyrbrand. Once the party leaves Hoax, Rose will consider Dart a mature Dragoon and become inaccessible as a teacher.

Rose's tutorial teaches combat as a Dragoon including how to transform, how to use Dragoon Additions, and how to use Dragoon Magic.

Dragoon Transformation

Embed: Dragoon Mechanics

In order to undergo "Dragoon transformation", the player must accrue Spirit Points or "SP." SP is accrued by attacking enemies with the "Attack" command. At least 100 points is necessary to transform. To transform, select the "Dragoon" command in battle. The character will remain in Dragoon form for one turn for every 100 points they had when they transformed. While in Dragoon form, characters cannot use the "Guard," "Item," or "Escape" commands. Dragoons will automatically revert at the end of their eligible turns.

Dragoon Additions

Embed: D'Attacks

When using the "D-Attack" command a "spirit meter" will appear. After pressing X the first time, the light at the top of the meter will begin revolving clockwise and X must be pressed again as the light returns to the starting position to continue the Addition. The meter will perform up to five revolutions resulting in a perfect execution, except in the case of Kongol who can only achieve four.

Dragoon Magic

Embed: Dragoon Magic

To use a spell, select the "Magic" command. Using magic expends Magic Points, or MP, and each spell has a specific MP cost. Characters learn additional spells as their Dragoon level increases.

Dragoon Levels

Embed: Dragoon Level

Characters increase their "Dragoon level" by attacking in battle and accruing SP. It is not necessary to transform, and any SP accrued while at max SP still counts toward Dragoon leveling.