Skill slots and medallions
Updated 16 Oct 2026
What skill slots are
Many units have skill slots: extra abilities you unlock one level at a time. They can:
- raise stats such as Attack and Critical,
- upgrade sword skills (for example "Sword Skill 3 Enhance"),
- extend the combo window or raise combo damage,
- add damage against one element ("Skill Damage Up (vs. Fire)"),
- add a sub leader skill that boosts the whole party.
Each unit's slots and every level of each slot are listed on its page in Units, under Skill slots.
Medallions
Skill slots are unlocked with medallions. The common ones are named after the elements, and a unit generally uses the medallion of its own element:
| Medallion | Used by |
|---|---|
 Void Medallion | Non-element units |
 Fire Medallion | Fire units |
 Water Medallion | Water units |
 Wind Medallion | Wind units |
 Earth Medallion | Earth units |
 Holy Medallion | Holy units |
 Dark Medallion | Dark units |
Some banners have their own medallion that only their units use, for example the Knight's Medallion for the early Alicization units or the Blessing Medallion for the "SAO Game 5th Anniversary" units. These usually drop from that banner's Character Introduction Quest, at the higher difficulties.
Rainbow Essence is a rarer skill slot material.
Where to get them
| Source | What you get |
|---|---|
| Character Introduction Quests | The banner's medallions, mostly from EX and harder |
| Events | Medallions and Stardust as drops and point rewards |
| Exchange Shop (Menu > Exchange Shop) | Trade Stardust (Medium) for 10 medallions of the element you choose; trade a large amount for Rainbow Essence |
In the original game, 100 Stardust (Medium) bought 10 medallions.
On MD:Rebirth the Exchange Shop also trades Stardust (Small) for single medallions. The exact prices of each trade may differ from the original game. Unlocking skill slots is not open yet.
Which slots to unlock first
Start with the slots that boost the skill you use most (often the SS3 upgrade) and the combo slots. Leave the element-specific damage slots for units you bring against that element.