Constantly getting ganked

[Zehm]

The combat system is clearly designed for one on one duels, so why is every fight a gank fest?

You can't do anything against multiple skilled fighters. A group of peasants wearing sack cloth shirts and wielding wooden sticks will knock you around, but they're weak enough to go down in one or two hits and don't do much damage, but when it's a trio of knights, you get stomped into the dirt and there's nothing that you can do about it.

They are constantly dashing to your flanks and behind you where you can't see them, and you can't switch targets to defend against them. In the brief moments that you are free to swing your sword and not being battered around, perhaps 1 in 20 attacks isn't parried, riposted, or master-strike. You can never pull out the minimum three attacks to combo an enemy before they counter. Sometimes, rarely, I manage to pull out a combo chain, but it doesn't activate for god knows what reason. The game ignores pressing block sometimes. It ignores pressing attack sometimes. Dodge NEVER works excepts randomly when you didn't intend to. Enemies swing their swords faster than you, even when you are levelled in warfare and weapons into the teens and taking "master" level training. It's like the enemy stats are bugged and set to the god tier. You can't even run away because they chase you down.

Bows seem to be the only reliable way to deal damage, but you only get one or two shots before they are on you. Weird how my 40 damage bow can one shot an enemy, but my 50 damage sword needs 20+ hits to take them down?

On the surface the combat system looks good, but in reality it's a total crap shoot where the odds are against you. I mean, look at it this way. I've spent hours fighting with the captain in the training arena. You'd think that I'd have mastered beating the shiz out of him in that time, but no, it's always a "fair" fight, because the game is deciding when I hit, not my skill. Not even stats matter. He gives me the same fight at level 15 as he did at level 5.

[grafstefan]

I hear what you're saying - I get frustrated, too. But when you talk about 3 knights against a blacksmith's boy, it just sounds quite realistic...

I'll be honest, I play this game like a total coward, and run every time lol, unless it's easy pickings. I imagine that's how it was, mostly.

[AfLIcTeD]

I don't understand what the problem is. Your taking on multiple skilled fighters, what do you expect? You would complain if you could kill entire groups with ease. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Zehm]

I think that when you are in the teens, skill-wise, and taking "master" level training from trainers, you're no longer a noob, story wise.

There's definitely something up with the balance. I just did the big assault battle where you fight Runt at the end. The enemy soldiers leading up to the boss fight were tough as hell, but couldn't handle being ganked by my allies. When I got into the fight with Runt, he died instantly. I didn't even hit him - just parried his attack and he crumpled. He was weaker than some scrub peasant bandit. I'm guessing that as a boss he had set health and stats and I was over levelled since I'd spent so much time training in the hopes that it would make combat feel smoother.

I find it hard to imagine that you are SUPPOSED to spend hours bashing away at the training dummy to be able to compete. That battle was the end of Act 1 I'm guessing, but I'm nearing max level in many stats and wearing the most expensive plate that money can buy. Doesn't that seem a bit weird? You have to grind to max level and gear before you can start to compete? What game is designed that way?

[every1hasnames]

One that is designed for actual realistic combat during the time frame of the games setting.

You kinda have to realize that is an impossible goal. They didn't and will never get it 100 percent right. There goal is and was an impossible one.

They tried to make it so this is how combat was back during that time. This is how life was back during that time frame.

While you have a point there is a balancing issue. I agree.


But with what they were trying to accomplish.

Overall they actually did a good job. Even the most accomplished Knight did have major trouble and did quite often die to more than 1 enemies btw in real life. 2 is better then 1.

3 is better then 2 5 is better than 4. 10 is better then 5 . So on and so fourth.

If you are a single person fighting multiple people you are the underdog. the multiple people have so much advantage it would actully be a surprise if you win and they lose.

While game wise there is a balancing issue.

In my opinion with what they were trying to accomplish. The goal they were trying to accomplish.


The balance issue is one that well personally was always going to be there in someway shape or form.

And is not overly extreme that it cant be overcum with strategy.


And strategy is actually extremely important with this type of game. If your fighting 3 people and its just you. Strategy is what would win you the fight not knowing how to use a sword and what equipment your using. Infact strategy is a form of skill in my opinion.

