The Carebear Comprehensive Combat Guide

[Halp]

It has come to my attention that people are terrible at combat. Not all... but most. I would like to assist you in your battles against others.

There are a few key elements to combat that people either dont know or take for granted. Things I know to be fact will have no formatting. Italic text will be what I am speculating on based on my experiences so far.

For me, people have different fight styles. There are Aggressive fighters, Defensive and Balanced. Certain styles suit better weapons and Armour. Sticking to one particular style is bad, as its predictable.

Aggressive fighters are usually the small characters, they will constantly hold sprint and dash around you flurrying you with attacks. Daggers and 1H swords are well suited here.

Defensive players move slowly and try to block attacks and counter. They want you to strike them. 2h weapons with a long reach are the best here. In my experience they are usually large characters

Balanced. These are the toughest because its hard to predict what they are going to do. They are also the more experienced fighters. They switch their style mid fight and even switch weapons to suit the style. If you can master this, you will become quite capable.

What your Mouse does

Blocking (Right Click)

If you take anything from this, this should be it. Blocking is the most important ability to master. Anyone can block an attack, its a simple right click. You can spam it if you want and block maybe 8/10 attacks. But if you learn to time it right, you can block 10/10 attacks and land 10 hits of your own. Resulting in your victim wondering who the hell just attacked him because he never got to see your name.

Its important to know the animations of weapons. Know the different strikes and the different tells. You need to know if hes going to strike or block and they have different start animations. The animation is fairly obvious for all weapons except the 2h Sword. This one can be tricky to read. So watch your opponent, pay attention.

If he is a Defensive Blocker, let him block. As he blocks, delay your attack. Not long, half a second to a second and strike. His block drops as soon as your weapon lands. Successful hit. Instinctively he will block again, find your rhythm and keep beating those blocks. Every successful Block your opponent does is first a waste of a strike and more importantly leaves you wide open to a counter.

Feinting (Right Click Mid Swing)

Right click to interrupt a swing. I dont think I need to explain anymore than that.

The Different attacks

Swipe - This is your basic (left click) attack. You will use this most as it covers the largest area infront of you and is therefor the easiest to land.
Stab - This is a forward thrust (roll mouse wheel forward), this is good for closing distance when chasing as the momentum pushes you forward a little increasing your speed. It is difficult to land but imperative in group combat so you dont hit your allies.
Overhead - Waste of time, (roll mouse wheel back) its too slow and is basically telegraphed to the other person saying block me. It does however guarantee a head hit when it lands.

Your Choices

Your Choice of Weapon

This is important. My favourite weapon is the starter wooden club. Honestly it is. Why? I dont know, it just works for me for some reason. I dont know if its that people underestimate it or if its just a good weapon, but I have the most success with this weapon. Its fast, its reach isnt too bad and its just hilarious killing Steel armour.

Apart from that, I like the Daggers. Speedy, quick and I have to get in close which puts people off and makes them panic. I will also carry a 2H weapon as a backup.

What Weapon should you choose?
Well this depends on your playstyle. If you are a defensive player who focuses on Blocking and Slow movement, you will want a 2H that will force your enemy to stay at a range that puts you at an advantage. If you are an Aggressive player a small Dagger or 1H weapon is the way to go. Constant Flurrys of attacks from the Flanks will quickly cause your enemy problems. But be aware of their movement, you dont want to give a 2H any distance.

Ideally, you want both a 2H weapon and a 1H weapon. You want to mix, stab with a flurry of quick attacks and then make some distance and switch to your 2H to regain your stamina and block the incoming attacks. If your opponent is defending and its not working for him, what is he going to do? Obviously attack. Defensive will beat Offensive if the Defender can block properly.

Back to why you should never switch to a ranged weapon but I think you should always have one. Its not really a rule as more of a guideline. If you think you can fire off 3 Spears before your enemy closes the gap, fire 1 and switch to a melee weapon. If it hits, great. If it doesnt, doesnt matter. You are ready for the melee. Why not fire 3? Well if you miss all 3 and he lands 2 melee hits on you while you switching weapons too late, who is immediately at a huge disadvantage?

What about when he is running from you? Well as I warned you, if they have more to lose they absolutely 100% will run when they are losing. You should have crippled him before now. If you havent and he is running you check two things:
1. Can I hit him with my Spears?
2. Can I survive the 2 hits he is going to land on me if he suddenly turns around plants a sword in my face?
If the answer is no to either of those, you dont switch. You stay running after him with your melee weapon swinging like a maniac.

