Visions of Mana details Aesh, more Elemental Vessels, Elemental Plots, and Li’l Cactus
The Mana series' curious cactus returns.
Publisher and developer Square Enix, and developer Ouka Studios have released new information and screenshots for Visions of Mana introducing support character Aesh, more Elemental Vessels, Elemental Plots, and the Mana series’ mainstay Li’l Cactus.
Get the details below.
■ Story
In Tianeea, the Fire Village, everyone is preparing for the coming of the Faerie and the naming of an “alm.” Every four years, alms from around the world are chosen to travel to the Tree of Mana and rejuvenate the flow of mana power by offering their souls. A soul guard accompanies the chosen alms to ensure their safe pilgrimage.
On the day of the Faerie’s arrival, Val, the new soul guard, brings his childhood friend, Hinna, to the festival. As the sun falls beneath the skyline, all the spectators wait with bated breath, hoping to be chosen as an alm. The Faerie finally descends before Hinna, appointing her the Alm of Fire.
The villagers bid them both farewell, praying for their success as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
■ Support Character
Aesh (voiced by Y. Chang in English, Shinnosuke Tachibana in Japanese)
“Are you the sort that would leave a colleague behind?”
Aesh is a scholar from the Log’grattzo Dark Archives who will stop at nothing to satisfy his curiosity. Aesh’s interests are vast and varied, earning him the respect of his peers and the title of head curator despite his young age.
■ Elemental Vessels
Elemental vessels are mystical artifacts that house the power of the elements within them. Each vessel contains mana from a different element. You can wield these powers in combat and while exploring.
Exploration: Elemental Triggers
You can use an elemental vessel at the curiously glowing triggers scattered throughout the land and harness its individual power to generate gusts of wind, move rocks, or even slow down time to open pathways and find hidden items on the map. Once you get a new vessel, don’t forget to revisit areas you’ve already passed through. Accessing other triggers will unlock new places for you to explore.
Battles: Switching Classes
Obtain the various elemental vessels to switch your characters to new classes. Different classes unlock different stats, weapon types, and unique moves or abilities based on their corresponding elemental. Some abilities can restrict an enemy’s movements or cast regenerative effects to heal your allies. Change classes to see which element has the best skills for your individual fighting style!
■ Elemental Vessels: Exploration and Triggers
Here are some examples of what you can do with those mysterious elemental vessels out in the huge semi-open field. Use the corresponding vessel to activate the trigger and continue your adventure.
Vessel of Earth: Gnome Shovel
Gnome is the elemental of earth. His elemental vessel can control things created from the ground below. You can operate powerful clay golems you find during your explorations and use them to destroy rock walls that block your progress.
Vessel of Light: Lumina Lantern
Lumina is the elemental of light. His elemental vessel can harness the power of reflections. You can point the Lumina Lantern at reflective mirrors to bounce light into hidden areas and illuminate your way through the field.
Shade is the elemental of darkness. His elemental vessel can harness the power of gravity. You can use the vessel on objects in the field to pull yourself toward areas you can’t reach by jumping or dashing.
■ Elemental Vessels: Battles and Classes
Use the elemental powers in the vessels to change classes and gain new abilities. Each character has their own specific class for every elemental vessel, so try them out and see which combination of classes fits for your team of choice!
Vessel of Earth: Gnome Shovel
Gnome is the elemental of earth. His elemental vessel can control things created from the ground below. Protect your party members by summoning a rock shield in battle, reducing the damage done by enemy attacks.
—Morley + Gnome Shovel = Class: Ninja Master
—Julei + Gnome Shovel = Class: Hunter
—Val + Gnome Shovel = Class: Weapon Master
Vessel of Light: Lumina Lantern
Lumina is the elemental of light. His elemental vessel can harness the power of reflections. Link enemies together with rays of light in battle, reflecting the damage from one enemy onto the other.
—Palamena + Lumina Lantern = Class: Archmage
—Julei + Lumina Lantern = Class: Sovereign
—Val + Lumina Lantern = Class: Paladin
Vessel of Darkness: Shade Sight
Shade is the elemental of darkness. His elemental vessel can harness the power of gravity. Pull smaller enemies towards you, or for larger enemies, swing yourself closer to get back into the fray.
—Careena + Shade Sight = Class: Maverick
—Val + Shade Sight = Class: Berserker
—Julei + Shade Sight = Class: Necromancer
■ Elemental Vessels: Elemental Plots
Elemental plots are unlocked whenever a new vessel is obtained. As a character progresses through the elemental plot, their affinity to that element increases, clearing the way to learn powerful moves and abilities. Elemental points are needed to advance along the plot. There are two main methods to obtain elemental points.
Elementite
Elementite are large glowing crystals found across the land. Elementite can be found in areas all across the world. Search it out to earn elemental points.
Gold Clover
These shining golden clovers are found scattered around the land. They can be used to enhance Elemental Plots, exchanging one Gold Clover for one elemental point.
Expanding Weapon Options
Val’s default weapon is a small sword, but his starter class can learn to equip great swords and lances.
Assign Class-specific Abilities to the Starter Class
Abilities from the elemental plot that start out class-specific can be assigned to the starter class.
Use the Class Strikes of Other Classes
As the starter class learns to equip more weapons, the more options it has for class strikes.
■ Li’l Cactus
The Mana series’ curious Li’l Cactus is back! He’s traveling the world, jotting down all his thoughts and experiences in the Cactus Diary. Reading about his grand adventure might even give you some insight into own!
—A cactus of few words. He never stays rooted in one place for too long.
