Formations (SaGa Scarlet Grace)

Formations are a gameplay feature in SaGa Scarlet Grace, returning from other games in the series. Different formation grant different benefits while in battle. Some formations will grant more BP if you kill enemies, some will help you defend more fragile characters, and so on.

You gain new formations by recruiting new characters. There are 23 total normal formations in the base game, with more added in with Scarlet Ambition.

Normal Formations

Free Fight

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
1 2 3 4 5	1	Speed up large	Starting Formation Allows characters to move quickly When not acting, speed increases for the next turn
	2	Speed up large
	3	Speed up large
	4	Speed up large
	5	Speed up large
BP Usage: Start 3, Max 7, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: All
Graces: 1

Royal Hearts

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
5 2 4 1 3	1	Weapon power up small, speed up small, targeted rate up large	Default formation in Urpina's scenario The vanguards are targeted more, so it's good if you have two high defense characters
	2	Weapon power up small, speed up small, targeted rate up large
	3	Speed down small
	4	Speed down small
	5	Speed down small
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Urpina, Antonius, Kuroshōzoku, Armored Princess
Graces: 1

Crooked Cross

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
4 1 3 5 2	1	Weapon power up small, targeted rate up, speed up	Default formation in Balmant's scenario The vanguard's attack power is high, and the rearguard's survivability is high
	2	Targeted rate up, speed up small
	3	Targeted rate up, speed up small
	4	Targeted rate up, speed up small
	5	Magic/Physical Defense up, speed down large
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Balmant
Graces: 1

Double Combine

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 5 3 4 1	1	Speed up extra large, targeted rate up	Default formation in Leonard's scenario The two vanguards have high speed
	2	Speed up extra large, targeted rate up
	3	Speed down large
	4	Speed down large
	5	Speed down large
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Elisabeth
Graces: 1

Feather Guard

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 4 5 3 1	1	Speed up small, targeted rate up	Default formation in Taria's scenario The rearguard is good for weak or caster characters
	2	Speed up small, targeted rate up
	3	Speed up small, targeted rate up
	4	Speed up small, targeted rate up
	5	Physical/Magical defense up extra large, speed down
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Taria
Graces: 1

Hunter Shift

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
4 2 5 1 3	1	Speed up small, targeted rate up small	A great formation for strong archers
	2	Speed up small, targeted rate up small
	3
	4
	5	Bow BP reduction, weapon power up small, speed down large
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Colleen, Heigl
Graces: 2

Desert Lance

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
3 5 1 4 2	1	BP reduction, speed up large, targeting rate up	The vanguard's speed has increased and they can use stronger skills at a lower cost, but the rest of the team is slowed down and the vanguard will be targeted more.
	2	Speed down small
	3	Speed down small
	4	Speed down small
	5	Speed down small
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Socrates, Lamarr
Graces: 2

Overpowering Might

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
4 1 3 5 2	1	Speed up, targeted rate up large	Good for Great sword users, but beware the speed penalty Put a tough character in position 1
	2	Target rate increase
	3	Great sword BP reduction, speed down
	4	Target rate increase
	5	Speed down
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Kumi, Natsir, Luna
Graces: 2

Bastard Wing

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
5 3 1 2 4	1	BP reduction for long swords, speed increase large, targeting rate up	BP reduction will also work for dual-wielding
	2	Speed up small, targeting rate up
	3	Speed up small, targeting rate up
	4	Speed down small
	5	Speed down small
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Ereich, Chichi, Hilda
Graces: 2

Norm Ax

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 5 3 4 1	1	Speed up small, targeting rate up large	Put tough characters in the front row
	2	BP cost reduction, Speed up small, targeting rate up
	3	Speed up small, targeting rate up large
	4	Speed down
	5	Speed down
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Kenji, Nehe
Graces: 2

Club North Watts

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
3 5 1 4 2	1	Reduce BP cost for club, speed up, targeted rate up	Good for club attackers
	2	Speed up small
	3	Speed up small
	4
	5
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Ignatius, Paul, Madanite, Yeoman
Graces: 2

Catalina Wedge

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 4 5 3 1	1	Targeted rate increases	Good for short sword attackers, speed can be compensated for by using interrupts
	2	Targeted rate increases
	3	Speed down
	4	Speed down
	5	Small sword BP reduction, weapon power up small, speed down
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Ingres, Keegan, Giselle, Raphael
Graces: 2

Hook Marshall

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
5 4 1 3 2	1	BP cost reduction for barehanded skills, attack up small, physical/magical defense down, speed up	The strength of barehanded attacks is increased, so try to hit your opponents before they can hit your decreased defense
	2	Grace trigger rate up
	3	Grace trigger rate up
	4	Grace trigger rate up
	5	Grace trigger rate up, speed down
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Orville, Rico
Graces: 2

