Last updated: July 2026
KYOTO XANADU -the Blooming Phantom- Secret Arts Guide
Build and spend the Secret Arts Gauge for devastating 3D-only attacks in KYOTO XANADU -the Blooming Phantom- arena battles.
Secret Arts Fundamentals
Secret Arts are high-impact super attacks usable exclusively during 3D battles when the Secret Arts Gauge reaches maximum capacity. The gauge fills as you deal damage with Standard attacks, Strong attacks, Spirit Bullets, and successful Issen counters. Unlike Soul Accel, Secret Arts are instantaneous expenditures that hit all enemies in the arena with character-specific animations and elemental visuals tied to equipped Guardian Cards.
Because 3D segments gate Secret Arts availability, gauge management begins during preceding 2D exploration. Entering a known multi-wave gate with full or near-full gauge provides immediate wipe potential on add phases, preserving HP for boss proper.
Activation and Input
With gauge full, activate Secret Arts using platform-specific inputs: R2 plus Triangle on PS5, ZL plus X on Switch, Q plus K on keyboard, or equivalent controller chords on Steam. Activation is invulnerable during startup frames on most animations, functioning as emergency defense if red telegraphs catch you without Guard ready.
Secret Arts cannot be cancelled once started. Ensure arena clearance objectives allow free activation — some trial modes penalize super usage for rank scoring, noted in pre-fight briefing text.
Gauge Building Strategies
Aggressive melee strings build gauge faster than passive Spirit Bullet sniping. Issen counters contribute disproportionately large gauge chunks, rewarding parry mastery doubly with burst damage and super charge. Multi-enemy 3D waves offer more hit targets for faster fill than solo boss phases where only one damage sponge exists.
Guardian Cards with gauge-acceleration effects suit players who Secret Arts every arena. Soul Device nodes occasionally add post-Secret Arts gauge refund on kill — valuable for back-to-back gate chains in marathon labyrinth dives.
Boss and Wave Tactics
Against bosses, save Secret Arts for phase transitions when invulnerability shields drop and adds spawn simultaneously. Using Secret Arts during invuln phases wastes gauge without damage. Some bosses stagger longer after Secret Arts connects — follow with Soul Accel Strong attack chains during stagger windows.
On subjugation Facility Requests inside 3D arenas, Secret Arts accelerate monster count progress dramatically. Training Ground assignments paired with gauge-building loadouts turn tedious grinds into single-super clears.
Character Variations
Each playable character animates unique Secret Arts reflecting their Soul Device identity — blade storms, magical barrages, spear sweeps, and support-oriented team buff supers on hybrid characters. Animation length varies; shorter casts suit speedrun strats while longer invuln windows help struggling players on higher difficulties.
Bond level with specific characters unlocks cosmetic Secret Arts variants without damage changes — flair for max bond completionists. Secret Arts do not replace Issen as single-target boss burst; combine both in Soul Accel sequences for optimal damage-per-minute.