After 40+ hours I still fail to understand how master strike is an easy win

[Zeev]

Maybe I am doing something wrong, but even after 40 hours I am struggling with combat and I do not understand how every one says that master strike is an easy win.

I learnt it from the nomad camp but after 40-50 hours I am still not sure how to trigger it.
I mean, your sword needs to be on the opposite side and you need to attack rather than block on the green shield icon right? But the NPC that is fighting you will still try to switch his sword position so in my opinion you do not have much chance at performing this master strike.

So I do not understand how every one says its an easy win.

[Darth Revan]

you just have to switch your sword position too if the npc switches his

[Zeev]

Originally posted by Darth Revan:

you just have to switch your sword position too if the npc switches his

I am playing with a controller (on PS5) maybe this is my issue?
I googled for masterstrike and some one replied that with mouse its much easier because the response is faster.

[myhv]

Yeah, I find feints and perks for charged strikes to be much more effective. Why bother paying attention to their weapon if you can take the initiative and just kill them. Also unarmed and strength perks that augment clinch sort of break most NPCs.

[Flaccid Snake]

I can't ever get a master strike to work if I've just switched guard direction. I'm not sure but it might be intentional design. So ya, it only works for me if I haven't JUST switched my guard

[Zeev]

Originally posted by myhv:

Yeah, I find feints and perks for charged strikes to be much more effective. Why bother paying attention to their weapon if you can take the initiative and just kill them. Also unarmed and strength perks that augment clinch sort of break most NPCs.

Can you please explain in more details? What is a fient? And what is a charge strike? Thanks!

[Darth Revan]

Originally posted by Zeev:

Originally posted by Darth Revan:

you just have to switch your sword position too if the npc switches his

I am playing with a controller (on PS5) maybe this is my issue?
I googled for masterstrike and some one replied that with mouse its much easier because the response is faster.

i never played with a controler so i dont know, but generally if you can not switch position in time then block, otherwise attack, sometimes you gonna have to block

[HellDuke]

It's very easy to pull off. Yes, your oponent will switch, but master strike is not your only tool in the arsenal. They are switching around? Well they can no longer master strike you, so you attack with a combo instead. They do not switch and attack? You just master strike. Just rotate these two things based on what they do and you get a guarantee hit on every attack you make (in the case of combos attack set)

[myhv]

Originally posted by Zeev:

Originally posted by myhv:

Yeah, I find feints and perks for charged strikes to be much more effective. Why bother paying attention to their weapon if you can take the initiative and just kill them. Also unarmed and strength perks that augment clinch sort of break most NPCs.

Can you please explain in more details? What is a fient? And what is a charge strike? Thanks!

Charged strike is simply holding down the attack button before releasing. By default it does very little but allow you to adjust attack direction, but if you switch the direction and release right after, it counts as a feint. Feints are harder to defend against. But with the right perks, your charged attacks become stronger and have bonus skill levels, i.e. be even harder to block or stroke.

[Raein]

NPCs won't switch their arm position more than 3 times I think. You just have to watch them closely, doesn't work that well against multiple enemies but I think that's a good thing

[Edward Blom]

I've noiticed that the higher the difficulty of the enemy, the more he will swap strike positions.

My tips is to hold your sword opposite to his and stay prepared for a master strike counter.
If he were to swap position and attack right after his swap you should not try to change position in panic for a master strike, instead press to perform a perfect block and after that reset and try getting another master strike.

Always go for SAFE master strikes, patience is key. Worst thing is that if you try to only go for master strikes and you miss it he will probably combo you to hell if it's a difficult opponent.