                 Skies of Arcadia, Ship Battles Mini-FAQ
                             Version 1.0 



                 By Michael Pureka (mpureka@wesleyan.edu)


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"Skies of Arcadia" and all associated names are property of Sega.

Neither this FAQ nor any portion of it may be reprinted in any strategy
guide, periodical, CD-ROM collection of FAQs, or the like. You may distribute
this FAQ freely as long as it remains in it's original, unmodified form
and that there is no charge for the distribution.  Please do not modify this
FAQ - if you see something that needs to be changed, contact me and I will
credit you for it in the next version.  If you wish to include portions of 
this FAQ in another document, contact me regarding the details, and I will
let you know.

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Version History:

11/21/2000, 1.0 - First releasable version. Fixed some misconceptions I had,
        learned a bit more about some of the weapons, got a chance to play
        with the "Crew" Command.

11/20/2000, 0.5 - Beta version. I haven't even finished the game yet, but I 
        wanted to put something together to help people who are baffled by the
        ship battle system - I know I was at first.  Input is welcome.

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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction
2.0 The Ship Battle Display
  2.1 How to Read the Combat Grid
  2.2 Your Threat Levels
  2.3 Your Next Turn
3.0 Ship Battle Commands
  3.1 Inputting Commands
  3.2 Command Descriptions
4.0 Tactics
  4.1 Specific Boss Tactics
5.0 Information I Still Need

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1.0 Introduction
----------------

Skies of Arcadia (Eternal Arcadia in Japan) is a new RPG brought to us by
Sega and Overworks, featuring an immersive 3D environment, likable characters
and a thoroughly engaging storyline.  Skies of Arcadia also features two
different types of battles - personal combat, and ship to ship combat - it
is the latter of these which is the focus of this FAQ.

While ship to ship combat uses many of the same menu commands as personal
combat, most of these commands function in very different ways. The 
documentation in the manual is vague and confusing on many counts, and leaves
some areas completely unexplained.  The goal of this FAQ is provide 
information and clarification on how ship to ship combat works, and some 
tactics to help you get through the trickier parts of the game.  I assume a 
certain amount of familiarity with the game such that I don't need to explain
such concepts as the Spirit gauge and how to select menu items.


2.0 The Ship Battle Display
---------------------------

When you first enter into Ship to Ship combat, you'll find yourself presented
with a strange looking grid in the center of your screen. Believe it or not, 
this grid is all the information you get with which to plan your actions for 
the next few rounds (How many rounds depends on how many characters are in 
your party.)  The grid looks something like this:

    +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
    | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| A |   |   |   |   |###|###|###|###|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| B |   |   |   |   |###|###|###|###|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| C |   |   |   |   |###|###|###|###|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| D |   |   |   |   |###|###|###|###|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+

(The above grid is for a 4 person party. If you have only 3 characters in your
party, Columns 4 and 8, and Row D will be missing)

In Boxes A,B,C and D are small portraits of your characters. Boxes 1-8 are 
colored Green, Yellow, or Red, and may contain additional icons as well. On 
top of all this Boxes 5-8 may be 'flipping' between two different sets of 
colors. You will also have the familiar combat icons, and a few others, from
which you choose the actions of each character in your party.

This all probably seems more than a little confusing - don't worry. Once you 
know how to read it, it's pretty straightforward. I will try to make things
as clear as possible.

2.1 How to Read the Combat Grid
-------------------------------

Refer to the diagram above. The boxes labeled 1-4 and 5-8 represent the danger
level for your ship, and the enemy's ship in the 4 rounds of combat.  1-4 are
your danger levels for this turn, 5-8 are for the next turn.  Each of these 
boxes is colored green, yellow, or red. There may be an additional icons in 
the boxes as well, but the background of that icon will still be green, 
yellow, or red.

Box 1 is the first round of this turn,  Box 2 is the second, etc.

The empty boxes will contain your characters' actions for each round once you
are finished inputting them.

The boxes filled with # signs are always 'hidden' - they represent next turn's
actions.  You can't place an action in one of these boxes, but certain 
actions, such as firing secondary cannon, may spill over into the next turn.
More on this later.

