Partnered State

The Partnered State is an advanced combat mechanic in Tides of Annihilation's Dual Frontline Battle System. Gwendolyn can absorb a spectral knight, merging into a single, more powerful combat unit.

How it works

Instead of fighting alongside a spectral knight as a separate entity, Gwendolyn absorbs one knight directly. The two merge into one combatant with amplified abilities. This changes how Gwendolyn moves, attacks, and defends.

Benefits

Lock-in mechanic

Entering the Partnered State locks the player to the absorbed knight. Swapping to other knight sets becomes unavailable until the player exits the Partnered State. On the UI, only the partnered knight's icon remains visible after absorption. This lock-in creates a commitment: activating Partnered State at the wrong moment means losing access to other knight abilities for the duration.

Strategic use

The lock-in mechanic makes Partnered State a tactical decision rather than a permanent mode. Using it at the right moment during a boss fight, for example timing it to counter an otherwise unblockable attack, adds a layer of strategy to the combat system. Exiting too early wastes potential, but staying locked in too long prevents adapting to changing combat situations.

Knight-specific variations

Since each spectral knight has different abilities and elements, the Partnered State likely varies significantly depending on which knight Gwendolyn absorbs. Merging with Sir Lamorak would produce lightning-infused attacks and speed boosts, while merging with Palamedes would presumably emphasize fire damage and different combo patterns.