PNC Combat

"I can't sleep yet, I still have work to do..."

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Overview

Battles in Project Neural Cloud take place on a grid of 6×5 hexagonal tiles where the player units start on the two leftmost columns while the enemy units start on the rest of the field, generally this is usually where you would normally set your units, however there are certain exceptions to this during battles later on in the game where both allied and enemy units are be placed in different areas starting areas. The areas you can place your units will be highlighted and some tiles are usually obstructed by structures to create paths and pockets, and some special tiles have an effect on units. Player units are mostly automated; they will seek targets according to the current engagement rules and use their Auto Skill as soon as it is available.

By default, melee classes (Guard and Warrior) will try to move to the nearest accessible enemy to attack. Units can move through tiles occupied by allies, but an enemy must have a non-occupied tile adjacent to them to be a valid target. If there is no enemy that is directly accessible, melee units will destroy non-permanent structures in their way to the nearest accessible enemy and will stand in place if there are still none present.

By default, ranged units (Sniper, Medic and Specialist) will target the nearest enemy and remain at their starting position as long as there is an enemy in range (ranged attacks are not hampered by structures). If there is no enemy in range, they will move forward until there is.

Default engagement rules can change on case-by-case basis depending on used Skills, active Functions, Statuses such as Snipers targeting the farthest enemy rather than the nearest, or Taunts that force enemy units to focus their attacks on a single target.

Players can influence a battle by: Using their Tactical Skills which includes teleportation of a unit or forced focus on a specific enemy, deciding when and how to use Ultimate Skills once the gauge is full, and using Active Functions if they have one.

It is possible to double the battle speed if the player feels they won't need to time their actions precisely. When the battle reaches a certain duration or (if present) the timer runs out, Battlefield Overload will start, causing attacks to deal a percentage bonus damage while healing and shields will receive a debuff. Overload effects will keep growing with time to hasten the resolution of the battle.

At the end of successful battle, one of the Dolls will be elected the MVP with a title depending on performance such as "Iron Wall" for highest damage absorption, "Savage" for highest damage output, Asclepius for highest healing output, and "Impeccable" for highest overall performance. In story stages, a battle can be attempted again up to 10 times if it is lost.

Combat Screen

Combat Preparation

The Backup Units are stationed on the column to the left of the battlefield. You can freely swap units between the Main Team and the Backup Units. You can also rearrange the position of the Backup Units to make use of the special backup tiles if any are present.

1. Current Layer (stage level) and Battle Progress (in Battle of Endurance stages). Tap Menu to retreat (cancels the stage) or to return to the main menu (saves your progress to play later).
2. Function Row. Tap a Function to see its details. Slide to see more Functions if the bar is too full.
3. Function Cards Deck Size. You will have to discard a Function if it goes over the limit but there are ways to upgrade it. Protocols will show up at the bottom if any are active. Hover over the icon to display their effect.
4. Active Function Chains. Tap the arrow or the Function Chains themselves to see details.
5. Player Unit. Indicates its Class, Power, HP, and Auto Skill recharge. The symbols floating around the unit indicate which Function cards will be applied during combat. Tap to see details of the Doll and the effect tile if the unit is standing on one.
6. Enemy Unit. Same characteristics as Player Units. Tap to see their attributes and skills.
7. Tactical Skills (Player Skills). Tap to switch between Flexible Strategy and Offensive Build, and equip Advanced Skills.
8. Overclocking. Available after Stage 2-10 and lets you exchange Cache Coins for bonuses. See Overclock.
9. Battle Start!

