Fans of Level-5's JRPG franchise can turn to Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds for a new experience. Taking a page off the virtual reality anime trope, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds has players become beta testers of an MMO called “Soul Divers” which, unfortunately to them, seems like more than just a game. Players of the Ni no Kuni title will have to save the game world to prevent the destruction of theirs, with the powers of their chosen Class being their ever-reliable abilities in this journey.
As with any MMO, Classes in Cross Worlds have unique abilities and specializations. However, they also have Core Abilities, or skills exclusive to their Class that define their overall playstyle and approach in combat. For players deciding which Class to play as, which Core Ability suits them the most?
10 Brutal Strike (Destroyer)
The Destroyer is as straightforward as an aggressive tank could ever get. Instead of relying on flashy abilities to defend his allies, he simply relies on vanquishing his foes quickly to secure the defense. With enough luck, the Destroyer can become a damage sponge while distracted enemies become wide open for attacks. This is exactly the purpose of Brutal Strike.
With this ability, the Destroyer unleashes two attacks that deal 76% and 114% damage, respectively, as well as knockdown for 1.5 seconds. It’s in this duration that the Destroyer can unleash the rest of their kit, and give the rest of the party a chance to attack without fear of retaliation.
9 Flash (Swordsman)
With the Swordsman serving as the frontline melee attacker of Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, it makes sense for him to dish out the most damage up close and personal. Whereas the Destroyer relies on obliterating enemies over the long term, the Swordsman can act as a secondary tank by eliminating threats quickly and ensuring they don’t get too close to the party. They can do this more efficiently with Flash, the first Core Ability they can learn in the game.
Through Flash, the Swordsman unleashes a quick flurry of attacks that slows down enemies around them. The attack itself deals 232% damage, while the slowing effect is as high as 20% and lasts for three seconds. This is more than enough time for the rest of the party to regroup and prepare counter-attacks.
8 Multi-Shot (Rogue)
Thanks to the Rogue, Cross Worlds has a nifty long-ranged expert that doesn’t just deal damage from afar but also annoys enemies enough to keep them on their toes. Due to their abilities, the Rogue can attract aggression from foes due to his constant damage, which puts them in a lot of danger. Thankfully, Multi-Shot is there to keep them from being pulverized by angry enemy mobs.
With Multi-Shot, the Rogue can dish out a cone-shaped attack that deals 170% damage and pushes enemies back. Not only is this a solid defensive ability, but also works well with the Rogue’s damage-attraction toolkit. After all, being targeted for the Rogue gives them additional damage up to seven times courtesy of Death Hunter (Passive), and Enmity might boost their damage for five seconds but in the exchange of boosted damage taken. Multi-Shot is effectively a nifty hack against these Passives!
7 Storm Spear (Witch)
Considering the nature of the Witch as more of a single-target spellcaster, it’s much appreciated whenever her attacks get to hit other targets as well. While not as skilled in the crowd control department compared to the likes of the Engineer, the Witch can dish out mean damage and manipulate encounters through Storm Spear.
With this ability, the Witch spins her spear and dishes out 172% damage, as well as inflicting 20% slow for as much as three seconds. Considering her fragile nature on the onset, the Storm Spear is a nifty enemy deterrent should the Witch find herself targeted by other opponents.
6 Evasion Shot (Rogue)
With the Rogue serving as the main long-ranged attacker in the game, it makes sense for a lot of their attacks to stack damage numbers and therefore earn aggression from foes. If the Rogue faces these opponents alone, their minuscule defense would likely get them in danger real quick. Thankfully, Evasion Shot ensures the Rogue has the means to get out of the way from any imminent threats as soon as they emerge.
Through Evasion Shot, the Rogue not only deals 180% damage in a cone in front of them, they also get to jump back to safety. Not only that, enemies caught in the cone are also slowed for 11% for three seconds. Aside from Evasion Shot fitting the hack against the Rogue’s buffed-but-takes-more-damage Passive toolkit, the slow effect allows other party members to punish opponents without fear of retaliation.
5 Burst Coil (Engineer)
Unlike other long-ranged Classes in the game, it’s the Engineer that specializes in dishing out damage to groups of opponents at once. Thanks to these crowd control abilities, the Engineer can destabilize the enemy group while assisting others with heals. One effective way they do this is through Burst Coil, which deals 150% damage to an area while stunning all those hit for one second.
While the one-second stun seems minuscule, this can do a great deal of hurt for a mob. Other Classes with AOE skills can safely dish out these attacks without counters, while other Classes can retreat to safety and regroup. This diversion-based AOE is a great example of how efficient the Engineer’s crowd control kit could get, especially when upgraded.
4 Dancing Spear (Witch)
Considering how witches are often the most potent spellcaster in most games, Cross Worlds' variant is unsurprisingly more than capable of eliminating foes that come her way. However, this isn’t always the case whenever she finds herself facing a mob, as her rather weakened defenses can’t withstand strong attacks. With that in mind, the Witch can grab herself to safety through Dancing Spear.
Thanks to this maneuver, the Witch leaps into the air while unleashing a wide variety of magical energy. This deals 246% to enemies around her, while at the same time buffing her defense for 10% during the attack. This maneuver is a great way to propel herself to safety quickly, especially when paired with attacks such as Storm Spear that can slow enemies down as the Witch escapes.
3 Elemental Blast (Engineer)
It’s one thing to be able to eliminate opponents quickly, and another to help guarantee the party’s safety for a slower yet surer enemy removal. Thanks to the Engineer, she can achieve the latter with a properly-timed rotation, especially with an attack such as Elemental Blast. With this attack, she calls forth the elements and unleashes them in a forward line attack, dealing 212% damage and inflicting 15% slow on enemies for two seconds.
This slow attack is similar to the likes of the Swordsman and the Destroyer, but highly efficient as it’s done from the safety of distance. However, unlike the Swordsman and the Destroyer’s versions, the Engineer’s Elemental Blast doesn’t have as many synergies with her Passives. Regardless of this setback, this slowing ability can give everyone enough time to recuperate and strike back.
2 Flying Slash (Swordsman)
In action-packed games, movement is vital in securing nifty vantage points for attacks. And for a frontline attacker such as the Swordsman, being able to maneuver around the battlefield quickly is essential in attacking the right foes. Thanks to Flying Slash, he can jump in and out of combat situations quickly while dealing damage along the way.
This attack allows the Swordsman to jump forward and attack from the air, dealing 208% damage. Not only that, Flying Slash inflicts slow on the enemy’s movement by as much as 15% for three seconds. As such, this attack makes for a nifty opening maneuver, allowing the Swordsman to head straight to battle or even jump his way on another party member’s defense.
1 Ground Slam (Destroyer)
Serving as Cross Worlds’ frontline tank, the Destroyer relies on its burly nature and strong build in order to secure the team’s overall defense. And while the Destroyer doesn’t have a lot of skills that outright protect the party, he does so by ensuring opponents can’t penetrate his defensive line. This is all the more possible with Ground Slam which allows him to get into combat quickly.
At its core, Ground Slam will have the Destroyer leap and attack a location, dealing 180% damage with a 20% slow for three seconds to all enemies there. This is similar to the Swordsman’s Flying Slash, but for a different purpose. For the Destroyer, this is perfect complement to their damage-is-defense build, complemented by damage reduction Passives (Stand Firm, Just Guard), stat buffs on big damage (Oath Of Revenge), and even inflicting slow movement when taking damage (Counter Slow).
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds is available on mobile, and a beta version is out on PC.