Editing Chain

[[File:Chain_example.gif|frame|A player using {{Square}} square attacks, followed by a [[skill]] on {{Triangle}} triangle]]

[[File:Chain_comparison.png|frame|Left: Damage with no chain, right: Damage with 3 chain]]'''Chains''' are the main combat mechanic of ''Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity'', allowing players to do higher [[damage]] with their [[photon arts]] (excluding [[bullets]]) and [[charge shot]]s by repeatedly hitting a [[creatures|creature]] with {{Square}} attacks first.

The chain system was introduced in ''Phantasy Star Portable 2'' to incentivise the use of regular {{Square}} attacks alongside {{Triangle}} attacks, as the mechanics and gameplay of ''Phantasy Star Universe'' and ''Phantasy Star Portable'', the game's predecessors, meant that combat was mostly just pressing the same button over and over again.

Proper use of the chain system is mandatory in later stages of the game, as creature health is balanced around the chain multipliers.
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==Overview==
Chains are increased through using multiple {{Square}} attacks on a creature. Once a chain has been built, a {{Triangle}} attack can be used to break the chain, granting all {{Triangle}} attacks extra damage against that creature for a limited time.

The following types of attacks will build chain:
* Normal {{Square}} melee attacks
* Normal {{Square}} ranged attacks
* Technics linked to {{Square}}
* [[R-Mags|R-Mag]] shots
* [[shields|Shield]] attacks
* The [[mirage blasts]] {{Lightning}} Canna and {{Earth}} Toitoi
* [[SUV-weapons|SUV-weapon]] attacks

Any hits that hit a creature on the same frame from the same damage source (e.g. 5 hits from a shotgun) will count as 1 hit for the purposes of chain building.

The following types of attacks will break chains, and benefit from the break:
* Melee photon arts
* Charge shots
* Technics linked to {{Triangle}}
* The mirage blasts {{Fire}} Nui and {{Ice}} Kohl

Chains only last a limited amount of time before disappearing. While increasing the chain counter, the chain may disappear if not increased or broken fast enough, with a higher chain giving the players less time before it disappears. After breaking the chain, the amount of time the chain remains in its broken state depends on how high the chain counter was built, with a higher chain lasting for a longer period of time.

Chains are shared amongst the party, meaning that players may build chains together, and a broken chain will be broken for all players in the party.

==Chain building tips==
As creature stats in ''Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity'' are designed around chain multipliers, it is very important for players to be able to build their chains quickly and easily. 

Below are common methods used for chain building:

* Using a Technic weapon ({{rod}} [[rods]], {{wand1}} [[wands]], or {{tech-Mag1}} [[Tech-Mags]]) with either {{Fire}} [[Foverse]], {{Ice}} [[Sabarta]], or {{Lightning}} [[Sazonde]] bound to {{Square}} square.
** {{Fire}} Foverse builds chain passively while close to creatures. Foverse can be paired with any other chain builder.
** {{Ice}} Sabarta builds chain on up to 3 creatures in front of the user. Ideal for groups of small creatures.
** {{Lightning}} Sazonde builds chain on up to 2 creatures, and will also stagger most creatures. Ideal for single larger targets, as small creatures will become untargetable if hit by Sazonde.
* {{R-Mag1}} [[R-Mags]] fire automatically and will build chain passively while the player uses their right-hand [[weapon]], such as a {{wand1}} wand or {{dagger1}} [[daggers|dagger]]. A fast R-Mag such as [[Opaopa]] or [[Elenor]] are ideal.
* {{Machine gun1}} [[Machineguns]] with [[Meseta Fever]] allow the player to build chain quickly for no PP cost.
* Melee weapons, such as {{twin saber}} [[twin sabers]], {{twin dagger}} [[twin daggers]], or {{twin claw}} [[twin claws]], can build chain quickly on single targets.
* {{Twin handgun}} [[Twin handguns]] are also an effective method of building chain on a single target, and are great for many with [[T. Heaven Punishers]].
* [[Partner characters]], especially [[support characters]] built for chain, are helpful for building chain. If the follow command from the quick orders menu is used, partner characters will only use {{Square}} square attacks and never break chain.

==Chain duration==
===Pre-break===
When a chain is started on a creature, there is a set time before the chain must be increased or broken, or it will disappear and must be built again. The timer is reset when a chain is increased by 1, but the amount of time there is to increase the chain further or break it is lower the higher the chain.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!colspan="2"|Formula
|-
|colspan="2"|<math>{\color{White}3.\dot3 - (Chain/30)}</math>
|-
!Chain No.
!Duration (s)
|-
|10
|3.00
|-
|30
|2.33
|-
|80
|0.67
|}

Because of this, a chain at 100 will instantly disappear before a player can increase it, or break it, giving the chain system a maximum of 100.
===Post-break===
Once a chain has been broken, it will flash for a certain amount of time, depending on the final chain amount.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!colspan="2"|Formula
|-
|colspan="2"|<math>{\color{White}2 + (Chain/10)}</math>
|-
!Chain No.
!Duration (s)
|-
|10
|3.00
|-
|30
|5.00
|-
|80
|10.00
|}

==Chain damage==
The amount of damage multiplier provided by a chain break depends on whether there is more than one party member (including [[Non-player characters|NPC]]s, meaning that solo play with only NPCs follows the multiplayer formula) and the number of the chain counter at the time of break.

In layman's terms, any chain at all will double all damage, with a further 12.5% or 7.5% extra damage per chain count, depending on player count.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!colspan="4"|Formula
|-
!colspan="2"|1 player
!colspan="2"|2-4 player
|-
|colspan="2"|<math>{\color{White}Damage \times \big[2+(0.125\times Chain)\big]}</math>
|colspan="2"|<math>{\color{White}Damage \times \big[2+(0.075\times Chain)\big]}</math>
|-
!Chain No.
!Damage
!Chain No.
!Damage
|-
|10
|3.25×
|10
|2.75×
|-
|30
|5.75×
|30
|4.25×
|-
|80
|12.00×
|80
|8.00×
|}

{{Mechanics}}