History Characters / PhantasyStarOnline2ARKSGuardians

* ChickMagnet: Matoi's affections for the Guardian are so unsubtle that EveryoneCanSeeIt [[spoiler:and she gives an official LoveConfession in the ending of ''Episode 6'']], Io's {{Tsundere}} habits poorly disguise her own blatant feelings, and Fourie and Quna have the majority of their on-screen interactions be with the Guardian in particularly close friendships past the initial hurdles, never mind some of their gift and party member comments.

* DispelMagic: All ARKS operatives share the same basic ability to resist and purify corrupted photons known as F-Factors. In the Protagonist's case however, their ability to do so is so strong that they're capable of purifying even the Dark Falz themselves.

** Throughout the first three episodes, it becomes clear that the Protagonist has absurdly high photon affinity, being able to keep up to an extent with most of the Council of Six by ''Episode 2'' which is almost half a year of them being a full ARKS operative. By the events of ''Episode 4'', they're acknowledged as being pretty much the strongest operative that ARKS has, with Matoi as their only peer in sheer power. In ''Episode 5'', they single-handedly power multiple Buster Towers when Hariette can't even get one to activate. [[spoiler:''Episode 6'' makes it clear that this is not merely part of being TheChosenOne. They were tailor-made as a {{Tykebomb}} by Xion to thwart the Profound Darkness and gifted with immense potential as a result.]]
** In addition, there's also their ability to dispel F-Factors from others that they share with Matoi. While all ARKS operatives share the same basic ability to do so, the Protagonist and Matoi are the only ones shown strong enough to purify and even restrain beings such as the Dark Falz.

* SupportingProtagonist: The player takes more of a backseat throughout the events of ''Episode 4''. While they are still mostly present for the majority of the story and lend their help when it's needed, the driving force behind the story lies squarely with the Earth characters.
* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: In ''Episode 5'', your weapon is modified to replicate the Ame-no-Murakumo, Hitsugi's Katana from ''Episode 4'' that has the power to separate Ether from living beings. [[spoiler:It [[SpannerInTheWorks accidentally ends up working against you]], since its Aether causes the rescue attempt at saving Persona to go awry, indirectly leading to the discovery of the Omega dimension.]]

* TimeTravel: An ability gained from Xion in ''Episode 1''. It was first utilized to save Matoi, and was utilized throughout ''Episode 1'' particularly when it came to locating the remnants of Clarissa, as all three pieces were found on the same day but with different people. In ''Episode 2'', Xiao enhanced the ability by granting the Protagonist the power to travel back months, allowing them to go back in time to save Zeno from Elder and Ulku from Luther's Avian Falspawn, and later travel back 10 years to discover who Matoi is.

* VagueAge: Your character's age can be ANY age you wish it to be. Young adult? Yep. Little girl or boy? That's possible [[{{Bowdlerize}} (or not, if you're playing NA)]]. An old man/woman? Go ahead!

** The Protagonist to Regius. Both are the two most powerful members of ARKS that their generation has ever produced. They also became close with someone holding the title of Klariskrays (Matoi for the Protagonist, Alma for Regius), a relationship which more or less shaped their lives afterwards. In a sense, Regius could be seen as the person that the Protagonist could have turned into had they decided to move on from Matoi's death in the alternate timeline of ''Episode 3''.

** The Protagonist to Regius. Both are some of the most powerful members that ARKS has ever produced. They also became close with someone holding the title of Klariskrays (Matoi for the Protagonist, Alma for Regius), a relationship which more or less shaped their lives afterwards. In a sense, Regius is what the Protagonist could be like had they decided to move on from Matoi's death in the alternate timeline of ''Episode 3''.

** In addition, they have the special ability to actively purify F-Factors, which they used to cure Hi'Roga from Falspawn influence in ''Episode 1''. While all ARKS operatives have the passive ability to absorb and purify F-Factors within their body, the Protagonist and Matoi are the only ones shown to have the ability to actively harness said purification as best seen when they make use of it to restrain Esca Falz Mother.

