Magic Guard (マジックガード Magikkugaado?), also localized as M. Guardian, is a recurring battle action and passive skill that allows a character to defend against magical attacks in games where the standard Guard does not.
Mechanic Description and History
The Magic Guard action was introduced in Tales of Destiny 2 as a defensive option requiring 20% SP to use. For 2 seconds, it allows the user to reduce the damage and prevent stagger from magical attacks, restoring TP if successful. This function complements the traditional Guard, which only works against physical attacks. It is activated by using the Guard button and pressing down at the same time. In Tales of Symphonia, this action is replaced by the Guardian arte and its variants, which works against both physical and magical attacks but requires TP. The actual skill, localized as M. Guardian, improves both Guardian Seal and Bastion's damage-reducing efficacy. It has a variant called the Special Guard in Tales of Legendia.
In Tales of the Abyss, Magic Guard requires a passive skill to be equipped to be used. It has no cost but can be held for as long as desired. This condition is also repeated in multiple games, though in Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X, it continuously drains EBG while in effect. Other games instead return it to its status as a standard battle action that requires no cost but cannot defend against physical attacks. In games that do not feature this action, the regular Guard may defend against both physical and magical attacks.
Appearances (Magic Guard)
Original Titles
- Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X - Base Skill: All playable characters, Kruelle Nigrum. Itoshi no Pink Robo, Ankoku wo Watariaruku Kage, Ifu Izanau Hitomi, Surudoku Houkousuru Raimei, En'ou no Juushi, Kyouchou no Jaryuu, Gouyoku no Keshin, Megumi Yutakana Hikari no Sei, Genso wo Suberu Rouou, Jihibukaki Yoru no Jo-ou, Midori no Kaze Matou Shimai, Seirei no Toukatsusha, Sobouna Guren no Mosa, Aoki Suiryuu no Joketsu, Hi no Kaze Matou Shimai, Koori Rouou no Kenzoku, Honpounaru Daichi no Sei, Makai no Teiou, Koukatsuna Makai no Juumin
- Tales of Destiny 2 - Battle Action
- Tales of Symphonia - Compound EX Skill: Sheena Fujibayashi, Regal Bryant (M. Guardian)
- Tales of the Abyss - AD Skill: All playable characters (Magic Guard)
- Tales of Innocence - Battle Action
- Tales of Innocence R - Battle Action
- Tales of Vesperia - Guard Skill: All playable characters (Magic Guard), Zagi
- Tales of Hearts - Action Skill: All playable characters
- Tales of Xillia - Action Skill: All playable characters (Magic Guard)
- Tales of Xillia 2 - Action Skill: All playable characters (Magic Guard)
Crossover Titles
- Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology - Battle Action
- Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 - Battle Action
- Tales of VS. - Battle Action
- Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 - Battle Action
Appearances (Magic Guard 1)
Original Titles
- Tales of Hearts R - Defense Skill: All playable characters (Magic Guard 1)
Appearances (Magic Guard 2)
Original Titles
- Tales of Hearts R - Defense Skill: All playable characters (Magic Guard 2)
Appearances (Magic Guard 3)
Original Titles
- Tales of Hearts R - Defense Skill: Kohaku Hearts (Magic Guard 3)
In-Game Descriptions and Battle Quotes
Tales of Symphonia
Japanese Description: 特技ガード時のダメージが減少する
Localized Description: "Reduces the amount of damage taken while using the special guard."
Tales of Vesperia
Japanese Description: [Guard] ＋ [Down]で、魔法攻撃のダメージを軽減する。この際、ボタンを押し続けている限り有効となる
Localized Description: "Press [Guard] + [Down] to decrease magic defense taken. Effective only while the button is held down."
Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X
Japanese Description:
＋
でマジックガードを使え、術ダメージが１／４になる。- 押し続けるとＥＢＧを消費しつつ持続、１０％以下で消滅する
Tales of Xillia
Japanese Description (Console): [Guard]＋[Down]で、魔法攻撃のダメージを軽減する。この際、ボタンを押し続けている限り有効となる
Localized Description (Console): "Lessen magical damage while pressing and holding [Guard]＋[Down]."
Localized Description (Windows): "Lessen magical damage while pressing and holding [V]＋[S]."
Tales of Hearts R
Magic Guard 1
Localized Description: "Reduces Will damage sustained while guarding by 10%."
Magic Guard 2
Localized Description: "Reduces Will damage sustained while guarding by 30%."