As aunique turn-based combat mechanic, Overdrive plays a significant role inChained Echoes. It evens out the abilities and DPS, creating an extra layer of challenge in each battle. But what’s the secret to keeping it low and in the green area? This comprehensive guide explains it all in detail.
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What Is the Overdrive Bar?
InChained Echoes,Overdrive is a three-colored bar in the top-left corner that shows the overuse of skills. Basically, it’s the thermometer of abilities, warning players when they overdo specific actions. The goal of Overdrive is to balance turn-based combat and encourage players to diversify their attacks.
Each color on the Overdrive bar has a distinct meaning, with only one (green) being desirable. Here’s how to interpret the colors.
Ways to Lower Overdrive in Chained Echoes
Generally, Utility- and Heal-Type skills push the Overdrive bar left, while Attack-, Debuff-, Buff-, and Magic-Type skills push it right. But players have six guaranteed ways to cool down Overdrive:Defending, switching, using Ultra Moves, learning specific skills, finding Overdrive-lowering items, and matching the moves with the bar’s suggested skill type.
Defend.
Select “Defend” in the action menu to lower Overdrive. This move consumes no TP and passes the turn to the next player. Plus, it never causes Overheating.
Switch Characters.
Press the RB button twice toswap characters and cool down Overdrive. (It’s E on PC, R1 on PlayStation, and R on Switch). Swapping is a strategic move. Not only does it lower the bar, but it also changes a frustrated character with new blood.
Use the Ultra Move.
Deploying the Ultra Move stabilizes the Overdrive bar. But in some cases, it also reduces it.
Learn Utility Skills That Lower Overdrive.
Utility-Type skills, such as Restrain and Pilfer, lower Overdrive. Learn such abilities in the Skills menu andlevel them up with SPfor better results. (Glenn’s Restrain, for example, pushed the bar to the left by 15 points.)
Match the Moves with Overdrive Icons.
For each turn, the Overdrive bar suggests one of the five skill types. And matching the next move with the recommended type lowers the Overheat.
Look to the top-left corner and select a skill with a matching icon.
It may sound confusing tobeginnerChained Echoesplayers. But there is an indicator to simplify the process:The skill type that matches the Overdrive suggestion turns yellow.
Gather Items That Trigger Overdrive.
Buff and Attack Overdrive items trigger skill types required by Overdrive. If used correctly, they lower the bar on every other turn and prevent Overheat.
How to Lower Overdrive of Sky Armors?
When wearing Sky Armors, the Gears determine the Overdrive’s movement. Gear 1 moves it right, Gear 2 moves it left, and Gear 0 keeps it stable. So, depending on the bar’s current position,players must change Gear to lower Overdrive.
How to Rise Overdrive?
Raising Overdrive inChained Echoesis straightforward. Any action (from players and enemies) move the cursor to the right except for defense and character switch. In other words, the Overdrive bar automatically rises in each battle.
Chained Echoesis available now for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC.
