Combat link

The combat link system (戦術リンク) is a mechanic introduced as a function of the ARCUS orbment in .
== Description ==
:See also: Unbalancing in Cold Steel I and II, Unbalancing in Cold Steel III+ and Weapon types.
Combat links allow two characters to form a link in battle, providing various benefits. While linked, either character can unbalance enemies with attacks or crafts, due to their weapon type or a critical hit. Unbalancing allows the character's link partner to follow up with an attack of their own, or use more advanced combination attacks. Combat links also grant various bonuses to each partner, such as healing after taking a hit or taking an attack in place of the other. Note that unbalancing or link abilities won't activate if the link partner is unable to act due to status effects.
Links can be preset from the Tactics menu, with combat starting with the set links. Link partners can also be freely switched on a party member's turn, with the other members switching links appropriately if they were all linked. Switching a party member with a support member will automatically link them with the previous member's partner. If a character is knocked out, the link with their partner will be broken and must be re-established manually upon revival. Being ambushed by the enemy breaks all links at the start of the battle. The original party configuration and combat links will be restored following the battle. Starting in , links will be remembered and reestablished even when a character is K.O.ed and revived.
== Link Level ==
The strength of a link is indicated by a link level (リンクＬＶ), which increases through its own experience points called link EXP (リンク経験). Higher link levels unlock more abilities and make them more likely to activate.
In , link levels above 2 won't be available until . In , and , link levels above 5 become available. In , link level 7 is only available after starting the .
Level	 	 		 	 		 	 		and 	and
Level	Total Exp	Exp to Next		Total Exp	Exp to Next		Total Exp	Exp to Next		Total Exp	Exp to Next
1 	0 	1000 		0 	1000 		0 	800 		0 	400
2 	1000 	1000 		1000 	1000 		800 	1200 		400 	600
3 	2000 	1500 		2000 	1000 		2000 	1400 		1000 	800
4 	3500 	1750 		3000 	1500 		3400 	1600 		1800 	1000
5 	5250 	— 		4500 	1500 		5000 	— 		2800 	1200
6 	— 	— 		6000 	1500 		— 	— 		4000 	1400
7 	— 	— 		7500 	— 		— 	— 		5400 	—
===Link EXP===
Link EXP is gained through battles. All pairs linked at the end of a battle gain a certain amount of link EXP, and all other possible pairs of active and support members gain a smaller amount.
Game	EXP for linked pairs	EXP for other pairs
 	3 	1
 	15 	10
 	10 	5
 	50 	15
Additionally, in link EXP between Rean and another character can be gained through bonding events, playing Blade, and special items. In only, completing a Trial Chest challenge awards 500 link EXP to all pairs of participants of the challenge, as well as unlocking Overdrive between them; in the Reverie Corridor, the link EXP gains per battle are tripled.
==Link Attacks==
When unbalancing an enemy, a choice of link attacks can be used. After Rush is acquired, using Assist will earn one Brave Point, which can be stored up to 3 (5 when Burst is acquired, 7 in , and 8 in ) to use other link attacks and Brave Orders.
If a battle ends with the use of a link attack, the end screen will feature a different quote from the link partners (or the whole team if Burst was used).
Attack 	BP Cost	Effect 	Acquire
追撃 	-1 	The link partner performs a follow-up basic attack. 	Old Schoolhouse Mystery
ラッシュ 	3 or 2 	Both link partners strike at the target and surrounding enemies in a small area. 	Old Schoolhouse Mystery III
バースト 	5 	All active party members have their negative status effects cleared and strike at all enemies. Cannot be used if a party member is knocked out.	Recovering the Railway Guns
==Link Abilities==
In addition to link attacks, each character has a set of abilities unlocked with each link level. When two characters are linked, the abilities up to their link's level can be activated. Abilities are varied in both activation conditions and effects, thought some are common between several or all characters.
