Summary
Visions of Manawas Square Enix’s grand return to the mainline Mana series, and despite the ill-fate that the studio developing it met, the game itself is a genuinely stellar new entry for the series. A large part of that is it’s gorgeous art style and truly enticing combat.
Much of that comes in the Elemental Vessels, unique tools assigned to each element that all have different effects. While their true power shows in how they can be used in tandem across your party members, they each have merit in their own right as well. Some more than others though, and we’re ranking them to prove it.
8Gnome Shovel
The Gnome Shovel is acquireda decent length through the gamefrom one of the sole survivors and only denizens of Gudju Village. From someone who looks extremely Gnome-like himself you are given the Gnome Shovel, and all of the associated Earth classes with it.
The Gnome Shovel is nice and simply, bringing up a shield around where you activate it that negates all the damage that hits it. This is fine, though mainly situational and can’t be paired exceedingly well with most other aspects of the combat due to its stationary nature.
Acquired from Julei’s village of Sproutlings after defeating Grapplavine, the Dryad Sprig gives you the Wood elemental classes alongside the healing breath of nature. Noting that healing spells are rather rare in the game, this might seem to be a pretty powerful ability.
It’s…alright. The healing is nice, though like the Gnome Shovel before it, is completely stationary. As such, you have to stay in place while it slowly heals you, yet you can’t recharge it faster since you need to be attacking enemies, which is hard to do while staying in the radius of the Dryad Sprig.
That said, it would pair well with Gnome Shovel’s ability since they both require you to be stationary.
6Sylphid Boomerang
Following on from the Gnome Shovel, all of the other Elemental Vessels are a dramatic step-up and offer you plenty more combo opportunities and general versatility. The very first you actually acquire in the game is the Sylphid Boomerang just after you leave Careena’s village.
The Sylphid Boomerang grants you the Wind elemental classes as well as the ability to toss any enemy hit with its skill into the air. This can take them out of combat for a bit, but also let you combo them into the air. It’s relatively simple, thoughworks great when paired with other skillsto maximize its potential.
5Shade Sight
Locked away in the secluded Log’grattzo, you would expect the Shade Sight to be an item of extreme importance to these renowned scholars. It definitely wouldn’t be used to hoist up the weakened supports of an aging building. Ah, but that is exactly what they used it for.
After replacing the Shade Sight with a more appropriate support, you gain access to the Darkness classes. The Shade Sight is bifunctional depending on the enemy. For smaller enemies, it will pull them directly to you, while it will drag you towards larger enemies instead. This lets you control the battlefield with ease.
4Salamando Candle
While it may be called the Salamando Candle, it’s really more of a firework and its functional represent that quite well. Despite being the Patron Elemental of Val’s Village, it is not until much later that you actually get the Salamando Candle, and the Fire classes it unlocks.
Alongside the Fire classes, the Salamando Candle also has the wonderful ability to let you climb atop it and fire it off like a rocket. You have a small amount of movement once you’ve set off as well to perform some course-correction. It can even set enemies on fire to deal damage over time, with the explosion caused on impact hitting multiple more. It’s a real firecracker.
3Lumina Lantern
The majority of the Elemental vessels are acquired in logical means. You go to the home of the respective Alm, and you get their sacred relic. Not so for the Lumina Lantern. Instead, this one is acquired by defeating the Benevedon of Earth, Garethe. Cleary it’s light did not save whatever sailor dropped it.
The Lumina Lantern grants the light elemental classes, though its unique ability is its real showstopper. When thrown at an enemy, it links them to surrounding enemies, with a fraction of any damage dealt to those who are linked. This extend to effects as well, meaning enemies that are knocked back, tossed into the air, frozen, or any other combo also suffer these effects.
An absurdly strong combo is to link enemies with the Lumina Lantern and follow it up with the Undine Flask, pushing them all sky-high at once.
2Undine Flask
The capital city, Illystana is one of your first stops once you get past the first chapter of the game. Here, you come into contact with Queen Palamena as she is named the new Alm of Water. To assist in this journey you are granted the Undine Flask, the sacred Elemental Vessel of the city.
You get the Water classes from it, though its ability is one of the greatest in the game. You get to freely aim the Undine Flash as harsh waves burst forth from it, pushing away any enemy caught in its torrent. These enemies are encased in bubbles, keeping them away from combat. Hit these bubbles again and they take increased damage, and blast those same enemies against the edges of the arena to make them suffer extreme damage. It’s like a tidal wave in a bottle.
1Luna Globe
After the Sylphid Boomerang, the Luna Globe is the next Elemental vessel on your journey. After helping Morley deal with his years of trauma somewhat successfully, you are granted the Luna Globe, the Moon element classes, and the power over time itself.
The Luna Globe is just obscene. Few enemies are able to resist its power, being slowed to a crawl when caught in its radius. Even better, you attack and cast spells faster while inside it. While it is completely stationary, it gives you benefits regardless of whether you are in it or not. Enemies can be removed from battle, or you’re able to have yourself attack them from afar even faster. Who would have thought controlling time would be such a boon?