Btw specifically in your reply to your I find it hard to imagine that you are SUPPOSED to spend hours bashing away at the training dummy to be able to compete with this next statement.


In real life knights would spend there whole childhood up to the point they become fighting age traininng.

There whole childhoods. Decades.

You play a person already at the age of adulthood. Which have no training whatsoever with weapons aside from making them.

Spending hours on a training dummy wouldnt even make a dent in the training you would actually need inorder to actually be capable of properly defending yourself against other people who very likely actually spent much of there lives training with swords and weapons and fighting.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by Zehm:

I think that when you are in the teens, skill-wise, and taking "master" level training from trainers, you're no longer a noob, story wise.

There's definitely something up with the balance. I just did the big assault battle where you fight Runt at the end. The enemy soldiers leading up to the boss fight were tough as hell, but couldn't handle being ganked by my allies. When I got into the fight with Runt, he died instantly. I didn't even hit him - just parried his attack and he crumpled. He was weaker than some scrub peasant bandit. I'm guessing that as a boss he had set health and stats and I was over levelled since I'd spent so much time training in the hopes that it would make combat feel smoother.

I find it hard to imagine that you are SUPPOSED to spend hours bashing away at the training dummy to be able to compete. That battle was the end of Act 1 I'm guessing, but I'm nearing max level in many stats and wearing the most expensive plate that money can buy. Doesn't that seem a bit weird? You have to grind to max level and gear before you can start to compete? What game is designed that way?

they changed alot of the harder guys to defence and repose rather than them attack , this game is hard at start but as you level your bowman and weapon skills you will find diff ways of killing groups,

[Jeff]

ways i like to kill groups, charge past on horse take out a few with bow and long sword then dismount or be thrown off to finish off the last few using the walls and hedges to my advantage for they either cant swing at me or block from certain angles due to wall etc.

or

I like to sneak up to a 100 feet or so then launch a few arrows as they charge me , wounding ones work well as they will bleed and flee with the weaker ones(to be hunted down after )

or

use their own bowman to shoot them in the backs as i fight them.

most the time its about foot work and controlling the field, like the trainer says to you near the start.

[pks]

Originally posted by Zehm:

when it's a trio of knights, you get stomped into the dirt and there's nothing that you can do about it.

Baw, the game is realistic!

Run away next time.

Originally posted by Zehm:

You can't even run away because they chase you down.

LOL, you can't even run away? What are you doing trying to take on trios of knights, then?

Pro-tip: run towards your horse and ride away

Originally posted by Zehm:

Enemies swing their swords faster than you, even when you are levelled in warfare and weapons into the teens and taking "master" level training. It's like the enemy stats are bugged and set to the god tier.

No, that's what happens when an inept peasant tries to fight a trio of knights who have higher stats, higher skills, and use faster weapons.

Originally posted by Zehm:

you can't switch targets to defend against them.

Targeting can be made less sticky.
There's a "More Responsive Targeting" mod.

Originally posted by Zehm:

In the brief moments that you are free to swing your sword and not being battered around, perhaps 1 in 20 attacks isn't parried, riposted, or master-strike.

Plenty of recent threads about combat. Like this one:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/379430/discussions/0/3726075043716064153/

Originally posted by Zehm:

Bows seem to be the only reliable way to deal damage, but you only get one or two shots before they are on you. Weird how my 40 damage bow can one shot an enemy, but my 50 damage sword needs 20+ hits to take them down?

Seriously, what are you doing going at "trios of knights" with a 40 damage bow - worst in game - and 50 damage sword?
Yet this weak bow provides over 60 piercing damage - way better than your sword.

The weakest Cuman and Hunting bows have ~100 piercing damage with long-distance arrows.

An improved 77 damage bow with 1.1x 120 damage arrows = 138 armor-piercing damage output - and I still have to be very careful.

50 damage sword is mediocre, and slashing with swords is almost useless against armored opponents. Only stabbing or clubbing works.

Ride away, when they give up the chase - creep up from behind and headshot them, or cut their throat if you are stealthy enough, or lure individuals away for a proper 1-on-1 fight.