2.2 Your Threat Levels
----------------------

Boxes 1-4 represent how much danger you are in during a given round. They can 
also contain information about your options.

Green Square: Safe. A green color means you are relatively safe from attack 
        during that round.  Your opponent may fire, but if they should hit you
        during a 'green' round, you will take relatively little damage. (Note 
        that this can still be substantial)

Yellow Square: Caution. A yellow color in one of these boxes indicates that 
        you are relatively vulnerable. Your opponent will probably fire, and 
        damage will be higher than in a green round.

Red Square: Danger. A red colored square means that you are very vulnerable 
        in that round - enemy ships will try to concentrate fire here, and 
        bosses will probably fire their special weapons.  Even ordinary 
        attacks will do more damage - doing 200% or more of the damage they 
        would do in a "green" round.

"Chance" Icon (Looks like a C with a triangle under it): A "Chance" icon
        indicates an opportunity for you - usually to do damage, but sometimes
        to take some other sort of action that will influence the course of
        battle. Generally, you should try to concentrate fire in "Chance"
        rounds.

Special Cannon Icon: This icon (Which looks like a smaller version of the 
        "fire special cannon" menu icon) indicates that you may fire your 
        special cannon during that round. Special cannons eat up a lot of 
        spirit points, but do a LOT of damage and can influence the further 
        course of combat.

2.3 Your Next Turn
------------------

Boxes 5-8 show your danger levels for the next turn.  Use this information to
plan your strategy - if you see a "special cannon" icon over there, build up
your spirit. If you see a lot of yellow and red danger levels, repair yourself
in preparation for the onslaught.

Also, sometimes, boxes 5-8 will be "flipping" - displaying one set of colored 
boxes and then switching to another set. Generally, one of these sets will 
display "chance" icons and/or a special cannon icon.   By your actions during
the course of your current turn, and also possibly during a dialogue choice
at the end of the turn, you influence which of these "potential" next turns
you will receive.


3.0 Commands
------------

Many of the commands available in ship to ship battle are the same as those
available in regular battle, but some are different, and some operate in 
different ways. Also the process of inputting commands is slightly more 
complex in Ship Battle Mode.

3.1 Inputting Commands
----------------------

In Ship to Ship combat, each character in your party is presented with a list 
of commands. Upon selecting one, its icon appears next to the character's 
portrait in the grid, in the first empty column.  You may then use the D-pad 
or analog controller to move the action left or right into any empty column;
this selects which round the character will take that action in.  Pressing A
will lock that action into that round, simultaneously filling in all the other
rows in that column.  As a result, no other characters in your party will be 
able to take action during that round. 

You might ask why it matters which character does what, since all actions are
being done by and done to your ship.  Well, the abilities of each character
still represent themselves in their actions.  Characters with strong physical
attacks will do more damage with Standard cannons, while characters with 
strong magical attacks will do more damage with those, and focusing with a 
character with a higher spirit score will recover more spirit than one with a
lower score, etc.

3.2 Command Descriptions
------------------------

Here follows a description of each of the Ship Battle Commands, and a little 
bit of information about the uses of each.

Run - This commands works much the same as it does in personal combat. You 
        will attempt to retreat from combat.  You don't always succeed, and
        it's not even an option against bosses.

Use Item - Similar to personal combat, there are a number of different items
        that you can use in Ship to Ship combat, including Bombs, which damage
        the enemy without consuming Spirit, and Repair Kits, which repair
        damage done to your ship.  There are also items which restore spirit
        and perform other functions.  Note that unlike personal combat, you
        cannot change your ship's equipment in mid-battle.

Evasive Action - Similar to Guard in personal combat. You will take less 
        (about 50%) damage during a round in which you select evasive action.
        A good choice during those "Red" danger level rounds.

Attack - When you choose Attack, you are then asked to select the weapon your
        character will fire.  There are three types of weapons: Standard 
        Cannons, Secondary Cannons and Torpedoes.  Each of these three weapons 
        functions a little bit differently.  Also, unlike personal combat, 
        attacking in Ship to Ship combat drains the Spirit Gauge; the amount 
        of spirit a given weapon uses is listed after the weapon's name.

