Abstract: A guard condition system for determining whether to block an attack against a character in a multi-character party within an entertainment game is disclosed. A multi-character party may be divided into multiple lines of battle, such that all characters in more forward lines of battle automatically attempt to block attacks by an enemy against any characters in a more rearward line of battle. Whether a block attempt is successful may depend on a variable referred to as a guard condition value, which may be based on the characters in the multi-character party, the characters in the forward line of battler performing the blocking, and/or other modifiers resulting from the battle itself or from temporary rewards and penalties. When an attack is successful, the attacking character may move to the location of the attacked character such that subsequent attacks are immune from blocking attempts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for affecting a power level of an action performed by a character in a video game are disclosed. In a turn-based video game, a player-character may decide whether to perform the action with a default power level, or to charge the action to a higher predetermined level, and thereby delaying the turn in which the action is performed. The action charges a predetermined amount per turn, and when an action meter is full, the charged action is performed. Actions by other characters, rewards, and penalties in the video game may favorably or adversely affect the rate at which the charge meter charges.

Abstract: A guard condition system for determining whether to block an attack against a character in a multi-character party within an entertainment game is disclosed. A multi-character party may be divided into multiple lines of battle, such that all characters in more forward lines of battle automatically attempt to block attacks by an enemy against any characters in a more rearward line of battle. Whether a block attempt is successful may depend on a variable referred to as a guard condition value, which may be based on the characters in the multi-character party, the characters in the forward line of battler performing the blocking, and/or other modifiers resulting from the battle itself or from temporary rewards and penalties. When an attack is successful, the attacking character may move to the location of the attacked character such that subsequent attacks are immune from blocking attempts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for affecting a power level of an action performed by a character in a video game are disclosed. In a tum-based video game, a player-character may decide whether to instantly perform the action with a default power level, or to delay the action until after another character's turn but with an increased or charged power level. A turn sequence may be displayed as part of the graphical user interface of the video game, and the video game may increment an action meter across the turn sequence based on received user input, thereby providing the player an indication of how much delay the increased or charged power level will cause.