===List of Link Abilities===
<tabber>
|-|Cold Steel=
Level	Name 	Description 	Characters
1 	Link Attackリンクアタック 	Allows the use of link attacks. 	All
2 	Finishing Blow止めの一撃 	Follows assist attacks with a finishing blow if the foe can be defeated with half the damage of a basic attack. 	All
3 	Auto-Tearクイックティア 	Heals 20% of partner's HP when they are attacked. 10% chance at Lv3, 15% at Lv4, 20% at Lv5, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3 	Counterattack反撃 	Attacks an enemy that attacked the partner. 10% chance at Lv3, 15% at Lv4, 20% at Lv5, double chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3 	Coverかばう 	Takes damage in place of partner when they are attacked, and halves damage taken. 10% chance at Lv3, 15% at Lv4, 20% at Lv5, double chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
4 	Arts Supportブーストアーツ 	Increases the power of partner's arts by 1.2x. 15% chance at Lv4, 20% at Lv5. 	
4 	Auto-Chargeクイックチャージ 	Restores partner's EP by 100 after they use arts. 15% chance at Lv4, 20% at Lv5. 	
4 	Auto-Curiaクイックキュリア 	Cures a partner's status and heals 25% of their HP when they're inflicted with a negative status effect. 15% chance at Lv4, 20% at Lv5, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP.	
4 	Cheerライブリーエール 	Heals 25% of partner's HP and 50 CP when they are attacked. 15% chance at Lv4, 20% at Lv5. 	
4 	Deadly Assist刹那の追撃 	Assist attacks deal critical damage and cause delay+20. 	
4 	Powerful Strike渾身の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency to trigger if the foe can be defeated with the full damage of a basic attack. 	
4 	Protective Wall堅守 	Takes damage in place of partner when they are attacked, and reduces damage taken by 90%. 15% chance at Lv4, 20% at Lv5, double chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
4 	Vengeance猛反撃 	Attacks an enemy that attacked the partner with a critical strike. 10% chance at Lv3, 15% at Lv4, 20% at Lv5, double chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
5 	Rush 2ラッシュⅡ 	Increases the power of Rush by 1.3x. 	All
|-|Cold Steel II=
Level	Name 	Description 	Characters
1 	Link Attackリンクアタック 	Allows the use of link attacks. 	All
2 	Finishing Blow止めの一撃 	Follows assist attacks with a finishing blow if the foe can be defeated with 60% of the damage of a basic attack. 	All
3-4 	Anger激昂 	Restores 50 of own CP when partner is attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3-4 	Arts Supportブーストアーツ 	Increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.2x. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
3-4 	Auto-Chargeクイックチャージ 	Restores partner's EP by 100 after they use arts. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
3-4 	Auto-Curiaクイックキュリア 	Heals 10% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they're attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3-4 	Auto-Thelasクイックセラス 	Keeps partner alive with 10% HP when they would be K.O.ed. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
3-4 	Auto-Tearクイックティア 	Heals 20% of partner's HP when they are attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3-4 	Cheerライブリーエール 	Heals 10% of partner's HP and 20 CP when they are attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3-4 	Counterattack反撃 	Counterattacks foe when partner is attacked. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
3-4 	Coverかばう 	Takes damage in place of partner when they are attacked, and halves damage taken. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
3-4 	Deadly Assist刹那の追撃 	Assist attacks deal 1.25x damage and cause 3 turns of SPD-25%. 	
3-4 	Powerful Strike渾身の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency to trigger if the foe can be defeated with 90% of the damage of a basic attack. 	
5 	Rush 2ラッシュⅡ 	Increases the power of Rush by 1.2x. 	All
6 	Almighty Blow渾身の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency to trigger if the foe can be defeated with 120% of the damage of a basic attack. 	
6 	Arts Support 2ブーストアーツⅡ 	Increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.5x. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
6 	Auto-Charge 2クイックチャージⅡ 	Restores partner's EP by 200 after they use arts. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
6 	Auto-Curia 2クイックキュリアⅡ 	Heals 20% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they're attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
6 	Auto-Thelas 2クイックセラスⅡ 	Keeps partner alive with 20% HP when they would be K.O.ed. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
6 	Auto-Tear 2クイックティアⅡ 	Heals 40% of partner's HP when they are attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
6 	Cheer 2ライブリーエールⅡ 	Heals 15% of partner's HP and 30 CP when they are attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
6 	Fury大激昂 	Restores 75 of own CP when partner is attacked. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP. 	
6 	Lethal Assist刹那の猛追撃 	Assist attacks deal 1.5x damage and cause 3 turns of SPD-50%. 	
6 	Protective Wall堅守 	Takes damage in place of partner when they are attacked, and reduces damage taken by 90%. 10% chance at Lv3 plus 2.5% for each additional level, quadruple chance if partner is below 20% of their max HP.	
