What is the combat actually like? What makes it so bad?

[letsnotplaygames]

A few comments and reviewers have mentioned that the combat in the game is sub-par, but how so, exactly? I heard that you can dual-wield weapons (spellbooks, melee, and ranged), which sounds nice. What's wrong with the combat? Is it just too simple, kinda like Oblivion/Skyrim's simple combat?

Are there skill trees and such like in other ARPGs? Melee combos/blocks/parries like in the Arkham series? Or?

[Veraxus]

The combat systems are really good.

HOWEVER, there is a real lack of feedback. Enemies don't really have reaction animations when you hit them, there is no dismemberment, blood doesn't spill on surfaces, there are no reactions to being burned/etc... and this general lack of of "physicality" feedback in the combat makes it feel... not great.

Sure, enemies go ragdoll-flying when they die, but when you are actively fighting them, your hits don't really feel like HITS. Instead, enemies feel... spongy. Your sword/hammer/etc attacks just go right through enemies until they die. That doesn't feel good.

The good news is that this could be fixed... either officially or with mods. It's surprising that such a basic thing was overlooked by the developers, since visual "feedback" is one of those game design fundamentals. The combat SYSTEMS are clearly great, rewarding tactics and quick thinking, and flexible enough to suit any play style you want to create. BUT... the lack of enemy reactions... the complete lack of "oomph" and "splat" and "slice" when you fight undermines how everything "feels".

[Bloodyfish]

I'm definitely seeing enemies being pushed around. Biggest disappointment is that dual wield doesn't seem to give any benefit and just costs you the ability to use ranged or a shield. You can still only attack with one weapon at a time at basically the same speed.

Spears seem faster, actually, but that might just be since it's resetting the combo.

[boydston01]

Big disclaimer: I am not very good at video games, so much of my critique might be more me than the game... with that said, after playing a few hours, my first impression is that it's a shooter game, not melee. E.g., I was fighting a group--when I am meleeing one guy, all the other guys just back away and perfectly throw their endless spears at me. I couldn't even get close to victory. After a few tries, I experimented with only using the bow. It was super easy. Easy to hit everyone and easy to dodge their spears. Like too easy.

Again, I am sure some of it's me, but I didn't like how HUGE the difference was between trying to play melee and playing ranged.

And I agree with above. Objectively, the feedback in melee is not great. But personally, I'm ok with it. It's better than what I am used to.

off topic: my big problem are the visuals. The non-shadows are too bright and washed out, or something; and the shadows are hard to see into against the too-bright contrast. It's the first game I've ever played that eye strain is a problem.

[dustin1280]

I actually REALY enjoy the combat in this game, that is one of this game's BEST points.

As far as the "feedback" issue, normal attacks the enemies just seem to shrug off... It's only when you charge a "power attack," that enemies respond and recoil to your attack.

[Bloodyfish]

Originally posted by boydston01:

Big disclaimer: I am not very good at video games, so much of my critique might be more me than the game... with that said, after playing a few hours, my first impression is that it's a shooter game, not melee. E.g., I was fighting a group--when I am meleeing one guy, all the other guys just back away and perfectly throw their endless spears at me. I couldn't even get close to victory. After a few tries, I experimented with only using the bow. It was super easy. Easy to hit everyone and easy to dodge their spears. Like too easy.

Again, I am sure some of it's me, but I didn't like how HUGE the difference was between trying to play melee and playing ranged.

And I agree with above. Objectively, the feedback in melee is not great. But personally, I'm ok with it. It's better than what I am used to.

off topic: my big problem are the visuals. The non-shadows are too bright and washed out, or something; and the shadows are hard to see into against the too-bright contrast. It's the first game I've ever played that eye strain is a problem.

It's definitely easier, but I'm quite enjoying using two handed swords. I switch to ranged a lot, especially now that I can force burning damage on crit with how easy headshots are, but melee gets better the more I invest.

[Kozzy]

Combat is great, especially the magic. I also like the 2 handed bleeding sword I am using in my secondary weapon set. Much better combat than Elderscrolls imo.

[MartyrSaint]

Combat is more punchy and arcade-y than something like a souls-like, which has more weight to the animations.

You're more focused on status buildups than stun-locking enemies, for example. You don't build for poise, instead you just want to have more health to tank or enough movement to dodge.

Personally, I like it. Been playing a wizard with abysmal health stats and it's been real fun zipping around.

[Elrond_Buggard]

I agree that there's a lack of 'ooomph' to the combat, and it could be a bit more visceral, but the way you can mix-and-match abilities from across the different class trees is wonderful. It kind of encourages you to snap out of the single/dual-class mentality of typical RPGs. For example, I respecced after my Mage/Fighter combo wasn't quite clicking, and now I'm using SHadowing Beyond (invisibility), Power-Slides, and that Power Slam thing, it feels like a whole new game - very mobile and dynamic. The combat is certainly better than Elder Scrolls, and with the core mechanics having parkour nicely integrated into them, it's more on the Dishonored spectrum (though not quite as good, unsurprisingly).

[wizzard3d]

The game is just legen... what for it... darryy

[SaD-82]

The combat in itself has a lot of stoppers in it when it comes to how it feels.
Lack of feedback was mentioned - i would put a "lack of fluidity" on top of it.
Hit someone with your sword and it seems that the movement is slowing down (while also feeling that you just hit a tree). It tries to simulate some sort of impact-feeling, but it puts a pause to the whole fight.
Considering that you have to hit multiple times and that there are multiple enemies - this multiplies the feeling of stop-and-go combat.

Magic and range diminishes some of that problem, but then again - there the actual impact feeling is missing in total.

On a mechanical level the combat works, it just doesn't feel right.

[Seltin]

Combat is really floaty, as others say, lacks impact and weight. But that aside some things about the ocmbat really bother me. You dodge to the side, its fine, but if you dodge forward you end up "jumping" but in slow motion which ends up being so slow it lets the enemy catch up and hit you instead of you dodging the hit.

In addition changing weapopn sets takes a little too long especially when so many mogs are after you. I think this is an animation thing but it kinda sucks.

Dual wielding kind of sucks. Instead of one attack with RT using both weapons, ou use RT for right-hand attack and LT for left hand attack. So lose the ability to parry or carry a shield/grimoire and it's a bit pointless with fast melee weapons since the #attacks is really determined by how fast you can press right trigger. It is kinda of cool with dual-wieling 1h pistols though, after each shot there is a short reload time, so ou can use your right pistol shot, then use your left pistol and take a shot while the right hand one reloads.

Combat just doesn't feel tight or crisp. That's my major complaint really

[Inokis]

I play with a controller and i can feel every hit so i disagree that combat feels lacking here.
Enemies cry and run when i set them on fire. They fall when lightning hits them. Dismemberment requires additional rating approval that they probably didnt want to get.

[Janthis]

One of the first weapons I tried was a great hammer, I loved hitting enemies with it and watching them fly/ragdoll all over the place. I then tried sniping with an arquebus and a bit of magic. It all felt pretty good to be honest. Not Elden Ring or anything, but serviceable and more importantly fun.

[Pl3xus]

i heard its not bad.. its just that it has less punch than marvel rivals.. so if ure ok with just ok then its ok

[LazyJoeBeard]

Its barely better then the Elder scrolls game's combat and the combat is their weakest part. Its not terrible but its not good. Just like the game its very mid.