Game Controls: Getting Started

Get a grip on Bravely Second's controls! This guide breaks down field and battle commands for A, B, X, Y, L, R, D-Pad, Circle Pad, and Start/Select buttons.

Alright, let's get you up to speed on how to actually play Bravely Second! It might seem a little daunting at first with all the buttons, but once you know what does what, you'll be navigating the world and fighting monsters like a pro. We'll cover what each button does both when you're just walking around and when you're in the heat of battle.

Think of the A button as your 'yes' button. You'll use it to check out interesting objects, chat with folks, and confirm your choices in menus. The B button is your 'no' button – perfect for backing out of menus or canceling a choice you just made.

When you need to dive into your party's options, the X button is your go-to for opening the party menu. The Y button is handy for checking out Party Chat, and it's also your key to toggling Auto-Battle on and off, which can be a lifesaver when you're grinding.

Now, let's talk about the shoulder buttons. The L button is pretty versatile; it lets you inspect things or talk to people when you're out and about, and it's also how you go back a page in things like Yew's Diary. In battle, L is your gateway to using the Brave command, letting you stack up multiple actions.

The R button does similar things on the field – inspect, change characters in menus, or go back a page. But in battle, R is for using the Default command, which is your defensive stance. You'll also use R to open the Auto-Battle/Encounter menu.

The D-Pad is your navigation tool. Up and Down will move you through menus, and in battle, they help you select your commands. Left on the D-Pad can hide the map or cancel choices, and in battles, it's used to slow down or pause the action. Right brings up the map, confirms choices, and in battle, it speeds things up – useful for when you just want to get through a fight quickly.

The Circle Pad is where things get a bit more specific. On the field, you can use the Left Circle Pad to change sub-menus or go back pages, and the Right Circle Pad does the same but for moving forward. In battle, the Left Circle Pad lets you check out enemy stats, while the Right Circle Pad shows you player stats. It's a quick way to get info without digging through menus.

Finally, the START/SELECT buttons have a couple of key functions. SELECT is your shortcut to toggling Bravely Second, that super powerful ability. START opens up the party menu, similar to the X button.

A quick note on the Touch Screen: Don't forget about your 3DS's bottom screen! You'll absolutely need to use the touch screen for navigating menus like Fort-Lune and SP Drinks. It's also super useful for spinning your characters around in the Equip or Status menus, and for navigating the map.