6 	Vengeance猛反撃 	Counterattacks foe when partner is attacked. Deals 1.5x damage. 30% chance at Lv3 plus 5% for each additional level. 	
7 	Overdrive 2オーバーライズⅡ 	Deal 1.2x more physical and magic damage during Overdrive. 	All
|-|Cold Steel III=
Level	Name 	Description 	Characters
1 	Finishing Blow止めの一撃 	Follows assist attacks with a finishing blow if the foe has low HP.	All
5 	Rush 2ラッシュⅡ 	Increases the power of Rush. 	All
|-|Cold Steel IV=
Level 	Name 	Description 	Characters
1 	Finishing Blow止めの一撃 	Follows assist attacks with a finishing blow if the foe has low HP. 	All
2-4, 6	Almighty Blow究極の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency even more than powerful strike does. 	
2-4, 6	Anger激昂 	Sometimes restores 50 of own CP when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Supportブーストアーツ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.2x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Support 2ブーストアーツⅡ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.5x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Support 3ブーストアーツⅢ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.8x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Support 4ブーストアーツⅣ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 2.0x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Chargeクイックチャージ 	Sometimes restores 100 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Charge 2クイックチャージⅡ 	Sometimes restores 200 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Charge 3クイックチャージⅢ 	Sometimes restores 400 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Charge 4クイックチャージⅣ 	Sometimes restores 600 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curiaクイックキュリア 	Sometimes heals 10% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curia 2クイックキュリアⅡ 	Sometimes heals 20% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curia 3クイックキュリアⅢ 	Sometimes heals 30% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curia 4クイックキュリアⅣ 	Sometimes heals 40% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Tearクイックティア 	Sometimes heals 20% of partner's HP when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Tear 2クイックティアⅡ 	Sometimes heals 40% of partner's HP when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Thelasクイックセラス 	Sometimes keeps partner alive with 10% HP when they would be K.O.ed. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Thelas 2クイックセラスⅡ 	Sometimes keeps partner alive with 20% HP when they would be K.O.ed. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Cheerライブリーエール 	Sometimes encourages partner when they are attacked. Recovers 10% HP, restores 20CP. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Cheer 2ライブリーエールⅡ 	Sometimes encourages partner when they are attacked. Recovers 15% HP, restores 30CP. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Counterattack反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Coverかばう 	Sometimes defends partner from an attack. Damage reduced by half. Activation chance increases as link level does. (Does not activate when HP is low.) 	
2-4, 6	Deadly Assist刹那の追撃 	Assist attacks deal 1.25x damage and cause 3 turns of SPD-25%. 	
2-4, 6	Fury大激昂 	Sometimes restores 75 of own CP when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Lethal Assist刹那の猛追撃 	Assist attacks deal 1.5x damage and cause 3 turns of SPD-50%. 	
2-4, 6	Powerful Strike渾身の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency. 	
2-4, 6	Protective Wall堅守 	Sometimes defends partner from an attack. Decreases damage by 90%. Activation chance increases as link level does. (Does not activate when HP is low.)	
