Chained Echoes is a love letter to classic SNES-era JRPGs, trimming out the grind and excess backtracking while offering a fresh, engaging take on the genre. With its intricate battle system, layered progression mechanics, and rewarding exploration, it’s no surprise that players are sinking hours into this indie gem. However, the game doesn’t always make its nuances immediately clear, and some players might miss out on key strategies that can make the experience far more enjoyable.

If you’re just getting started, here are five critical tips that will help you maximize your efficiency, dominate battles, and optimize your progression in Chained Echoes.

1. Prioritize Learning Active Skills

Every time you acquire a Grimoire Shard, you have the choice to unlock an active skill, a passive skill, or a permanent stat increase. While it might seem tempting to boost your stats early on, it’s far more beneficial to prioritize active skills first.

The reason for this is simple: active and passive skills gain Skill Points (SP) over time, but only when they are equipped. If you don’t unlock them early, you miss out on crucial SP accumulation from battles. Since you’ll be fighting regularly, the sooner you unlock these abilities, the better they’ll scale with your party.

Additionally, not all skills are created equal. Be sure to equip a variety of skills across your party to efficiently manage the Overdrive gauge. A well-balanced skill set allows for better control in battle, ensuring that you avoid pushing the gauge into the dangerous red zone. Once you have a strong selection of active skills, you can start unlocking powerful passive abilities—but avoid the status-boosting passives as they offer little value compared to skill-based improvements.

2. Exploit the Bonus Board for Easy Leveling

Many players overlook the Bonus Board, but it is one of the most efficient ways to power up your party. Instead of grinding against random enemies for minimal SP gains, use the Bonus Board to stack massive SP, gold, and even Grimoire Shards, which are essential for unlocking new abilities.

The Bonus Board offers unique challenges and objectives across different areas, rewarding you for completing specific tasks. These rewards far outpace traditional grinding methods, making it the best strategy for leveling up efficiently. Even more importantly, the Bonus Board is the only reliable source for Sacred Water, which is required to activate Class Statues.

Remember: rewards from the Bonus Board aren’t automatically collected. You need to open the board and manually claim them by pressing the designated button. A great way to take full advantage of this system is to progress through the story naturally, then backtrack to previous areas where enemies have become weaker. Steamrolling through these regions allows you to complete challenges quickly, gaining massive rewards with minimal effort.

3. Maximize Rob and Sienna’s Synergy

Rob and Sienna are two of the most powerful characters in Chained Echoes, but their true strength lies in their synergy. Sienna is an all-around powerhouse with excellent AoE capabilities, high single-target damage, and the ability to steal valuable items. She should be a staple in both regular and boss battles for her sheer versatility.

Rob, on the other hand, excels in boss fights thanks to his ability to inflict status effects. Both Rob and Sienna have access to Damage Over Time (DoT) skills such as Poison and Bleed, which should be applied to bosses as quickly as possible. DoT effects significantly increase damage output over time, making fights much easier.

Later in the game, Rob gains the ability to paralyze enemies, which works exceptionally well with Sienna’s Ninjutsu abilities. When used in combination, Sienna can deal triple damage to paralyzed enemies, making this duo a devastating force. To optimize their synergy, never place them in the same formation—keep them separated so they can be active simultaneously, ensuring maximum efficiency in battle.

4. Master Overdrive Management

The Overdrive gauge is one of the most important mechanics in Chained Echoes. While it’s mostly a concern during boss battles, failing to manage it properly can lead to disaster. Staying in the green zone provides numerous benefits, including reduced skill TP costs and increased damage output. However, if the gauge enters the red zone, your party will take significantly more damage and be far less effective.

Sometimes, you’ll need to make strategic sacrifices to keep the gauge under control. Defending might feel like a wasted turn, but it’s far better than pushing into the red and getting wiped out. Additionally, Overdrive items can be used to bring the gauge down in an emergency.

Another essential trick is to utilize your reserve characters. Occasionally, their skills will be highlighted in yellow, indicating they can be used to reduce Overdrive. Even if it’s not the most optimal move, prioritizing Overdrive management will keep your party alive and fighting effectively. Remember: a battle lost due to Overdrive mismanagement is often a battle that could have been easily won with better planning.

5. Make the Most of the Menu System

At first glance, Chained Echoes’ menu system might seem simple, but it holds a wealth of powerful customization options that can dramatically improve your gameplay. Here are some key menu features you should be using regularly:

• Upgrade Your Weapons – Even minor stat boosts can have a major impact. Chained Echoes is a game where every single point of Attack or Magic matters, so take advantage of upgrades whenever possible.
• Refine and Attach Crystals – Crystals provide powerful bonuses when attached to weapons and armor. Always visit the blacksmith to refine them and enhance your best gear.
• Utilize the Deals System – Completing trade deals is the fastest way to earn money and gain access to powerful equipment earlier than usual. Always check the Deals tab when visiting shops.
• Level Up Your Skills – SP can be used to level up skills, increasing their effectiveness while simultaneously reducing their TP costs. Make it a habit to spend SP wisely, as enhanced skills make a world of difference in battle.

Conclusion

Chained Echoes is a deep, rewarding RPG that respects the player’s time while delivering an exceptional experience. By prioritizing skill learning, utilizing the Bonus Board, maximizing character synergies, managing Overdrive effectively, and taking full advantage of the menu system, you’ll set yourself up for success and enjoy a smoother, more engaging adventure.

These are just five of the most crucial tips to get you started, but what about you? What strategies have you found helpful in Chained Echoes? Share your insights and let’s keep the discussion going!