Tales of Xillia 2 Guide 2 Characters Rowen Ilbert
Character Abilities
Rowen Eradicates His Foes from Afar
Commanding Water-, Earth-, and Light-type spirit artes, and employing throwing knives in his normal attacks, Rowen truly excels at long-range combat. Conversely, when fighting at melee range, Rowen lacks attacks that can be executed quickly, and he struggles to evade enemy strikes with his slow movement speed and sluggish quick-steps. Learning how to maintain a safe distance from your foes is the key to playing Rowen successfully.
Key Attributes
- Can use numerous artes with wide areas of effect.
- Can use numerous artes with Water-, Earth-, and Light-type elemental properties.
- Normal attacks have long range.
Special Ability—Arte Tuning
Follow Each Arte’s Special Prompts to Trigger Additional Effects
After Rowen casts a spirit arte, you can add additional effects to the spell by following the special command prompts on the screen. Artes Tuning has no AC cost, but when you enter the first command, the game will deduct TP equal to half the cost of the original arte. Note that while the prompts are on screen, you can cancel out of Arte Tuning by having Rowen guard, and this will reduce Rowen’s post-casting Recovery time.
Types of Arte Tuning
Press Corresponding Buttons
Input button commands for additional hits and damage.
Use the Left Analog Stick
Use the left analog stick to freely set an arte’s area of effect.
Arte Tuning-Related Skills
| Skill | Effect When Active |
|---|---|
| Conductor 1 | Arte Tuning no longer consumes TP. |
| Conductor 2 | Rowen will not be staggered if attacked while using Arte Tuning. |
| Conductor 3 | During a combo, Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, or Dark elemental properties are increased by 50% for the next spirit arte cast after an artes-tuned arte. |
| Conductor 4 | When Rowen chains an artes-tuned arte into a physical arte, he cannot be staggered for roughly 1 second. |
| Abrupt Cast | Rowen can’t use Arte Tuning, but his Recovery time after casting an arte is reduced. |
Methods and Effects of Arte Tuning
| Arte | Timing and Input Type | Effect of Tuning |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball | Press  after launching fireball (up to 3 times) . |
+1 hit per press |
| Wind Lance | Press  after launching wind lances. |
+1 hit |
| Rock Trine | Press  after rock spears erupt. |
+2 hits |
| Splash | Press any direction on the left analog stick after waterfall appears. | Move waterfall in direction entered. |
| Air Pressure | Press  while air is being pressurized. |
+1 hit |
| Blue Sphere | Hold down  after sphere appears. |
Increased area of effect. |
| Freeze Lancer | Repeatedly press  after launching ice lances. |
+1–6 hits |
| Shimmering Toll | Alternate pressing left and right on left analog stick after bell appears. | +1–2 Hits |
| Tightening Chains | Press up, down, left, or right on left analog stick after chains appear. | +1 Hit. Move chains in direction entered. |
| Roche Waltz | Press any direction on the left analog stick after rock sphere appears. | Move rock sphere in direction entered. |
| Diffusional Drive | Press any direction on the left analog stick after whirlpool appears. | Move whirlpool in direction entered. |
| Glacial Core | Press any direction on the left analog stick after ice sphere appears. | Move ice in direction entered. |
| Divine Streak | Press left or right on left analog stick after laser fires. | Aim laser in direction entered. |
Normal Attacks
Keep Foes at Bay with Rowen’s Long-Range 
Attack
Rowen’s most noteworthy normal attack is his two-stage 
knife throw. This attack has a range equivalent to roughly three quick-steps, and you can throw a rapid-fire volley of knives simply by pressing 
repeatedly. With Rowen’s low Physical Attack score, you won’t deal a lot damage, but the volley of knives will keep foes from getting any closer while rapidly regenerating Rowen’s TP.
The range of Rowen’s knives can be extended even farther if you activate his Long Throw skill.