Bonding

**Bonding** (絆) is an event-based system for the main character to bond with a selection of other characters, first introduced in *Trails from Zero* and further refined in *Trails to Azure* and throughout *Trails of Cold Steel I*, *II*, *III*, and *IV*.

## *Trails from Zero*

*For details, see /Trails from Zero*
Starting in *Zero*, Lloyd Bannings can earn **Bonding Points** (絆ポイント) with each member of the Special Support Section: Elie MacDowell, Tio Plato and Randy Orlando on special occasions throughout the game. Some of these will earn character specific points, while others can be earned with all of them or with a character of the player's choice.

As a pseudo-scene, the character that wakes Lloyd up on the fourth day of Chapter 3: "Crossbell Anniversary Festival" is the one that has the most bonding points. At the IBC during The Attack on Crossbell, a **Bonding Event** (絆イベント) with one of the three characters will be available if Lloyd has at least 65 bonding points with them. If more than one character meets the requirement, only the character with the most bonding points will be available. After watching the event, the Combo Craft between them and Lloyd will be upgraded.

## *Trails to Azure*

*For details, see /Trails to Azure*
Lloyd Bannings can earn **Bonding Points** (絆ポイント) with the rest of the SSS: Elie MacDowell, Tio Plato, Randy Orlando, Noel Seeker and Wazy Hemisphere, as well as with Rixia Mao, Alex Dudley, KeA, Fran Seeker, Ilya Platiere, Cecile Neues and Sully Atraid. Points can be earned through viewing optional events, selecting choices, completing requests and obtaining items.

In the Intermission: "A Brief Respite", the SSS member with the most points will fetch Lloyd at night. A special accessory can be purchased for 10000 mira in the **Diamante** Jewelry Store, earning 2 bonding points and being different for each character.

Before starting the liberation of Crossbell City, each member of the SSS as well as Rixia can ask to meet at the Merkabah's deck if they have enough bonding points. Meeting with them will start the event, and afterwards the Combo Craft between them and Lloyd will be upgraded. Only one character can be met with and have their Combo Craft upgraded.

After entering Crossbell City, if KeA had enough bonding points and she was given a Whitestone during R&R at Mishelam, the  **Divine Zero Orb** will be waiting on her desk at the SSS building.

After completing the liberation, the rest of the characters can be spoken to, and if they have enough bonding points, their rewards will be obtained.

## *Trails of Cold Steel*

*For details, see /Trails of Cold Steel and Combat link*
Rean Schwarzer can earn **Link EXP** (リンク経験) with the rest of Class VII, Instructor Sara and President Towa by attending bonding events, playing Blade, reading books, etc., in addition to regular link EXP obtained during battles and story events.

On free days, a certain amount of bonding points will allow viewing a bonding event. One point will be consumed each time you view an event, but your bond with that character will be strengthened. On the evening of each free day, after exploring the Old Schoolhouse, the bonding events will change and an additional bonding point will be obtained.

On the night of 10/24, Rean can spend time with a particular character if the requirements have been met, earning the corresponding trophy/achievement.

## *Trails of Cold Steel II*

*For details, see /Trails of Cold Steel II and Combat link*
Rean Schwarzer can earn **Link EXP** (リンク経験) with the rest of Class VII (except Crow), Toval Randonneur, Claire Rieveldt, Sharon Kreuger, Instructor Sara and President Towa by attending bonding events, choosing them as partners in Mech Battles, etc., in addition to regular link EXP obtained during battles and story events.

On resting days, a certain amount of bonding points will allow viewing a bonding event. One point will be consumed each time you view an event, but your bond with that character will be strengthened.

At the start of Act 2: "The Awakening Lions", if either Toval, Claire or Sharon have reached Link Level 3 with Rean, they will give him a unique accessory. If more than one have reached it, only the character with the highest Link EXP will give the accessory. Blade II will also become available, which earns Link EXP up to 5 times each part.

On the night of 12/30, Rean can spend time with a particular character if the requirements have been met, earning the corresponding trophy/achievement.