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Combat Link System: Recolle
May. 22nd, 2018 01:23 pmWhat is Combat Linking?
In Trails of Cold Steel, combat links is a battle mechanic that allows two characters to work in sync with one another through use of an ARCUS device - aka a magic phone. This makes the two characters aware of what their link partner is doing during a battle, no matter how chaotic the battle or far apart they are. For example, person will know if their link partner is about to attack and join them for a joint or follow-up attack.
Jusis counterattacking immediately after his link partner Rean was attacked.
The strength of the link is dependant on the strength of the partners' relationship. Best friends would have an incredibly strong link that'd allow them to perform all sorts of special teamwork moves, while people who don't get along may have their links break or not work at all.
If you need an example, think of the Persona franchise: if you more foster a social link, the more they will help you in battle. On the flip side, ignore or reverse a social link and it'll be harder to work together.
How it Works in Recolle
For Cold Steel characters, it'll work just like canon assuming they have their ARCUS.
For 99% of you that aren't from Cold Steel, as of April 2018 there's an app (called "CLS") that can be downloaded onto mobile devices. This will allow characters to link to any ARCUS or device with the app, so long as they have consent of the other partner (links can't be established without someone's knowledge or consent). It will grant the following:
Mild Boost to Abilities
Partner Synchronization
Pick up on partner's emotions
Pick up on partner's intent
However if you establish a link that's not with an ARCUS, it may come with the following glitches if you want to play with them:
Can pick up on partner's emotions.
Can break more easily if there's any dissonance between partners.
Can hear unwanted thoughts from your partner.
Might be a real battery eater.
Only two characters can be linked at a time. The links will hold for a range of 100 yards. To make sure they are used for combat/missions, they can only really be used during training (50% of the time) and missions (100%). Links can be turned off at will, though will also break if one link partner falls unconscious/asleep.
How strong a link and a character's aptitude for linking is entirely up to you! Some characters have natural aptitude for linking, while others just don't. However all characters will need practice with it before they get really good. They are dealing with a new mental link while focusing on their fighting after all.
If you want guidelines on how good your character is at linking, generally the better a character is at teamwork, accepting, and trusting other people - the better their links will work. On the flipside, characters who have trust issues, hold certain prejudices, and/or are experiencing some mental dissonance will struggle with links more. But again, play with it as you like.
Link Ideas
Every partner mix will be different, as no two relationships are exactly the same! Be creative in the different ways characters will work together!
However if you want some ideas, these are some of the link abilities from canon:
Link Attack: If one partner lands a critical hit, the other follows up with a second attack.
Finishing Blow: If one partner nearly kills something but doesn't quite make it, their partner will finish it off.
Cover: A person senses their partner is about to be attacked, and jumps in front of the blow. You know, like this.
Auto-Cure: Or if your partner is a healer and not stupid, they'll sense the same thing and immediately heal their injured partner some.
Counterattack: Or they'll just say eff protecting my partner, let's go for revenge.
Boost Arts: If one is about to cast a spell and their partner uses magic, they might add their own magic to boost the spell.
Rush: They go and beat up an enemy together in a free-for-all.
There's more but that should give you a good idea! Feel free to get creative! If you want more inspiration, look at other canons with partner abilities such as Chrono Trigger and Tales of Xillia (more pending).
The only thing that should be kept in mind is that it should NOT give the characters any powers they didn't already have. A non-magic user shouldn't be casting spells, in other words.
That's about it for now! Please let me know if you have any questions!
In Trails of Cold Steel, combat links is a battle mechanic that allows two characters to work in sync with one another through use of an ARCUS device - aka a magic phone. This makes the two characters aware of what their link partner is doing during a battle, no matter how chaotic the battle or far apart they are. For example, person will know if their link partner is about to attack and join them for a joint or follow-up attack.
Jusis counterattacking immediately after his link partner Rean was attacked.
The strength of the link is dependant on the strength of the partners' relationship. Best friends would have an incredibly strong link that'd allow them to perform all sorts of special teamwork moves, while people who don't get along may have their links break or not work at all.
If you need an example, think of the Persona franchise: if you more foster a social link, the more they will help you in battle. On the flip side, ignore or reverse a social link and it'll be harder to work together.
How it Works in Recolle
For Cold Steel characters, it'll work just like canon assuming they have their ARCUS.
For 99% of you that aren't from Cold Steel, as of April 2018 there's an app (called "CLS") that can be downloaded onto mobile devices. This will allow characters to link to any ARCUS or device with the app, so long as they have consent of the other partner (links can't be established without someone's knowledge or consent). It will grant the following:
However if you establish a link that's not with an ARCUS, it may come with the following glitches if you want to play with them:
Only two characters can be linked at a time. The links will hold for a range of 100 yards. To make sure they are used for combat/missions, they can only really be used during training (50% of the time) and missions (100%). Links can be turned off at will, though will also break if one link partner falls unconscious/asleep.
How strong a link and a character's aptitude for linking is entirely up to you! Some characters have natural aptitude for linking, while others just don't. However all characters will need practice with it before they get really good. They are dealing with a new mental link while focusing on their fighting after all.
If you want guidelines on how good your character is at linking, generally the better a character is at teamwork, accepting, and trusting other people - the better their links will work. On the flipside, characters who have trust issues, hold certain prejudices, and/or are experiencing some mental dissonance will struggle with links more. But again, play with it as you like.
Link Ideas
Every partner mix will be different, as no two relationships are exactly the same! Be creative in the different ways characters will work together!
However if you want some ideas, these are some of the link abilities from canon:
There's more but that should give you a good idea! Feel free to get creative! If you want more inspiration, look at other canons with partner abilities such as Chrono Trigger and Tales of Xillia (more pending).
The only thing that should be kept in mind is that it should NOT give the characters any powers they didn't already have. A non-magic user shouldn't be casting spells, in other words.
That's about it for now! Please let me know if you have any questions!