Magical Shower

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 5 3 4 1	1	Speed up small, targeting rate up extra large	Great for teams with two casters Put defensive characters up front
	2	Speed up small, targeting rate up extra large
	3
	4	Bp cost down for magic, speed down small
	5	Bp cost down for magic, speed down small
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 9, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Elysed, Chrysa, Sai'd Stabian, Nevan, Nolan, Mirane, Julia
Graces: 2

Counter Hazard

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
5 3 1 2 4	1	Large BP reduction for reserve skills, attack up small, speed up, targeted rate up large	Reserve skills are protects, counters, and interrupts BP reduction is 2
	2	Target rate up
	3	Target rate up
	4	Large BP reduction for reserve skills, speed down
	5	Large BP reduction for reserve skills, speed down
BP Usage: Start 3, Max 8, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Lewis
Graces: 2

Big Rack

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 3 4 5 1	1	Attack up small, speed up small, targeted rate up	BP increases by 2 if a continuous attack is triggered
	2	Attack up small, targeted rate up
	3	Grace trigger rate up, speed down small
	4	Grace trigger rate up, speed down
	5	Grace trigger rate up, speed down
BP Usage: Start 5, Max 11, Gain 2 each turn if criteria is met
Characters: Adill, Roh Sung
Graces: 3

Black Sheep

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 5 3 4 1	1	Physical/magical defense down, speed up, targeted rate up	BP resets to 5 if a united attack is triggered
	2	Physical/magical defense down, speed up, targeted rate up
	3	Physical/magical defense down, speed up, targeted rate up
	4	Physical/magical defense down, speed down
	5	Physical/magical defense down, speed down
BP Usage: Start 5, Max 11, Gain 1 each turn
Characters: Aslana, Francis, Hongswan
Graces: 3

Brave Rise

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
5 2 3 1 4	1	Gains BP if they kill an enemy, attack up, speed up small, targeted rate up	2 BP will be gained each time a vanguard character kills an enemy
	2	Gains BP if they kill an enemy, attack up, speed up small, targeted rate up
	3	Speed down small
	4	Speed down
	5	Speed down
BP Usage: Start 5, Max 11, Gain 2 if the criteria is met
Characters: Ogniana, Griffin, Thiago
Graces: 3

Erakleos Guard

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
4 2 5 1 3	1	Increases BP with guarding, Physical/Magical defense up, speed and targeted rate up	If the two front characters guard, BP will increase.
	2	Increases BP with guarding, Physical/Magical defense up, speed and targeted rate up
	3	Physical/magical defense up large, speed down small
	4	Increased chance of activating Grace, Physical/Magical defense up large, speed down
	5	Increased chance of activating Grace, Physical/Magical defense up large, speed down
BP Usage: Start 5, Max 11, Gain 2 if the criteria is met
Characters: Irene
Graces: 3

Poison Dance

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 5 4 3 1	1	Speed up small, targeted rate up	All characters start off poisoned Due to this, you will start with 8 BP
	2	Speed up small, targeted rate up
	3	BP reduction for arts, speed down
	4	BP reduction for arts, speed down
	5	BP reduction for arts, speed down
BP Usage: Start 3, Max 8, Gain 1 for every character poisoned
Characters: Alexandra, Sasha, The Arch Witch
Graces: 3

Angry March

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
4 2 5 1 3	1	Physical/Magical defense down extra large, speed up small	All characters start off angry Due to this, you will start with 7 BP
	2	Physical/Magical defense down extra large, speed up small
	3	Physical/Magical defense down extra large
	4	Physical/Magical defense down extra large
	5	Physical/Magical defense down extra large
BP Usage: Start 2, Max 7, Gain 1 for every character angry
Characters: Strumiknen
Graces: 3

Rogue Trap

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
3 2 4 1 5	1	Increases Grace activation chance, speed up small, targeted rate up	BP increases if all three rearguard member use reserve techniques
	2	Increases Grace activation chance, speed up small, targeted rate up
	3	Increase BP by using a reserve technique, speed down small
	4	Increase BP by using a reserve technique, speed down
	5	Increase BP by using a reserve technique, speed down small
BP Usage: Start 4, Max 12, Gain 1 if the criteria is met
Characters: Maximus
Graces: 3

Wings of Brahma

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
2 5 3 1 4	1	Attack down	Defensive formation
	2	Attack down
	3	Target rate up, defense up, attack down
	4	Attack down
	5	Attack down
BP Usage: Start 5, Max 7, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Mondo
Graces: 2

Triple Sword

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
3 5 2 1 4	1	BP reduction for Greatsword techniques
	2	BP reduction for longsword techniques
	3	BP reduction for short sword techniques
	4
	5
BP Usage: Start 2, Max 6, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Camelia
Graces: 3

