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The ATB (Active Time Battle) system is back! The ATB system is a system in which battles are actually timed; in other words, whoever chooses their move first, hits first. It doesn't matter if the character's turn is 30 seconds earlier; if the enemy gets to their move first, the character will get bashed.

In FFX, there was the CTB (Count Time Battle) system, which is basically a turn system. this means that, to put it simply, each character has a turn, and while you're selecting your ability, no one can attack you.

The return of ATB makes for much more fast-paced battles. When the characters ATB bar fills up, they can begin selecting their ability to use.

ATB Bar not filled up:

ATB Bar filled up:

Also, unlike in previous games, spells are not just pick-and-cast. Now, you must take a few seconds to charge up, as well as wait around 1 additional second after you've charged up to execute the spell. During these two seconds, the character is sort of focusing to prepare their spell. If an enemy attacks you in these additional few seconds, you must try to focus one more time. The ATB bar turns purple when you are charging. When the purple ATB bar fills up, you begin those two seconds of focus. After you've focused for that one-or-so seconds, you cast the spell. Complicated, huh?

Paine "focusing":

Well, that pretty much sums up the ATB system. I hope you enjoyed reading about it.