Battle Phase

1. Menu button. Same options as before.
2. Pause/Play button.
3. Tap to enable Auto Mode. Every player action will be automated.
4. Battle Speed. Switch between 1x and 2x speeds. Can be used safely on easy missions but you might miss the opportunity to help a Doll in trouble in harder stages at 2x speed.
5. Damage Stats. Can be rolled up by tapping the tiny button.
6. Ultimate Gauge Multiplier. Dictates how fast the Ultimate Gauge is filled up by combat actions, usually at a normal speed of 1.0 but can be higher in resource stages and tutorials.
7. Ultimate Gauge: Fills with blue and orange when performing actions, up to 100% and 200% respectively. The gauge is carried over between combats in Regular Battles but not between layers. Tap the portrait of a Doll when it is highlighted to spend 100% of the gauge and use its Ultimate Skill (remember that only Dolls of 3-stars rarity and above can use their Ultimate Skill), or hold to see Ultimate Skill details. Critically damaged Dolls have their portrait in red.
8. Active Functions: Tap to use.
9. Tactical Skills and Tactical Energy gauge. Tap the icons to use (here shown during initial cooldown). Tactical Energy carries between stages in Normal Battles but not between layers.

Status Effects and Damage Types

Status Effects

Name	Buff Type	Description
Super Armor	Defensive	Unit cannot be affected by Control Debuffs.
HP Shield		Attacks damage the HP Shield first; shield value cannot be healed. Usually enabled by Guard and Medic Function Cards.
Stealth		Cannot be targeted by enemies
Revitalize	Heal	Each stack recovers the target's HP by 10% of its Hashrate every 3 seconds over a total of 6 seconds, up to 5 stacks.
Bloodthirst Sigil	Offensive	Normal Attacks are guaranteed to Crit and grant an extra 30% of its damage as Life Steal. 1 stack of this buff is consumed every time this effect is triggered.

Name	Debuff Type	Description
Trojan	Normal	Attack Speed reduced by 10 points. Units that accumulate 6 stacks of Trojan are Stunned for 2 seconds.
Vulnerability		Damage received is increased by 3%, up to 10 stacks.
Frozen		Reduces Move Speed by 50%. Each stack reduces Attack Speed by 2 points, up to 10 stacks. Each stack lasts 5 seconds.
Focus		All characters are forced to attack the target. Melee units will automatically move into attack range. Once this effect ends, they will find new attack targets.
Bleed	Damaging	Take 0.2% of the target's Max HP in Derivative Physical Damage per second, to a maximum of 10% of the highest ATK/Hashrate of any Doll in the battle. Duration is 5 seconds and can stack up to 10 times.
Burn		Explodes when stacked to 4 stacks, each stack provides True Damage of 40% Hashrate. Explosion leaves [Burn] marks that can be stacked up to 5 stacks.
Taunt	Control	Forces the target to attack the taunting unit. Taunted units cannot use Auto Skills while taunted.

Name	Debuff Type	Description
Immobilize	Control	Target becomes immobilized.
Disarm		Prevents and interrupts Normal Attacks and Normal Attack Skills.
Silence		Prevents and interrupts Auto skill release and halts its recharge.
Knockback		The target is pushed backwards in a direction. Interrupts Normal Attacks and Auto Skill release.
Airborne		The target is briefly knocked into the air. Interrupts Normal Attacks and Auto Skill release.
Stun		Immobilizes the target. Interrupts Auto Skill release and halts its recharge.

Unique Status Effects

Status Effects done by a specific Doll.

Skill	Owner	Buff	Description
	EvelynEvelyn	Safeguard	Damage Reduction increased by 50%.
	FlorenceFlorence	Trepidation	ATK and Hashrate increased by 60%, Life Steal effect increased by 10%.
		Nursing	Each stack grants 16% damage reduction, stacking up to 5 times. Lose one stack each time damage is taken.
	NascitaNascita	Whirlwind	Greatly reduces the interval between Normal Attacks and teleports to the next target after executing a Normal Attack. Normal Attacks in this state deal 50 % damage but apply the [Dissolution] effect. Unable to use Auto Skill during the duration of [Whirlwind].
		Heroic Intervention	Increases Attack Speed by 75%, Normal Attacks additionally apply 1 stack of [Dissolution] per hit, and entering [Whirlwind] status through [Heroic Intervention] extends the duration of [Whirlwind] by 5 hits. The next use of [Ascension Drive] refunds 30 % of the Auto Skill charge bar.
	MagnhildaMagnhilda	Unyielding	When receiving fatal damage, resist death once, and all [Unyielding] stacks are converted to a HP Shield equal to N% of Max HP.
		Tenacious	Resists Crowd Control effects 1 time and disappears after, granting a stack of [Unyielding]. [Unyielding] can hold a maximum of 5 stacks.

