Real-time combat means your characters attack opponents at will. If you plan on going berserk, your Health Points (HP) will take a big hit. Mix in a block every once in a while, will ya?

In manual mode, you'll often need to target the next enemy you want to smite. Press the R Button to pause the battle and bring up the targeting screen. Move the Control Stick to lock onto an enemy. You don't always have to target your enemy, but targeting guarantees you're going to make contact. Semiautomatic mode automatically targets the next enemy. In automatic mode, the CPU takes control of the battles. You only control the characters in the overworld.

The A Button is for standard attacks. Tech Attacks are magic spells and enhanced physical attacks. You assign Tech Attacks to the B Button and a Control Stick direction. Each time you perform a Tech Attack, Tech Points (TP) are drained from your character. You get TP back by either using an item or spell or by striking an opponent with your standard attack.

Blocking will save your hide, especially against bosses. To block, simply press and hold X. If you hold X for too long, however, your blocking ability weakens. In this weakened state, the enemy can make a Guard Break, leaving you defenseless for a time against enemy attacks.

To freeze play and open up the in-battle menu, press Y. This menu gives you access to Tech Attack, Unison Attack, Strategy, Equip, Item and Escape menus. To use an item, open up the menu. Select the character who will use the item and who he/she will use the item on. When you use an item, its effect is felt immediately. You do, however, need to wait two seconds to use another item. That might not seem like a long time, but in a heated battle, it's an eternity.