Datalog (Final Fantasy XIII)/Primers: Battle/Final Fantasy XIII-2

The following is a list of Datalog entries for the Primers: Battle of Final Fantasy XIII-2. Some of the data is updated during the course of the game.
==ATB (Active Time Battle)==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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Characters perform abilities in battle by expending segments of the ATB gauge, which charges continuously over time.
Auto-battle and other similar commands queue up a set of abilities automatically based on the character's role and the situation at hand, only requiring you to choose a target.
The Abilities command, on the other hand, allows you to specify individual abilities as you see fit. The number to the right of each ability's name is its ATB cost—the number of charged segments required to perform that action. Naturally, abilities with higher ATB costs require you to wait longer until the ATB gauge is sufficiently charged.
Command Tips
If you add an ability to the queue by mistake, cancel it with /.
Pressing / executes a partial command queue. Queue up a single ability and press / to execute it immediately, or press / after entering a full queue to act before your ATB gauge has filled. Abilities with charged segments will be performed, and the rest will be canceled.
By pressing / or / at the Abilities command, you can select Repeat, which queues up the last set of abilities used.
Game Over and Retry
A character whose HP reaches zero is KO'd. If this happens to the battle leader, control will pass to the next available character. If all of your controllable characters are KO'd, the game is over.
You can pause a battle with / and then select Retry, which will return you to a moment just before the battle. Items will be returned, but all damage to enemies will be reset. (You cannot retry the battle if the option does not appear.)
==Paradigm Shift==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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A flexible strategy is the key to winning fights. When you wish to change your strategy, press / any time during battle to perform a paradigm shift.
Your characters will acquire various roles as they progress through the game, such as the healing-oriented Medic and support-centered Synergist. Combinations of these roles are known as Paradigms.
With clever use of paradigm shifts, you can switch from defensive paradigms containing Medics to attack paradigms featuring Commandos and Ravagers. Never hesitate to change strategies on the fly—reacting fast to fluid battle conditions is the surest past to victory!
When characters' roles are changed with a paradigm shift, they not only gain new abilities and behavior, but also grant special bonuses to themselves and their party.
Advance to the next page to see a list of the different roles and what effects they bring to your party.
:Commando: Physical attacks maintain chains. Increased Strength.
:Ravager: Magical attacks boosts chains. Increased chain bonuses.
:Sentinel: Defense specialists. Reduced damage taken.
:Medic: Healing specialists. Enhanced healing effects.
:Synergist: Buffing specialists. Enhanced support and healing.
:Saboteur: Debuffing specialists. Increased chance to weaken enemies.
==Customizing Paradigms==
Press / to open the main menu and select Party Paradigms to generate or customize paradigms.
Up to six paradigms can be saved in a paradigm deck.
Select Customize to tailor-make your paradigms. Sort the paradigms in the optimum order for combat to ensure efficiency during battle.
To have a paradigm created for you, select Generate. This command automatically generates paradigms for you to choose from.
Once a paradigm is created, press / to save the paradigm. You can also load paradigms with /. Create and save paradigms using your favorite set of combinations!
==Paradigm Tuning (Strategy)==
You can fine-tune your paradigms for greater control over battle tactics, such as having allies focus on a single target or multiple targets.
Press / to open the main menu and select Party Paradigms, then Customize. To the right of each paradigm name is an icon marked Tune. Move the cursor over to the tuning icon and press / to view the options.
[]Normal: Characters behave according to the nature of their roles.
[]Cross: Characters focus on the one target.
[]Wide: Characters focus on multiple targets.
Press / to confirm your choice.
Once a paradigm is tuned, the name will change if either Cross or Wide is chosen. For example, if Cross is selected, the paradigm Cerberus will become Cerberus-X. If Wide is selected, the paradigm Cerberus will become Cerberus-W.
By fine-tuning the same paradigm and adding it to your deck, you will have more options for battle. Master this strategy and you will be beating your own battle records in no time!
==Cinematic Action==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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During key points in important battles you will sometimes encounter Cinematic Action events. These events will require you to make quick decisions and press certain buttons, the results of which will alter how the battle unfolds.
When a cinematic action sequence begins, follow the on-screen directions and hit the correct control inputs within the time limit!
==Chains and Staggering==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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Each time you land a successful attack on an enemy, the enemy's chain gauge—displayed in the upper right corner of the screen—will charge slightly. This gauge drains slowly over time, but by maintaining a steady series of attacks, you can drive the chain bonus (the percentage of damage dealt by each attack) upward.