Frontier Line

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
3 2 1 4 5	1	Reduces BP for ax skills
	2
	3
	4	Reduces BP for ax skills
	5	Reduces BP for bow skills
BP Usage: Start 2, Max 7, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Tissisaaq
Graces: 3

Unison Strike

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
1 3 5 2 4	1	BP reduction for barehanded skills, speed up, aim rate up
	2	BP reduction for club skills
	3
	4	Speed down small
	5	Speed down small
BP Usage: Start 2, Max 6, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Sabit
Graces: 3

Speculation

Layout	Position Number	Notes	More Notes
5 3 1 2 4	1	Defense down	Take advantage of the high early BP to strike before the opponent takes advantage of your lowered defense
	2	Defense down
	3	Defense down
	4	Defense down
	5	Defense down
BP Usage: Start 5, Max 7, Gain 1 each turn.
Characters: Khan
Graces: 2

Navigation

Characters Main characters Urpina - Leonard - Taria - Balmaint Supporting characters Antonius - Elisabeth - Kahn - Sigfrei - Lewis - Hongswan - Sasha - Francis - Mondo - Arthur - Aslana - Chiago - Elysed - Adill - Victoria - Roh Sung - Griffin - Ogniana - Paul - Strumiknen - Maximius - Irene - Arch Witch - Tissisaaq - Camelia - Sabit Other characters Aleksandra - Angle - Armored Maiden - Beatrice - Black-Robed Figure - Casper - Cecilia - Chichi - Kreisa - Clover - Colleen - Compass - Ereich - Gabriel - Giselle - Guinevere - Hagar - Hilda - House - Ignatius - Isaac - Jamto - Jerome - Julia - Keegan - Kenji - Kumi - Lamar - Lord Stabiae - Luna - Muiredach - Marion - Mirane - Nasir - Lady - Nessa - Nemain - Nolan - Orville - Patricia - Queen - Raphael - Rico - Robert - Snail - Socrates - Solon - Tomato - Yohman - Zigor Twelve Celestials Adamas - Astel - Bartlett - Diemazu - Imhokiel - Kada - Marigan - Macha - Shaams - Tejedura - Tukuz - Uzume Old Gods Firebringer - Savnok - Balor - Aranea - Chiyou Sublime Spirituals Earth Serpent - Phoenix - Blackworm - Sublime Spiritual of Natura Locations Northeast Boundary Sea Bridge - Outpost - Finemundi - Village of No Presence - Everbloom Tree - Porta Inferni - Abyssal Swamp - Fang Terrae - Spirit Lake - Adamas Shrine - Snowy Hut - Glacier Walls - Frozen Ship - Winter's Door - Frozen Fiend - Forest Dweller Marchiam Normi Child Walk - Maiden Cliff - Moorhead - Ostdorf - Westdorf - Castle Kubera - Gusty George - Yomitana Sluice Gate - Neyott Thermocavern - Hide Hive - Yokilis Shaft - Tidemarch - North Sea Ruins - Snow Queen Provincia Thracini Mt. Plinio - Elhuacan - Josgad Stable - Stabiae - Sea Bridge - Mulkna Sluice Gate - Nakisina Sluice Gate - Yomitana Sluice Gatee - Pantheon - Kusama Geyser - Old Geyser - TeHoru Geyser - Madayanti Stone - Daji Stone - Tamamo Stone - Rahol Knoll - Mira Cave - Nugia Hollow - Yuaba Shaft - The Creature of Lake Mulkna - Earth Serpent - Enigmatic Egg - Collector Nest - The Creature Returns Provincia Termina Schut - Castle Knym - Moorhead - Josgad Stable - North Gate - South Gate - Taria's Workshop - Raven Manor - Liuhuang Vent - Beast Den - Wam i Mine - Phoenix - Earth Serpent - Bloody Howl Provincia Cindrea Imhokiel Dam - Kilik - Taiffa - Yumen - Sanhigh - Ur-Saqqara - Saqqara - Castle Knym - Perrault Cave - Basile Hole - Syowyo Mound - Grimms Mine - Earth Serpent - Karkinos Marchiam Ria Ferrol - Betanzos - Coruna - Muros - Arousa - Pontevedra - Vigo - Abandoned Village - Cocoon - Water Mirror - Festival Stage - Faerie Stone - Fiends' Nest - Omni Relief Mare Ilfee Edinport - Battlwick - New Wise - Longstone Lighthouse - Limerock Lighthouse - Middle Range Lighthouse - Sugar Castle Lighthouse - Gard Island Lightvessel - Hazard Reef - Mermaid Rock - Phantom Warship - Charybdis - Eilean Ceo - Spirit Coal Mine - Diemazu Temple - Diemazu Shrine - Driftage Coast - Provincia Thracini Border - Provincia