Fate/Grand Order: Combat and Strategy Guide

Dive into the thrilling world of Fate/Grand Order with our comprehensive 'Fate/Grand Order: Combat and Strategy Guide'. Whether you're a novice Master or a seasoned summoner, our guide is designed to elevate your gameplay by uncovering the secrets of strategic mastery. Get ready to delve into essential topics such as Understanding Combat Mechanics, skillfully Using Command Spells and Skills, optimizing Best Team Compositions, efficiently Managing AP and Health, and discovering invaluable Tips for Winning Battles. Unlock your true potential and conquer the battlegrounds with finesse - read on to become an unstoppable force in the Fate/Grand Order universe!

Understanding Combat Mechanics

Alright, Masters, let's get you ready to crush your enemies and show off your superior tactical skills in Fate/Grand Order (FGO)!

The Basics

In FGO, battles are turn-based and require good planning. Each battle typically involves fighting waves of enemies, ending with a tougher boss fight. Your team consists of up to six Servants: three active and three on the bench as backups. Each Servant has unique skills and abilities, so mix and match for the best synergy.

Command Cards

Every turn, you pick three out of five random Command Cards to attack. These cards come in three flavors:

• Buster (Red): High damage. Use to hit hard.
• Arts (Blue): Builds NP (Noble Phantasm) gauge. Use to unleash powerful special attacks.
• Quick (Green): Generates critical stars. Higher chance of landing critical hits on the next turn.

Knowing what each type does and how to use them effectively is key to winning battles.

Card Combinations

When selecting your three Command Cards, keep these combos in mind:

• Brave Chain: Use three cards from the same Servant. This triggers an extra attack at the end of the turn.
• Buster Chain: Use three Buster cards. All attacks get a damage boost.
• Arts Chain: Use three Arts cards. Every Servant’s NP gauge increases.
• Quick Chain: Use three Quick cards. You get extra critical stars.

Properly planning these chains can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Noble Phantasms

A Servant's Noble Phantasm (NP) is their ultimate attack. You’ll need to build up their NP gauge by choosing Arts cards, getting hit, or using certain skills. Once it’s filled, you can launch a devastating attack that changes the course of the fight. Timing your NPs is crucial. Sometimes, saving them for a crucial moment or a boss can be a game-winner.

Type Advantages

Always mind the rock-paper-scissors nature of combat:

• Saber > Lancer > Archer > Saber
• Rider > Caster > Assassin > Rider
• Berserkers are strong against all classes but also take more damage from all.

Using Servants with type advantages against enemies maximizes your damage while minimizing the harm you take. It’s all about being effective with your lineup.

Skills and Craft Essences

Each Servant has three unique skills that you can activate during combat. They range from healing to boosting damage to providing invincibility. Timing these skills is critical.

Craft Essences are also crucial. They equip to a Servant to give them additional benefits like increased starting NP gauge, more attack power, or even additional defense. Choose Craft Essences that complement your Servant’s role in the fight.

Team Composition

Smart team composition can make a significant difference. Here are some tips:

• Balance: Have a good mix of Buster, Arts, and Quick-focused Servants in your team.
• Healers and Support: Include at least one support Servant who can heal or boost your team's stats.
• DPS (Damage per Second): Your main damage dealers should be strong against the enemy’s class.

Final Tips

Planning win battles. Pay attention to the enemies you're facing and switch up your team to exploit weaknesses. Use skills smartly and plan your Command Card combinations effectively. And remember, practice makes perfect! Use lower-stakes battles to experiment with different strategies and get a feel for what works best for you.

Master these mechanics, and you'll be ready to take on anything FGO throws at you. Good luck, Master!

Fate/Grand Order: Combat and Strategy Guide

Using Command Spells and Skills

Fate/Grand Order is all about strategy, and one way you can get an edge in battles is by making the most out of Command Spells and Skills. Whether you're just starting out or you've been playing for a while, understanding these tools can really help level up your game. Let's dive into the details!

Command Spells: Your Emergency Lifeline

Command Spells are powerful but limited resources that can give you a serious advantage when you need it most. You get one Command Spell charge every day, and you can hold up to three charges at a time. Because they're limited, you want to use them wisely.