2-4, 6	Sharp Counter強反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 1.2x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Super Counter超反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 1.8x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Vengeance猛反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 1.5x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Ultimate Counter極反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 2.0x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
5 	Rush 2ラッシュⅡ 	Increases the power of Rush. 	All
7 	Burst 2バーストII 	Break damage inflicted with Burst increases from 6x to 10x (+900%). 	All
|-|Reverie=
Level 	Name 	Description 	Characters
1 	Finishing Blow止めの一撃 	Follows assist attacks with a finishing blow if the foe has low HP. 	All
2-4, 6	Anger激昂 	Sometimes restores 50 of own CP when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Supportブーストアーツ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.2x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Support 2ブーストアーツⅡ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.5x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Support 3ブーストアーツⅢ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 1.8x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Arts Support 4ブーストアーツⅣ 	Sometimes increases the power of partner's offensive arts by 2.0x. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Chargeクイックチャージ 	Sometimes restores 100 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Charge 2クイックチャージⅡ 	Sometimes restores 200 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Charge 3クイックチャージⅢ 	Sometimes restores 400 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Charge 4クイックチャージⅣ 	Sometimes restores 600 of partner's EP after they use arts. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curiaクイックキュリア 	Sometimes heals 10% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curia 2クイックキュリアⅡ 	Sometimes heals 20% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curia 3クイックキュリアⅢ 	Sometimes heals 30% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Curia 4クイックキュリアⅣ 	Sometimes heals 40% of partner's HP and cures status/stat down when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Tearクイックティア 	Sometimes heals 20% of partner's HP when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Tear 2クイックティアⅡ 	Sometimes heals 40% of partner's HP when they are attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Thelasクイックセラス 	Sometimes keeps partner alive with 10% HP when they would be K.O.ed. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Auto-Thelas 2クイックセラスⅡ 	Sometimes keeps partner alive with 20% HP when they would be K.O.ed. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Cheerライブリーエール 	Sometimes encourages partner when they are attacked. Recovers 10% HP, restores 20CP. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Cheer 2ライブリーエールⅡ 	Sometimes encourages partner when they are attacked. Recovers 15% HP, restores 30CP. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Counterattack反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Coverかばう 	Sometimes defends partner from an attack. Damage reduced by half. Activation chance increases as link level does. (Does not activate when HP is low.) 	
2-4, 6	Deadly Assist刹那の追撃 	Assist attacks deal 1.25x damage and cause 3 turns of SPD-25%. 	
2-4, 6	Fury大激昂 	Sometimes restores 75 of own CP when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Lethal Assist刹那の猛追撃 	Assist attacks deal 1.5x damage and cause 3 turns of SPD-50%. 	
2-4, 6	Powerful Strike渾身の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency. 	
2-4, 6	Protective Wall堅守 	Sometimes defends partner from an attack. Decreases damage by 90%. Activation chance increases as link level does. (Does not activate when HP is low.)	
2-4, 6	Rage超激昂 	Sometimes restores 100 of own CP when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Sharp Counter強反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 1.2x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Super Counter超反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 1.8x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Vengeance猛反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 1.5x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Ultimate Counter極反撃 	Sometimes counterattacks foe at 2.0x damage when partner is attacked. Activation chance increases as link level does. 	
2-4, 6	Ultimate Strike究極の一撃 	Increases finishing blow's power and activation frequency even more than powerful strike does. 	
5 	Rush 2ラッシュⅡ 	Increases the power of Rush. 	All
7 	Burst 2バーストII 	Break damage inflicted with Burst increases from 6x to 10x (+900%). 	All
</tabber>
===Link Abilities by Character===
<tabber>
|-|Cold Steel=
Character	Level 1 	Level 2 	Level 3 	Level 4 	Level 5
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Powerful Strike	Cover 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Auto-Tear 	Cheer 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Auto-Tear 	Arts Support 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Cover 	Vengeance 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Charge 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Curia 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Counterattack 	Arts Support 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Counterattack 	Deadly Assist 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Counterattack 	Protective Wall	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Counterattack 	Cheer 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Cover 	Deadly Assist 	Rush 2
 	Link Attack	Finishing Blow	Counterattack 	Powerful Strike	Rush 2
|-|Cold Steel II=
Character	Level 3 	Level 4 	Level 5	Level 6 	Level 7
 	Powerful Strike	Cover 	Rush 2 	Almighty Blow 	Overdrive 2