        Standard Cannons - These are the simplest weapons aboard your ship, 
        and also the mainstay of your weaponry.  You simply pick the round 
        in which you wish to fire the cannon, and the cannon will fire and 
        deal damage during that round.

        Secondary Cannons - Generally less powerful than primary cannons, 
        these weapons also require less spirit to fire - and can also be 
        fired multiple rounds in a row. To do this, select the round in which
        to fire the cannon, press A, and then push the controller to the right.
        An arrow will extend from the cannon icon into the column for the next
        round, and possibly beyond.  In fact, it is possible to extend 
        secondary cannon fire into the next turn!  Press A again to confirm 
        your selection. The cannon will then fire in all of the rounds the 
        arrow crosses, in addition to any other actions taken in those round, 
        allowing you to concentrate fire by firing multiple weapons in the 
        same round, or to repair yourself while still firing.  Note that these
        cannons consume spirit each round they fire.

        Torpedoes - When you select to fire a torpedo, you first select the 
        round in which you wish to fire it, and then move the 'hit' icon to 
        the round in which you would like the torpedo to hit the enemy vessel.
        Some Torpedos have a longer range than others - allowing them to hit 
        further in the future. Using Torpedoes in addition to primary and 
        secondary cannon can allow you to land a powerful 1-2-3 punch in a 
        round in which your opponent is vulnerable.  Of course, during the 
        round in which a Torpedo is fired, you may take no other action.

Magic - By selecting this command, you have the character in question cast 
        magic.  At first, the only spells which may be cast are those which 
        affect your characters, most notably the Increm spells, which are 
        just as effective in Ship to Ship combat as personal.  Once you 
        acquire the Magic Cannon however, you may fire magically charged 
        cannon shots at your opponents, using any spell that normally causes
        damage. Against the right targets, these can do extreme damage.  
        Against the wrong targets, they can be completely ineffectual.  Also
        note that it is possible to miss with a Magic Cannon shot, and that 
        firing magically charged cannon fire costs 1 MP per shot, just as 
        casting spells in personal combat does.

Focus - As in personal combat, a character can focus to recharge the Spirit 
        Bar. This is especially crucial in ship to ship combat because all 
        attacks consume spirit, and it is generally a very good idea to 
        maintain a good spirit charge in case the chance arises to fire your 
        special cannon.  As in personal combat, the higher the Spirit stat 
        of the character, the more spirit will be regained by focusing
        (Though in Ship to Ship combat, the spirit regained is actually 
        greater than the character's spirit stat)

Special Cannon - Use this command to fire your ship's Special Cannon.  This
        option is only available in rounds in which the "special cannon" icon
        appears in the top row. Try to keep enough spirit in reserve to fire 
        your special cannon should the opportunity arise, and if you should 
        see a special cannon icon in the next round, attempt to charge your 
        spirit gauge to the point where you will be able to capitalize.

Crew - The crew command let's you use the special skills of your various crew
        members in combat.  Selecting the Crew icon brings up a list of your
        active crewmen and allows you to select the one you wish to have act.
        Some crewmen are "passive" however, and appear as greyed out in the
        list. These crew members are always active, and have an effect on your
        ship's performance.  Other crew members may be called into active 
        service via the Crew command.  Each crewman has a spirit cost to use,
        and may only be used once per combat.

4.0 Tactics
-----------

Most of what you'll find in this section is common sense, but if anyone wants 
to submit any strategies, please feel free to contact me.

Concentrate Fire: Use Secondary Cannons (And Torpedoes, once you have them) to
bring as much firepower as possible to bear in the rounds when you have a  
"chance". If someone ever says "We need to concentrate fire" this is what 
they mean.

Stay supplied: Keep a good supply of repair kits on hand at all times. These 
little devices are what give you a lot of your edge over enemies, who 
generally have no means of repairing damage.

