Tales of the Abyss: Why Difficulty Settings Matter! You Better Know Yourself!

 Why Your Difficulties Setting Matter!

HEY! Do You Notice How Long Your Battle Actually Takes to Finish ? Do You Even Notice Why Your Levels Seems Equal to Enemies even They Overpowered You!!

It is Because Your Level Settings went Higher than You Had Expected!! 

What Is Level Setting anyway ??

Simply Put, Level Settings are features in the game that allow you to change difficulties in battle only during your whole gameplay. This setting is available in menu >> click config >> then you will find Battle Difficulty as well as other settings (message speed, audio, volume etc). 

How significant are the changes ???

Well, I gotta admit based on my experience the names stated as follow are truly realistic. There are 4 Difficulties reserved in Tales of the Abyss; Normal, Hard, Very Hard, Unknown. 

Levels from my point of view; Normal= Okay, I play as newbie regular, Hard= this difficulty takes me to a slightly longer battle, Very Hard= Hmm... I need to be Veteran in this game at least 2nd Playthrough, Unknown = I just want my playable character to stay alive as long as I can because I can not afford to lose chance to resurrection & Damn these bosses are buffed to the max!!

Which Enemies Are Affected by Difficulty Changes ?

First, regular monsters, human enemies, sidequest enemies, as well as coloseum bosses will be affected by your changes in instant. Their P. ATK, P. DEF, F. ATK, F. DEF will increase, and you will know how great your damage inflicted on them (how much damage they receive or how much decrease in your health point you take after getting hit).

Second, main story bosses will be buffed, too. When you level up until 30 (Special AD skill will be unlocked for Mystic Arte), you will discover whether you enemies can cast Mystic Arte on you during battle or not. If you are in regular level, Bosses will scarcely cast Mystic Artes on you while Very Hard or Unknown Bosses will likely play seriously to wipe you all. Plus, Bosses will be more tactical and aggressive in engaging in Battle as to test your coordination and pure combat skills.

In General, All enemies will have INSANE BOOSTED HEALTH POINTS, you will need to keep your health in check while trying to decimate their Health Points. These examples of status derived from same Oracle Knight in Auldrant should give you the idea what I mean to say.

Normal

Hard

Very Hard

Unknown

How To Check Whether Enemies' Statuses Change ?

USE MAGIC LENS!!! These cool items are reserved only to scan your enemies' statuses, but Tales of the Abyss, sadly, did not have the idea for Monster Book yet. Hence, you gotta memorize and re-encounter same enemy again or Re-scan if you want to know the change in statuses.

First, Save your game >>> Change difficulties >>> Fight any Enemies >> Throw Magic Lens >> Escape the Battle >> Repeat.

Do Your Party Members Get Smarter ?

I admit yes!! Your Casters will just focus on the order you want them to act, Healers will not recklessly attack strong enemies, as for support fighter, you still have to keep an eye on him or her because you two are vanguards!! 

Again, combats in any Tales of Series are all about coordination. If one party is low on health, then be sure to have healers prioritize heal first, then have casters provide a cover attack for protection, you yourself can distract enemies in any ways! 

If I am Still Around Level 15, 20, 25, Is This System Fair ?

As long as you are aware of your enemies numbers, then plan out proper strategies, I am sure LEVELLING UP IS HARD! YES! HOWEVER, Grades, EXPs, Galds will be REWARDING. There is bi shame in accidentally being killed by several normal attacks from enemies since the SOONER you SWALLOW THE BITTER PILL OF EARLY GAME LEVEL UP, the EASIER your party members GROW for LATE GAME as YOU will be MORE PREPARED THAN EVER FOR ANY FIGHTS!!. SO, NO THIS SYSTEM IS UNFAIR TO EARLY GAME.

I suppose, that is all I need to share to you all for this Difficulty Settings!! E-Mail me at talesofseriesforever@gmail.com for further questions!! 

Stay for more discussions and tips!!!