Combat link

The combat link system (戦術リンク) is introduced as a function of the ARCUS orbment in.

Gameplay
Combat links allow two characters to directly "link" in battle. When linked, each member has the potential to earn follow-up attacks, special status effect boosts, healing, and more. They are activated when a regular attack or craft successfully unbalances the enemy when using the correct weapon type or critical hit.

All links are gauged by a link level (リンクＬＶ), the bonding level between you and your partner and increases through its own experience points called link EXP (リンク経験). The more link points earned per battle, the more support abilities unlocked.

If a character is K.O.ed, the link with their partner will be broken and must be re-established manually upon revival. If the entire party is defeated resulting in Game Over, all links will be severed and must be re-established manually if retrying. If the battle begins with an Enemy Advantage, the links become randomly configured. If the player is victorious, however, then the original party configuration and combat links will be restored following the battle. Starting in, links will be remembered and reestablished even when a character is K.O.ed and revived.

Link Attacks
Every time an attack successfully unbalances an enemy, a cut-in screen appears to present the choice of link attacks. Using Assist will earn one Brave Point (maximum of 5 in CS1/2/3 and 7 in CS4/Reverie), while the other link attacks will spend BP. Each link attack has its own BP cost which becomes greater the stronger the attack is. If they are not used, BP carries over to the next battle within an area.

List of Link Abilities
An overview of Link Abilities is listed below. "Y" denotes the presence of the listed Link Ability is said game.

Notes/Trivia

 * The link levels can be carried over to the 2nd playthrough in the games.
 * Brave Points are essential to battles, especially with Divine Knight battles.
 * introduces link levels 6 and 7. The Combat Link System is also used in combination with Divine Knight battles and the Overdrive feature.
 * From onward, certain opponents with ARCUS are able to establish Combat Links.