Formation System (Romancing SaGa 2)

Formation System

Romancing SaGa 2 has a total of 18 different formations available to you, each with it's own benefits / mechanics. The Goblin Offense, Yin & Yang, and Tactical Ranks formations weren't in the original.

In the beginning of the game, you start off with free fight and imperial cross. Free Fight is the standard formation for when you're being attacked from behind or when you encounter an enemy while running.

New formations can be researched in the dojo area (upper right hand corner of the castle) when you talk to the drill sergeant with a non-standard character as emperor. (meaning, your emperor is not from the standard imperial warrior set)

Formation properties are only active when your entire team is standing. If one of your characters is knocked out, you lose the formation properties and instead have the formation properties of free fight until the knocked out character is revived.

Keep note, the attack % value are test values and not values extracted from the code itself. Enemy targeting in this game is handled separately via an enemy behavior flag along with position data. So while the formation might make it less likely for a character to get targeted by an attack, enemy behavior data might change the actual chance. (i.e. some enemies will focus on the emperor, others might focus on high HP characters, etc)

Formation Data

Free for All - フリーファイト

Layout	Position Number	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	20		Starting Formation Automatically invoked if encounters enemy while running or being attacked from behind	A line formation reminiscent of a brawl. This battle plan has no added benefits.
	2	20
	3	20
	4	20
	5	20

Imperial Cross - インペリアルクロス

Layout	Position Number	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 3 1 2 5	1	7	Not easily targeted	Starting formation Position 3 aggros most attacks	A formation used by the Varennes Empire. The vanguard defends against all attacks.
	2	3	Speed - 2 Hard to be targeted Auto-defend until turn
	3	66	Speed - 1 Very easily targeted Auto-defend after turn
	4	13
	5	11

Imperial Arrow - インペリアルアロー

Layout	Position Number	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 3 1 2 5	1	4	+1 speed, defend after action	Learned through Imperial Guard as emperor Attacks are now even more focused on position 3	A variation of the Imperial Cross. The vanguard is quicker but more susceptible.
	2	1
	3	81	+1 speed, defend after action
	4	8	+1 speed, defend after action
	5	6	+1 speed, defend after action

Rising Phoenix - 鳳天舞の陣

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 4 1 3 5	1	70	Defends before action, counter proc chance doubles	Learned through Tactician as emperor Highly defensive for the emperor, greatly increases melee DPS. Works great with the Still Blade when used by emperor	A formation that leaves the Emperor out in the open, allowing the others to attack.
	2	10	speed -1, defend after action, bonus to melee
	3	10	speed -1, defend after action, bonus to melee
	4	5	speed -1, defend after action, bonus to melee
	5	5	speed -1, defend after action, bonus to melee

Lightning Flash - 稲妻

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 4 1 5 3	1	20		Learned through Levante Guard as emperor Characters will always move in the order of 2 > 3 > 4 > 5 > 1	A formation for continuous attacks. Order goes from front to back toward the Emperor.
	2	20
	3	20
	4	20
	5	20

Desert Fox - デザートフォックス

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 4 1 5 3	1	50	Speed + 1, bonus to melee damage, defend after action, counter proc % x 2	Learned through Desert Guard as Emperor	An offensive formation where the Emperor takes the vanguard like the leader of a pack.
	2	20	bonus to melee damage
	3	20	bonus to melee damage
	4	5
	5	5

Amazon Raid - アマゾンストライク

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	30	Speed +3, defend after action, bonus to melee	Learned by Amazon Highly melee focused	An offensive formation that focuses on attack and speed with the Emperor in front.
	2	20	Speed +1, defend after action, bonus to melee
	3	20	Speed +1, defend after action, bonus to melee
	4	15
	5	15

Hunter's Gambit - ハンターシフト

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	2	Speed -1, bonus to ranged attacks	Learned via Hunter Emperor	An offensive formation that allows the Emperor to use a bow safely from the back.
	2	29	Speed +1, defend after action
	3	29	Speed +1, defend after action
	4	2
	5	2

Whirlwind - ワールウインド

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	10	Speed +1, defend after action	Learned via Nomad Emperor	A balanced formation that enhances speed and divides damage amongst the vanguard.
	2	35	Speed +1, defend after action
	3	35	Speed +1, defend after action
	4	10
	5	10

Divine Wall - ホーリーウォール

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 4 1 5 3	1	34		Learned via Crusader emperor Good for defending back row	A defensive formation where 3 in the vanguard form a wall, guarding the 2 in the back.
	2	32
	3	32
	4	1
	5	1

Seer's Focus - パワーレイズ

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 4 1 5 3	1	10	Speed-2, Magic Power bonus	Learned via Diver empress Only formation that gives bonus to casting	A formation that boosts the Emperor's spell power while hampering his speed.
	2	20
	3	20
	4	25	Speed +1, defend after action
	5	25	Speed +1, defend after action

Rapid Stream - ラピッドストリーム

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	20	Speed-2	Learned via Armed Merchant emperor Always goes first in battle Forced action order 1>2>3>4>5 After action, all characters are treated as stunned (no shield or counter chance activation) speed penalty doesn't effect action order, but stuff like martial arts damage Good for clearing mobs	A formation that enables first strikes but lowers evasion through frenetic movement.
	2	20	Speed-2
	3	20	Speed-2
	4	20	Speed-2
	5	20	Speed-2

Mu Palisade - ムーフェンス

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	20	Speed-2, defend before action	Learned via Mu Clansman emperor always go last forced action order, 1>2>3>4>5 Most defensive formation in game	A strong defensive formation that counters attacks. Order goes from front to back.
	2	20	Speed-2, defend before action
	3	20	Speed-2, defend before action
	4	20	Speed-2, defend before action
	5	20	Speed-2, defend before action

Dragon Stance - 龍陣

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 3 1 4 5	1	28		Learned via Brawler emperor forced action order, 1>2>3>4>5	A formation for continuous attacks. Order goes from Emperor straight to back.
	2	18
	3	18
	4	8	Not easily targeted
	5	28

Free For All 2 - フリーファイト-1

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
4 2 1 3 5	1	1		Learned through Vagabond emperor best for protecting squishy emperors also known as "Free for All 2" in the remake	An improved Free for All. Allows the Emperor to attack from the back.
	2	24
	3	25
	4	25
	5	25

Goblin Offense - ゴブリンアタック

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 4 1 5 3	1	30	Speed+1, melee and range bonus	Learned via maze of memories highly offense oriented formation	A goblin special! This wild formation boosts all fighters' attack and speed.
	2	30	Speed+1, melee bonus
	3	20	Speed+1, melee bonus
	4	10	Speed+1, range bonus
	5	10	Speed+1, range bonus

Yin & Yang - 急々如律令

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
3 2 1 4 5	1				A formation that boosts all allies' speed using feng shui.
	2
	3
	4
	5

Tactical Ranks - 機知縦横

Layout	Position #	Attack %	Notes	More Notes	Description
2 1 4 5 3	1				A 3-1-1 formation that changes the roles of each position according to the situation.
	2
	3
	4
	5

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