How to Use Command Spells

1. Heal All HP: This is a great option when your party is on the brink of defeat. It restores all HP for all your Servants, giving you a fighting chance to turn the tide.
2. Fill NP Gauge: Need to unleash some major damage? Use a Command Spell to instantly fill the NP (Noble Phantasm) Gauge of one of your Servants. Perfect for turning the tables in a tough battle.
3. Revive Party: If you get wiped out, you can use all three of your Command Spells at once to revive your entire party with full health. This is a last-resort option but can be a real lifesaver in crucial fights.

Skills: Your Tactical Advantage

Every Servant comes with a unique set of skills, and knowing when to activate them can make a huge difference. Skills have cooldown periods, so timing is key.

Types of Skills

1. Offensive Skills: These boost your attack power or grant critical damage bonuses. Use them right before unleashing a major attack or during Brave Chains (when all three attacks in a turn are from the same Servant) for maximum impact.

   • Example: Gilgamesh’s Charisma skill increases the attack of all allies.

2. Defensive Skills: These can provide buffs like increased defense, evade, or invincibility. They're best used when you know a powerful enemy attack is coming.

   • Example: Mash Kyrielight’s Wall of Brittle Snow increases the defense of all allies.

3. Support Skills: These can heal, remove debuffs, or even increase NP gain. Support skills are great for giving your team some breathing room to plan your next big move.

   • Example: Merlin’s Hero Creation skill increases Buster Card effectiveness, max HP, and gives a critical damage buff.

Timing Your Moves

Timing your Command Spells and Skills can determine the outcome of a battle. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Know Your Enemy: Understand the enemy's attack patterns and save your defensive and healing moves for when you see a big attack coming.
2. Chain Reactions: Plan your moves to create powerful attack chains. Combining offensive skills with a full NP Gauge can lead to devastating combos.
3. Stay Cool Under Pressure: It’s easy to panic when your team’s health is low, but try to stay calm and think a step ahead. Sometimes, using a Command Spell to boost NP might be a better choice than using it to heal, depending on the situation.

Practice Makes Perfect

The more you play, the more you'll get a feel for when to use Command Spells and Skills. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Sometimes the best way to learn is through trial and error.

By wisely using Command Spells and leveraging your Servants’ skills, you'll find that even the toughest battles become more manageable. Keep practicing, stay strategic, and you'll be mastering Fate/Grand Order's combat system in no time!

Best Team Compositions

So you've got a bunch of flashy Servants in Fate/Grand Order and you're ready to steamroll your way through some quests, but you're wondering how to form the best team? Don't worry, we're here to help! Let's dive into some of the best team compositions to maximize your victory chances.

Core Team Roles

Before jumping into specific team setups, it's crucial to understand the basic roles in a team:

• Damage Dealers (DPS): These Servants dish out the most damage. They're your primary attackers.
• Supports: These Servants enhance your DPS through buffs, debuffs, and healing.
• Tanks: These Servants soak up damage to protect your DPS and supports.

Arts Teams

Arts teams focus on generating and using Arts cards, known for their consistent damage and Noble Phantasm (NP) generation.

Key Members:

• DPS: Saber (usually Single-target like Sabermuid), Archer (Chloe von Einzbern), Caster (Tamamo no Mae, Yagyu Munenori).
• Support: Tamamo no Mae, Merlin, Waver Velvet (Zhuge Liang).
• Tanks: Mash Kyrielight (for her NP gauge and team defense buffs).

Example Team:

1. DPS: Kuro/Kuro (Chloe von Einzbern)
2. Support: Tamamo no Mae, Waver Velvet
3. Tank: Mash Kyrielight

This setup works because Tamamo no Mae reduces skill cooldowns and provides healing, while Waver boosts NP gauge and attack. Chloe rapidly cycles her NP for huge damage.

Quick Teams

If you prefer fast-paced combat, Quick teams are your go-to. These teams focus on generating critical stars and cycling through NPs quickly.

Key Members

• DPS: Rider (Ushiwakamaru), Assassin (Kama), Lancer (Scáthach-Skádi).
• Support: Scáthach-Skádi, Merlin.
• Tanks: Leonidas, Georgios.