Cerenaif Border - Cave of Zihg - Wanderer of the Seas Provincia Cerenaif Castle Parm - Zegna - Nipelo - Cingular - Water Mill - Imhokiel Temple - Westend Graveyard - Central Cemetery - Eastend Cemetery - Spring Cave - Castello Guscio - Haunted State - Labyrinth - Pyro Mine - Roadblocker Provincia Rhonicum Silmium - Lug - Nekwa - Castle Parm - Marigan Temple - Fort Kathrin - Boathouse - Tveak Tower - Lyajg Bog - Drear Rock - Earth Serpent - Dark Forest - Trampling Despair Provincia Gradion Testika - Sanhigh - Yumen - Hibernian Border - Bicornia - Pixkimarigan - Adamas Tower - Fort Kathrin - Forest Hut - Bollinger Mine - Jardina Mine - Tula Mine - Shrine - Budding Desire Urbs Azhuacan Central Palace - North Market - South Market - Black Market - Imperial Library - Marigan Temple - Kada Temple - Macha Temple - Imhokiel Temple - Astel Temple - Diemazu Temple - Shaams Temple - North Pier - South Pier - Teleportation Device - Arena - Trampling Despair Provincia Hibernia Grove of Silence - Ceobhran - Makulilkali Fortress - Castle Fomoire - Teach na Macha - Rainbow Bridge - Fire Aes Mine - Earth Aes Mine - Water Aes Mine - Sealed Cave - Earth Serpent - Grasslands Cabin - Gora Heights - Lofty Malice Provincia Jusitania Grumon - Castle Fomoire - Misery - Nanim - Deserted Village - Astel Convent - Spira Tower - Tveak Tower - Seaside Shop - Carl Falls - Donseilla Mine - Lupagal Cave - East Jungle - West Jungle - Enigmatic Skeleton - Stash of Suspect Goods - Man Swinging Pickaxe - Collector Nest - Beckoning of the Abyss Marchiam Bicyniro Nekwa - Pescara - Anchiano - Caprese - Maelstrom - Noono Forest - Aslana's Studio - Diving Well - Cave Stuffed with Treasure - Cave Crammed with Fiends - Place with the Final Boss - Trampling Despair Southeast Boundary Nameless Peninsula - Birdman Village - Moa - Torii - Enigma Jungle - Fork Falls - Phoenix's Nest - Blue Hole - Hole of Chaos - Corner Isle - The Confounder Provincia Kei Castle Kohan - Nangoon - Owtie Arbor - Taiffa - Rowsui Tower - Bullio Gate - Azhuacan Ferry - Mountain Hut - Nomadic Settlement - Unremarkable Tree - Old Well - Sigfrei's Well - Pot Falls - Rugged Mountain - Somondoco - Great Arch - Earth Serpent - Phoenix - One Who Sates the Earth Provincia Maurehua Prayer Tower - Kilik - Shaams Temple - Owtie Arbor - Gusty Gorge - Halsa - West Mine - North Mine - South Mine - Hot Spring - Phoenix - Collector Nest - Hot Springs Rana Marchiam Megdasse Highsha Quarters - Highsha Observation Tower - Walomir Quarters - Walomir Observation Tower - Kaikow Quarters - Kaikow Observation Tower - Nyu Quarters - Nyu Observation Tower - Megdasse Floodgate - Bullio Gate - Secret Passage - Lake Megdasse - Spiritdrop Cave - Stardrop Cave - Infernodrop Cave - Fragata Mine - Mono Dungeon - Reiche Caves - Giant Plant - Megdasse Glyphs - Apple Tree - Tornado - Walomir Sheep - Earth Serpent - Chupacabra Marchiam Yaxart Stahl - Astel Shrine - Rowsui - Bartlett Shrine - Diemazu Shrine - True Diemazu Shrine - Imhokiel Gate - Kada Shrine - Macha Shrine - True Macha Shrine - Rowsui Tower - True Marigan Shrine - Shaams Shrine - Tejedura Shrine - Tukuz Shrine - Twai - True Uzume Shrine - New Cave - Mysterious Cave - North Hole - West Knoll - East Dungeon - South Shaft - Forbidden Point - Burned Dancer - Phoenix - Earth Serpent Marchiam Numadica Imhokiel Gate - Chyokun - Belike - Ashina - Excavation Sites - Destroyed Temple - Coastal Keep - Salt Cave - Shaams Cave - Weapon-Like Object - Hive - The Weakest of All Ancient Cities Ei-Hanum - Dizahab - Ur-Saqqara Gameplay Mechanics Recruitment - Techs (Spark charts) - Roles - Formations - Mercenary Missions Inventory Armor - Items - Weapons Lore Twelve Celestials - Infernals - Spirituals - Scarlet Grace - Great War - Minstrel's Tales - Masquerade Theatre Other Translations - Achievements - Sidequests