There is 1 time a ranged weapon is invaluable in a fight and that is after you have crippled your opponent. Make some distance and pepper him with your ranged. Not a bow and arrow. However be warned, a crippled player can still be tricky to hit and if he bandages himself while dodging your terrible aimed ranged items you have to start right back from the beginning possibly now at a distinct disadvantage.

When to fight and when to run

You never run. This is not a manly bravado thing, its just that you should never allow yourself to be in a situation where you are fighting with more to lose. Or even anything to lose you cant replace. Only an idiot does that.

When do you fight then? Well, if you are attacked you fight obviously. But what targets do you choose? Well you dont go killing a naked you know has nothing. You definitely kill a naked who has been farming for 2 hours without a base stop. You fight when you have something to gain, you seek out fights where you have more to gain. Dont be discouraged by a 2v1, 3v1 or even a 5v1. These are winnable.

Target Priority

My favourite fights are 3v1 or 5v1. You dont often win 5v1, but it is possible.
In group fights, as with all games, the guy you want to focus and put under pressure is the guy with CC. Thats the guy with the rope. Pummel him. Loop around him, dart through obstacles you attack attack attack. When there is a rope out you play full on aggressive. Mow that rope wielding wuss down. Keep moving, use him as an obstacle and his friends might hit him a few times for you. Cant block with a rope! Cant block? You're a dead man.

No ropes present? Well then movement and blocking are the most important. If they are organised they will only attack with vertical attacks. So naturally you move sideways and swipe at them. Vertical hits are much harder to land. With a bit of luck you frustrate them enough to force them into swipes. This is what you want. Then you just gotta keep them close together and infront of you, dont let them flank you and just land as many hits as you can. The legs are a priority. You really need move speed advantage.

If 1 retreats, target him. He is close to death. Its a tough fight, you need luck and skill. more luck that skill to be honest, to come out on top and even if you manage it, odds are you wont get loot as if it drops to a 1v1 the other 2 will run back while the solo guy holds you off from the loot. Thats when you cripple him as fast as you can and use your speed to loot the others and flee.

Making the most of Game Mechanics

Is Stamina Important?

I dont know. I personally find I am quicker with a full bar of Stamina. I move faster, I block faster and I am just more agile as well as having the ability to jump over the head of my opponent. This could be a placebo effect. But any fight I have started with a full bar of Stamina I have won easily. Any fight I started with an empty Bar I struggle.

This is another reason why I endorse a balanced style of fighting with weapon switching. After your flurry of quick attacks, blocks and jumps your stamina will be drained. This is the ideal time to make some distance and switch to a 2H and let that Stamina build up. So long as you dont make blocks for nothing it will fill up very quickly and its a quick switch and flurry.

Movement Speed

In a fight of no blocking, the faster person will win. You cant hit what isnt there. You want to maximize your movement speed for the fight. I think having full stamina allows you to run faster, I certainly feel faster with full Stamina. Having a weapon out is important. Under no circumstances are you to put your weapon away to try go faster, it does not work. You move fastest with a melee weapon drawn. This is fact, not speculation.

In order to keep your movement speed high, dont wear a full set of armour. Infact, never wear a full set of armour. Wear a different pair of gloves. The hands/arms are the hardest to hit because they move alot. Always wear a Helmet, Chest, Pants and Boots. Should be self explanatory why, but you dont want to be beheaded easily or crippled easily.

Thrusting forward as you run can increase your movement speed

Where should I Target?

This depends on a few things. Height, Weapon, Armour are all a factor. In theory, you always want to aim for the Neck. Its either a headshot or a bodyshot. Both are decent. If you aim for the head you risk missing it. You really cant afford to be missing hits.

I tend to fight better geared players. I have more to gain and less to lose. Because of this they will ALWAYS try to flee. This is a problem as they will run to their base, run for help or just plain run into someone else who will get involved. You really want to avoid a 1v1v1. Its too unpredictable. So if your enemy is better geared, has more to lose and is likely to run. You focus on those kneecaps.

When should I switch to a Ranged Weapon?

Generally speaking, never. Why? Simple, you cant block with a ranged weapon. Saying that, I always suggest you carry one. Spears are decent if you can aim them. Bow and Arrow I would avoid it as you simply move slower with one equipped.

Bandages

Bandages are both invaluable and useless. The window to use them rarely ever shows itself but when it does a bandage is a tide turner. Trying to use it at the wrong time is a death sentence however. You need to use your own judgement when to bandage. If the fight goes to a ranged skirmish that as a good time to dodge and bandage before a swift charge for melee.

[Ducky]

Thank you

[Jiggy]

Amazing!

[Haktuspit]

Chivalry still on sale for $5. Buy it and learn combat without the risk of losing stuff.