Example Team

1. DPS: Kama
2. Support: Scáthach-Skádi, Merlin
3. Tank: Leonidas (to gather crit stars and provide taunts)

Kama excels in Quick chains, and with Scáthach-Skádi her Quick cards (and thus crit star generation) are buffed. Merlin provides healing and NP charge. Leonidas taunts to keep DPS safe.

Buster Teams

Buster teams are all about raw power and burst damage, with devastating NP attacks and massive crits.

Key Members

• DPS: Saber (like Altria Pendragon), Berserker (Hercules, Cu Chulainn (Alter)), Archer (Gilgamesh).
• Support: Merlin, Nightingale, Hans Christian Andersen.
• Tanks: Georgios, Leonidas.

Example Team

1. DPS: Cu Chulainn (Alter)
2. Support: Merlin, Hans Christian Andersen
3. Tank: Georgios

With this team, Cu Chulainn (Alter) unleashes powerful Buster NPs, Merlin boosts Buster cards and NP gain, while Hans buffs attack and generates crit stars. Georgios acts as a shield, drawing attacks away.

Hybrid Teams

For versatility, you might want a Hybrid team mixing Arts, Buster, and Quick elements to adapt to different challenges.

Key Members

• DPS: Archers like Orion for mixed Arts/Buster, Saber (Nero Claudius) for Buster-centric with Arts and Quick.
• Support: Waver Velvet, Merlin, Mash Kyrielight.
• Tanks: Mash, Leonidas.

Example Team

1. DPS: Nero Claudius (Saber)
2. Support: Waver Velvet, Merlin
3. Tank: Mash Kyrielight

Nero can adapt with Buster, Arts, and Quick cards. Waver keeps your NP gauge up, and Merlin supports with healing and buffs. Mash keeps everyone safe with her defensive skills.

Conclusion

Remember, the best team compositions often depend on the kind of enemies and quests you're facing. Don't be afraid to experiment! Mix and match Servants to see what combinations work best for your playstyle. Good luck, Masters!

Managing AP and Health

Navigating the vast and challenging world of Fate/Grand Order (FGO) requires more than just powerful Servants. One of the keys to mastering the game is effectively managing your AP (Action Points) and Health. Here’s a breakdown to keep your game running smoothly.

Action Points (AP)

AP is the energy resource you need to undertake quests, fights, and events. Learning how to manage your AP efficiently is crucial for progressing without hitting frustrating roadblocks.

1. Know Your AP Regeneration

• Refresh Rate: AP regenerates at a rate of 1 point every 5 minutes.
• Max AP: Your total AP cap increases with your Master Level. Early in the game, it's beneficial to focus on leveling up quickly. Each level up fully refills your AP, so use this to your advantage.
• Natural Refill: While waiting for natural AP regeneration, plan your game sessions around when your AP will be nearing full. This prevents overcapping (when AP is full and you’re not earning more).

2. Utilize AP Efficiently

• Prioritize Events: Special event quests often provide better rewards than regular ones. Spend your AP here for a better investment.
• Daily Quests: These quests are great for farming essential materials and QP (FGO’s currency). Plan which days to farm specific items based on the ongoing daily quests.
• Burning Apples: Golden, Silver, and Bronze Apples can refill your AP. Use them wisely during high-yield events rather than on a whim. Save them for important grinding sessions.

Health Points (HP)

Managing your Servants’ health is as critical as managing your AP. Keeping your team alive in battle ensures you aren't wasting resources on repeat attempts.

1. Understanding Battle Mechanics

• Avoid Overextending: Picking the right battles is essential. If your team isn’t ready for a tough fight, the AP spent can quickly feel wasted when you face an inevitable defeat.
• Team Composition: Balance your team with supports, DPS (damage-per-second), and healers. Always having a Servant capable of healing can sustain your team's endurance in prolonged battles.
• Class Advantage: Knowing which class counters whom is crucial. Deploy Servants who have a type-advantage to minimize damage taken and maximize effectiveness.

