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. Beat time 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," with each .beat lasting an equivalent of 86.4 seconds.
Beat time was incorporated into Phantasy Star Online during development as a way to more easily facilitate the coordination of cross-continent gameplay. It can be observed in-game by opening the menu, with the current beat time (called "internet time")--as well as the progression of the current .beat (represented by a green bar)--being displayed in the bottom-right corner.
Items[edit | edit source]
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 (  Striker Unit must be equipped)
| |
 Epsiguard
|
Every two Beats | Resistance changes, aesthetic changes |
 Divine Protection
|
Hundreds digit of Beat Time is odd | LCK is doubled, ELT and EDK increased by 20 |
Notes[edit | edit source]
Galatine previously had its base ATP multiplied by a value depending on the beat time, but this was changed in an Ephinea update on April 30th, 2023. The color of the sword still changes from blue to yellow during the same times as before.- Morning Glory previously had its base ATP increased by a formula of
Current Beat Time / 4, but this was also changed in an Ephinea update, shortly after Galatine was changed.
