An RPG and JRPG staple is the magic system, and its inclusion in the Trails of Cold Steel series is no exception. Much like in the entire series, Trails of Cold Steel IV (the final part in the Cold Steel series), structures magic as Orbal Arts (Arts for short). According to the series' lore, Orbal Arts operate as magic that can be equipped to battle equipment and is exclusive to specialized groups and organizations.
With a mixture of numerous arts and more than 30 playable characters, configuring the optimal Arts arrangement may be a bit of a headache for some players. For those wanting some insight on which Arts are important to equip in the thrilling conclusion to the Cold Steel series, here is a list of the best Arts available in Trails of Cold Steel IV.
10 Seventh Caliber
Bottoming this list is Seventh Caliber, a Space Art with an SS+ power level. Boasting a captivating animation sequence, the Art hits all enemies on the field for a remarkable amount of damage. On top of that, Seventh Caliber has a 100% chance of inflicting a random status effect on all enemies.
The issue with Seventh Caliber is its high EP cost at a whopping 500 EP. In spite of this, many other Arts of the same power ranking cost much more and have less desirable bonus effects, hence why Seventh Caliber makes this list.
9 Diamond Nova
As another offensive Art, Diamond Nova makes this list due to its high damage and status effect. The Art freezes all enemies hit by it with a 0% failure rating, and is the strongest offensive Water Art (not including Lost Arts).
Of the S+ Arts, Diamond Nova requires the least amount of EP at 380. What's more, its affected area is larger, able to nearly reach the battlefield's entirety. It does not rank higher on this list simply due to its power level being lower than other Arts on this list, but it is still undeniably best in its rank.
8 Crescent Mirror
Crescent Mirror is a support-type Mirage Art that protects all allies from magic attacks for 140 EP. While it only lasts after one use, it's a tremendously beneficial Art to use when scrambling against heavy magic users.
With that being said, it's likely that it'll see less usage than physical protectors, as most monsters favor physical attacks. Furthermore, there are several Master Quartz that already compensate for magical damage, making Crescent Mirror somewhat ineffective in comparison. Regardless, this is a helpful Art to throw out in dire situations against Arts-based enemies and could be a meaningful choice to cast overall, so it's still worthy of this list.
7 Adamantine Shield
As opposed to Crescent Mirror, Adamantine Shield protects against physical attacks — but like Crescent Mirror, it costs 140 EP to cast. Since a majority of monsters and humanoid enemies rely on physical attacks, Adamantine Shield is an excellent Art that can help set-up a healing and protection formation by delaying enemy attacks.
The issue with Adamantine Shield is that it's essentially a watered-down version of better Crafts and Orders: Jusis' Platinum Shield includes the same physical immunities but lasts for 2 turns and restores 10% HP, while Altina's Brave Order, Ebon Crest, not only protects and reflects physical attacks, but lasts for 4 turns and restores 10% of HP/EP each turn.
6 Holy Breath
Curative magic is quintessential for every party's success in RPGs, and Trails provides an abundance for players to choose from. Other Arts like Tearal (recovers one ally and cures burn) and Breath (heals a small amount of HP in a medium area) pale in comparison to Holy Breath, which recovers a medium amount of damage in a large area.
The jump between EP costs from Breath to Holy Breath is quite grand, going from 50 EP to 200 EP. And while this Art is significant in its healing abilities and is better than most, it is outdone due to its inability to revive fainted allies.
5 Recuria
For ridding of annoying status effects, players should ensure that at least one active party member has access to Recuria. Mechanically, Recuria is a Wind-type Art that cures abnormal statuses in an XL area and costs 70 EP. It's more effective in infuriating situations where enemies unleash status effects repeatedly, and can really save beginner RPG players from avoidable hindrances.
Recuria is undeniably useful for certain predicaments, but there are many accessories that can provide party members with status immunities. It could be argued, then, that this Art is situational. As such, it does rank higher on this list for its very specific helpfulness, but others outrank it due to its lack of versatility.
4 Chrono Burst
A surprisingly significant Art is Chrono Burst, a support-based Time Art that costs 280 EP. Chrono Burst affects only the caster and allows them to immediately act two more times after Arts usage, much to the chagrin of any villain or enemy you face.
This Art, when used strategically, could set the party up for numerous protective barriers in anticipation of a barrage of enemy attacks. Alternatively, offensive-oriented players could use it to sweep the battlefield before enemies can even act. When it comes down to it, this Art could be an ace for thoughtful players when used correctly.
3 Prominence Nova
Introduced in Trails of Cold Steel IV and integrated into its deep lore, Prominence Nova is a Lost Art that boasts tremendous effects at the cost of all of the user's EP. As a combined Fire, Space, and Wind element Art, its attack power reaches 4S, hitting harder than even the deadliest Orbal Arts.
Of the other offensive Lost Arts, Prominence Nova has two of the most noteworthy bonus effects: it can inflict burn, which is vital in slowly chipping away at enemy HP, and it can cancel all enemy buffs. The issue is simply in the EP cost since it consumes all of the user's EP. Moreover, it can only be used once in battle, and inexperienced players may have difficulty trying to acquire it from the devastating cryptid that holds it.
2 Aeonian Emperor
Second in this list is Aeonian Emperor, another offensive Lost Art. Between the Lost Arts, Aeonian Emperor has the highest power ranking at 5S but has no bonus effects. However, it is guaranteed to hit all enemies, and its selling point is its SS-ranked break power.
Breaking enemies is a very swift way to decrease battle lengths and can ultimately turn the combat's tide in an instance. Having an Art that can induce a high level of break power, combined with many Master Quartz that heighten break damage, can really push a player's combat ability to the next level. The only downside, of course, is the EP cost and once-per-battle usage, but it is without a doubt the best offensive Art.
1 Seraphic Ring
Some may be surprised to see a support-type Art at the top of this list, but what strategic players may already know is that gameplay success comes in sparing your party from complete wipeout and remembering to use recovery magic. With that said, Seraphic Ring is without a doubt the best restorative Art, as it not only heals all party members to full HP, but it can also revive any and all fainted party members.
While it could be argued that the EP cost is high at 480, this Art saves players from having to continually spam revival and healing Arts which would end up being more costly and require more turns to dish out. Ultimately, no other Art has the capability to save players from the brink of defeat quite like Seraphic Ring, making it the best Art available in the game.