Quick Links
If you’ve played titles like Ninja Gaiden or Dead Or Alive, you know Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja is no stranger to action games. However, the developer shows exceptional depth withRise Of The Ronin’sfeature-rich combat system. Over a dozen weapon types, many combat styles, and a gamut of basic to advanced maneuvers exist.
You may feel intimidated when you take on your first battles in Rise Of The Ronin. However, the combat system quickly becomes a joy to explore. Hours into the game, you’ll continue to learn new lessons and develop unique strategies. Some combat options do not open up until later in the campaign. But we found these combat tips universal, whether you’re a beginner or a well-seasoned samurai.
Use Blade Flash To Keep Your Ki Up
In ourRise Of The Ronin Beginner’s Guide, we discussed the importance of Ki. In short, we recommend monitoring your and your opponent’s Ki to make informed decisions in battle. However, advancing and retreating according to your Ki can become a drag. So, what are your other options?
Blade Flashesare the easiest way to quickly regenerate Ki so you’re able to get more out of your weapon. And it’s a straightforward maneuver to boot. Whenever you strike someone with your sword, itsBlood Gaugewill increase.Press R1 immediately after a striketo clean the blood off your weapon. You’ll instantly regenerate Ki proportionate to the level of Blood Gauge accumulated.
Where is the Blood Gauge? It’sbeneath your weapon iconin the Battle UI. Once it’s full, the gauge glows.
Study Your Enemy’s Attacks Before Attempting A Counterspark
Of all the combat mechanics in Rise Of The Ronin,Countersparks are the least forgiving. Nailing the timing to land this parry is tricky. But, if you’re able to pull it off, you’ll destabilize your foe and reduce their Ki. Then, they’ll become a sitting duck for you to strike.
The catch, of course, is that you will become open season for your enemy if you whiff a counterspark. Whiffing a counterspark is especially dangerous against an enemy’s Martial Skill or Critical Art. This kind of error can wipe out half your health bar and sway you toward the brink of death.
Since countersparks are a high-risk/high-reward technique, we recommend approaching the tactic cautiously. If possible,observe your opponent’s strikes first. You’ll learn the range of your foe’s weapon and the rhythm of its strikes. That knowledge will improve your chances of landing the counterspark.
You can also counterspark enemy artillery, including arrows and bullets. To enable this ability, learn theRepel Arrows/Bullets (Counterspark) Skillin the Strength Skill Tree.
Flash Attacks And Violent Gale Can Extend Combos
Your average combo string in Rise Of The Ronin consists ofthree to four basic attacks. Once the string is complete, your character will reset and start another combo of the exact nature. This can make you predictable in battle. Plus, the pause between the end of a combo string and the start of a new one will leave you wide open.
How can you mix things up a little bit? Mid-air strikes, charge attacks, and martial skills are some options. you’re able to alsoexperiment with advanced skills like Flash Attacks and Violent Gales.
Both maneuvers deal extra damage to your enemy and will pressure them for longer, allowing you to deplete their Ki and break their stance.
Since both techniques are tricky, we recommendpracticing them at the training dojobefore bringing them into battle.Drunk Kogoro makes an appropriate partnerfor this task since he’s a less challenging opponent.
Always Equip One Ranged Sub-Weapon
While the term’Sub-Weapon’implies a subservient position to Primary Weapons, there’s nothing’sub’about them. On the contrary, these weapons are integral to your combat strategy.
Sub-weapons have various uses, whether they’re an element of distraction, a deterrent, or a destructive go-to armament. You get two sub-weapon slots to fill. We recommendequipping a ranged weapon, like an arrow or rifle, in at least one.
Ranged weapons significantly reduce risk in combat. Abow and arrow can quickly remove lower-level enemiesin a village overrun by bandits, allowing you to focus your close combat on a smaller subset of formidable opponents.
Or you can reverse this strategy andsave your ranged weapon ammo to weaken overpowered enemies without getting close to them. This is especially helpful in boss battles when one critical hit can take you out.
