Backstep (バックステップ Bakkusteppu?) is a recurring skill and battle gameplay element in Tales series. It allows evasion of incoming attacks.
Arte Description and History
Backstep is a recurring action that allows the user to take a quick step back without changing the direction that they are facing. It is first introduced as a function of the Step Ring in Tales of Eternia.
Backstep first appears as a skill in Tales of the Abyss where it allows for manual evasion of enemy attacks by tilting the left analog stick away from the enemy while pressing the Guard button. Several next titles in the series also include Backstep as a skill and action combo, but starting with Tales of Graces, most iterations of Linear Motion Battle System include it as a base action, removing the skill requirement. In some later titles certain characters can activate their perks when performing a perfect Backstep, like when Leia and Dohalim perfectly evade an attack in their home games, their rods are coated with light, increasing their range despite being short-range weapons.
Appearances
Original Titles
- Tales of the Abyss - Skill: All playable characters (Backstep)
- Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Skill: Emil Castagnier, Marta Lualdi, Colette Brunel, Raine Sage, Genis Sage, Regal Bryant, Sheena Fujibayashi, Zelos Wilder, Presea Combatir, Lloyd Irving (Backstep)
- Tales of Vesperia - Skill: All playable characters (Backstep)
- Tales of Vesperia (PS3) + Definitive Edition - Skill: All playable characters (Backstep)
- Tales of Hearts - Skill: All playable characters
In-Game Desriptions and Battle Quotes
Tales of the Abyss
Japanese Description: ガード時に「
＋(後ろ)」で バックステップ行動が出来る。
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Japanese Description: 後方にコントロールスティックを すばやく２回倒すとバックステップする
Localized Description: "Backstep by quickly tapping the Control Stick back twice."
Tales of Vesperia
Japanese Description: [Guard]＋[Left Stick Back]で、バックステップ行動ができる
Localized Description: "Press [Guard]＋[Left Stick Back] to Backstep."