Status effect
Status effects are a gameplay mechanism in Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ / Union χ. Status effects can be divided in three groups: Status ailments, Buffs, and Debuffs.
Status Ailments
Status ailments are negative status effects that can be inflicted by using certain skills, or certain enemy attacks. Status ailments can be removed by using a Medal with Esuna, a similar Special Attack, or the Esuna Pet Trick.
Poison
Poison is represented by an icon with purple bubbles. When afflicted with Poison, the Player or enemy takes damage at the beginning of their turn. The Player can inflict Poison on enemies with Medals that have a Poison, or Triple Threat Skill. Certain Special Attacks, like Strike Raid, become stronger when used against Poisoned enemies. The effect of Poison takes place after Second Chance, causing the Player to lose, even if the Skill activates. When afflicted with Poison, the Player gets a purple glow, and some Special Attack effects become purple as well.
A stronger version of Poison is represented by an icon with dark red bubbles. This variation is exclusive to certain enemy's attacks, like the Wretched Witch. When afflicted by this version of Poison, the Player takes more damage than from regular poison. When afflicted with this version of Poison, the Player gets a dark red glow and some Special Attack effects become dark red as well.
Paralysis
Paralysis is represented by an icon with blue lightning bolts. When afflicted with Paralysis, the Player will sometimes skip a Medal. Enemies have a chance of skipping their attack. The Player can inflict Paralysis on enemies with Medals that have a Paralysis, or Triple Threat Skill. Certain Special Attacks, like Icicle Spear, become stronger when used against Paralyzed enemies. When afflicted with Paralysis, the Player gets a yellow glow, and some Special Attack effects become yellow as well.
Sleep
Sleep is represented by an icon with a cloud and three Z's. When afflicted with Sleep, the Player will skip a set amount of Medals. Enemies will not attack. However, attacking them while they are asleep will remove the Sleep status. The Player can inflict Sleep on enemies with Medals that have a Sleep, or Triple Threat Skill. Certain Special Attacks, like Sonic Blade, become stronger when used against Sleeping enemies. Certain enemies, like the White Rose will start a battle asleep. When afflicted with Sleep, the Player gets a white glow.
Buffs
Buffs are positive status effects that raise strength and defense. All Buffs could be stacked to a maximum of +7, but could be exceeded by the Pet Tricks - P/S/M Attack Boost I, by 1 value higher; and as of version 3.1.0, the maximum has been raised to +15 (+16, with Pet Tricks). Buffs can be removed by using a Medal with Dispel, Overwrite, or a similar Special Attack. Some enemy attacks can also dispel buffs. If the target is already afflicted with a debuff, the buff of the same type will lower the debuff, or remove it.
Strength Boost
Strength Boost (アタックアップ Atakku Appu, lit. "Attack Up") raises the target's general strength, increasing their attack power, regardless of attribute used.
Strength Boost P (Pアタックアップ P Atakku Appu, lit. "P Attack Up") raises the target's Power-based strength, increasing the Player's attack power with Power Medals, or attack power of Power-type enemies.
Strength Boost S (Sアタックアップ S Atakku Appu, lit. "S Attack Up") raises the target's Speed-based strength, increasing the Player's attack power with Speed Medals, or attack power of Speed-type enemies.
Strength Boost M (Mアタックアップ M Atakku Appu, lit. "M Attack Up") raises the target's Magic-based strength, increasing the Player's attack power with Magic Medals, or attack power of Magic-type enemies.
Strength Boost PSM (PSMアタックアップ PSM Atakku Appu, lit. "PSM Attack Up") is a combination of the Strength Boost P, S, and M Buffs. It increases the attack power of all attributes.
Strength Boost U raises the Player's Upright-based strength, increasing the attack power with Upright Medals.
Strength Boost R raises the Player's Reversed-based strength, increasing the attack power with Reversed Medals.
Defense Boost
Defense Boost (プロテクトアップ Purotekuto Appu, lit. "Protect Up") raises the target's general defense, reducing the damage received, regardless of attribute.
Defense Boost P (Pプロテクトアップ P Purotekuto Appu, lit. "P Protect Up") raises the target's Power-based defense, reducing the damage received by Power-based Medals or Power-type enemies.
