Chrono Trigger/Gameplay

Chrono Trigger is a real time turn based RPG; this means that during a battle the longer you take the more turns the enemy will recieve. Thus, it is imperative that all actions are thought out before they must be made, and that you know your characters and equipment well.

Like any RPG, grinding (fighting enemies for long periods of time to achieve higher levels) and the overuseage of items are the two simplest tips for beating this game. Be patient and don't be afraid to heal (gold is not hard to come by).

Chrono Trigger is more open than most RPG's, allowing for non-linear progression through the use of multiple endings and open adventuring (flight, and time travel). This means that you can change elements of the game by doing things out of order (although most of the time level restrictions still apply; i.e. difficulty).

Just keep in mind that if you don't follow the walkthrough, focus on exploration rather than the adventure itself to get the most out of this game.

Battle Modes
The first thing you will encounter within Chrono Trigger is a prompt as to whether you would like the battle system to be set to "Active" or "Wait." The difference being turn based compared to real time action.

Basically this is for player preference; but if you don't know the difference or would like the more traditional experience of the game, choose active. Wait allows you to take your time in deciding actions without having to worry about your opponent. Active, thus has a higher difficulty, but changes the strategy of the game as well.

Note that its possible to change between the two settings during the game by accessing the options menu (press and scroll to the right a few windows).

Character Overview
Throughout the game, characters will join and leave the party as the story progresses. Only three characters can be used at a time and they cannot be switched within battle. Outside of battle they can be switched via the options menu. Leveling characters, progressing through the plot, equipping equipment and using tabs are the only way to improve a character's strength.

Tech Points
Tech Points are complimentary to Experience Points. Tech Points govern what abilities your character will be allowed to use (techniques are not gained by leveling) and so battling a lot is the only way to unlock more powerful techs.

Character Stats

 * Attack - Symbolized by a little sword; the total amount of power from equipment, determines damage dealt by a normal attack, modified by power.
 * Defense - Symbolized by a little shield; the total amount of armor from equipment, determines the reduction of damage from physical attacks.

For information regarding HP and MP gains, see Chrono Trigger/HP & MP Gains. For information regarding Stat gains, see Chrono Trigger/Stat Gains. For more information regarding Exp and Next, see Chrono Trigger/Experience.
 * HP - Hit points, losing these will cause your character to die.
 * MP - Magic points, allows the use of abilities.
 * Pwr./Power - Determines damage dealt using a normal attack, modified by attack.
 * Spd./Speed - Determines the delay between turns.
 * Hit/Hit % - Determines chance to hit.
 * Ev./Evasion - Determines chance to dodge.
 * Mag./Magic - Technique power, determines the effectiveness (maximum damage or healing) dealt with an ability or spell.
 * Stam./Stamina - Used to determine your total defense.
 * M Def./Magic Defense - Reduces the effectiveness of an enemy's ability on the character.
 * Exp/Experience - The total amount of experience the character has gained.
 * Next - The remaining amount of experience needed to level.

Items and Equipment
Items come in use mainly for recovery, HP & MP and if an ally has fallen.

Tabs, a rare type of item, are used to permanantly boost a character's statistic (specified by the tab).

Equipment is used to modify primarily attack and defense, although stats and other effects also come into play on better equipment farther in the game.

Both items and equipment progress at a linear rate, so most of the time a new weapon or item will be better than what you previously had, however the effects are really what determine what you'll be using near the end of the game.

Battle
Like any traditional turn based RPG Chrono Trigger only differs with the option of the battle mode (active vs wait). Again, it's best to try both styles to find what you like best (you can change the option at any time). Player controlled characters and CPU controlled enemies will take turns performing actions, as specified by either player. A battle ends either 1) when one team is killed, 2) when one side runs or 3) a special condition is met (an event or cutscene takes place).

Battles are initialized by events within places, since they are not encountered on the world map. Such events include normally running into monsters, flicking switches or other player initialized events.

If your entire party dies while in battle, you'll have to load your game! Make sure you save often, and don't worry if only one or two of your members die, after battle they will be revived with 1 HP so you can heal them up as normal. Remember that you can use revives if need be to keep the fight going, and later on you'll also gain revival abilities for one of the characters.

Elements of Battle

 * HP/MP: HP will determine whether your characters are alive or not. MP will determine what techniques can be used and how many times they can be used.  Remember that both can be replenished using items, and HP can be replenished using certain techniques.
 * Attack: This will allow the character to attack a single enemy using their equipped weapon. The effects of this are determined by the attack and power stats of the character, the weapon equipped, the enemy's stats, and whether the attack is a critical or not.  Note that attacks can miss, dealing zero damage.
 * Techs: Techs, or Techniques, is the Chrono Trigger name for special attacks. This encompasses actual physical movements, a.k.a. techniques, as well as the casting of spells.  Techs come in three forms: single, dual and triple techs.  Each form determines how many people are required to cast that tech; a single tech requires only the selected player while dual and triple require another member of the party or the entire party to perform it.  Note that dual and triple techs are most often better than single techs.
 * Items: Items used in battle are only for recovery use. Tonics and Ethers for example recover HP and MP respectively while Heals cure status ailments.  Thus Items play a vital role in party survival and success.
 * Running: Running can only be used against most of the non-boss mobs. If you press and hold  your party will try to run, although it may look like they are just standing there.  If successful, the battle will end and the enemies will be gone.  You will not lose anything by running besides the possible gains from victory or the HP or MP you lost during battle.  If you can't run, a message will appear saying just that.

Exploration
In the beginning of the game, exploration will be limited to walking and the use of ferries. Eventually better modes of transportation will allow you to travel faster and to unexplored areas. Unlike many other RPG's, there are no random mobs in Chrono Trigger so unless you are racing the clock, don't worry about time or roaming around.