Question[]
So, I was building this list and there's something I have a question about. The JP wiki lists artes side by side for the link artes, and there's an equal number for each link arte, so I was wondering if there is any significance to that, or if any arte in column A can be combined with any arte in column B to make the link arte. Whichever it is will affect how I do the requirements columns. Lanate (talk) 08:28, November 21, 2012 (UTC)
- That's what I'm concerned about too. Looking at the original Xillia, it seems implied that any arte can be combined with any other that leads into the intended link arte (ie. Sousaijin, Shuusouraizan). Additionally, I believe it was mentioned in one magazine that all link artes are now partitioned into two categories, one which involves artes which can be performed by any char who has it, and the other which are unique to specific pairs. I don't know how the Link Charge Duo artes fit into this either.
- Byakuren Hijiri (talk) 08:53, November 21, 2012 (UTC)
- There are two types of link artes. Common Link Artes and Unique Link Artes. Unique Link Artes are the regular types we've seen since Xillia. The only difference now is they have multiple activation combinations, but indeed require the side-by-side lists from that site in that specific order. I'll give a quick rundown of how Link Artes work so everything is absolutely clear, and we don't seem to have a description page anywhere either.
- In battle, the link/overlimits gauge on the left indicates whether a link arte can be used. When the arte menu is opened in battle while linked, any artes that can be used in a Unique Link Arte have a "Link" icon next to their names. Any artes that do not have this icon will activate a Common Link Arte when used, instead of a Unique Link Arte. To activate a link arte, the link gauge must have one full, flashing bar, or overlimits must be active. After using the required arte, an icon will appear over the character. If it can activate a Unique Link Arte, it will have an orange hue, if it activates a Common Link Arte, it will have a white hue. This icon will appear after the arte ends, or in the case of a spell, after the spell ends. With Delay Link Artes or Slide Link Artes skills, this icon can appear when the arte begins.
- To activate a link arte, press R2 while this icon is active. In some cases, characters can be staggered and the link arte will stop. Characters can also be KOed during a link arte to end it prematurely. While in overlimits, there is an opportunity during a link arte to activate another. I think the words that appear say "Chain Chance" or something to that degree. During this time, the shortcut for an arte may be used to activate another link arte after the current one. The requirements are that this link arte must be a different link arte than the current one. Therefore, you cannot successively use Hien Moushuuga (飛燕猛襲牙) twice in a row by activating it once from Gurenshoubu (紅蓮翔舞) and again by using Gougashou (轟臥衝) without stopping.
- Link artes only require the controlled character to use the arte, unlike say Combination Artes from Tales of Hearts where both characters must be using the required artes. The only requirement from the slave character is that they need to know the requisite arte. For example, Gurenshoubu requires Jude to know Hienrenkyaku (飛燕連脚) to activate Hien Moushuuga. It would otherwise activate a Common Link Arte, but only one character (Player 1, or one AI linked with another AI) needs to use the arte to activate it. It is explicitly listed in the menu the required arte as "Master Arte + Slave Arte = Link Arte", and it should say "Gurenshoubu + Hienrenkyaku = Hien Moushuuga". Underneath will not show another combination for Gurenshoubu to form Hien Moushuuga, but the next link arte in whatever order the game sorts them by. It would otherwise show 16 entries for Ludger on combinations of how to use Hien Moushuuga, yet it doesn't matter what the Slave character does when Gurenshoubu is activated because Player 1 presses R2. The Slave character only needs to be not KOed, Petrified, or Stunned for the link arte to activate.
- In Tales of Xillia, there were a few examples of one arte from one character and two artes from another creating the same link arte. I believe all instances of this have been removed in Tales of Xillia 2, and all arte combinations for Unique Link Artes are unique in the sense that one arte will only ever link with one other arte between two characters. An example of such was Jude's Mueishou with Milla's Divine Streak and Glare Cage both formed Sousaijin (双砕迅). In Tales of Xillia 2, Sousaijin for Milla + Jude requires Jude's Mueishou and Milla's Lunatic Sting, OR Jude's Yuunagi and Milla's Glare Cage. The wiki states the combination with Divine Streak has been removed. I will check in-game when I get home to see if there really is no combination using Divine Streak with Jude at all, but I'm assuming their list is complete. I am only missing two artes, as far as I am aware. Ludger's Soujinranbu (双針乱舞), and Jude's Maxwell.