 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Auto-Tear 	Arts Support 	Rush 2 	Auto-Tear 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Anger 	Powerful Strike	Rush 2 	Fury 	Overdrive 2
 	Auto-Charge 	Anger 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Charge 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Arts Support 	Anger 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Deadly Assist 	Counterattack 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Overdrive 2
 	Cover 	Anger 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall	Overdrive 2
 	Counterattack 	Cheer 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Overdrive 2
 	Deadly Assist 	Cover 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Overdrive 2
 	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Charge 	Rush 2 	Auto-Tear 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Arts Support 	Auto-Thelas 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Counterattack 	Auto-Tear 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Overdrive 2
 	Auto-Curia 	Deadly Assist 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Powerful Strike	Counterattack 	Rush 2 	Almighty Blow 	Overdrive 2
 	Cheer 	Arts Support 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Overdrive 2
 	Cover 	Powerful Strike	Rush 2 	Protective Wall	Overdrive 2
 	Deadly Assist 	Anger 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Overdrive 2
|-|Cold Steel III=
Character	Level 1 	Level 2 	Level 3 	Level 4 	Level 5
 	Finishing Blow 	Cover 	Powerful Strike	Protective Wall	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Cheer 	Cover 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Counterattack 	Deadly Assist 	Vengeance 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Thelas 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Anger 	Arts Support 	Fury 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Tear 	Arts Support 	Auto-Tear 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Anger 	Powerful Strike	Fury 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Charge 	Anger 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Arts Support 	Anger 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Deadly Assist 	Counterattack 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Cover 	Anger 	Protective Wall	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Counterattack 	Cheer 	Vengeance 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Deadly Assist 	Cover 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Counterattack 	Auto-Tear 	Vengeance 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Anger 	Counterattack 	Fury 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Arts Support 	Auto-Thelas 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Curia 	Deadly Assist 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Arts Support 	Arts Support 2 	Arts Support 3 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Powerful Strike	Counterattack 	Almighty Blow 	Rush 2
 	Powerful Strike	Sharp Counter 	Vengeance 	Super Counter 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Charge 	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2
 	Finishing Blow 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Charge 2 	Auto-Charge 3 	Rush 2
|-|Cold Steel IV=
Character	Level 2 	Level 3 	Level 4 	Level 5	Level 6 	Level 7
Rean 	Cover 	Powerful Strike	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Almighty Blow 	Burst 2
Juna 	Cheer 	Cover 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Kurt 	Counterattack 	Deadly Assist 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Altina 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Tear 2 	Burst 2
Musse 	Auto-Thelas 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 2 	Burst 2
Ash 	Anger 	Arts Support 	Fury 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Burst 2
 	Auto-Tear 	Arts Support 	Auto-Tear 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
 	Anger 	Powerful Strike	Fury 	Rush 2 	Almighty Blow 	Burst 2
 	Auto-Charge 	Anger 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Burst 2
 	Arts Support 	Anger 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
 	Deadly Assist 	Counterattack 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
 	Cover 	Anger 	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
Crow 	Auto-Charge 	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
 	Deadly Assist 	Cover 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Celine 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Curia 2 	Auto-Curia 3 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 4 	Burst 2
Duvalie 	Deadly Assist 	Powerful Strike	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Almighty Blow 	Burst 2
 	Powerful Strike	Counterattack 	Almighty Blow 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
 	Auto-Curia 	Deadly Assist 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Estelle 	Cheer 	Counterattack 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Joshua 	Cover 	Deadly Assist 	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Renne 	Auto-Curia 	Arts Support 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
 	Anger 	Counterattack 	Fury 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
 	Auto-Charge 	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Lloyd 	Powerful Strike	Cover 	Almighty Blow 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Elie 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Burst 2
 	Arts Support 	Auto-Thelas 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Burst 2
Randy 	Counterattack 	Anger 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
George 	Cover 	Auto-Charge 	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Burst 2
Roselia 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Charge 2 	Auto-Charge 3 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 4 	Burst 2
