Custom Gauge

The Custom Gauge is a recurring thing in all of the main games of the MegaMan Battle Network series and MegaMan Star Force series. In both series, players start battles by selecting Battle Chips or Battle Cards in the Custom Screen. However, once the battle begins, players may not select more Battle Chips or Battle Cards until the Custom Gauge fills up completely and the player presses either the L or R button.

Turns
Each time the Custom Gauge reaches full and the Custom Screen is opened is considered one turn. Some transformations and battles are limited to a set amount of turns, after which a specific effect will happen, such as the transformation being cancelled.

Soul Unison
Main Article: Soul Unison

In MegaMan Battle Network 4 and MegaMan Battle Network 5, Soul Unisons will only last a total of three turns. After this time, MegaMan.EXE will revert to his normal state. Similarly, Chaos Unisons will only last a single turn. In Battle Network 5, there are some Navi Customizer items that can extend the length of time that Soul Unisons will last.

Liberation Missions
Main Article: Liberation Mission

In MegaMan Battle Network 5's Liberation Missions, players must fight the clock during any virus and boss battle. Each time the Custom Gauge reaches full during combat, the Custom Screen is automatically and forcibly opened. Because players only have three turns to beat a virus or boss during Liberation Missions, this limits how long players can fight, because battles are forcibly ended when the gauge fills up on the last turn.

Bosses who are not defeated by the time the last turn ends in a Liberation Mission will still retain any damage to their HP taken during fight(s).

Battle Chips
There are several Battle Cards and Battle Chips that affect the Custom Gauge.

Slow Gauge
Slows down the Custom Gauge's filling speed.

Fast Gauge
Speeds up the Custom Gauge's filling speed.

FullCust
Automatically refills the custom Gauge.

Trivia

 * MegaMan Star Force 1 and 2 lack any Battle Cards that affect the Custom Gauge.