Final Fantasy IV is the game in which Active Time Battle (ATB) was first introduced to the FF series, and remained a constant feature until FFIX. ATB allows your characters to battle enemies closer to real-time than before, by implementing the use of a programmed battle timer. This feature controls the amount of time that players have to wait in order to attack or defend. This makes battles more real-time, compared to the conventional turn based system. By using ATB, battles become much more realistic and strategic than ever before.