Are chain-combos required?

[RobotParty]

I'm at the catacombs looking for the ring of light and I can't get a grasp of the timing on the combos at all. Are they required at all to progress without difficulty or should I just quit now? Not like I'm going to get drastically better at it.

Also, why the hell are the catacomb enemies so beefy and dangerous yet they give like 50xp per?

[Rattle&Hum]

1) Chain combo's help out a lot, however they aren't needed to progress the game. Infact the game has accommodated for those that aren't into it. If you go into options you can set the chains to "automatic" and it will do it for you. Automatic will also allow you to learn new ones. Keep in mind you can't "manual" chain when "automatic" is selected in options.

2) Skeletons are super weak to blunt damage (kick attack as well). However I agree with you, they are really tough (not using blunt, and who really does till the later game?) given the XP on offer.

As for chains in general here are a few tips:

Don't look for the oo symbol to attack, time it by clicking/chaining when your strike is about to land/hit.

1 handed weapons are fast, 2 handed weapons slower...staff/stave weapons have some crazy animations and can be tough...as well as certain chain attacks.

Just got to chain just before your attack lands in a nutshell.

Hope this was of help to you

[RobotParty]

I was trying the automatic chains but it seemed like they only do it twice and that's when it *was* working. Seems like it just straight up isn't work 90% of the time.

[Rattle&Hum]

Auto chains aren't great, AI doesn't chain well. However they can chain weapon specific chains (ie axespin) with any weapon and can repeat the same chain were manual you can't. Also AI (auto) chains doesn't cost any AP.

But like you said AI chains aren't great but they are enough to beat the game. There is a skill you can "unlock" later in the game (higher character level) called Double Attack, that makes the AI perform chain attacks better and for longer.

[Addicted2Music]

manual chains also work with "automatic"

[Fragtastic]

If you put points into "Double Attack", then the AI will chain more attacks I think. I remember playing this game long ago and Parry + Counter-Attack + Double Attack skills would help in my characters not getting hit at all.