Skill Synthesis in Metaphor ReFantazio is an essential combat element that enables players to unleash powerful multi-character strikes by merging the talents of their party members. These moves are essential for overcoming enemy vulnerabilities, increasing damage output, and gaining an advantage in the game’s difficult dungeons and battles. This guide will walk you through effective strategies to make the most of Skill Synthesis in Metaphor ReFantazio.
What Is Skill Synthesis in Metaphor ReFantazio?
Skill Synthesis is a special combat mechanic that combines two or more party members’ abilities to perform enhanced attacks. These skills often deal severe or extreme damage and can target enemy weaknesses to turn the tide of battle. However, they require meticulous planning as they cost more MP, consume multiple Turn Icons, and depend on your party’s archetypes.
Unlocking Skill Synthesis
You gain access to Skill Synthesis early in the game, specifically on June 11, when Hulkenberg joins your party. From this point, mastering Synthesis becomes essential, as many battles, especially late-game ones, practically demand their use for efficiency.
Strategies for Using Skill Synthesis Effectively
1. Build Around Archetypes
Metaphor ReFantazio‘s Skill Synthesis relies heavily on your team’s archetypes. Each Synthesis requires specific combinations of archetypes. For example, a Mage paired with a Knight can unleash devastating magic-based Synthesis moves.
- Tip: Equip the Prince archetype to your protagonist for its versatility. The Prince can substitute for any archetype and access some of the game’s strongest Synthesis skills.
2. Target Enemy Weaknesses
Many Synthesis skills are designed to exploit enemy weaknesses. For instance, moves like “Hadean Icecrag” deal extreme Ice damage, while others such as “Crusader’s Hammer” exploit Light weaknesses.
- Exploiting weaknesses grants you additional Half Turn Icons, effectively allowing you to extend your combat round and deal more damage.
- Check enemy weaknesses before planning your Synthesis strategy to ensure you’re maximizing damage output.
3. Manage MP and Turn Costs
Synthesis moves are resource-heavy, costing both MP and Turn Icons. Accessories and skills can mitigate these costs, allowing you to use Synthesis more freely:
- Chain of Bonds: Reduces the number of characters required for Synthesis.
- Utilitarian’s Manual: Lowers Turn Icon costs, making it ideal for prolonged battles.
- Magic Link: Halves MP costs, crucial for conserving resources in drawn-out dungeon crawls.
Combining these items with MP-restoring abilities ensures you can sustain Synthesis use throughout battles.
4. Prioritize Severe Attacks
While Extreme Synthesis moves are powerful, Severe ones often offer superior damage output and additional effects like debuffs or status inflictions. For example:
- Royal Sword: Severe Almighty damage to a single target, excellent for bosses.
- Peerless Sanctity: Severe Light damage to all enemies, combined with multi-stat debuffs.
5. Leverage the Summoner Tree
The Summoner archetype introduces a unique element to Synthesis by enabling summoning through Vessels. These moves are particularly potent for exploiting enemy weaknesses or targeting multiple foes simultaneously.
Accessories and Skills to Enhance Synthesis
Equipping the right items and skills can amplify the efficiency and damage of your Synthesis moves:
| Accessory/Skill | Effect | How to Obtain |
| Chain of Bonds | Reduces Synthesis character requirement. | Varmareno Coliseum (Silver Rank I) |
| Utilitarian’s Manual | Reduces Turn Icon cost by 1. | Purchase from Night Magic Shops (Alonzo Rank 6). |
| Overlord’s Sash | Triples MP cost but significantly boosts damage. | Varmareno Coliseum (Gold Rank I) |
| Magic Link | Halves MP cost of Synthesis. | Elemental Master Rank 12 |
Unlocking New Synthesis Skills
Most Synthesis moves are available by default, provided you have the right archetype combinations. However, advanced skills require progressing through archetype ranks or acquiring specific items. For example:
- The “Kandera” skill becomes available only after advancing the Mage archetype to Rank 6.
- Summoner archetypes unlock exclusive Synthesis by obtaining Vessels.
Recommended Synthesis Combinations
Here are some standout Synthesis moves to include in your strategy:
- Hadean Icecrag (Mage + Prince): Extreme Ice damage to all enemies, perfect for exploiting Ice weaknesses.
- Vorpal Blade (Royal Warrior + Swordmaster): Extreme Slash damage to all enemies, paired with a debuff to enemy Attack.
- Medica (Healer + Knight): Medium HP recovery for all allies, a lifesaver in prolonged battles.
Final Tips
- Experiment with Combinations: Try different archetype pairings to discover hidden synergies.
- Plan for Boss Fights: Use Synthesis to counter enemy strengths and exploit weaknesses.
- Adapt to Dungeon Challenges: Tailor your team’s archetypes and gear to the enemies you’ll face.
Mastering Skill Synthesis ensures you dominate even the toughest foes. Prioritize enemy weaknesses, optimize your MP usage, and experiment with archetype combinations to unlock the full potential of this mechanic.
