Party Combat

Party Combat is combat that features teams of characters that act independently, typically with separate actions and resources. This mechanic typically involves managing character positioning, ability usage, and resource allocation until one side is defeated.

The number of members in a party varies widely. Some employ Turn-Based Combat systems where actions occur sequentially, while others utilize Active Time Battle systems where actions occur in the order their time bars fill. A player may control all members of a party, or some may be AI-Controlled Allies. In cases where one member of a party is delineated as the player character, that character’s death may result in an automatic loss state.

Examples

Baldur's Gate (1998) – Player controls six characters for positioning, spellcasting, and melee collaboration on an open battlefield.

Persona 5 Royal (2019) – Turn-Based Combat with a four-person party. After attacking an enemy’s weakness (see Type Effectiveness), party members gain additional turns, which can be passed to other allies.

Final Fantasy VII (1997) – Active Time Battle. Party members act independently after their time bars fill.

Tales of Arise (2021) – Player directly controls one of four party members with customizable AI companions, enabling chains and Boost Strikes.

See Also

Turn-Based Combat - Frequently co-occurs