Metaphor: ReFantazio – How To Use Formations

Metaphor: ReFantazio follows in the footsteps of other ATLUS titles with its deep story, interesting characters, and intuitive turn-based combat. While smaller enemies can be taken down in real-time, tougher enemies will require players to utilize the Party combat system.

This will initiate a turn-based combat style and enable the control of the party members. From here, players can choose to Attack, Guard, use Items, or transform into powerful Archetypes.

One key tactical element in Party battle is the use of Formations, which determine where different characters will stand on the battlefield.

Formations can position ranged units out of danger while ensuring that some of the more resilient units are on the frontlines to absorb punishment.

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Party Member, Ranked

A diverse bunch, each vital in their own right to take down Louis, but which one is the best of all?

While it might not seem like a big deal at first, Formations can make all the difference when it comes to some of the more challenging battles in the game.

Mastering Formations is also a great way to maximize the potential of different Archetypes, and achieve an Unscathed bonus at the end of battles.

What Are Formations?

Metaphor ReFantazio Formations Explained

Formations are the individual positions of characters during a Party battle. Characters can be positioned on either the Front Row or the Rear Row.

Those on the Front Rank will deliver more damage but also suffer more as a result, while those on the Rear Rank will be slightly better protected but will have weaker damage output when attacking.

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked

All are viable, but they aren’t created equal.

This positioning element can greatly impact the outcome of each battle, especially since some opponents will target entire rows with their attacks. Formations can also be used to keep more vulnerable Party members out of danger on turns when they are healing.

Formations will not impact the effects of Synchronization abilities, which can be used between Party members even if they are on separate rows.

How To Use Formations

Formations are adjusted individually based on the currently selected characters using the D-Pad/arrow keys to move them forwards or backwards.

This can be done repeatedly in a single turn with no cost to other actions, so tactical adjustments can be made on the fly in order to make the best use of each character’s abilities.

The best way to use formations is to put units with high HP and damage-absorbing abilities, like the Knight and Warrior Archetypes, on the Front Row, while keeping support Archeypes like Seekers and Healers on the Rear Row.

When preparing to charge up a powerful attack, move the character to the Front Row. Similarly, if a character needs to heal or use a particular item, moving them to the Rear Row first is best.

Raising Imagination Stat in Metaphor ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio: How To Raise Imagination

Come with me, and we’ll be, in a world of pure imagination

If an opponent’s pending attack is set to target an entire row, make sure that all characters have been moved from that row before the completion of their turn – they can always be moved back again to deliver a counter-attack on the next turn.

Though many lesser enemies will not require much consideration of Formations, learning how to use them effectively will be essential for overcoming some of Metaphor ReFantazio’s harder enemies, such as the Goborn King.

Now that you understand what Formations are and how they are used, you can use each character to their full potential as well as take advantage of a useful strategic tool.