* HeroesPreferSwords: Although you wield a variety of weapons based on your class, the protagonist is almost always depicted wielding a sword or a double saber in cutscenes. Since ''Episode 4'', the protagonist is primarily depicted as wielding a double saber, and tends to default to using one even in ''Episode 5'', where the protagonist's canon class was stated to be a Hero.

* WeaponOfChoice: While each class uses their own set of weapons, there are story examples as well:
** ''Episode 4'' makes the Coat Doublis your canon weapon. While it is no longer put into frequent use after ''Episode 4'', the player still keeps it around for emergencies.
** ''Episode 5'' gives the player a trifecta of Hero weapons, which include the Coat Edge accompanied by themed Twin Machineguns and Talis accordingly.
** Starting from ''Episode 6'' Chapter 2, the player exchanges their Hero gear for a matching set of Phantom equipment, with Coat-series Rod, Assault Rifle, and Katana.
** The final three Chapters of ''Episode 6'' have you using the Coat Doublis as an Etoile, which is more thematically appropriate.

* BeyondTheImpossible: Their quota for almost every Episode is pulling this off somehow. Defeating Dark Falz Elder where the Council of Six could only seal him, thrashing Luther, soloing the Profound Darkness, betraying all the standards of the Dark Falz as their future self in Persona, and managing to [[ScrewDestiny alter the timeline]] along the way towards a better path where it shouldn't have even been possible. And that's just up to the halfway point of the story.

* LongLostRelative: [[spoiler:Thanks to being made by Xion using the same process of Luther's design that created the Oracle version of Hariette's body, they're technically a younger sibling to the girl in a spiritual sense - and to its second inhabitant Shiva in a physical sense. They're technically also half-siblings in a scientific way to Matoi, coming from the same creator who might as well be an impromptu mother figure of sorts, but are NotBloodRelated due to the differences in what their designs derive from.]]

* NotSoStoic: Compared to the Protagonist who can be mildly silly to outright trollish, Ash is a fairly serious individual though friendly and compassionate. However, he becomes visibly agitated when Xiao pitches the idea of killing Matoi.

* GagBoobs: The "Ballooned Bosom" accessory is basically this, as it is significantly larger and shaplier than the normal maximum chest size by default, has significantly more noticable JigglePhysics, and are ''ridiculously huge'' at maximum size (though conversely they can also be hilariously ''tiny''). Oh, and the accessory can be placed ''on most places of the body'', can be used ''multiple times'', can be used by ''any species and gender,'' and ''even any costume that allows the use of accessories'' (yes, even the [[NonMammalMammaries Rappy and Saldeenian costumes]]). It's so ridiculous that English players wondered if it would even become available outside of Japan at all until it did. They're deliberately ''meant'' to be ridiculous, considering they can be used in any way any other accessory can be, to the point where you can have ''multiple of them simultaneously'' and use them in any position, size and angle within the limits the salon editor gives you. Depending on the player, it can get very silly indeed.

* GagBoobs: The "Ballooned Bosom" accessory is basically this, as it is significantly larger and shaplier than the normal maximum chest size by default, has significantly more noticable JigglePhysics, and are ''ridiculously huge'' at maximum size (though conversely they can also be hilariously ''tiny''). Oh, and the accessory can be placed ''on most places of the body'', can be used ''multiple times'', can be used by ''any species and gender,'' and ''even any costume that allows the use of accessories'' (yes, even the [[NonMammalMammaries Rappy and Saldeenian costumes]]). It's so ridiculous that English players wondered if it would even become available outside of Japan at all until it did.

* LivingLegend: You more or less attain this status by ''Episode 4''. A few characters are seen geeking out when they meet you for the first time. Huey also calls you this in ''Episode 5'' while introducing you to a cheering crowd as part of an exhibition match between you and Stratos.

