Exploration: Gameplay Mechanics 2

You can change your on-screen character by pressing the [L1] button, cycling through party members. Some characters' weapons make it easier to stun enemies for an Advantage attack; Juna has short range, while Rean attacks quickly and is easy to strike enemies with.

The minimap (the small circular map in the bottom-left corner of your screen) is in the top right corner of the screen and can be expanded by pressing the [DPAD DOWN] button. It shows Treasure Chest locations (with correct Quartz equipped), enemy locations, and puzzle-related objects. This guide uses the minimap locked and facing north for directions. The map also indicates NPCs with quests or useful information.

Outside of dungeons, use the Quick Travel Menu to instantly move to key locations in towns and Leeves. This menu shows which parts of town have key events or where other characters are stationed.

Initially, sprint using the [R1] button. Coupled with Turbo Mode, this is a fast way to get around the world while remaining open to battle enemies. Later, you can rent Horses or use the Orbal Bike.

To enter combat outside of story events, see enemies on the field and use the [X] button to swing your weapon. Striking an enemy head-on or walking into it initiates a regular battle.

Walking into an enemy from the back forces an Advantage Encounter, allowing you to take your turn earlier. Striking an enemy from behind stuns them, forcing a Double Advantage, which stuns the enemy at battle start and gives allies +10 CP. Achieve this by waiting for the enemy to turn or by timing attacks from the front. Using Rean, you can double strike an enemy to make them flinch, then move to their back for a back strike.

Assault Attacks use the Charge Gauge (Assault Points) in the bottom right corner of the HUD (heads-up display — the on-screen icons showing health, ammo and the minimap). Gain Assault Points by attacking enemies on screen or breaking field objects. You can only hold two; use [R2] to trigger a battle with two Assault Points, causing your character to attack from range and making the next Encounter Type a Triple Advantage. This gives Double Advantage effects plus 50% break damage to all enemies. Start battles with this if possible, especially on Nightmare Mode. Larger regular enemies cannot be back attacked, but Assault Attacks can still trigger a Triple Advantage.