Beat time
Beat time (formally ".beat time") in Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst is a unique method of telling time created by the Swatch corporation. It was designed as a method of telling time independent from time zones (although it is globally based on the time zone UTC+1) by dividing the standard 24-hour day into 1,000 units called ".beats," each lasting an equivalent of 86.4 seconds.
Beat time was incorporated into Phantasy Star Online as a way to facilitate cross-continent gameplay coordination more easily. The current beat time can be observed in-game by opening the menu, with the current beat time - as well as the progression of the current beat (represented by a green bar) - being displayed in the bottom-right corner of the menu.
Equipment
Certain pieces of equipment have mechanics that function differently depending on the current beat time.
Item | Beat Time Condition(s) | Effect(s) |
---|---|---|
Heaven Punisher |
Hundreds digit of Beat Time is even |
Special attack becomes Divine Punishment |
Mille Marteaux | ||
Heaven Striker |
Hundreds digit of Beat Time is even; | |
Morning Glory |
None/always active |
ATP increases by Current Beat Time / 4
|
Epsiguard |
Every two Beats |
Resistance changes; |
Divine Protection |
Hundreds digit of Beat Time is odd |
<Still work in progress>