Skill	Owner	Name	Description
	Python (PNC)Python	Smokescreen	Ally units inside the Smokescreen cannot be targeted by enemies. Boosts the damage dealt by ranged units within by N%.
	ZionZion	Graphite Force Field	Reduces damage taken by N% Hashrate, minimum 10 points.
	DaiyanDaiyan	Concordia	Abilities can now deal Critical Damage based on ally Doll's own Critical Rate.
	AbigailAbigail	Sentinel's Aura	Gain N% Physical Damage Reduction.
		Agitation	Crit Rate increased by 30%, Crit Damage increased by 30%.
	DushevnayaDushevnaya	Inspiration	Operand Damage increased by 15%, while physical and Operand DEF reduced by 15%.
		Sublimation	Hashrate increased by 50%

Skill	Owner	Name	Description
	GrooveGroove	Night Fever	Dodge Rate + 20%; Attack Speed increased by 10 for 3 seconds after dodging, up to 4 stacks.
	KseniaKsenia	Satiation	Physical DEF is increased by 35%.
		Swift Strike	Attack Speed is increased by 40%.

Skill	Owner	Name	Description
	EvelynEvelyn	Lethargy	ATK and Hashrate -20%, does not stack.
	PanakeiaPanakeia	Tablet	Physical Damage reduced by 2%. This effect doubles after boosting.
	NascitaNascita	Crippling Injury	Received healing is reduced by 5%, Max 10 stacks.
	VeeVee	Mask of Suffering	Reduces Operand DEF by 15%, deals Operand Damage equal to 100% Hashrate per second.
	AngelaAngela	Dragonbreath	Operand Damage taken increased by 30% for 7 seconds.
		Expulsion	Ignores Super Armor. Removes target from the battlefield and immobilizes it, during which the target does not take damage and becomes untargetable.
	FlorenceFlorence	Charm	Makes target attack ally units instead. Pauses skill release process and Auto Skill recharge.

Skill	Owner	Name	Description
	BanxsyBanxsy	Graffiti Mark	Reduces Hit Rate and Dodge Rate by 10%. Does not stack.
		Tagged	Reduces Hit Rate and Dodge Rate by 40%.
	Python (PNC)Python	Shortsight	Reduces the range of enemies hit to 2.
	MaxMax	Electrocute	Deals True Damage equal to 50% Hashrate after 3 seconds.
	DushevnayaDushevnaya	Cacophony	Physical and Operand DEF, ATK, and Hashrate are reduced by 15%, considered a debuff.
		Weak-Minded	Operand DEF reduced by 40%
	RiseRise	Exclusive Files	Increases all damage taken by 10% for 6 seconds.

Skill	Owner	Name	Description
	CroqueCroque	Cripple	Target becomes immobilized. ATK and Hashrate decreased by 10%.
	HelixHelix	Geneforce	The Enhancement Serum's radius is increased by 1 tile, maximum 15 stacks.
		Enhancement	ATK/Hashrate increased by 25%.
		Activation	ATK and Hashrate are increased by 25%, Ultimate Skill CD refreshed.
	JessieJessie	Antibacterial Layer	Removes debuffs and heals for N% Hashrate. Lasts for 3 seconds or until a debuff is applied. Heals allies for 8% of HP lost after the buff is gone.
	ImhotepImhotep	Deep Sleep	Become immobile and unselectable, while recovering 12.5% Max HP per second. After the end of [Deep Sleep], the selected ally's ATK, Hashrate and Crit Rate will be increased by N% for 5 seconds.

