New ARKS Operators in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis will experience a fully revamped Phantasy Star Online experience. In this new update, players can experience more in-depth character customization and more fast-paced combat. However, this new Phantasy Star experience may overwhelm newcomers not used to flashier battles.
Thankfully, New Genesis does have an intuitive and flexible approach towards its combat. Given its in-depth progression system and versatile role mechanics, players who allot enough time to tinker with combat may end up coming up with a wholly personalized playstyle.
10 Mind The Battle Power
A new feature in New Genesis, Battle Power (BP) serves as a numerical basis of a character's combat potential based on a variety of factors. Players who focus on the endgame of other MMOs before will look at BP as the New Genesis version of a gear score system. New Genesis does put a BP barrier on some content including Story Missions and even Emergency Quests.
Players should note their current BP level at all times. A player can raise their BP by Leveling Up, using Skill Points, equipping stronger and enhanced gear, and even awakening their weapon's potential. The higher the player's BP, the more access they have to their build's full potential.
9 Secure Character Skills Based On Roles
Players will notice that on top of their Class Skills, they also have Character Skills that carry over regardless of their Class Pairing. These give players access to some enhanced mobility, combat, and utility abilities. Players should take advantage of Character Skills that suit their overall playstyle.
For instance, highly mobile players will have a lot of use for Skills such as Double Jump, Wall Kick, and even the more potent Photon Glide, Photon Dash, and Photon Slam. More offensive players will appreciate the Photon Blast and the counter-dependent Step Counter. Support players will like Resta Sign and Reverser Sign for their healing and resurrection benefits.
8 Grab A Multi-Weapon As Soon As Possible
The Multi-Weapon system serves as another new addition to New Genesis. This system is similar to PSO2's Scion Class system, wherein a Scion Class like the Hero can use Swords and Twin Machine Guns at the same time.
When equipped, players no longer need to manually switch weapons to use their respective palettes. A Multi-Weapon allows players to slot in normal attacks, Weapon Actions, and Photon Arts from both weapons into a single palette. In the right hands, Multi-Weapons can greatly speed up a character's playstyle, fully maximizing their builds' offerings.
7 Mobility, Defense Matters
As with PSO2, New Genesis puts a lot of emphasis on movement to ensure successful combat. Now that New Genesis boasts better graphics and streamlined gameplay, combat is also reliant on how characters dodge and defend against enemy attacks.
Weapons make mobility and defense much easier with their Weapon Actions. Each Weapon Action offers different ways for characters to defend themselves. For instance, the Guard (Sword) can block attacks and outright negate them when triggered right before an attack hits. Meanwhile, the Stylish Roll (TMGs) enable characters to evade attacks on the ground, in mid-air, and even while shooting.
6 Get Familiar With Counters
Aside from dodging and blocking, New Genesis also gives players the opportunity to counterattack. Depending on the Weapon, players can negate or outright return fire against aggressive foes. Players need to look for counter opportunities within their toolkit and incorporate them into their playstyle to maximize their damage output.
For instance, the Step Counter is a Character Skill applicable to any Weapon. This lets them attack with a special counter right after dodging "through" an enemy attack. Likewise, the Knuckles have a special Knuckle Sway Counter that acts the same as a Step Counter but can also lead straight to the Knuckle's more powerful fifth normal attack.
5 Position Is Key To Domination
Similar to other 3D MMOs, positioning becomes an integral component of combat in New Genesis. Enemies do rely on sight and targeting to choose which players to hit. It's all the more reason for parties and even solo players to be wary of where they're positioned when fighting.
In party setups, it's key for tanks to ensure they replenish aggro enough that enemies always turn to them. DPS players need to dish out just enough damage to kill their targets without stealing aggro from the tank. These basic MMO positioning tactics still work in New Genesis and they become all the more relevant due to the high-speed nature of the game.
4 Melee Combat Has A Combo System
Gone are the days of PSO2's Perfect Attack System where players dish out stronger "Perfect Attacks" through a pseudo-rhythm format. This time around, New Genesis gives players access to a combo system. All melee weapons have a basic four-attack chain that deals basic damage to opponents.
When a melee Class (Hunter, Fighter) unlocks the "Attack Extra" Skill, their weapon of choice gains a fifth attack. This attack dishes out a powerful basic attack with the same power level as a Photon Art. Depending on the weapon, this fifth attack can become a finisher or be canceled into a movement option.
3 Ranged Combat Relies On Distance
Marksmen trade the safety of distance with the skill ceiling involved when trying to shoot targets from afar. New Genesis simulates this predicament for ranged combat. When using any ranged weapon, characters need to take distance into consideration to maximize their damage.
Players need to note the sweet spot that their weapons need to deal the best damage, as firing from too far away or too close will drastically decrease DPS. Ranged Classes (Ranger, Gunner) need to consider distance when dishing out their burst techniques.
2 Always Incorporate Movement Into The Rotation
Thanks to the straightforward nature of Photon Arts and Techniques, players can string them into radically unique combos. To maximize their combat performance players need to incorporate mobility into their rotation instead of dishing out their chains in front of enemies.
This involves sidestepping or moving horizontally to ensure that the enemy doesn't have a chance to face the player whenever they finish their current rotation. This strategy also requires players to stay wary of an enemy's attack rotation to ensure they're evading just as soon as an enemy charges or makes an attack. Doing this successfully makes players stay on top of enemies and even dish out harsh counters of their own.
1 Rely On Abilities That Influence Movement
Players can maximize their combat performance by relying on Photon Arts and Techniques that also influence their movement. Doing this strategy removes the need for players to manually dash to reach their destination. Most Weapons already incorporate directional movement to their attacks leaving it up to the player to tailor-fit them into their rotations.
In the case of the Sword, the Twist Zapper always works as a chain starter for its forward attack. The upwards Spiral Edge is a great way to start mid-air attacks. Likewise, Streak Calibur is a fierce three-hit slash that works well on top of the Sword's five-hit combo.