Deliver enough hits in rapid succession, and the gauge will eventually fill. If you connect once more with an enemy in this state, you will stagger that enemy.
Staggered enemies take a great deal of damage from every attack. There are also a number of abilities that take advantage of this vulnerable state. When fighting, do your best to stagger your foe as quickly as possible.
==Crystarium==
To develop a character, press / to open the main menu and select Crystarium.
The Crystarium shows a map of each character's possible development. Enhance a character's attributes and learn new abilities by unlocking crystals in the designated role.
Crystals can be unlocked using crystogen points (CP). These points are gained by winning battles and obtaining fragments.
Roles and Crystals
Each role has a different set of abilities. Commandos focus on gaining Strength while Sentinels focus on gaining HP. The crystals in each map differ by role.
[]: Strength
[]: Magic
[]: HP (health)
The size of the crystals is proportionate to the importance of that ability or attribute bonus. The trick is to decide carefully on which role you'd like to spend your CP.
Unlocking a crystal increases that role's level by 1. The next available ability is shown in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, as well as on the route itself.
Focusing on the development of one role is highly efficient as you gain Growth Bonuses while leveling up that role.
'Leveling Up the Crystarium
The Crystarium contains several tiers. Once an entire route has been completed, the Crystarium will gain a level.
Leveling up the Crystarium unlocks bonuses such as gaining access to new roles, enhancing accessory capacity, or leveling up the ATB gauge.
==Paradigm Pack==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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You can selects up to three of the monster crystals you obtain in battle to add into your paradigms. These three monsters make up a Paradigm Pack.
To prepare your monster allies, open the main menu by pressing / and select Party Paradigms. From the Party Paradigms menu, select Paradigm Pack, and then choose the monsters you wish to add to your battle roster. You can now create paradigms that include the creatures in that Paradigm Pack.
Execute paradigm shift during battle to change the summoned monster you wish to fight with. Learn to use your Paradigm Pack and defeat even the most powerful opponents!
Monster HP and KO
During battle, if your current monster ally is wounded and you call upon another using paradigm shift, the replacement monster ally will also be wounded. The same rule applies for status ailments and KO'd monsters.
When you find yourself in a bind, make sure to heal your way back to health.
==Obtaining Monster Crystals==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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It is possible to increase your chances of obtaining a monster crystal from battles.
Enemies defeated using a monster's Feral Link ability are more likely to become crystals. The more successful you are in inputting the Feral Link ability commands, the higher this chance becomes.
Don't be shy about using monsters' special attacks to obtain monster allies!
==Monster Growth==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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Like characters, monsters can be developed through the main menu. Press / to open the menu and select Crystarium. Use monster materials obtained from battles and other means to develop your monsters. Growth bonuses are directly related to the material used, so you can focus on raising a particular attribute.
Each monster has its own role and individual growth characteristics. The characteristics can be found under the status display on the right side of the Crystarium screen.
Monster Growth Traits
The most important traits for monster growth are as follows:
: Growth item grades.
:Early Peaker: Maximum level of 20, but grows quickly.
:Well-Grown: Standard growth.
:Late Bloomer: Capable of reaching levels beyond 70.
:Strong: Strength is easily improved.
:Magical: Magic is easily improved.
:Hearty: HP (Hit Points) are easily increased.
Keep your monsters' characteristics in mind when choosing which growth items to use.
Monster Growth Items
Items such as potent droplets, power droplets, mana droplets, and vitality droplets are used to develop your monster allies. There are different grades of items such as droplets, slivers, and orbs.
All monsters require grade-appropriate items for development. There are five grades, and the grade of each item, and the grade of each item will be shown in the description with this icon: . The required item grade increases along with the monster crystarium level.
Bots require different items than beasts. Use materials such as potent bolts, power bolts, mana bolts, and vitality bolts for development. Chips and engines are higher grade items.
Whenever you unlock a crystal, you gain a particular growth bonus, such as a Strength Bonus or Magic Bonus, depending on the material used. Decide which of a monster's attributes you wish to develop to make the most efficient use of the different monster materials.
==Special Attacks: Monsters==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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Every monster ally has a special attack that can be unleashed once the Feral Link gauge is full. This gauge charges as the battle progresses, especially when building chain bonuses. When the monster's icon begins to flash, press / to activate its Feral Link ability.
