This guide will explain the different battle mechanics of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin's combat system. Here you can learn about Break Gauges, Soul Bursts, Soul Shield, Instant Abilities, Command Abilities, Combo Abilities, how to Parry and more.

Combat System Mechanics

Combo Abilities

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Combo Abilities are skills that use MP and a require specific set of inputs to activate. There are seven Combo Ability slots, however some abilities are only available to be assigned to certain slots. You can change your Combo Abilities by accessing the Battle Settings menu and selecting Combo Abilites from the lower left section of the screen.

Command Abilities

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Command Abilities are skills that can be used by any job once they have been learned. There are four combat ability slots available, however one is locked to Lightbringer (not that you'd want to remove it). To use a Command Ability, first make sure you have enough MP, and then input L2 + the corresponding face button.

Best Command Abilites

Break Gauge

The Break Gauge is the yellow bar that appears at the bottom of the screen (for the player) and below enemy health bars. Attacking enemies will deplete their Break Gauge, and once broken you can execute a Soul Burst by pressing the circle button.

The player's Break Gauge is depleted by blocking attacks or Soul Shielding (holding circle). If the player's Break Gauge is fully depleted, you will get staggered and be wide open to attacks for several seconds.

Parrying

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A successful parry is executed by blocking just before the enemy would hit you. If done correctly, the impact from the blocked hit will flash white. Successful parries can also be followed up by an R2 to activate a Combo Ability.

Soul Shield

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Sould Shielding is done by either pressing or holding down the circle button. If performed correctly, the enemy's incoming attack will be deflected and you will gain some MP. Holding Soul Shield also drains your Break Gauge, so it's important to focus on dodging when your MP is high to conserve your Break Gauge so that you can use Soul Shield when your MP is low.

Soul Shielding can also block attacks with a blue aura, however red aura attacks are unblockable on Action difficulty and higher.

Instant Abilities

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Instant Abilities are attacks that must be absorbed from an enemy by Soul Shielding (usually a magic attack). After successfully absorbing an ability with Soul Shield, that ability will be stored until you use it. Activate a stored Instant Ability by pressing the square button.

Blockable VS. Unblockable Attacks

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Most attacks are blockable either by pressing L1 or by Soul Shielding by pressing the circle button, however, any attack that has a red glow during its start up animation is an unblockable attack.

Note: These attacks can be blocked when playing on the Story Mode difficulty.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin Related Guides

Game Mechanics: Explained