Atelier Ryza 3 Battle System Explained

Atelier Ryza 3 is a JRPG with a hybrid battle system that may take a while to get used to, especially if you haven't played any of the previous Atelier games. 

What makes it more complex is that it isn't entirely turn-based. Neither is it real-time. If you have played the Blue Reflection games (also from GUST studio), you should have a relatively easy time understanding the intricacies of the combat in Atelier Ryza 3. If not, buckle up. Here's everything you need to know about the battle system in Atelier Ryza 3. 

Everything you need to know about Atelier Ryza 3's battle system

As mentioned previously, Atelier Ryza 3 features a mixture of real-time and turn-based combat. At any given time, you control a party of five, with three characters (including Ryza) remaining in the front row while the other two remain in the back row. 

You can toggle between the three characters in the front row by pressing L2 and R2. As for members in the back row, you can call them during your turn by pressing L1+Triange to deal special attacks. 

By dealing damage, you build up AP (Action Points). The more AP you have, the more skills you can activate in your turn. Once you have performed your actions, you're given a Wait Time. Until the Wait Time is over, you can't execute more skills or moves. 

You can, however, use something called Quick Action to skip the Wait Time and immediately let you take your turn. However, the caveat is that you can only use your Core Items (more on that later) in this special turn to deal damage or heal yourself. Every Quick Action consumes 10 AP. 

There are two modes to choose from when it comes to your party members. These are the Aggressive mode and the Support mode. In the Aggressive mode, your party members use special skills more often and use core items to deal AOE damage. In the Support mode, they are more laid back and deal basic attacks.

Interestingly, you can also deflect the enemy's attacks in real-time by pressing Triangle. Perfectly deflecting an attack also gives AP. However, since the camera angle is fixed, sometimes, you might not see attacks coming from sideways or from behind. 

You can also use something called Core Items in combat. These deal AOE damage and provide other beneficial effects. These are the items you can use during Quick Action. 

Core Items aren't consumables, and once you have crafted them, they will be available to use in combat, granted you have them equipped in the Core Item slots. To use Core Items in combat, you need something called CC. You can earn them by using skills during combat. Every Core Item requires a different amount of CC to use. For example, to use a bomb, you will need 2 CC. 

It's also important to keep in mind that CC points are temporary and can only be used in the battle they were earned.

During combat, your party member may propose something called Action Orders. These are mini-challenges, for example, deal physical damage from a specific character. If these challenges are met, the party member will activate a powerful Order Skill that deals a ton of damage. 

And that's pretty much the gist of combat in Atelier Ryza 3. It's natural to feel overwhelmed at first since there is a multitude of mechanics and attributes to become familiar with. That said, the combat does become fun when you start switching between party members and dealing special attacks. 

That's everything you need to know about the battle system in Atelier Ryza 3.