A factor (ファクター, Fakutā?) is a added effect found on equipment. It is a recurring gameplay feature from the Star Ocean series, usually related to the Synthesis process which enables the player to change or remove factors by using items or other equipment.
Appearances[]
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time[]
Star Ocean: The Last Hope[]
Every equipment type in the game (weapons, armor, and accessories) in the game is capable of holding four factors. These range from stat boosts to elemental bonuses to HP Regen and much more. Some pieces of equipment already come with some Factor slots already filled. As factors can not be removed, the player must choose wisely when doing equipment Synthesis.
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness[]
Star Ocean: Anamnesis[]
Weapons in Anamnesis can have up to three factors, while accessories can only have two at a maximum. The amount depends on the weapon's max rarity: higher rarity equipment will have more factors than those with lower rarity (i.e. 5★ weapons often have three factors while 4★ weapons have only two). These factors are assigned by default, and are tied to the Limit Break system.
Factors may combine two or more effects into one. In addition, equipment factors have effect only during battle and affect the character they are equipped to, unlike talents which can benefit the whole party. Factors may also have certain conditions that trigger them in battle (e.g. they will trigger if the character is at close range, or if the hit counter is above 200 hits). They have the following effects:
- Stat (INT, ATK, DEF, HIT, etc.) +%/-%
- Imbues attacks with an element
- Damage dealt +% (which can be further specified: ATK, INT, elemental, to certain enemy races, etc.)
- Damage taken -% (as above)
- +% chance of causing stun
- +% chance of adding a status ailment to normal attacks
- Critical hit chance +%
- Critical hit damage +%
- Rush Mode damage +%
- Hit counter + seconds
- Battle skill (e.g. Dragon Slash) +% damage
- AP cost -%