BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War/Guides/System

Gameplay Basics

Attacks

There are four basic attack types

• Revolver (R), which are attacks that fill the drive gauge.
• Drive (D), which are attacks that fill the heat gauge.
• Special (S), which apply special character effects.
• Extra (EX), which activates at the end of a chain.
• Distortion Drive (DD) - Usable when Heat Gauge exceeds 100%
• Astral Heat (AH) - Usable when Heat Gauge reaches 300%

The combo system allows attacks to be chained together in a pattern of R > D > S or by repeating the same type (D-D-D) up to a maximum of 4 attacks. The fourth attack will be a special EX type. By chaining attacks, the subsequent attacks get stronger, however consecutive attacks from the same character will be slightly weaker than attacks chained between different characters.

Overdrive

When the Overdrive Gauge is filled, Overdrive can be activated. During Overdrive, the combo limit is increased to 12.

Heat Gauge

When Heat is above 100% characters' DD can be used. When Heat is above 300% AH can be used.

Auto

Auto can be activated in the upper right corner. It uses all characters skills, performs chains, and will use Overdrive, Distortion Drives, and Astral Heats as they become available.

Revolver System

When queuing an attack type that is currently loaded onto a character, they are then reloaded using the next attack type that is waiting on the Revolver Gauge.

Characters

Character Rarity

Characters come at a base rarity of A1, S, or SS and can be upgraded to higher rarities.

A1 -> S -> SS -> SS+ -> SS++ -> SS+++

In general, at rank SS characters will unlock their DD's additional effect, SS+ their AH's additional effect, SS++ their second skill, and SS+++ their third trait.

Additional Effect

An additional effect (追加効果 tsuika kōka) is a bonus effect applied to a character's attack, activated upon use of that attack. Each character has one additional effect each for their Special, Distortion Drive, and Astral Heat.

Skill

A skill is an ability that can be activated during battle.

Trait

A trait (特性 tokusei) is a passive effect that takes place when its conditions are met. Some traits do not have conditions and are therefore always active.

Team

Position

There are front and rear positions in a team. Based on the character's position, the character's Position Skill/Effect will take effect.

Grimoires

Grimoires are able to be equipped on the party position screen and apply specific effects to the wielder.