battle

waiting for the enemy

• Haseo has a lot of points to use toward Arts, which are vital to his battling strategy. It can be a pain to level up the (often slow-to-a-crawl) weapons, though. So how can you gain weapon levels with rapid ease? Beginner Texts. Trade for them, buy them, do anything you can to get your hands on these suckers. They'll add tons of points to his default weapon's level, which means more Arts for you. In the latter part of vol 1 there are at least two NPCs walking around Mac Anu who carry them, and you can usually leave the town, teleport back in, find them again, and trade for some more. There are also more advanced weapon leveling items in later games that mirror the Beginner's Text.
• Be sure to teach Haseo a few healing spells. While you may not need them in the beginning, there is a dungeon in vol 2 where you're required to go into a long, arduous string of battles with no healer. It never hurts to be prepared, right? Think of it as back-up.
• I find that until you unlock the Xth Form weapons, the Twin Blades are the most reliable method for ending a battle quickly. I personally don't care for the Edge Blade – it's cumbersome and slow – but it has its uses, particularly against a hard-shelled opponent. Likewise, if you're being flanked from all sides or have an enemy flying above you, consider using the scythe to wipe them out in no time. At the very least they'll be sent crashing down to your level. This brings up an important point: know your weapons and enemy types. This is one of the keys to keeping battle times down to a minimum. If you prefer the Edge Blade, by all means, go for it – just make sure you know when and where to tuck it away for the scythe or blades.



• Hone your surprise attack skills. The instant advantage is worth it. However, remember that on the Steam Bike, you will often lose HP when you initiate surprise battles. Still, if you have the HP to lose, give it a try. You'll do more damage and get more points for the Ryu Book.
• Be fast on the trigger. Haseo's greatest advantage is his speed and flexibility. If you pay attention to Rengeki and Awakening cues, you're sure to succeed in most battles.
• Finally, keep Haseo on the offensive. He is not built for defensive play. You may be one of those gamers that sits back and strikes later, to which I say more power to you. However, I've found that Haseo is most efficient when you use him to lead the battle, not hide behind the front lines. That's why you have clerics and warlocks!