2025-11-04 10:00
by
nlpkak
As I sat down with Granblue Fantasy: Relink for the first time, I had that familiar feeling - another button-masher with flashy visuals but little substance. Boy, was I wrong. Within hours, I found myself completely hooked on a combat system that's far deeper than it initially appears, especially when you master what I like to call the "Slots Plus" approach to battle strategy. Let me walk you through why this system has completely transformed how I approach RPG combat.
The real game-changer came when I discovered the Skybound Arts system. These aren't your typical special moves that you spam whenever they're available. Each character builds their SBA gauge gradually throughout combat, and when that beautiful 100% marker appears, that's when the magic happens. I remember my first successful chain - I was playing as Gran, with my AI companions hovering around 95% on their gauges. The timing had to be perfect. I initiated my SBA, watched as my teammates followed suit in rapid succession, and then witnessed something spectacular: a massive Chain Burst that absolutely demolished the boss we'd been struggling against for twenty minutes. The sheer power of that moment hooked me permanently.
What makes this system so brilliant is the strategic layer it adds to what could have been mindless combat. You can't just fire off your SBA whenever you feel like it - well, you can, but you'd be wasting incredible potential. I've calculated that a properly executed Chain Burst deals approximately 300% more damage than individual SBAs used separately. The elemental component adds another tactical dimension. Since the final Chain Burst inherits the element of whoever starts the chain, you need to consider enemy weaknesses. When Gran kicks things off, you get that magnificent Wind-based Galestorm, but if Katalina initiates, you're looking at a water-based devastation. I've lost count of how many times I've reset a battle because I messed up the elemental alignment.
Here's where the "Slots Plus" mentality truly pays off. Think of your party's SBA gauges as four slot machine reels slowly spinning toward that jackpot moment. When all four hit 100%, that's when you unlock exciting rewards with Slots Plus - except in this case, the reward is watching a boss health bar evaporate before your eyes. The satisfaction of coordinating that perfect chain never gets old. Just last night, my party managed to trigger three full Chain Bursts against the final story boss, dealing what must have been over 50,000 damage in total. The visual spectacle alone is worth the coordination - screen-shaking explosions, dazzling particle effects, and that triumphant musical swell that makes you feel like you've just conquered the impossible.
What surprised me most was how this system transformed my approach to party composition. I used to just pick my favorite characters, but now I find myself considering elemental coverage and gauge-building speed. Characters like Charlotta build their SBA gauge about 15% faster than others, making her invaluable for ensuring your chains trigger more frequently. I've developed a personal preference for starting chains with water or wind elements, as they seem to have the most visually stunning Chain Burst animations - though I'll admit that's purely subjective.
The beauty of this system is how it turns individual power moments into collaborative triumphs. Even when playing with AI companions, the game does an excellent job of making you feel like you're orchestrating a symphony of destruction. And when you're playing with friends? That's when the true magic happens. My gaming group has developed actual callouts and strategies around our SBA coordination. "Hold at 95!" has become our battle cry, followed by the countdown to unleash hell. It's created moments I'll remember long after I've put the controller down.
Some critics argue the combat still leans too heavily on button-mashing, and they're not entirely wrong. There are stretches where you're just cycling through basic combos. But those moments make the SBA chains shine even brighter. They're the strategic punctuation marks in an otherwise straightforward sentence of combat. After 60 hours with the game, I can confidently say that the SBA system is what keeps me coming back. It's that perfect blend of strategic planning and spectacular payoff that makes Granblue Fantasy: Relink stand out in a crowded genre. So if you find yourself picking up this game, remember: patience and coordination are your true weapons. Wait for those gauges to align, and unlock exciting rewards with Slots Plus that will make you feel like a tactical genius.
