An old-school JRPG gem, Chained Echoes uses a basic progression system that blends level-ups with the story. As players beat missions, they learn to use SP, GS, and coins to enhance weapons and armor. But as with most role-playing games, skill trees and upgrades could baffle beginner Chained Echoes players. This guide, therefore, simplifies the process by explaining everything step by step.
How to Level Up in Chained Echoes
In Chained Echoes, players can level up a character by pressing the “Level Up” button in the Set Skill menu. Additional ways to max out a character are learning new skills with Grimoire Shards (GS) and upgrading a character’s equipment with the in-game currency.
Learn New Skills with Grimoire Shards
A Grimoire Shard is star-like item players earn for beating Unique Monsters, boss fights, and side quests. It can unlock new abilities in the Skills menu, gradually leveling the characters. The more unique abilities players acquire, the stronger the characters become.
Players can get three types of perks with GS: Battle Skills, Passive Skills, and stat boosts.
- Learn Battle Skills for more damage. Battle Skills are high-DPS moves that facilitate boss fights. Prioritize getting these attack-based abilities first.
- Buy Passive Skills to increase range and effect. A Passive Skill applies a buff to all movesets of a character without consuming the TP. They are the best option for multiplying the DPS or creating support characters.
- Maximize skill stats to level up a character. Grimoire Shards improve abilities that players already own. By maxing out skill stats, the characters progress faster, kill the enemy quicker, and earn better loot. Each enhancement, however, increases the next boost’s price while reducing the TP consumption.
Players can check how many GS they have in the game’s menu under each character’s title. (Look for the star sign in the top right corner.)
Pay Skill Points to Level Up Abilities
Skill Points (aka SP) are an in-game currency for leveling up abilities. Players earn them through the unique JRPG turn-based battles of Chained Echoes and can spend them in the Skills menu to advance their moves.
SP is the most straightforward way to level up. However, players must note that these points are only given to equipped skills. To clarify, they should use a skill in the battle to gain SP for it. Otherwise, they may fail to enhance that specific ability.
Upgrade Equipment with Coins
Besides GS and SP, players can also use gold coins to level up their characters. To do so, they should go to the Weapon Upgrade menu, select the weapon or armor they want to enhance, and pay the price.
Collectible crystals in Chained Echoes are also capable of upgrading players’ equipment. They should be fused or attached to a specific weapon or armor to amplify its stats.
How to Level Up Fast
A skill is maxed out at Level 3. But gathering enough GS and SP for that could be frustrating. Here are four tips for farming Skill Points and leveling up quicker.
Hunt Unique Monsters
After joining the Adventurer’s Guild, players receive new information about Unique Monsters—rare creatures with special loot. Players who want to level up faster should talk to other Adventurers and hunt down as many Unique Monsters as possible.
Get More Arcs by Completing Deals
Deals are available at Merchant points. By completing them, players earn extra Arcs, which they can use to upgrade weapons, buy new gears, and eventually level up faster.
Look for Buried Treasures
Buried Treasures are hidden chests protected by cryptic signs. Players who find them receive rare items and, in some cases, unlock new skills without GS.
Collect Chain Rewards
Chain rewards are a series of prizes for players who complete adjacent tasks on the Rewards Board. Collecting them accelerates the level-up progress, thanks to their lucrative items.
Chained Echoes is available now for PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox.