Most of the content in Visions of Mana is pretty standard, including the action combat system and the flow of the game. Something that sets this game apart from others are items called Elemental Vessels, which determine the classes your characters can pick during the adventure. These Vessels are also used in combat to do different things, usually as some kind of offensive/supporting maneuver. Once you have acquired the right skills, you can even unleash Elemental Breaks, more powerful versions of the basic Vessel ability.
Each Elemental Vessel offers a new class for each of your characters.
Unlocking Elemental Vessels¶
Thankfully, you won’t have to go out of your way to unlock all of the Elemental Vessels, as they are all story related (last two will be obtained in Chapter 5). Each of the Vessels will unlock a class for your characters, each with their strengths and weaknesses. With the various classes, you can unlock skills with Elemental Points on each of the characters’ Elemental Plots. You will primarily gain the points by leveling up, as well as gathering Elementites. 
Gold Clovers can be converted into points, too, with a one-to-one ratio.
As mentioned above, you can use each Elemental Vessel in battle, with them being assigned to the R2/RT button. After using the Vessel, it will go on cooldown and you’ll have to wait before using it again. Note that when the countdown timer appears on the cooldown, you can use melee strikes on enemies to make it come off of cooldown faster. Some Vessels will have a pretty long cooldown, like the Wood one, while others have a very short one. Using the Vessels in combat is something you should always be doing, and you can set your AI companions to use them or not under their Strategy settings.
(1 of 2) Using a Vessel in combat has plenty of advantages.
Using a Vessel in combat has plenty of advantages. (left), Most of them offer some way to control enemies. (right)
Using the Elemental Vessels in combat will also release some orbs, which slowly move towards your characters and are automatically collected. These will replenish some MP (two at its base value), making it another useful reason to use the Vessels. There are Ability Seeds that can increase the MP recovery, as well as give you some HP recovery from these orbs.
Using Elemental Breaks¶
Elemental Breaks are much more powerful than the standard Vessel, and are usually a stronger version of the Vessel’s maneuver. However, you won’t be able to use Elemental Breaks until you do two things. The first thing you need to do is progress the Elemental Plot and unlock the second tier. The first node on the second tier will be the Elemental Break for that particular Vessel. Once you have unlocked that for the first time, you will make a new gauge appear in combat. This is called the Mana Gauge and is located to the left of the characters in the lower left corner.
(1 of 2) Elemental Breaks are very powerful and can change the tide of a battle.
Elemental Breaks are very powerful and can change the tide of a battle. (left), Some, like the Wood Vessel, are more support oriented. (right)
Basically, as you use your Vessels, you will collect some orbs, which are the same ones mentioned above. These will help fill your Mana Gauge and once full, you will be able to perform an Elemental Break. Simply hold down the same button as your Vessel and eventually, the character will perform the Break. You’ll know it’s happening, as the entire field will be covered with that element. While the Break is active, magic and moves of the same elemental deal increased damage, and also have reduced casting times. Additionally, the normal effects of the Elemental Vessel will be enhanced.
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