Damage Types

• True Damage is damage that ignores the target's Physical DEF and Operand DEF and is affected by Damage Multipliers and Damage Reduction but does not trigger Backlash, Life Steal and other damage related-effects, and damage conditions for Functions and Skills.
• Derivative Damage is affected by Physical and Operand DEF, but does not trigger Backlash, Life Steal and other damage related-effects, and damage conditions for Functions and Skills.
• Wallbreak occurs when a damage absorption barrier is broken.

Tactical Skills

Tactical Skills require Tactical Energy to be used. Tactical Energy is gained automatically in combat and is carried between them.

Flexible Strategy

Default Function	Options	Cost	Extra Function	Cooldown
Immediately teleport a selected ally Doll to a specified empty tile. Cannot be performed on Dolls that are stunned, frozen, or currently targeted by a boss unit such as Raven's charge.	Offensive	8 Energy	After a successful teleportation, all damage dealt by this Doll is increased by 10% for the next 5 seconds.	10s
	Survival		After a successful teleportation, the HP of the selected Doll recovers by 5% of their Max HP.

Default Function	Options	Cost	Extra Function	Cooldown
The selected target is interrupted and sent airborne for 3 seconds. They cannot be targeted during this period. Cannot be used on stunned, frozen, or summoned units, and structures.	Stun	10 Energy	If the target is an enemy unit, they will be Stunned for 2 seconds after landing.	16s
	Concealment		If the target is an ally, they will become invisible for 2 seconds after landing.

Default Function	Options	Cost	Extra Function	Cooldown
Select a unit to increase or reduce their Auto Skill charge.	Supercharge	15 Energy	Select an ally Doll to cast their Auto Skill Immediately. This does not affect its cooldown. Boost their Skill Haste by 400 points for the following 5 seconds.	10s
	Interference		Select an enemy unit and reduce their Auto Skill's charge by 50%. This does not affect enemies with Skills that take effect over time.

Offensive Build

Default Function	Options	Cost	Extra Function	Cooldown
Deal [Derivative] Operand Damage (equal to 80% of greatest ally Hashrate) to the enemy with the lowest remaining HP.	Breakpoint	7 Energy	For every 2% HP the target has lost, the damage dealt is increased by 1%. If the target dies from this strike, restore 4 points of energy.	3s
	Assault	3 Energy	Boosts all damage dealt for the next 5 seconds by 30% if target dies from this damage, up to 3 stacks.	0s

Default Function	Options	Cost	Extra Function	Cooldown
Deals [Derivative] Operand Damage (equal to 50% of greatest ally Hashrate) to all enemies in the selected area and stuns them for 1 second.	Suppression	10 Energy	Reduces the damage of targets' next 3 Normal Attacks by 10%.	12s
	Ordinance		Inflicts an Ignition effect on the enemies that lasts 7 seconds, dealing Operand Damage (equal to 10% of greatest ally Hashrate) every second.

Default Function	Options	Cost	Extra Function	Cooldown
Focus Fire on 1 enemy for 4 seconds. Allies will not retarget at the end of this effect.	Focus	10 Energy	Tactical Skills deal 50% more damage to the target during the effect's duration.	10s
	Reflow		Ally units regain 5% of their Max HP by landing Normal Attacks to the target. This HP Recovery can only trigger once for each ally unit.

Effect Tiles

Some tiles on the battlefield or on the backup column will produce effects to the units who start a battle on them. This applies to both ally and enemy units.

Field Tiles

These effect tiles take effect at the start of the battle and cannot be reapplied after it starts.