Follow the button prompts quickly and accurately to bring out the most of monsters' capabilities. Keep your eyes on the screen and get ready to test your reflexes!
==Monster Customization==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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Press / in the main menu and select Monsters to customize your monsters. You can change their names or dress them up with adornments.
The adornments are for looks only and won't affect your monsters' performance in battle. So go ahead and decorate your menagerie how you please!
==Monster Customization: Infusing Abilities==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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Monsters can be infused with the ability of other monsters.
Press / to open the main menu and go to Monsters. Select a monster from the list, then select Infusion to give that monster the abilities of another creature.
Commands and auto-abilities can be infused from monsters who share the same role. Passive abilities can be infused from any monsters. However, passive abilities marked with [REDLOCK] cannot be transferred.
A monster can have up to ten passive abilities. Any abilities infused above this limit will replace the most recent addition, although those marked with the [YELLOWLOCK] icon will be given precedence.
The number of command and auto-abilities a monster has available for infusion is related to its Crystarium level. A fully developed monster will provide a larger selection of infusion options.
Be sure about your choices, as the monster sacrificing its abilities will be consumed and will disappear from the Monster List.
==Libra and the Bestiary==
Added after unlocking Serah's summoning power in Episode Two
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During combat, press / to use Libra and view enemy information. You will learn more about foes as you fight them, or you can use a Librascope to learn everything immediately. Knowing the enemy's weakness allows you to create an efficient battle strategy.
You can view enemy information by pressing / to open the main menu and selecting Bestiary. Once all data pertaining to that enemy is collected, a ✔ icon will appear.
The following icons are found in the Report section in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
[]: Tamed monsters
[]: Tameable monsters
[]: Untameable monsters
==Role: Commando==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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The Commando
Commandos have the most damage-dealing potential and their powerful attacks maintain the chain gauge longer than others. Pair them with the Ravager, whose magic attacks boost the chain gauge, to inflict a constant stream of damage.
Role Bonus: Physical and magical attacks deal extra damage.
==Role: Ravager==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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The Ravager
Ravager attacks are infused with the four elements: fire, ice, lightning, and wind. A combination of the Ravager's various abilities can increase the chain bonus and unleash more damage.
Find out the enemy's vulnerability and execute commands that zero in on its weakness. Pair Ravagers with the stabilizing Commando to make an efficient chain-building machine.
Role Bonus: Improved chain bonuses.
==Role: Sentinel==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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The Sentinel
Sentinels bear the brunt of enemy attacks to protect the rest of the party. With their high defensive capabilities. they have the ability to lessen the amount of damage taken to launch counterattacks.
They can also increase chain bonus duration with the Provoke command. Use their role when fighting multiple foes who deal heavy physical damage.
Role Bonus: Physical and magic resistance is increased.
==Role: Medic==
The Medic
Medics support parties by healing, curing status ailments, and even reviving KO'd allies. (When curing status ailments, the most recent one will be remedied first.)
The downside to medics is that they lack offensive power, causing battles to last longer than desired.
Role Bonus: Healing abilities and items restore more HP.
==Role: Synergist==
The Synergist
Synergists enhance allies' powers. They can boost offensive and defensive strength and add elemental effects to attacks.
When facing a strong opponent, use a Synergist to buff your party with extra powers before switching to a more offensive role. Switch your Synergist back in as the enhancements wear off.
Role Bonus: Abilities grant longer-lasting status enhancements.
==Role: Saboteur==
The Saboteur
Saboteurs can weaken enemy attacks and defenses and inflict status ailments on foes. Successfully performed abilities boost the chain bonus. Damage is dealt even when abilities are unsuccessful.
Once the enemy has been debuffed, switch the Saboteur out for a more offense-oriented role, and switch him back in when necessary.
Role Bonus: Abilities are more likely to succeed on enemies.
==Role: Monsters==
Monsters have their own designated roles, and learn abilities based on that role. When developing a monster, use monster materials that best suit that monster's attributes.
By continuously infusing a monster with the abilities of a creature with a different role, it will learn a hidden ability. Review the characteristics of your monsters to create an undefeatable party of powerful allies!
==Using Items==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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During battle, when HP is low, items such as Potions can be used to restore health.
To revive someone who has been KO'd, use a Phoenix Down. To cure someone's status ailment, use an item such as a Remedy. Items are consumed per use and will take effect immediately. They do not affect the ATB gauge in any wey.
