Battle Commands
Battle Commands are the player's options for their characters during battle.
Commands
Attack
Attack is a basic attack, using the physical stats of the active character and the targeted enemy. It is used by pressing A.
In the Switch remake, Sweetspot timing will result in a shockwave causing each of the other enemies to take 2/5 of what they would have taken without an Action Command if targeted.
Special
Special allows for using magic with a Flower Points tax for support, the most basic being a magic attack that bypasses the Defense stat. The menu for the character's Specials is brought up by pressing Y.
Item
Item allows usage of a consumable item that may have various effects. Items that inflict damage ignore both Defense and Magic Defense entirely. The menu for items is brought up by pressing X.
Other
"Other" Battle Commands are available by pressing B.
Defend
Defend halves the damage the character receives. A character who is under the Mushroom ailment will be forced to use the Defend command. Its effect does not stack with the enemy having the Fear ailment or the character being under the Defense Up boost.
Run Away
Run Away will result in an attempt to have the party escape from the battle, forfeiting any rewards to be had from defeating the enemies. Battles deemed to be important enough will disable the option to Run Away.
On the Switch version, the success chance is 70% on Breezy difficulty, reduced to 60% on Normal difficulty. The See Ya item is an infinite use substitute for the command that always works where applicable.
Help
On the Switch version, player can check the Help menu to review basic gameplay. Selecting this does not use the character's turn.
Switch
Switch, available once Bowser joins, allows for using the Plus Button to switch the Active Party member other than Mario out in favor of one of the Standby characters. The Switch command is unavailable for the newly switched-in character's turn, and the switched-out member will stay on Standby until the next turn cycle.
Toad Assist
Toad Assist, used with the Minus Button and available with 100% Action Gauge, allows for various effects on a slot.
Triple Move
Triple Move, used with the Minus Button and available with both 100% Action Gauge and a full Active Party not kept from taking their own turns, allows for a Triple Move for various effects based on the Active Party composition.