Final Fantasy 15: Magitek Exosuits and Cross Chains explained, plus how to beat Melusine in new Hunter HQ quest 'O Partner, My Partner'
From new gear to a powerful adversary to fight, what was added in the July 2017 update.
The Final Fantasy 15 1.13 update follows on from the Episode Prompto and off-road car updates in June, introducing new gear and systems to incite you back into the sprawling open-world role-playing game.
First are the delayed Magitek Exosuits, which are free costumes no longer fashioned similar to Power Rangers outfits that give you a timed period of invincibility.
There's also a new Cross Chain combat mechanic, both of which are perfect testing grounds for the new Hunter HQ quest O Partner, My Partner, which pits you against a powerful adversary.
All three are available to try almost immediately, provided you have played through enough of the game. Meanwhile, the update brings back the Moogle Chocobo Carnival until "late September", as well as adding two Trophies for completing the new quest and using the Cross Chain a certain number of times.
How to use the Magitek Exosuits in Final Fantasy 15
Provided you have the update downloaded, the Magitek Exosuit will be available in all save files, ready to be equipped. Just hop into your Gear and give it a whirl.
By equipping the Magitek Exosuit, it gives the wearer 30 minutes of invincibility when they next enter combat.
After 30 minutes, it then takes another 20 hours of real time to recharge - effectively meaning you have to play the next day to become invincible. It means if you space out your play sessions day-by-day, you can tackle some of the game's toughest quests with ease.
Alternatively, since it works off the console's clock, going into the system settings and forwarding it by 24 hours will allow you to use it again straight away.
How to perform a Cross Chain in Final Fantasy 15
Once you have acquiring the Sword of the Wise and Axe of the Conqueror in the story (in other words, completing Chapter 2) you'll have access to the new Cross Chain system. From there, the first combat encounter you enter will give you a tutorial.
Here's how it works; once an enemy is in a 'vulnerable' state, you can then Warp Strike into them to initiate a Cross Chain, which is a series of physical attacks when an enemy is downed.
(Getting a foe into a vulnerable state varies by foe by foe, but performing Techniques and Warp Strikes to break off appendages should do the trick. Also, note if any of your party is downed, you won't be able to start the attack.)
After the first strike, a circular gauge will appear on screen running down with an attack prompt. Hit the prompt when it's on-screen (delivering a dose of damage multiple times higher than normal) and on the 10th successful attack in a row, you'll have a final, powerful strike.
Though it's straightforward to hit each of the prompts in time, you shouldn't just spam the attack button, otherwise the Cross Chain won't work.
Here's how it looks in practice, thanks to a video by Kusa89:
If you perform ten of the full 10-hit Cross Chain attacks at any point during combat, you'll unlock the 'Seize the Moment' Trophy / Achievement.
Need more help? Our Final Fantasy 15 guide and walkthrough can provide tips on main story, as well as the open-world's many quests and activities. Learning how to get AP fast, EXP fast and money or Gil fast will aid you in many optional dungeons and tombs - including how to open and explore their locked doors. There's also plenty of interesting side-quests, too, such as the Scraps of Mystery and Professors Protege frog locations. And if you want to get around easier, you can rent a Chocobo, learn the infinite sprint trick and later in the game, get the flying car Regalia Type F. There's also more to see and do with DLC, such as Episode Gladiolus and Episode Prompto.
New Hunter HQ quest 'O Partner, My Partner'
A good place to test both of these is a new quest added as part of the update. Once you have completed Chapter 8: A Precious Source of Power in-game, head to the Meldacio Hunter HQ at the far north of the map, east of the Vesperpool area:
Run to the quest prompt, where a Hunter will ask you to slay a daemon on the western shore of the Vesperpool area (not far from the fishing spot there).
Make your way over to the prompt, and you'll be asked to wait until nighttime for the encounter appears:
The fight is against a level 99 Melusine. Since it's a formidable foe, your best bet is to equip your shiny new Magitek Exosuit, rendering her powerful attacks useless against you. She's a bit of a tank, with few vulnerabilities, so becoming invincible makes it easier for you to take your time.
We recommend powerful multi-stage magics, Techniques (Ignis's Enhancement will give you melee attacks an elemental kick, while Gladio's Impulse can knock out a few of her snake heads, making her invulnerable) to whittle down her health. Again, if you wear the Megitek Exosuits, you are in no danger provided you wrap things up within 30 minutes. Remember you can also use Cross Chains to dole out a little more damage.
Upon completing the battle, you'll be rewarded the Death Penalty firearm with 424 strength.
Head back to the quest giver at the Hunter HQ and you'll receive a Magitek Suit (an accessory with + 1,000 HP, +70 Strength and +50 Vitality / defense), 12,000 EXP and the 'Love Turned Tragic' Trophy / Achievement.