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Link ability tocs

Link powers activated

Tactics link sen

The T-Link interchange through battle in CS1 and CS2

T-Link CS3

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. If they are not used, BP's carry over to the next battle within an area.

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
Allows the use of link attacks
2 Finishing Blow
止めの一撃
Follows assist attacks with a finishing blow if the foe has low HP
3
Cover
かばう
Sometimes defends your partner from an attack, halving damage
Counterattack
反撃
Sometimes counterattacks foe when partner is attacked
Auto-Tear
クイックティア
Sometimes heals partner's HP when they are attacked
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.
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