** The Protagonist quickly gains renown as a standout ARKS operative because of the sheer amount of ass they're able to kick, to the point that "Code: Attack" orders often involve you coming to the aid of one of your own trainers as they flee from a horde of foes. Even when all of ARKS is turned against them by Regius' "Code ABYSS" order, they manage to plow through every operative they encounter without killing them. Xiao refers to the number of Falspawn you've killed as "astronomical".
** They're also literal to the trope name, as for all the times allies like Matoi or other ARKS operatives accompany them into battle, there's a staggeringly high number of situations where they handle some of the deadliest threats such as the Dark Falz battles singlehandedly. Even when other characters are supposed to be helping them, it culminates in several major fights being resolved by the protagonist charging in like an unstoppable juggernaut. And the story does not take into account any aid for Buster Quests, all but stating that they're capable of fighting ''an entire army'' by themselves and winning, repeating this over a dozen times as they tear apart Castrum Demonicas across Omega.
* PhysicalGod: By the end of ''Episode 3'' very little can actually stand in the Protagonist's way outside of [[WorldsStrongestWoman Phaleg]]. As if to emphasize this point, you open ''Episode 5'' by confronting the Profound Darkness' latest reappearance with Matoi. Together you utterly curbstomp it, the boss having almost laughably low amounts of HP to emphasize how badly you're kicking its ass.
** [[spoiler:By the end of the story, Xion refers to the player as the "Great Light", the true and ultimate antithesis to the Profound Darkness. Given your laundry list of accomplishments up to this point, being on a god-like level isn't that much of a stretch.]]

* ScrewDestiny: Your goal during the Oracle Arc, as directed by the Divergence Matrix handed to you by Xion. [[spoiler:Subverted since Xion specifically created you to be her ace in the hole against the Profound Darkness, even if she didn't predict everything perfectly.]]

** If you can't S-Rank the final long assault in ''Episode 6'', [[spoiler:the player ends up so filled with the raw power of the Profound-turned-[[EldritchAbomination Primordial]] Darkness after Shiva's death, and doesn't have the strength left to really fight it, that they TimeTravel all the way back ''to the beginning of creation'' and [[HeroicSacrifice become the original Akashic Records]] that ultimately end up sustaining Xion's future knowledge, effectively causing the crux of the entire story line. Getting the S-Rank allows this fate to be broken, and get a shot at taking down the Primordial Darkness at long last instead.]]

** During ''Episode 2'', Xiao gave you the power to travel back by months into the past, enhancing your time travel abilities.
** The character canonically starts as a Hunter, given their preference for Swords. By ''Episode 3'' and ''Episode 4'', they switch to the more advanced Fighter, given their use of a Double Saber. Then in ''Episode 5'', they take on the Hero class, with cutscenes showing off the Hero's capabilities through complex fight sequences.
** In ''Episode 5'', the player gains Dark Blast, an ability that allows you to transform into a Falz-like form.

* TimeTravel: An ability gained from Xion in ''Episode 1''. It was first utilized to save Matoi, and was utilized throughout ''Episode 1'' particularly when it came to locating the remnants of Clarissa, as all three pieces were found on the same day but with different people. In ''Episode 2'', Xiao enhanced the ability by granting the Protagonist the power to travel back months, allowing them to go back in time to save Zeno from Elder and Ulku from Luther's Avian Falspawn.

* DispelMagic: All ARKS operatives share the same basic ability to resist and purify corrupted photons known as F-Factors. In the Protagonist's case however, their ability to do so is so strong that they're capable of directly harnessing said ability to its fullest.

* DispelMagic: The primary function of "Clarissa the White". While all ARKS operatives have the same basic ability to resist corrupted photons known as F-Factors and purify them to an extent, the Clarissa has the ability to completely purify all F-Factors from within an individual at the cost of transferring them into the user instead. Matoi herself also the ability to do it on her own as seen when she helps the Protagonist restrain Esca Falz Mother near the end of ''Episode 4''.

* HeroicSacrifice: In ''Episode 3'', Matoi saves the Protagonist by absorbing the corrupted photons and becoming the Profound Darkness in their place. She ''attempts'' to have herself killed to end the threat of the Profound Darkness once and for all, but the Protagonist won't have it and eventually saves her with the help of Persona and everyone else.

