Use Artes for Powerful Attacks — Tales of Xillia 2 eGuide

Artes are more powerful attacks, but they require TP so they can’t be used continuously. These can be set in the Artes menu with shortcuts. Later in the game you can acquire the Artes Sphere that gives you eight shortcuts instead of the previous four.

Artes Properties

You can’t cast if you don’t have enough TP.
Learn new artes, and strengthen them with the Allium Orb.
Divided into physical and magic artes. Physical artes have damage based on P.ATK, while magic artes have damage based on M.ATK.
Magic artes require casting time.
Magic artes are divided into Lower, Mid, and Upper Level. Upper-level ones are more powerful.
Magic artes can be canceled if you’re attacked during the casting process.

Artes Get More Powerful the More They’re Used

All artes gain stars as they hit certain counts (the amount of times they’re used) and power up as per the chart shown here. Some artes have other attributes that are strengthened as their count rises. For example, Ludger’s Swift Strike can be used in mid-air after it hits a count of 100.

Artes Upgrades

Count	Stars	Upgrade
100 or more		Odds of critical hit +3%
200 or more		P.ATK & M.ATK +5%
400 or more		Linked Arte Gauge Value +20%
1000 or more		TP costs reduced by 1/3
2000 or more		P.ATK & M.ATK MAX becomes 20%
4000 or more		When chaining into this arte from another arte, there’s a 25% chance its AC cost will be reduced to 0
9999 or more		When chaining into this arte from another arte, odds that its AC cost will be reduced to 0 increased to 50%

Special Actions During Spell Casting

While casting a magic arte, you can change its target or set its area of effect with the left stick. This is useful for leading foes or following foes who move unpredictably. When casting a quick arte, you want to choose the target carefully. Hold as you cast it. That will keep the spell from triggering until you release the , allowing you to select a target. If an enemy approaches as you cast the arte, press to cancel the arte so you can run away or defend yourself.

Dealing Big Damage with Arcane and Mystic Artes

Every character can learn at least one arcane arte, which does more damage than normal artes. With the Single Artes skill, you can chain these artes into powerful mystic artes during Over Limit. Additionally, if you use an arcane arte in a combo after at least three previous actions, it will do double damage. This double-damage bonus can only be gained once per arcane arte per combo.