Defense Boost S (Sプロテクトアップ S Purotekuto Appu, lit. "S Protect Up") raises the target's Speed-based defense, reducing the damage received by Speed-based Medals or Speed-type enemies.
Defense Boost M (Mプロテクトアップ M Purotekuto Appu, lit. "M Protect Up") raises the target's Magic-based defense, reducing the damage received by Magic-based Medals or Magic-type enemies.
Defense Boost PSM (PSMプロテクトアップ PSM Purotekuto Appu, lit. "PSM Protect Up") is a combination of the Defense Boost P, S, and M Buffs. It reduces the damage received of all attributes.
Absorb
Absorb (吸収 Kyūshū) is a permanent non-stackable enemy buff that can't be removed with Dispel or be overwritten. All damage dealt with the same attribute as the buff will result in an immediate HP Recovery (HP回復 HP Kaifuku) of the same value. Reflected damage won't be absorbed.
Absorbs Power attacks
Absorb P absorbs Power-based damage.
Absorbs Speed attacks
Absorb S absorbs Speed-based damage.
Absorbs Magic attacks
Absorb M absorbs Magic-based damage.
Absorbs Upright attacks
Absorb U absorbs Upright-based damage.
Absorbs Reversed attacks
Absorb R absorbs Reversed-based damage.
Reflect
Reflect (反射 Hansha) is a non-stackable buff that can't be removed with Dispel or be overwritten. All damage dealt with the same attribute as the buff will also be inflicted on the damage dealer, even if all the damage receiver's HP were lost after the attack.
Reflects Power attacks
Reflect P reflects Power-based damage.
Reflects Speed attacks
Reflect S reflects Speed-based damage.
Reflects Magic attacks
Reflect M reflects Magic-based damage.
Debuffs
Debuffs are negative status effects that lower strength and defense. All Debuffs could be stacked to a maximum of -7, but as of version 3.1.0, the maximum has been lowered to -15. Debuffs can be removed by using a Medal with Dispel, Overwrite, or a similar Special Attack. Some enemy attacks can also dispel debuffs. If the target is already afflicted with a buff, the debuff of the same type will lower the buff, or remove it.
Strength Sap
Strength Sap (アタックダウン Atakku Daun, lit. "Attack Down") lowers the target's general strength, reducing their attack power, regardless of attribute used.
Strength Sap P (Pアタックダウン P Atakku Daun, lit. "P Attack Down") lowers the target's Power-based strength, reducing the Player's attack power with Power Medals, or attack power of Power-type enemies.
Strength Sap S (Sアタックダウン S Atakku Daun, lit. "S Attack Down") lowers the target's Speed-based strength, reducing the Player's attack power with Speed Medals, or attack power of Speed-type enemies.
Strength Sap M (Mアタックダウン M Atakku Daun, lit. "M Attack Down") lowers the target's Magic-based strength, reducing the Player's attack power with Magic Medals, or attack power of Magic-type enemies.
Strength Sap PSM (PSMアタックダウン PSM Atakku Daun, lit. "PSM Attack Down") is a combination of the Strength Sap P, S, and M Debuffs. It reduces the attack power of all attributes.
Defense Sap
Defense Sap (プロテクトダウン Purotekuto Daun, lit. "Protect Down") lowers the target's general defense, increasing the damage received, regardless of attribute.
Defense Sap P (Pプロテクトダウン P Purotekuto Daun, lit. "P Protect Down") lowers the target's Power-based defense, increasing the damage received by Power-based Medals or Power-type enemies.
Defense Sap S (Sプロテクトダウン S Purotekuto Daun, lit. "S Protect Down") lowers the target's Speed-based defense, increasing the damage received by Speed-based Medals or Speed-type enemies.
Defense Sap M (Mプロテクトダウン M Purotekuto Daun, lit. "M Protect Down") lowers the target's Magic-based defense, increasing the damage received by Magic-based Medals or Magic-type enemies.
Defense Sap PSM (PSMプロテクトダウン PSM Purotekuto Daun, lit. "PSM Protect Down") is a combination of the Defense Sap P, S, and M Debuffs. It increases the damage received of all attributes.
Defense Sap U lowers the target's Upright-based defense, increasing the damage received by Upright Medals.
Defense Sap R lowers the target's Reversed-based defense, increasing the damage received by Reversed Medals.