Charge Assault (チャージアサルト, Chāji Asaruto?), also called Assault Charge and abbreviated CA, is a battle mechanic in Star Ocean: Anamnesis. It allows a character to quickly reposition to the appropriate range—short or long—for their attack. For most characters it also reduces the startup time for their first attack in a combo, although Healers only benefit from the repositioning aspect. Charge Assault can be used by holding a battle skill button (either a special art or a symbol) to start charging it up. When charging is complete, the button's outline will turn green. Releasing one's finger in this state will unleash the high-speed battle skill.
However, Charge Assault entails a risk. If an enemy attack damages a character during a Charge Assault (between the high-speed approack rush and the battle skill ending), the character will suffer a critical hit. Critical damage ignores Defense rating, which can incapacitate if not careful. Some units, mostly Attackers and Defenders, have talents that nullify the critical hit effect for themselves or the party, while others may be able to start their Cancel Bonus at 150% by doing an assault.
Generally, Charge Assault is used to aim ranged attacks (if they do not automatically target), or to quickly close distance on a target that is moving away from one's character. It can also be used to reposition away from a target mid-combo (it does not count as an evasion, however), or to immediately launch an attack if it takes too long to start the combo with a normal attack. Unless the character nullifies the penalty, players should not charge if they are expecting to receive damage.