* HelloInsertNameHere: Text dialogue uses your player name when needed, but any speech refers you as "you", "mate[=/=]partner" (by Afin), "boss[=/=]senpai" (by Io), "leader" (by the Falspawn Busters, Gene, More, Annette and Bruno), "Guardian" (by most of the people in Omega) and some of its variations like, "Guardian-kun" (by [[spoiler:Omega Luther]]) and "Guardian-dono" (by Valna).

* TechnicolorEyes: Eye color can be any color of the spectrum. Can possibly overlap with purple eyes if desired.

* ShipTease: With the Protagonist. Both are incredibly fond of each other to the point that it's noted by other ARKS operatives that it's rare to actually see them apart for long. Both are also very willing to go incredible lengths for the sake of the other, such as Matoi allowing herself to become the host of the Profound Darkness if it meant a chance of saving them or the Protagonist themselves becoming Dark Falz Persona and time travelling to find a way to save Matoi from her fate again and again. [[spoiler:This comes to ahead when Matoi finally confesses her feelings in ''Episode 6'' finale and epilogue.]]
** In the original Japanese script, Matoi also consistently refers to the Protagonist with the term "Anata". Said term in Japanese is often used as a way to refer to strangers, but is also used by women to refer to their spouses in an endearing fashion. In essence, Matoi refers to the Protagonist as though they're already married.

* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Averted for Humans and Newmans, who are restricted to a realistic skin tone range. Deumans can select from red to blue, and [=CASTs=] can pick any color they want.

* ArtificialHuman: Newmans and Deumans. The latter were specifically created when Haddred's corpse was spirited away to the past which researchers then used to create the Deumans as they currently are.

* {{Cyborg}}: The CAST in general. In-game, the [=CASTs=] are the result of humans undergoing cybernetic surgery to enhance their overall fighting capability and photon usage. They care considered cyborgs because [=CASTs=] aren't entirely robotic and still have organic parts within them, to which DNA can even be extracted from them to create offspring should they want.

* ExoticEyeDesigns: The Deuman have the spiral pupils available to them. The plethora of eye pattern unlocks that give the character these also qualify. Flowers, stars, swirls, you name it. Can overlap with MarkOfTheSupernatural.

* FiveRaces: Four, rather. Players may choose from the following four races (the number is subject to change).
** [[HumansAreAverage Humans]] are balanced and considered to be the JackOfAllStats.
** [[SpaceElves Newmans]] are the {{Squishy Wizard}}s, boasting high T-ATK but low HP.
** [[{{Cyborg}} CASTs]] have high HP, S-ATK, and R-ATK, but suffer in T-ATK and T-DEF.
** [[HornedHumanoid Deumans]] have overall high ATK, but low HP like a Newman.

* GlassCannon: Deumans have physical strength exceeding even that of a CAST ''and'' technical aptitude second only to Newmans, but are just as frail as [[SquishyWizard the latter]].

* HornedHumanoid: Barring horn accessories that can be unlocked and worn, the Deuman race naturally has horns. The males have only one horn, while females have two, making the race similar to oni. Much like a Newman's PointyEars, the Deuman's horn acts as a receptor for Photons.

* MismatchedEyes: Deumans can uniquely be assigned different colors and patterns for each eye.

* PointyEars: Newmans, being SpaceElves, have these. These were originally designed to gather Photons at a higher rate of frequency than regular Humans, but by the 3rd Generation of ARKS, Photon research for Humans has advanced enough that the difference in Photon abilities between Humans and Newmans is largely irrelevant.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: By ''Episode 3'' they've taken down Falspawn by the legions, Dark Falz, and even helped seal the Profound Darkness away. Once they reawaken from cryo-stasis at the beginning of ''Episode 4'', they're informed by Xiera about their new rank which is "Guardian", a title specifically created for both the Protagonist and Matoi in light of their feats which allows them free reign as operatives of ARKS, with only Xiao, the Council of Six, and Ulc having equal or greater authority.

* SecretKeeper: One of the few people to actually know about the Idol Quna's true identity as Zelsius Quna, the secret 0th member of the Council of Six and leader of the Death Squad. They also helped to keep Echo and Theodor in the dark about Zeno and Ulc's survival in ''Episode 2'' to prevent Luther from finding out and thus adjust his plans accordingly.