Go to items in the main menu to sort your items. Putting the items most used in combat at the top of the list will be a great time-saver during battle.
==Wounding==
Certain powerful attacks are so damaging that they sap the life of the target and reduce maximum HP. When this effect takes place, the damage display is accompanied with the word WOUNDED. Wounds cannot be healed by spells or normal potions, making foes with this ability extremely dangerous.
Wound damage can only be cured using Wound Potions. It will also be removed at the end of battle.
==Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Wind==
Each enemy has an element to which they are vulnerable. Heavy damage can be dealt with the right elemental attack. The four elements are fire, ice, lightning, and win, and they all have corresponding elemental attacks such as Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, and Aero, spells that are available to Ravagers.
During battle, press / to use Libra and learn the target's elemental vulnerabilities and strengths. Each element is represented with an icon.
Elemental Attacks
Abilities such as Enfire infuse attacks with elemental effects. An element and sword icon is displayed while the effect lasts.
Elemental Resistances
Foes also have the ability to unleash elemental-based magic and physical attacks. Sentinels are protected by Element Guard, and there are accessories that increase elemental resistance.
Elemental, Physical and Magic Resistances
Physical and magic resistances take precedence over elemental resistance.
For example, a spell like Thunder will not harm a foe that nullifies magic attacks, even if it is vulnerable to lightning. In this case, a physical attack that deals lightning damage such as Sparkstrike is the way to go.
Some foes nullify both physical and magic attacks. Use Libra to find an efficient strategy against these troublesome creatures.
==Status Shift==
In a battle, allies and enemies alike can be aided or hindered by status chances.
Synergists boost the offensive and defensive abilities of friends, while Sabotuers weaken foes.
Enemies can inflict status ailments on members of your party, too. There are twelve ailments in total, and if left untreated they will weaken your characters and make the battle much harder to win.
Learn how status ailments affect you, and keep your party healthy and alive!
==Status Ailments and Their Icons==
Use the Saboteur's abilities to inflict status ailments on foes and make those tough battles a little easier. Here are some status ailments:
(A) Poison: Deals damage over time.
(B) Pain: Disables physical abilities.
(C) Fog: Disables magic abilities.
(D) Curse: Increases odds of being interrupted. Also increases wound damage taken.
(E) Deprotect: Reduces physical resistance.
(F) Deshell: Reduces magic resistance.
(G) Imperil: Reduces elemental resistance.
Foes have abilities that can diminish your stats. Below are a few examples:
(A) Debrave: Reduces Strength.
(B) Defaith: Reduces Magic.
(C) Slow: Reduces target's ATB gauge recharge rate.
(D) Daze: Stuns the target and increases damage taken.
Use the ability Veil to increase your resistance to these ailments. An icon with an upwards arrow represents an active resistance bonus (Z).
The item Remedy and the ability Esuna will remove status ailments starting from the one most recently inflicted. Other items such as Antidote and Holy Water can be used to remove specific ailments.
Here are some other status ailments:
(A) Doom: Once Doom is cast, a countdown begins immediately and the target dies when the count hits zero. The target cannot be cured with Esuna or Remedy.
(B) Dispel: Removes target's most recent enhancement.
(C) Reraise: Revives target from KO. Cannot be dispelled.
(D) Regen: Gradually restores HP over time. Cannot be dispelled.
==Status Shift: Canceling Status Ailments==
Status ailments can be canceled out with buffs that have the opposite effect. Instead of relying solely on Medics, you can use Synergists to heal ailments. Similarly, enemy buffs can be nullified by Sabotuer abilities.
Debrave: Can be cured with Bravery.
Defaith: Can be cured with Faith.
Deprotect: Can be cured with Protect.
Deshell: Can be cured with Shell.
Curse: Can be cured with Vigilance.
Slow: Cannot be canceled by another ability.
Imperil: Cannot be canceled by another ability.
==Battle Results==
Added after Noel introduces himself and Mog to Serah in Episode One
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Your battle score is based on the speed with which you dispatch the enemy, and varies depending on how your time compares to the target time.
The score determines your battle rank, which is displayed using stars. If you finish the battle within the target time, you will receive between three to five stars.
The rank in turn determines what items you receive at the end of battle. A higher rank grants better spoils.
The Recent Battle Total is the total score of the latest twenty battles.
Category:Datalog in Final Fantasy XIII-2