GameTrek Logo

What is Combat Like? - Final Fantasy Resonance

SindiLast Updated: November 2, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Table of Contents

What is Combat Like

Is Final Fantasy Resonance Turn-Based

Yes. Final Fantasy Resonance returns to the series’ roots with turn-based combat.

Overworld

When the game starts beeping and the map radar turns red while you explore a dungeon or the world map, an enemy encounter is about to happen.

Encounters are random, but certain items can lower the encounter rate.

Mini-map in game showing a large red circle radiating from where the player cursor is.

Party System

In the Party menu, you can add up to 4 people in your party. Each character will have their own skills and abilities. You can also assign them different Visions to diversify their skillsets.

Party menu showing Rain and Lasswell in a party. The party number says 2/4.

Turn-Order

Final Fantasy Resonance is a turn-based game which means that each character and enemy gets a turn to do certain actions.

Turn-order in the game is the order of which these actions will be allowed to be done. It is seen on the upper left side of the screen. The order is set at the start of the battle according to the speed of the characters and foes. On the leftmost side is the active turn-order bar. The large icon will indicate who is currently attacking and who is next in line.

Allies will have a blue border and placed on the topside of the bar while enemies have a red border and are on the bottom side of the bar. The order is from left to right.

Turn-Order bars. The active bar on the left while the general order is on the right.

Actions

In a battle, a character has their Health Points (HP) and their Mana Points (MP). The character dies when their HP drops to 0. They may be revived using a Phoenix Down or a spell.

When it is a character's turn, these are the actions they can do:

MoveDescription
AttackBasic physical attack.
SkillSpecial moves that may bring weakness to an enemy. Each character has a different set of moves and may learn moves from the different Visions they use. These use Mana Points (MP).
DefendLowers the incoming damage the character receives from the enemy attack.
ItemUse an item from your inventory.
EscapeRun away from the fight. This may not always be available, especially during Boss Battles.

The goal is to reduce all of the enemies' HP to zero while keeping at least one character in your party alive.

Skills

Each character has a list of skills and as they level up they learn new ones. These are unique to a character and a lot of their skills can be biased towards a particular element.

Lasswell's level up screen showing that he has gained the skill Hone Senses at level 5

Weaknesses

An enemy's weakness is exposed when hit by an attack with their weak affinity. This will be recorded in their Affinities menu which can be seen when the enemy is selected. They are denoted by a broken shield on their upper-left side.

The Affinities menu of a goblin is shown. The weaknesses are unknown yet and are denoted with question marks

Those that are denoted by a silver shield indicate a resistance to that element or type of attack.

The affinity menu of a soul. It shows that they are resistant to Ice.

The affinities will include the elements (Fire, Ice, Thunder, Light, etc) and the types of attack (Physical, Magic).

Stagger

Below the enemy's health bar is their Stagger Bar. When this bar drops to 0, the enemy will become staggered and will lose their turn in the Turn-Order. A Bonus Phase will activate for the character that staggered the enemy. They will gain an extra turn at the end of the round.

A goblin enemy with its health bar and stagger bar labeledA staggered enemy

When all the units are staggered, you will trigger a Sweeping Stagger. At the end of your bonus phase, you will be able to unleash a powerful Vision attack called Resonance. Each Resonance will have a different effect.

The Select Resonance screen showing after a Sweeping Stagger letting you choose between a white mage's Healing Wind and a black mage's Hibernal Fury (an ice attack)

The enemy icon containing an exclamation mark, denoting that they are readying an attack that deals large damage

Sometimes, more elite enemies will get ready for a large attack. This is indicated by an exclamation mark on their icon in the Turn-Order. This attack can be prevented by staggering the enemy. If you cannot stop the attack in time, it might be good to defend yourself instead.

Limit Bursts

At the bottom of the character's information box on the bottom left of the screen is their Limit Burst Bar. Throughout the battle, the bar will fill with each attack. When the bar is filled, a powerful attack by the character can be done.

Rain's Limit Burst is pointed out as the empty bar below his Mana Points Bar.The Limit Burst option appearing at the top of the action bar during battle

Visions

Visions are battle units that can be equipped by different characters. Using their own MP during battle, a character can use a Vision's skillset, even without learning the skill themselves.

The Action menu during battle with a circle pointing out "Tronn's Skills" which refer to the skills available to the Vision equipped

They can be equipped in the Equipment & Abilities Menu.

Equipment and Abilities menu with an arrow pointing to the Visions equipment slot. You can see that Rain has equipped the White Mage Leah.

As you battle, the equipped Vision will accumulate Mastery Rank Points (MRP). When these level up, the Visions will gain more skills and better stats.

Leah the White Mage's Mastery Bonuses page

When a character has experience with a number of Visions, they can equip the skills of the Visions they do not currently equip under the Abilities tab. The higher the MRP of the Vision is with them, the more abilities they can equip, and the lower Ability Points (AP) is needed to equip them.

Someone with an equipped Tronn as their Vision can also equip Leah's abilities and it currently costs 10 AP.

Espers

Visions are equipped throughout the whole battle while Espers are battle units the character can summon that will be available to battle for a set number of turns. The summon will take up the character's MP.

The Action menu showing Summon Esper. This is encircled for emphasis.The Summon menu showing Bahamut who cost 50 MP and will stay in battle for 3 turns

Battle Result Bonus

You actions in battle can get you certain bonuses after battle.

Battle result showing the EXP, Gil, and MRP gained, as well as the Items obtained. At the right side, it says Stagger Finish Bonus.

The bonuses are as follows:

BonusRequirementBonus
No Damage BonusWin the battle without taking any damage.Increased EXP
Overkill BonusAfter defeating all enemies during the bonus phase, perform a follow-up attack.Increased Gil
Stagger Finish BonusDefeat the final enemy while it is staggered.Increased Mastery Rank Points

Related Guides

Latest News and Updates

Latest News and Updates FFR Header

Game Overview

Game Overview FFR Header

Final Fantasy Resonance Wiki

FFR Wiki Header

Hub Link FFR Header