In Chrono Cross, every playable character has unique special abilities called Techs (or "Tech Attacks"). The term is taken from the game's predecessor, Chrono Trigger, and each character ultimately gains access to three in total. We say "ultimately" because they'll start with at least one – in some cases, as many as two – but the third will either require reaching a certain Star Level or accomplishing some specified task to unlock.
When it comes to core gameplay mechanics, Chrono Cross is not the easiest JRPG to decipher. It's filled with somewhat obtuse differentiations, including how its cast acquires their Level 7 Techs. With 45 available characters to choose from, completionists will have their work cut out for them trying to obtain every Level 7 Tech, so let's make things simple with an all-inclusive guide.
Every Chrono Cross Character's Tech Attacks (and How to Get Them)
Star Levels correspond to the number of Stars you've received in full. You'll earn a Star at the end of every climactic encounter, beginning with Mama Komodo at Lizard Rock (Home World) and ending... well, much, much later on.
|
Character Name |
Level 7 Tech |
Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
|
Serge |
FlyingArrow |
Learned automatically at a certain point in the main quest. |
|
Kid |
HotShot |
Close to the end of the game, at the Burning Orphanage, check the machine in the first room and press the following buttons on PlayStation consoles: Cross, L1, Triangle, R1, Triangle. (For PC, Xbox, and Switch, match the buttons to their corresponding PlayStation desgination.) |
|
Lynx |
ForeverZero |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Guile |
LightninRod |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Norris |
TopShot |
After the party has escaped Viper Manor while it's under occupation by Porre soldiers, return to that world's Norris with the one you've recruited in your party. |
|
Nikki |
LimeLight |
Speak to Another World's Nikki with your Nikki while visiting the ship attached to the SS Zelbess. |
|
Viper |
FlagBearer |
Head to the bar in Termina (Home World) and attempt to interact with the flag in its backroom. With Viper in your party, speak with the barmaid, who will unlock the door and grant access to this Tech. |
|
Riddel |
SnakeFangs |
Obtained after the party defeats Dario on Forbidden Island (Home World). |
|
Karsh |
Axiomatic |
Take Karsh with you to Isle of the Damned (Another World). Explore the area in full, defeating Solt and Peppor at the end. |
|
Zoah |
Toss&Spike |
In Viper Manor (Another World), set Zoah as the head of your active party and examine the treasure chest inside his room. |
|
Marcy |
WebSurfer |
Learned at Star Level 40. |
|
Korcha |
BigCatch |
Speak with the Mermaid in a cage in Termina (Another World). Afterward, swing by the Cemetery, chatting with the Mermaid who has escaped. This cannot be acquired until after Terra Tower has risen, near the game's end. |
|
Luccia |
TestAmeba |
With Luccia in your active party, return to Viper Manor Sewers (Another World) and investigate the Amoeba near the treasure chest toward the back. |
|
Poshul |
Unleashed |
After you've obtained the Tear of Love near the end of the game, have Poshul in your party and speak with Leena in Arni (Home World). |
|
Razzly |
Raz-Flower |
After having successfully freed Razzly from the dread Pentapus monster, keep her out of the active party when you battle the Hydra in Hydra Marshes (Another World). Much later on, when Terra Tower has arisen, go to Water Dragon Isle and speak with the faerie stationed at the front of the tree. |
|
Zappa |
BallsOfIron |
Learned at Star Level 40. |
|
Orcha |
DinnerGuest |
In Arni (Home World), speak with Belcha, the head cook. Make sure Orcha's in your party at the time. |
|
Radius |
VitalEnergy |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Macha |
DirtyDishes |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Fargo |
Invincible |
Complete the Magical Dreamers sidequest in Marbule. |
|
Glenn |
Dive&Drive |
Learned at Star Level 40. |
|
Leena |
MaidenFaith |
All the way back at the beginning of the game, you need to have assured Leena that you'll remember her promise and "We'll always remember this day." Much later, after obtaining the Tear of Love, take Leena to speak with her grandmother in Arni (Home World). |
|
Miki |
DanceOnAir |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Harle |
Lunalretic |
Learned at Star Level 25. |
|
Janice |
What'sUpDoc |
With Janice in your active party, head over to the Bend of Time and speak with the Spekkio-like creature in the middle of the room. (Or is it actually Spekkio? Who's to say?) |
|
Draggy |
BigBreath |
Approach the giant dragon skull at Fossil Valley (Another World)'s peak with Draggy in your party. |
|
Starky |
StarStruck |
Very late in the game, after you've already retrieved the anti-gravity device, add Starky to your squad and return to his UFO at the El Nido Triangle (Another World). |
|
Sprigg |
N/A |
Sprigg's only Tech is Level 5. The character's unique mechanics more than make up for a lack of Techs. |
|
Mojo |
HoodooGuroo |
After bringing Mojo with you for a chat at the fisherman's hut in Arni (Home World), travel to Arni (Another World) and inspect the cat statues in the following order: Lasey, then Aurey, and finally Lickey. |
|
Turnip |
VegOut |
With both Turnip and NeoFio in your party, head back to Viper's Manor (Another World) and step inside NeoFio's pond. |
|
Greco |
GraveDigger |
With Greco in your party, speak with the lady inside Termina (Home World)'s shrine. |
|
Skelly |
OnARoll |
The barmaid in Termina (Home World) must be spoken with whilst Skelly is – you guessed it! – in your party. |
|
Funguy |
Myconoids |
Here's another Level 7 Chrono Cross Tech that requires Terra Tower to rise before it can be acquired. Once that's happened, bring Funguy back to where he originally transformed (Shadow Forest) and interact with the small mushroom. |
|
Irenes |
SirenSong |
After completing the Magical Dreamers sidequest in Marbule (which unlocks Fargo's Level 7 Tech), speak with the Witch Doctor in Marbule (Home). |
|
Mel |
Tantrum |
Learned at Star Level 40. |
|
Leah |
TripleKick |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Van |
PiggyBoink |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Sneff |
SwordTrick |
Learned at Star Level 35. |
|
Steena |
GaraiShadow |
With Steena in your active party, go to Isle of the Damned (Home World) and check out her counterpart's gravestone. |
|
Doc |
HangTen |
While you're at the Dead Sea, make sure to fetch the Medical Book. Afterward, head to Guldove (Another World) and show it to Doc. |
|
Grobyc |
StrongArm |
Take Grobyc to the box on Chronopolis' second floor. |
|
Pierre |
SlapOfCyrus |
Find the Prop Sword key item within the Tower of Gheddon at the Dead Sea. Show it to Pierre in Termina (Another World), who will forge it into the Hero's Blade. |
|
Orlha |
SisterHoods |
Bring Orlha with you to Doc's Clinic (Home World). |
|
Pip |
|
Learned at Star Level 37 depending on which evolutionary form Pip takes. |