This is not Skyrim, Henry does not have magical superpowers.

[Jeff]

look at the armour they are wearing too, a open face helmet or no helmet aim for the head with jabs . if coated in full armour switch your sword out.

[Preacher]

Originally posted by Jeff1985:

look at the armour they are wearing too, a open face helmet or no helmet aim for the head with jabs . if coated in full armour switch your sword out.

actually, if they are in full plate armor a mace or axe is your best bet apart from a sword, just like IRL.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by Preacher:

Originally posted by Jeff1985:

look at the armour they are wearing too, a open face helmet or no helmet aim for the head with jabs . if coated in full armour switch your sword out.

actually, if they are in full plate armor a mace or axe is your best bet apart from a sword, just like IRL.

thats what i meant by switch out the sword, a blunt item or spike is better then. also aiming for a weak point in the armour with a sword works not all over just weaken the boots make him hobbled

[djehmli]

Scouting helps, gives you opportunity to stop before a havoc spot and stealth kill a couple of the enemies.

If you do not have scouting (grand assumption here its the road side attacks giving you issues, or the quests with multiple bandits) make your attack and then move in reverse. Let them come to you, and if they have archers, keep one of their attackers always between you and their archer. If you move backwards, you can keep them from flanking. Just be aware of your environment and don't get your self into a corner against rocks or trees or buildings.

I am constantly moving away from their attacks, using their own friends as body shields from ranged, block when they lunge, use stab to knock them back and keep moving. Note I use short sword and shield or mace and shield. If I stop moving, then I am dodging.

[Daemonfall]

When fighting multiple enemies, movement and positioning is your most important weapon, just like in a real-life fight. You cannot let them flank you. Move backwards and turn in circles to force them to maneuver and prevent them attacking simultaneously. When they get stuck behind one another they can't all hit you at once.

If possible try to hit the same enemy over and over so as to dispatch them one by one as quickly as possible. Try not to spread your attacks out over all of them at the same time or it'll take you forever to kill them and you'll probably lose. I usually pick the guy with the least amount of armor to be the first to die.

Additionally, if you see an archer, make sure you keep one of his buddies between you and him. He'll either hold his fire or he'll shoot his buddy in the back.

[Zourin]

Groups aren't too bad.

1 - There's usually one well armored one in the pack. Kill or run off any of his buddies who are poorly armored to begin with, and then worry about the captain. The poorer the equipment, the lower the skills and the faster they go down.

2 - Develop good stealth skills, get a night-sight potion, and go assassinate them in their sleep. Kill off the well armored leader first, and everything else becomes a mop-up.

3 - Train, fight, get bloody. Once you get enough free-leash, train with Bernard and unlock combat skills and do some proper training. The tutorial sparring with Bernard and Capon at the beginning of the game isn't going to be the last unless you're very lucky or very dead. If there are fistfights, get into them. Get your ass kicked a few times in some fistfights, this usually only costs you a couple coins, which is cheap.

4 - Pay to Win - Once you start being able to take down bandits and pawning off their gear to build up a bankroll, consider ponying up the cash for skill levels. There's plenty of opportunity to make money for a new horse later, for now, you need money to TRAIN (skills and reading), and that should be a priority.

[Hyregoth]

It doesn't matter who your father was if you are a master swordsman. Everyone had to learn somewhere/sometime. When you get to a high enough level in swordsmanship, you should be able to at least keep 3 lesser warriors at bay. It doesn't take that long to train if you train hard. You really think there's going to be Knights walking around those ♥♥♥♥ hole towns? They're not much more than peasants either. Just putting chain armor on some fool and giving him a sword doesn't make him a Knight.

I have to laugh at people who have no common sense standing up for Devs who are more interested in game balance and naked bath maids than in reality. Then trying to tell me itt's realistic. Thanks for the good roll on the floor with my sides aching.

[Kippesnikkel]

the combat feels super rewarding. The animations look awsome and killing 3 knights by yourself (even though its a very very tough fight) makes you feel so relieved. i love that part of the game. especially the looting after :P