In The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, beyond the fundamental Basic Quartz, there exist Rare Quartz and Master Quartz, which offer significantly more powerful effects and unique abilities. These are crucial for optimizing your party's performance and unlocking potent combat strategies.
Rare Quartz
Rare Quartz are essentially upgraded versions of Basic Quartz, providing much larger stat bonuses or unique passive effects. For example, a 'HP Up II' would offer a greater HP boost than a standard 'HP Up'. Some Rare Quartz might also grant resistances to specific status ailments or enhance critical hit rates. These are often found in challenging dungeons, obtained as rewards for difficult quests, or purchased from specialized merchants. Their scarcity means players must carefully consider which characters will benefit most from their powerful effects.
Master Quartz
Master Quartz are the pinnacle of the Quartz system. Each Master Quartz is unique and provides a significant boost to stats, along with a powerful passive ability or a set of Arts that can be learned directly from the Quartz itself. Unlike Basic and Rare Quartz, Master Quartz often have their own experience levels. As they gain experience through combat, they unlock new abilities, Arts, or even evolve into even more powerful forms. This makes them incredibly versatile and a cornerstone of character progression.
- Example: 'Justice' Master Quartz: Might provide a significant STR boost, increase critical hit chance, and unlock the 'Smash' Art. As it levels up, it could unlock more powerful offensive Arts or passive buffs.
- Example: 'Support' Master Quartz: Could focus on boosting healing Arts, increasing EP regeneration, and granting passive buffs like faster EP recovery.
Master Quartz are often tied to specific character archetypes or playstyles. A physical attacker might benefit greatly from a Master Quartz that enhances their damage output, while a support character would thrive with one that boosts healing and buffs.
Acquisition and Strategy
Master Quartz are typically obtained through story progression, defeating powerful optional bosses, or completing specific side quests. Because they level up and offer such diverse benefits, players often find themselves specializing their Master Quartz for different party members. It's essential to experiment with different Master Quartz to discover the most effective combinations for your playstyle and the challenges you face. Their unique abilities can drastically alter a character's role in combat, making them indispensable for tackling the game's toughest encounters.