Stay Well Repaired: If you have a moment's breathing room, use a repair kit to
patch yourself up.  If you're nearly fully repaired, you're in a better 
position to capitalize on your opponent's vulnerabilities because you can 
afford to tough it out and get hit a few times during a "yellow" round in order
to return maximum fire in a "chance" round..

Keep your Spirit Charged: Try to always have enough Spirit remaining to fire 
your Special Cannon.  Opportunities to use this weapon arise only 
infrequently, so you don't want to miss one due to lack of spirit.

Play it Safe: Don't assume that just because your threat level in a given 
round is low that you won't take any damage.  Also, in the dialogue choices,
try not to let your opponent do what he wants to.

4.1 Specific Boss Tactics
-------------------------

*** WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD! ***

If you don't want anything revealed about the plot of the game, do not read 
this section. It contains specific strategies for defeating some of the 
"scripted" battles in the game. I suggest only reading this if you're stuck.

<Spoiler Space Begins>





























<Spoiler Space Ends>

??? (Red Gigas): A seemingly indestructible opponent, the key to defeating 
        the Red Gigas is to not die.  At first, this seems more difficult
        than it sounds.  The trick here is to knock him off balance. In
        each round where your danger level is yellow, he will fire the Red
        Beam, which does terrific amounts of damage.  However, if you hit
        him with enough firepower in that round, the beam shot will miss
        and you will take no damage.  To do this, fire your secondary
        cannon the round before, and stretch the shot into the round he
        fires. Then fire the Standard Cannon in the round he attacks. The
        combined firepower will keep you from getting hit.

The Lynx (Admiral Bal???'s ship): The first opponent you mean armed with
        a magic cannon.  She casts Increm in the very first round of the
        battle, so use this either to get ahead in damage or to store up
        spirit - or cast an Increm of your own.  It's also suggested that
        you equip any items you might have found that give your ship
        extra magic defense.  Make sure to have enough spirit to fire the
        Harpoon Cannon when the chance arises and she shouldn't be too hard.

The Chameleon (Admiral De Loco's Ship) 1st Battle:  This is a fairly standard
        fight.  I can't remember if he goes with the "stationary" strategy in
        this battle, or just the next one. Can anyone help? Also, can anyone
        confirm if it is possible to "off balance" him and cause him to miss
        with the Flamethrower?

The Chameleon (Admiral De Loco's Ship) 2nd Battle: A fairly standard battle.
        The Moonstone Cannon is a lot less impressive than it looks. Just use
        Evasive Action in the round when he fires it, and you should be okay.

Grendel (Green Gigas): Grendel, like the Red Gigas, attacks in any round where
        your danger level is yellow or higher.  I'm not sure if it's possible
        to knock him off-balance like the you did with the Red Gigas (Can 
        nyone clarify on this?). Fortunately his attacks don't do the huge 
        damage that the Red Beam does (Although they all LOOK really painful).
        After a while of fighting and chipping away at him, he'll start acting
        weird and clutching his head. Do not make the mistake of thinking this
        means he's going to stop attacking. In actuality, he is MUCH more 
        dangerous now, and his attacks do around 5K damage. Stay alive for two
        rounds and hit him with the Harpoon Cannon to knock him into the 
        canyon and claim the win.

??? (Admiral Gregorio's Ship): To dodge the Hull Ram, cast Quika on yourself
        during the turn before the attack.  You will get a Special Cannon
        shot and the battle should be over in short order.

I haven't run into any more scripted battles that required unusual tactics. 
When I do, I will add them here. Also, if anyone has progressed farther and 
wants to share, please send me your info.


5.0 Information I still need
----------------------------

This FAQ is just a quick beta, and definitely needs additional information. 
Anything you can contribute is welcome, but most specifically I need:

Any additional Tactics.

Clarifications on any of the questions I asked in the Specific Boss Tactics 
section.

Additional Info on the Crew Command - I'd like to eventually have a list of
all the crewmembers and their abilities.

ANY corrections on incorrect info or just places where I'm not clear.

Please, if you have any info, send it to me at mpureka@wesleyan.edu.  I'll 
include your information in the next version of this FAQ, and credit you for
the addition. Thank you.