The Most Comfortable and Intuitive AT Battle System in the Trails Series Yet
Various elements of the “AT Battle” system, through which you take turns according to the order displayed on the AT Bar (Action Turn Bar) to the left of the screen, have been brushed up. You can now control the battle more intuitively than in previous games, and enjoy a more comfortable command-based battle system.
Direct Command
The “Ring Command” system from previous games has been changed to a “Direct Command” system, through which actions can be input with the press of a single button. Each face button and d-pad key corresponds to a command, such as the Circle button for standard attacks, the Triangle button for Crafts, the Square button for Arts, the X button to move, the up d-pad key for an Order, the left d-pad key for Items, the down d-pad key to Exit, and the right d-pad key to change battle modes (for Juna).
As for traditional commands, you can check “Combat Links,” which allows characters to cooperatively attack, and the lines that indicate them on the lower right of the screen. The high-power techniques known as “S-Breaks” also return.
Seamless Battles
Previously, if you touched an enemy on the field or in a dungeon, it switched to a separate battle screen, but this time battles are fought on the same terrain you travel. This can significantly affect your strategy depending on where you encounter the enemy, be it in an intricate labyrinth, on a map with differences in elevation, and so on.
Juna, who is from the old Crossbell State, uses a “Gunbreaker,” which possesses both the features of a gun and of a baton, as her weapon. Each time her turn comes around during battle, you can switch between two battle modes. Learn the characteristics of each mode and switch between each depending on the situation.
Striker Mode
Striker Mode treats the Gunbreaker as if it is a baton. It is a close-range attack mode. It has short reach and is for single-enemy attacks, but improves Juna’s basic stats.
Gunner Mode
Gunner Mode is a mid-range battle mode in which the primary battle function is shooting. Since standard attacks become ranged shooting attacks, you can target multiple enemies at once. Since Juna’s basic stats are lower in this mode compared to Striker Mode, caution is required against stronger enemies.
Take Advantage of Switching Modes
When taking on small fry enemies, switch to Gunner Mode to take out enemies all at once from a distance, or when fighting against a group of monsters and strong enemies, switch to Striker Mode and attack in the front lines alongside Rean and Kurt. Switch up Juna’s battle mode depending on the situation to fight more advantageously.
■ Brave Order
Brave Order is a new system in which you can activate an “Order” (tactical instruction) during each character’s turn, without using up their turn. When activated, the effect of the Order is granted to the entire party for a certain amount of turns.
Brave Order can be used by consuming BP (Brave Points), which build up during battle. But by switching Orders during battle, and in some cases doing things such as cancelling an Order during activation, you can use Brave Orders to proceed the battle more advantageously.
When activated, this Order increases all of the damage inflicted onto enemies, as well as increases Craft Points (CP) at the time of activation. This Order consumes a small amount of BP to activate.
Altina’s Exclusive Brave Order: “Noire Crest”
An Order that possesses the super powerful effect of reflecting all attacks from the enemy. However, since it consumes a lot of BP, you should activate it only when the timing calls for it.
■ Craft
Crafts are character-specific techniques that you can unleash by consuming the Craft Points (CP) that build up during battle. In addition to powerful ranged attacks, there are Crafts that match the individuality of each character, such as those that grant special effects or heal allies.
Rean: “Nejigeki”
An Eight Leaves One Blade school technique in which Rean fires a huge flame after unleashing a set of consecutive attacks with a sword basked in fire. It is an excellent ranged attack.
Juna: “Close Break”
Applies an electrical current to Juna’s Gunbreaker weapon and deals electrical damage while moving in on the enemy. The electricity might even inflict a “Seal” effect on the enemy.
Kurt: “Tempest Edge”
A technique in which Kurt’s dual swords are surrounded in a green aura, and he unleashes a sharp rotation slash. As a practitioner of the Vander school of swordsmanship, which is one of the two most famous styles in the Empire, you can expect a considerable deal of power. It attacks the enemies encircling Kurt, with himself at the center.
Altina: “Fragarach”
First, Altina’s Combat Shell, “Claimh=Solais,” transforms into a giant blade. Altina descends to the ground and issues commands as Claimh=Solais excitedly swings its arms downward and attacks.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is due out for PlayStation 4 on September 28 in Japan.