* ShipperOnDeck: For Ulc and Theodore to a degree, Zeno and Echo when it comes up, Oza and Marlu with some help from Azanami, and even Sarah and Xiao. Basically if there's anyone with chemistry around the protagonist that even they can notice in a cutscene, there's almost always an opportunity to point it out or end up helping it along.

* TimeTravel: An ability you gain from Xion in ''Episode 1''. It was first utilised to save Matoi, and was utilised throughout ''Episode 1'', especially when it comes to locating the remnants of Clarissa (all three was found on the same day, with different people). In ''Episode 2', Xiao seemingly enhanced the ability by granting you the power to travel back months, to go back in time to save Zeno from Elder. It was again used to save Ulc. ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Against Deus Hyunal, the protagonist throws their sword like a buzzsaw at the self-proclaimed god. Then then finish it off by throwing their sword like a javelin through it, leaving it open to getting bisected by Hitsugi.

* DrivenToSuicide: Twice. The first happens during the Protagonist's mission to the past where Matoi tries to kill herself before she lost all control after becoming the host of the Profound Darkness, but was ultimately saved when she was sent to the future which halted the process for the time being. She does it again during the climax of ''Episode 3'' after regaining some semblance of control as the Profound Darkness, but is again saved by the Protagonist.

[[center: [- [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2 Main Page]] | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2ARKS ARKS]] ('''Guardians''' | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2ARKSCouncilOfSix Council of Six]] | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2Classes Classes]]) | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2Earth Earth]] | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2Omega Omega]] | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2OtherPlanets Other Planets]] | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2Enemies Enemies]] ([[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2EnemiesFalspawn Falspawn]]) | [[Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2es 2es]] -] ]]

* ReluctantFanserviceGirl: Zig-zagged. She has no qualms with her {{Stripperific}} outfits, or even being near-nude near the protagonist after being saved from her possession by the Profound Darkness, and is even down with a pretty revealing swimsuit all things considered. But the moment Sarah and Klariskrays III question her about her post-''Episode 3'' outfit's particularly [[FanservicePack fanservice-laden design]], Matoi gets incredibly sheepish about it and points out that Xiao picked the clothes intentionally as showing more skin means easier absorption of photons. The pair don't buy it much to her consternation, though they also seem to slightly take it as advice in their later new outfits.

* MysteriousPast: The story never really brings it up, given the player character is your own perspective into the story and all, but no one knows where this ARKS agent came from. Even Luther with his extensive knowledge has no clue who they are. [[spoiler:Turns out this is for a good reason; they're a [[ArtificialHuman lab-grown Photoner]] dropped into the timeline via Luther's clone and human experimentation research and made personally by Xion, as a sort of brother/sister project to the creation of Shiva by the former. Xion specifically crafted them to fulfill the role of the Akashic Record yet they clearly had to be recruited into ARKS normally, meaning that aside from Ash's personal backstory in the anime, there can potentially be any past to ''no'' past.]]

* NotBloodSiblings: [[spoiler:Both she and the Guardian were made by Xion, which would technically make them half-siblings of sorts. However, Matoi was made following the loose "blueprint" of Alma and the first Klariskrays, whereas the Guardian had been made using the same research that created Hariette/Shiva, keeping this from getting too awkward.]]

* CharacterDevelopment: At the start of the game, Matoi is a timid amnesiac whose only real friendship is with the Protagonist but come ''Episode 4'' she's now one of the top operatives that ARKS has and close relationships with a number people such as Sarah, Klariskrays, Xiao, and Xiera among others.

* DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength: Clarissa is the only weapon able to handle her raw power. After giving it to Sarah to protect her, Matoi is forced to use the weapons of fallen ARKS operatives as a substitute, but each of them fry after a single use because of how much power she's channeling through them.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: The main heroine of the game in general. She's demoted from this in ''Episode 4'' and ''5'' as both Hitsugi and Hariette become the heroines of each chapter respectively, but returns to the role by ''Episode 6''.