Twine Mode or Command Mode
The Help screen puts the two ways of fighting side by side. Twined, you are the Aniimo; in Command Mode, you point and it fights.
“Press the Twine button to enter Twine Mode with your Aniimo. Press the Twine button again to untwine. In Twine Mode, your character takes the form of an Aniimo and can move and use skills as that Aniimo.”
“In Command Mode, if there is an attackable locked-on target ahead, use the to give a command. Your active Aniimo will then fight automatically in the direction you command.”
“After Switching targets, press again to issue a command. The deployed Aniimo will then fight automatically according to the Pathfinder’s new command direction.”
“In Twine Mode, you can control your Aniimo directly and attack enemies to deal damage.”
Climb, Swim, Fly: the three Pathfinding abilities
Twined with the right Aniimo, you climb, swim or fly with it. Each ability has three levels, and the higher the level, the faster you move. The Aniimo that carry each one, from the creature records:
“Climbing, swimming, and flying are three common Pathfinding abilities. They can be used in the following ways: Pathfinders can swim while in a non-twined state. Some Aniimo can use climbing, swimming, or flying abilities while deployed and twined or when equipped for Pathfinding.”
“Aniimo Pathfinding abilities, namely climbing, swimming, and flying, come in three levels. The higher the level, the faster your Movement Speed when using them.”
Climb Level 12 Aniimo Level 22 Aniimo Level 31 Aniimo
Climb
Swim Level 19 Aniimo +1 Level 26 Aniimo Level 32 Aniimo
Swim
Fly Level 114 Aniimo +6 Level 210 Aniimo +2 Level 32 Aniimo
Fly
“After obtaining a Celestis, you gain the ability to fly. Follow the button prompt that appears while airborne to start flying, then press it again to stop. Press Jump to use "Rise," quickly rising upward at a high Stamina cost.”
“While twining with an Aniimo that has the level 2 or level 3 flying ability, you can fly freely in any direction. While flying, press Ascend or Descend to move up or down. Aniimo with the level 3 flying ability can also use "Fast Flight." Press the Dash button to activate high-speed flight.”
“Aniimo with level 2 or level 3 flying ability can also take off directly from the ground. After takeoff, they will stay airborne at a certain height instead of dropping back down. Hold the Jump button to take off.”
Who moves when the game decides
When climbing, swimming or flying triggers on its own, the game picks the most suited character in this order:
“When climbing, swimming, or flying abilities are triggered automatically, the best character for the Pathfinding action will usually be chosen based on this priority: Currently Twined Aniimo > Aniimo Equipped for Pathfinding > Pathfinder.”
“When using an Aniimo equipped for Pathfinding to climb, swim, or fly, exiting the corresponding Pathfinding ability will not immediately end twining. During this short delayed exit window, you can press the button shown in the lower-right corner to exit early manually and return to regular character control.”
Hustle and Bilateral: two Mobility skills
Beyond the three abilities, a twined Aniimo can carry a Mobility skill of its own. The game documents two:
“During Hustle, an Aniimo moves much faster, making it easier to clear terrain it normally couldn’t cross.”
“The Jawling family has a unique way of seeing the world. Press the Mobility skill button to have your Aniimo use it.”
“While using Bilateral, part of your forward view will be blocked.”
Every Aniimo
Blazen Climb3
Bolty Climb2
Bubbeep Swim1
Celestis Climb1Fly1
Cheekie Swim1
Chirpi Fly1
Coraliz Swim1
Cornet Fly2
Cozite Fly1
Dewy Fly1
Dreaple Fly1
Eklue Fly2
Eko Fly1
Erlath Fly2Swim2
Fahloo Fly1Swim1
Fenmane Fly2
Fentuft Fly1
Flutternym Fly1
Fragrancier Fly2
Fulmintis Fly2
Gachapus Swim3
Glacy Swim2
Glameep Swim2
Gracewing Fly1
Helgon Fly2
Ignitis Fly2
Infergon Fly3
Irisalis Fly3
Leafy Swim2
Nimbi Fly1
Panpanta Swim1
Piopiota Swim3
Popapus Swim1
Popota Swim1
Pranky Swim2
Skippy Swim1
Somniwing Fly2
Squarrel Climb1
Squashel Climb2
Stellarys Fly1
Susuta Swim1
Tromber Fly2
Turbo Fly1
Wavwal Swim2
Wisptis Fly1