• Overdrive: Unit on this tile can release their Auto Skill immediately at the start of battle.
• Snipe: Gives infinite range, ignores HP shields, and targets the farthest enemy rather than the closest to ranged units for the current battle. Only applies to Ranged Units.
• Teleport: Melee unit on this tile will be teleported to the enemy furthest away from them. The teleportation will be delayed by 1 second on ally Dolls. (Hatsuchiri cannot trigger this effect tile.)
• Power Strike: When units on this tile damages Ranged and Melee HP shields, an equal amount of damage is dealt directly to the target's HP.
• Ranged Damage Reduction: Unit on this tile gain an HP Shield of 15% Max HP against ranged attacks.
• Ranged Resistance: Unit on this tile gain an HP Shield of 50% Max HP against melee attacks.
• Melee Resistance: Unit on this tile gain an HP Shield of 50% Max HP against ranged attacks.
• Taunt: Unit on this tile will have its Physical DEF doubled and all enemies will be forced to attack the aforementioned unit. This effect lasts 5 seconds.
• Flash Attack: Unit on this tile has its ATK decreased by 30% and Attack Speed increased by 60%.

Sector-specific effect tiles

Though the category says Sector-specific tiles, it is better to say that these tiles are instead introduced in said sectors.

Helios Sector

• Energy Herb: Continuously takes effect. Generates an Energy Herb for the last unit passing through this effect tile every 4.6 seconds. Energy Herbs recharge a unit's Auto Skill to full.
• Pseudo-Energy Herb: Permanent effect. Generates a Pseudo-Energy Herb for the last unit passing through this effect tile every 4.6 seconds. Pseudo-Energy Herb recharges a unit's Auto Skill by 25%.
• Lure: Immediately teleports the unit on this effect tile to the nearest Energy Herb Tile.

Enigma Sector

• Data Adherence: Takes effect at the start of battle. Units on this effect tile are immune to the effects of [Trojan] and applies 2 stacks of [Trojan] every 6 seconds to enemies within a range of 1 tile.

Pierides Sector

• Entropy Liquid: Permanent effect. These effect tiles continuously spread on the battlefield. On these effect tiles, all units deal 30% more damage and Entropics recover 5% of their Max HP every 3 seconds while non-Entropics lose 7.5% of their Max HP every 3 seconds.
  • Note: The effect of Entropy Liquid can be mitigated by the Function Cards Multi-core Computing (enhance ally Skill Haste by the number of Entropy Liquid on stage), High-risk Node (enhance ally damage to enemies on Entropy Liquid) and Node Reparation (recover Max HP every 5 seconds when standing on Entropy Liquid). These Function Cards can be acquired at the start of a stage for free by combining the Overclock Function and Free Overclock Procedural Efficiency nodes. The Procedural Efficiency node Entropization Blocker, which reduces damage from Entropy Liquid by up to 30%, can also be unlocked after beating 5-1D.

Copley Sector

• Waves: Permanent effect (thought it goes away after a few seconds). Units on the water have their movement speed reduced and deal less damage.

Backup Tiles

These are effect tiles used by the Backup Units.

• Rest: Additionally recover 30% Max HP after battle.
• Off-field Shot: Unit on this tile deals Physical damage of 50% Hashrate to enemy with the lowest HP every 5 seconds. Specialist units deal 30% more damage with this effect.
• Coordinated Inspiration: Unit on this effect tile buffs while the ATK of all ally Dolls on the battlefield by 16% of its own ATK.
• Coordinated Buff: Unit on this tile buffs all ally Dolls on the battlefield by 16% of its Hashrate.
• Coordinated Heal: Unit on this tile heals unit with the lowest HP percentage by 50% of own Hashrate every 5 seconds. Medic units gain an additional 30% Healing Effect boost.
• Coordinated Missile Strike: Unit on this tile deals True Damage of 100% Hashrate every 5 seconds to all enemies on the same horizontal row. Sniper units deal 30% more damage with this effect.
• Trade-off: Unit on this tile loses 50% of its current HP at the start of battle to deal an equal amount of damage on enemy with the highest HP. Guard units deal 30% more damage with this effect.
• Daredevil: Unit on this tile gains the [Assault Readiness] effect: When participating in the next battle, ATK is increased by 70% with Warriors gaining an additional 30% ATK. However, HP will be set to 1 after the battle. This effect persists for one battle.