Link powers activated
The T-Link interchange through battle in CS1 and CS2
The new T-Link in CS3
The Combat Link System (戦術リンク Sentou Linku) is one of the new functions of the ARCUS orbment and the main battle mechanic for the Trails of Cold Steel trilogy.
Gameplay
The Combat Link system allows two characters to directly "link" in battle. When linked, each member has the potential to earn follow-up attacks, special status effect boosts, healing and more. They are activated when a regular attack successfully unbalances the enemy through the correct attack attribute.
All links are gauged by a Link Level, the bonding level between you and your partner and increases through its own experience points called Link EXP. The more link points earned per battle, the more support abilities unlocked.
There is the Tactical Link or T-Link sub-command, where interchanging link partners on the field or with the reserve during battle is possible. It can be done many times during the player's turn only.
If a character is KOed, their link with their partner will be broken and must be re-established manually upon revival. If the entire party is defeated resulting in Game Over, all links will be severed and must be re-established manually if retrying. If the battle begins with an Enemy Advantage, the links become randomly configured. If the player is victorious, however, then the original party configuration and combat links will be restored following the battle.
| CS1 Link Points Table | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Level | 1000 | 1000 | 1500 | 1750 |
Link Attacks
Every time an unbalance attack is successful, a cut-in screen appears optioning the choice of link attacks, and earning one Bravery Point (maximum at 5). Each link attack has its own BP cost which becomes greater the stronger the attack is.
| Attack | BP Cost | Obtain Period |
|---|---|---|
| Assist 追撃 |
0 (CS1) 1 (CS2) |
A regular follow-up attack |
| Rush ラッシュ |
3 | Both link partners strike multiple times at the target |
| Burst バースト |
5 | Your whole party attacks all enemies |
Link Abilities
Trails of Cold Steel
- Please delete this line if all dub translations are found
| LV | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Link Attack リンクアタック |
Link Attacks are usable |
| 2 | Finishing Blow 止めの一撃 |
After Assist, finishes the enemy from its remaining HP |
| 3 | ||
| Cover かばう |
||
| Counterattack 反撃 |
||
| Quick Tear クイックティア |
||
| 4 | ||
| 渾身の一撃 | ||
| 刹那の追撃 | ||
| 猛反撃 | ||
| 堅守 | ||
| Boost Arts ブーストアーツ |
Increases Offense Arts' damage x 1.2 | |
| Auto Charge クイックチャージ |
||
| Auto Curia クイックキュリア |
||
| Lively Yell ライブリーエール |
||
| 5 | Rush II ラッシュII |
Power of the "Rush" attack is increased. |
Trails of Cold Steel II
- Please delete this line if all dub translations are found
| LV | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Link Attack リンクアタック |
Link Attacks are usable |
| 2 | Finishing Blow 止めの一撃 |
After Assist, finishes the enemy from its remaining HP |
| 3/4 | 渾身の一撃 | |
| 激昂 | ||
| クイックティア | ||
| Auto Charge クイックチャージ |
||
| Auto Curia クイックキュリア |
||
| クイックセラス | ||
| Lively Yell ライブリーエール |
||
| 刹那の追撃 | ||
| Cover かばう |
||
| Counterattack 反撃 |
||
| Boost Arts ブーストアーツ |
Increases Offense Arts' damage x 1.2 | |
| Boost Arts II ブーストアーツII |
Increases Offense Arts' damage x 1.5 *Vita Clotilde only (LV4) | |
| 5 | Rush II ラッシュII |
Power of the "Rush" attack is increased. |
| 6 | 究極の一撃 | |
| 大激昂 | ||
| ライブリーエールII | ||
| クイックティアII | ||
| Auto Charge II クイックチャージII |
||
| Auto Curia II クイックキュリアII |
||
| クイックセラスII | ||
| 堅守 | ||
| 猛反撃 | ||
| 刹那の猛追撃 | ||
| Boost Arts II ブーストアーツII |
Increases Offense Arts' damage x 1.5 | |
| Boost Arts III ブーストアーツIII |
Increases Offense Arts' damage x 1.8 *Vita Clotilde only | |
| 7 | Overdrive II オーバーライズII |
Damage from Overdrive is increased. |
Trails of Cold Steel III
Gallery
Notes/Trivia
- It is gameplay mandatory to have link partners while leveling to max, by attending bonding events to earn Link EXP.
- In the Cold Steel games, some certain story events require a high Link EXP level to trigger.
- The Link Levels can be carried over to the 2nd playthrough in the games.
- The bravery points are essential to battles, even at greater heights with the Divine Knight System.
- Cold Steel II introduces Link Levels 6 and 7. The Combat Link System is also used in combination with Divine Knight battles and the Overdrive feature.
- In Cold Steel II, certain opponents with ARCUS are able to establish them. It is therefore recommended in such cases to defeat at least one of the linked opponents as quickly as possible to break the link.