Arrowhead oils and poisonscan inflict status ailments on far-off enemies. Their weakened state will make approaching them a breeze.
Dodges Are Your Safest Defense
Going for the flashy moves is an alluring option in Rise Of The Ronin, especially with the many combat options you’re given. However, like most video games, you can’t get by without the basics.Dodging is one of the most crucialbasics to know.
Dodges use less Ki and will quickly distance you from your enemy. Therefore, they provide asafer and more cost-effective option than guarding or counterstriking.
Consider the following. A successful guard protects your character at the expense of a lot of Ki. So, successfully guarding a combo string could wipe your Ki out and break your stance. At that point, you’ll be unable to move or defend yourself.
Countersparks are super effectivewhen they land. When they don’t land, your health bar takes the hit. There’s less reason to worry if you have enough medicine to cover the risk. But countersparks become a gamble once you’re on your last medicinal pill.
There are ways to reduce Ki consumption for guards and countersparks. Some armor special effects can reduce Ki consumption. You can also permanently reduce Ki consumption for certain maneuvers by learning special skills in the Stats menu.
In short,guards and countersparks should be saved for specific situations, like when an enemy corners you. But dodges will cover you most of the time. After all, your enemies can’t hit something that’s not near them.
Depend On Your Allies To Defeat Difficult Bosses
There is strength in numbers, especially in Rise Of The Ronin. You’ll get plenty of opportunities to partner up with the game’s ensemble cast, which boasts a variety of combat styles and weapon proficiencies.
It’s vital to depend on your allies when fighting difficult bosses in Rise Of The Ronin. Consider the following benefits:
When you assemble your team for a mission, consider how your allies' strengths and weaknesses complement yours. You may also want to consider what characters you wish to strengthen your bond with.
Keep Wooden Weapons In Storage For Non-Lethal Missions
While your background as a Veiled Edge makes you a killing machine, you’re not required to take enemies out in all of your missions. On the contrary, several missions require you tohold back your strength and preserve your foe’s lives. These tasks are calledNo-Kill Missions.
Non-lethal combat is similar to lethal combat. The only difference is the weapons you use. In non-lethal combat, you mustequip a wooden weapon or fight unarmed. If you engage in non-lethal combat, theallies you bring on missions will feel compelled to do the same.
Unarmed combat is limiting since you’ll only have the Mumyo-ryu combat style, so we recommendstocking some wooden weapons in storage. You canpurchase wooden weapons at the Sakura Innfor 5 Silver Coins a piece.
Use Your Armor’s Special Effects To Complement Your Combat
You’ll discover your combat strengths and weaknesses as you fight through Edo-period Japan. Maybe your countersparks are solid, but you go through a lot of Ki. Or perhaps you’re a sharpshooter with a rifle but flounder in close range.Equipping the appropriate armor will make you a stronger samurairegardless of your combat proficiencies.
Most armor and weapons espousespecial effects that will assist you in battle. They’re listed under the armor’s summary in the Equipment menu. Here is an example:
DEF:77
Mighty Warrior (This is aset bonusthat awards special effects when you equipmultiple pieces of armor/weaponry from the same set)
Grappling Rope Attack Up +10.3%
Arrow Direct Hit Up +10.8%
The Fair Weather Gauntlets have two significant traits. First, they are part of theMighty Warriorarmor set, whichprioritizes strength, reduces damage taken, and decreases Ki consumption from guarding. Second, the gauntlets havethree ranged attack boosts.
What kind of player would these gauntlets benefit? The Mighty Warrior set bonus would bolster an offensive player who pressures opponents at the expense of their health. Ranged attack boosts may improve a player’s less-than-stellar aim. This info implies the Fair Weather Gauntlets are best for offensive melee fighters who struggle with ranged weapons.
While the example above is hypothetical, and there is no exact science to equipping armor, you can see the connections between combat proficiency and special effects. It would be best toreflect on your strengths and weaknesses as you assemble your armorand apply the same logic.