2. Keeping Health in Check

• Skills and Abilities: Prioritize Servants with abilities that heal or provide defensive buffs. Skills that increase your team’s survivability can turn the tide of battle.
• Craft Essences: Equip Craft Essences that boost health recovery, defense, or provide debuffs to enemies. These small advantages add up.
• Master Skills: Don’t forget about your Master’s abilities. Skills like "Healing" or "Invincible" can give you the needed edge when you're in a pinch.

Combining the Efforts

Efficiently managing your AP and Health ensures you can play for longer periods without unnecessary interruptions. It also maximizes your progress through the story and event content, ultimately making your gameplay experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Remember, Fate/Grand Order is a marathon, not a sprint. Proper AP and Health management will keep you in the race for the long haul, enabling you to enjoy all the rich stories, events, and characters the game has to offer. Happy grinding!

Tips for Winning Battles in Fate/Grand Order

Understand Your Servants

Know Your Team: Before jumping into battles, get familiar with your Servants. Each has unique skills and characteristics. Riders have an advantage over Casters, while Sabers can take down Lancers. Understanding these dynamics will help you put together an effective team.

Build a Balanced Team

Class Diversity: Mix up your team with different classes. A well-balanced team of Sabers, Archers, and Casters can handle a variety of situations. Don't stack your team with just one type, or you'll struggle against enemies that counter them.

Support Servants: Always include a support Servant with good healing or buff skills. They can help your main attackers stay in the battle longer. Mash Kyrielight is a great example; she can protect your team with her shields.

Use Command Cards Wisely

Card Types: There are three types of Command Cards-Buster, Arts, and Quick. Buster is for powerful attacks, Arts build your NP (Noble Phantasm) gauge, and Quick generate critical stars. Learn what each card does and plan your moves accordingly.

Brave Chains: If you play three cards from the same Servant in one turn, you'll trigger a Brave Chain, dealing extra damage. It's an excellent way to unleash a combination of powerful attacks and skills.

Manage NP Gauge

Noble Phantasms: NP moves are your Servants’ ultimate abilities. Charge your NP gauge by using Arts cards and attacking enemies. Once full, you can release a devastating attack that can turn the tide in tough battles.

NP Chain: If multiple Servants have their NP gauge full, use them in a chain. It increases the overall damage and can inflict multiple status effects on enemies.

Master Skills and Timing

Skills: Each Servant has three skills, useful for various battle scenarios. Some skills heal, others buff the team, and some debuff enemies. Use them strategically rather than all at once.

Timing: Don't waste skills early in the battle. Hold onto them for critical moments, like when you're facing a boss or your team is low on health.

Craft Essences and Team Setup

Craft Essences: Equip your Servants with Craft Essences to boost their stats or grant special effects. Some increase attack power, while others might help gain NP faster. Choose Essences that complement your Servants' strengths.

Friend Support: Don’t ignore the friend support system. Borrowing a powerful Servant from your friends list can make a huge difference, especially in challenging fights.

Level Up and Ascend

Leveling: Regularly level up your Servants to make them stronger. You can gain XP through battles or by using Experience Cards from the enhancement menu.

Ascension: Ascend your Servants to unlock higher level caps and new skills. Ascension requires specific items, so keep an eye out for them during events and quests.

Battle Buffs and Debuffs

Buffs and Debuffs: Use abilities that buff your team's attack or defense and debuff the enemy. Buffs can significantly increase your damage output, while debuffs can weaken tough foes. Timing these abilities correctly can be game-changing.

Plan for Special Quests

Event Quests: Often harder than normal battles, event quests have unique challenges. Plan your team accordingly and consult guides if you're stuck. Special event Craft Essences and bonuses can drastically improve your odds.

Daily Quests: Run daily quests to farm essential materials and experience. These quests are great for stocking up on items needed for leveling and ascending your Servants.

Stay Adaptable

Adapt to the Battle: Be prepared to switch up your strategies based on the enemies you face. Some battles might require more defensive tactics, while others need full-on offense. Flexibility is key to overcoming tough situations.

Conclusion

Winning battles in Fate/Grand Order isn't just about having the strongest Servants; it's about strategy and understanding the mechanics of the game. With these tips in mind, you'll be ready to tackle even the most challenging quests and emerge victorious. Good luck, Master!