Auto Item (オートアイテム Ootoaitemu?), also spelled as Auto-Item, is a gameplay mechanic that spawned an arte exclusive to most playable characters in Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
Arte History and Description[]
Auto Item refers to the use of items by party members who are not controlled by the player. Introduced in Tales of the Abyss and used in Tales of Vesperia though not under the name, AI party members may request the use of items during battle that are relevant to the situation, such as asking to use a health-restoring Apple Gel when someone's HP is low. The player is allowed to cancel the usage if necessary, as items this way invoke the same cooldown as if the player initiated it. AI party members can be forced to stop all requests from the strategy menu.
This system makes its way as an arte in Dawn of the New World. It enables a character to set any consumable item as an arte shortcut, allowing it to be accessed at any time without entering the menu during battle. Unlike previous games that provide a strategy option to enable or disable the use of curative items, this system provides the ability to choose the items that can be accessed prior to battle. When it is used by characters who are not controlled by the player, they are free to use any curative item in the party's inventory. Disabling this arte means that the AI party members are unable to use items unless prompted by the player.
The player is given more control of the system in Tales of Xillia and Tales of Xillia 2. The option is unlocked after obtaining the Item Sphere during the storyline. The player is allowed to set several items in order of priority, as well as under what conditions the items can be used. The player can also set limits to how much of the stock can be depleted before moving on. Though the number of items that can be set is initially limited, the Item Sphere Plus valuable can be obtained to expand the list. There are also a series of titles related to how many items are used in this manner.
Appearances[]
Original Titles
- Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Emil Castagnier, Marta Lualdi, Colette Brunel, Raine Sage, Genis Sage, Regal Bryant, Sheena Fujibayashi, Zelos Wilder, Presea Combatir, Lloyd Irving (Auto Item)
- Tales of Xillia - Menu (Auto-Item)
- Tales of Xillia 2 - Menu (Auto-Item)
In-Game Descriptions and Battle Quotes[]
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World[]
Localized Description: "Automatically use an item when an ally is in trouble."