- Common Link Artes are link artes that activate from any other combination of artes. I believe there are four types of Common Link Artes, though I may be forgetting one I have extremely rarely used (doubtful). They are Link Cannon, Link Charge, Link Pillar, and I can't remember what the last one is called. Depending on the two characters involved, possible even depending on who is the Master and Slave, the prefix letter and suffix (maybe?) letters will change; however, the same requirement in overlimits must be met and the same two Common Link Artes cannot be used consecutively in a chain. Thus, Link Cannon cannot be used consecutively in overlimits, unless (I think) it is between two different characters, i.e. switching link mid-overlimits to continue chaining. I am not 100% sure which combinations form which Common Link Artes, and there is no list provided in game, only general descriptions in the "Battle Log/Book". There are certain trends visible, where Link Cannon activates when the master arte is from a gun (Ludger, Alvin, possibly any other projectile arte), Link Charge from a blade, Link Pillar from a blunt weapon (Ludger's Hammer, Leia's staff). There may be exceptions to this though, and I generally avoid using Common Link Artes anyways so I'm not too familiar with them. The last Common Link Arte is the one I've used the least incidentally.
- Link Cannon - the two characters stand side-by-side and fire a projectile at the enemy
- Link Charge - the two characters stand side-by-side and charge at the enemy
- Link Pillar - the two characters stand side-by-side and smash the ground in front of them, creating a large, spiraling pillar of energy
- Link Edge - the two characters stand side-by-side and spin quickly, damaging enemies in the circular area centered on them
- I am unsure what exactly affects the associated Damage Type or Damage Effects, if anything at all.
- What an essay. I'll add screen shots when I get home, and correct anything if it is wrong.
- JoeTang (talk) 18:27, November 21, 2012 (UTC)
- Haha, this is the most comprehensive explanation of the system I've seen. There's just one more thing I have to ask: is TP a factor at all for link artes in either game? I think that for the first link arte you use in Xillia, you don't incur any additional TP cost since you've already used the arte, but do subsequent link artes in a chain cost TP? And are there any differences in this in Xillia 2? Lanate (talk) 23:04, November 21, 2012 (UTC)
- JoeTang (talk) 18:27, November 21, 2012 (UTC)
- Link Artes in ToX2 no longer cost TP. In ToX, each Link Arte activation required its own TP cost as far as I can recall; i.e. if you used your last TP on the activation arte, the Link Arte would not activate since you don't have the TP required.
- http://i.imgur.com/TFw6J.png
- Describing Unique Link Artes and Common Link Artes, with the icon next to an arte's name
- http://i.imgur.com/jBADE.png
- http://i.imgur.com/sEeAu.png
- L Link Cannon D, Link Edge D, L Link Charge D, L Link Pillar D, the four types of Common Link Artes in the screenshots within the screenshots. They are described as such: 飛び道具 "Projectile Type", 叩き付け "Strike Type", 突進 "Charge Type", and 周囲薙ぎ払う "Area Effect Type". It's questionable if it means that order, as I personally interpret those descriptions to be for Cannon, Pillar, Charge, Edge respectively.
- http://i.imgur.com/vrj6x.png
- An example of how Link Artes are listed in-game, sorted by Partner. In-game has 18 entries for Ludger + Jude, the same ones listed on the JP Wiki. The alternative sorting is by activation arte. There is no way to sort by link arte, from what I can tell. And Divine Streak + Jude is completely removed, not replaced with anything.
- This stuff is so helpful to have. Thanks!
Ludger Will Kresnik and Jude Mathis[]
| Arte Name | Knockdown Enabled | Elemental Attributes | Damage Type | Damage Effect | Total Damage (%) | Damage Modifier (per hit) | Max Hits | Casting Time (seconds) | Required Artes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludger Will Kresnik | Jude Mathis | |||||||||
| Hien Moushuuga 飛燕猛襲牙 (Wailing Blast) |
? | - | Strike | Break | ? | ? | ? | - | Gurenshoubu 紅蓮翔舞 |
Hienrenkyaku 飛燕連脚 (Swallow Dance) |
| Gougashou 轟臥衝 |
Hitenshouku 飛天翔駆 (Rising Falcon) | |||||||||
| Nurebagari 濡羽狩 |
Reppuuken 烈風拳 | |||||||||
| Juureppa 重裂破 |
Kusanagi 日柳 | |||||||||
Common Link Artes[]
The letter preceding a Common Link Arte designates its element.
- F - Fire
- A - Water (Aqua)
- E - Earth
- W - Wind
- S - Dark (Shadow)
- L - Light
No letter means it doesn't do elemental damage. I think they used S for Dark so the ending D wouldn't confuse people.
That being said, Ludger must be the Master to activate L Link Charge D, and Jude must be the Master to activate E Link Charge D. Jude + Milla = W Link Cannon D Jude + Musee = L Link Edge D Milla + Musee = A Link Cannon D Musee + Ludger = S Link Cannon D Ludger (Sword) + Musee = Link Charge D Ludger (Hammer) + Musee = Link Pillar D Ludger (Gun) + Musee = Link Cannon D
I'm under the impression that only when in combination with Ludger does the master matter, from what I just tested.