 	Sharp Counter 	Vengeance 	Super Counter 	Rush 2 	Ultimate Counter	Burst 2
Victor 	Sharp Counter 	Deadly Assist 	Super Counter 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Toval 	Auto-Thelas 	Arts Support 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
Vita 	Arts Support 	Arts Support 2 	Arts Support 3 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 4 	Burst 2
Ines 	Anger 	Cover 	Fury 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Ennea 	Counterattack 	Auto-Curia 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 2 	Burst 2
Xeno 	Auto-Curia 	Deadly Assist 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Leonidas 	Counterattack 	Powerful Strike	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Almighty Blow 	Burst 2
|-|Reverie=
Character	Level 2 	Level 3 	Level 4 	Level 5	Level 6 	Level 7
Lloyd 	Powerful Strike	Cover 	Ultimate Strike	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Elie 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Burst 2
Tio 	Arts Support 	Auto-Thelas 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Burst 2
Randy 	Counterattack 	Anger 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
Noel 	Counterattack 	Cheer 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Burst 2
Wazy 	Counterattack 	Auto-Thelas 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Burst 2
Rixia 	Deadly Assist 	Anger 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
Rean 	Cover 	Powerful Strike	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Ultimate Strike 	Burst 2
Juna 	Cheer 	Cover 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Kurt 	Counterattack 	Deadly Assist 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Altina 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Tear 2 	Burst 2
Musse 	Auto-Thelas 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 2 	Burst 2
Ash 	Anger 	Arts Support 	Fury 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
C 	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Burst 2
Lapis 	Cheer 	Powerful Strike	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Ultimate Strike 	Burst 2
Swin 	Arts Support 	Cover 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Nadia 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Thelas 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Burst 2
Alisa 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Burst 2
Elliot 	Auto-Tear 	Arts Support 	Auto-Tear 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 	Burst 2
Laura 	Anger 	Powerful Strike	Fury 	Rush 2 	Ultimate Strike 	Burst 2
Machias 	Auto-Charge 	Anger 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
Emma 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Burst 2
Jusis 	Arts Support 	Anger 	Arts Support 2 	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
Fie 	Deadly Assist 	Counterattack 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Gaius 	Cover 	Anger 	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Fury 	Burst 2
Millium 	Counterattack 	Cheer 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Burst 2
Sara 	Deadly Assist 	Cover 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Protective Wall 	Burst 2
Crow 	Auto-Charge 	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Towa 	Cheer 	Arts Support 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
Angelica 	Powerful Strike	Counterattack 	Ultimate Strike	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
George 	Cover 	Auto-Charge 	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Burst 2
Elise 	Auto-Tear 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Tear 2 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 2 	Burst 2
Alfin 	Auto-Thelas 	Cheer 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Cheer 2 	Burst 2
Olivier 	Arts Support 	Arts Support 2 	Arts Support 3 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 4 	Burst 2
Sharon 	Auto-Curia 	Deadly Assist 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Celine 	Auto-Curia 	Auto-Curia 2 	Auto-Curia 3 	Rush 2 	Auto-Curia 4 	Burst 2
Roselia 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Charge 2 	Auto-Charge 3 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 4 	Burst 2
Aurelia 	Sharp Counter 	Vengeance 	Super Counter 	Rush 2 	Ultimate Counter	Burst 2
Victor 	Sharp Counter 	Deadly Assist 	Super Counter 	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Claire 	Counterattack 	Auto-Tear 	Vengeance 	Rush 2 	Auto-Tear 2 	Burst 2
Lechter 	Auto-Charge 	Auto-Charge 2 	Auto-Charge 3 	Rush 2 	Auto-Charge 4 	Burst 2
Estelle 	Cheer 	Counterattack 	Cheer 2 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Joshua 	Cover 	Deadly Assist 	Protective Wall	Rush 2 	Lethal Assist 	Burst 2
Renne 	Auto-Curia 	Arts Support 	Auto-Curia 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
Tita 	Auto-Charge 	Counterattack 	Auto-Charge 2 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Agate 	Anger 	Counterattack 	Fury 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Toval 	Auto-Thelas 	Arts Support 	Auto-Thelas 2 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 2 	Burst 2
Arios 	Deadly Assist 	Counterattack 	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Vengeance 	Burst 2
Duvalie 	Deadly Assist 	Powerful Strike	Lethal Assist 	Rush 2 	Ultimate Strike 	Burst 2
Vita 	Arts Support 	Arts Support 2 	Arts Support 3 	Rush 2 	Arts Support 4 	Burst 2
McBurn 	Vengeance 	Fury 	Super Counter 	Rush 2 	Rage 	Burst 2
</tabber>
==Trivia==
*The link levels can be carried over to the 2nd playthrough in the games.
*Brave Points are essential to battles, especially with Mech Battles.
* introduces link levels 6 and 7. The Combat Link System is also used in combination with Divine Knight battles and the Overdrive feature.
*From onward, certain opponents with ARCUS are able to establish Combat Links.
Category:Mechanics