Tales Of The Abyss: Know Your Status pt.1 !!! P. DEF & P. ATK

 

 Tales Of the Abyss: Know your way around P. ATK & P. DEF

Hello Guys! I am back again with more discussion about Tales of the Abyss! YES! You heard me, P. ATK + P. DEF!!

Certainly, all of you Tales series enthusiasts have often dealt even struggled with status attributes for the rest of your gameplay. So, Today's discussion is about two main attributes of Status that you will always care for. Regardless of whichever Tales series installments you play.

Are P.DEF + P.ATK vital to all party members' growth ? 

Basically, let's say P. ATK is your main strength asset while P. DEF is your main vitality before weapons or other equipment bonuses came along. These two tell the characteristic of certain party member as well!!! Is the character a Vanguard Fighter or Support Casters or a bit of both ?

In terms of P.ATK, the focus is on basic hits, base / physical arcane artes critical hits, CERTAIN mystic arte damage. As for P.DEF, the focus is on resistance to basic hits, physical base / arcane artes, CERTAIN mystic arte.

Although weapons + other attributes play major role in enhancing basic status, your battle coordination is still your main priority (attributes are just tools to slightly improve damage, resistance, mobility etc). Otherwise, you will waste your mind, energy, and time only to hustle for GALD on equipments. 

Is that so ?

Trust me, I only bought weapons, armors, even boots or rings / gloves / gauntlets when I just happen to have a chance to visit new cities for main fighters (Luke / Jade / Tear). The real skill is how you COORDINATE OTHER PARTY MEMBERS' MOVEMENT!!

Why do you mention only Two ? 

Well, these two are mainly what you need to pay attention to when you want to stay on safe side from early to mid game. Let's say Luke has high P.ATK & P.DEF to begin with while Tear's P.ATK & P.DEF are half of Luke's. Certainly, you will not force Tear to match her physical traits to that of Luke. So, have her avoid performing head-on because damage reduced are different despite performing same defense move.

How can P. ATK & P. DEF be tracked ? 

The standard rule for enhancing your basic stats in Tales series is as universal as other JRPGs which means LEVEL UP. In addition to this, there are still other options on the table such as Capacity Core bonus, Equipments bonus, Herb bonus (just a little). However, the most practical way to boost two-three even all status is via flexible use of Capacity Core.

Physical Attack (P. ATK)

Physical Attack is one of statuses that you want to enhance very first time for better preparation against new regular enemies in new places (dungeon, field, forest, desert, etc) or boss fights. Plus, it is relatable in everyone's mind to have a character able to stun, stagger even launch critical damage for every arte performed (enemies taking critical damage will have blinking red & white color on their body).

How to notice the effect of growth ?

 The effect demonstrated by the growth of P. ATK will always be subtle, so do not bother counting attacks by regular hit or attacks by base arte only, even FOF damage (Field Of Fonon damage). The point is organize your combos considerably (2 base hits + 2 base artes, 1 base hit + 1 base arte + 1 arcane arte, 3 base hits + 1 arcane arte etc). 

Levelling up with proper Capacity Core is more than enough, I think. This is because your growth will be more focused, and other status will just follow up (Luke should focus on P. ATK, P. DEF, F. DEF, Jade on P. ATK,F. ATK, F. DEF, Guy on AGILITY, P. ATK, P.DEF, Anise on P. DEF, F. ATK, AGILITY, Tear on P.DEF, F.DEF, F.ATK, Natalia on P. ATK, P. DEF, AGILITY). Otherwise, you will be in dilemma state of having moderate growth, for instance, Guy / Luke has high F. ATK, but moderate P.ATK while both can not even cast any spells.

Physicial Defense (P. DEF )

Having high P.ATK will mean a compensation of High defense so that you will not be easily staggered. If P. ATK gives you higher chance kof inflicting stun, stagger, critical hit, P. DEF will offer you higher resistance against stun by Arcane Artes, durability against regular hits, even head-on mystic artes.

If you are an avid head-on or hit-and-run fighters, then P. DEF is one status you have to check on constantly. Consequently, you can win tougher stance when the time is right to defend (be it forward block or backward jump or regular block). Once you unlock IRON STANCE in your AD SKILLS  library, you can even stand greater chance against Six God General encounters *heck* even any mystic arte-triggering arcane artes launched can be prevented by regular blocking.

Personal Advice

Personally speaking, I frequently use backward jump & regular block to avoid taking excessive damage although FORWARD BLOCK IS HELPFUL TO REDUCE DAMAGE UNTIL 1 OR 0 IF PERFECTLY MASTERED (If P.DEF is not HIGH enough, your stance will BREAK). Also, DO NOT RELY ON DURABILITY ONLY WITHOUT BLOCKING.

Universe will not always be so kind, and you can still RISK GETTING STUNNED FOR 5-7 SECONDS (CRITICAL LOSS OF MOMENTS), STAGGERED, EVEN KO'ED. TRUST ME! You do not want tiny birds animation on top of your head!!

Performing counter will be much easier once you learn how many swings you enemies like to launch, and how frequent they use artes!! (OBSERVE WHILE BLOCKING) not too long tho! Enemies will redirect attention to other party members. 

Thanks for reading my tips and info on the topic of P.ATK + P.DEF !!!

I will make sure to write more what I know about Tales of the Abyss series gameplay based on my very own personal experience. So, stay for more tips and info from me!!