Confused about Combat Difficulty.

[Surfblasted]

Hi everyone.
Just wondering if anyone knows or can explain what the 'Auto' level of difficulty is all about?

I'm not very good at button-mashing combo combat games due to poorly joints in my hands, so would usually avoid games like this. But I was intregued by the subject of psychosis so I thought I'd give it a go and I'm really enjoying the game a great deal.

Only problem I have is the combat causing a great deal of pain in my hands and limiting my playtime. I started on Auto - which I believe is the default setting - but had to switch to Easy after the first few attempts at combat. But I didn't notice any real change, so after a while went back to Auto again. I've very nearly finished the game now, but I just can't defeat the Northmen to enter the last door.

I watched MXR's playthrough and I know he is better than me at this type of combat, but he's clearly doing at least four times more damage than I am using the same attack.

Any ideas why?

[洋摩]

Auto difficulty scales with you. If you're doing well, it gets harder. If you keep dying, it gets easier.

[Surfblasted]

Aha - that makes sense. But I don't think it's working in my case. I've tried four times to get across that bridge and my first attempt was the most successful. It may be the pain in my hands interfering the more times I try. So maybe after I rest them a bit, I'll have another go.

Thanks for the input - most appreciated :)

[洋摩]

Originally posted by Surfblasted:

Aha - that makes sense. But I don't think it's working in my case. I've tried four times to get across that bridge and my first attempt was the most successful. It may be the pain in my hands interfering the more times I try. So maybe after I rest them a bit, I'll have another go.

Thanks for the input - most appreciated :)

Just spam sprint and light attack lol or parry to heavy attack. Strongest attacks in the game, I'm pretty sure. And for the shield guys, do the sprinting melee instead of the stationary melee. You do a quick shoulder bash instead - much quicker. That should help you out with all the chaotic mashing lol

[Gnome]

Played through the game three times now. Died a lot the first time, just a couple of times in my 2nd playthrough and no deaths at all on my last. Played on Auto in all cases and never noticed much difference from my first to last playthrough.

I rarely bother with playing on anything higher than Normal difficulty in games and quite often play on easy.

So, if I can play through Hellblade on Auto without deaths, then most people will manage to get through also. Even with deaths here and there.

My recommendation: Keep it on Auto and don't worry about it :)

[Gnome]

As for combat tactics on the bridge:

Keep calm and don't rush into the group of enemies when you get as much as 6 or even 7 against you.

Try to keep all enemies in front of you by dodging past them when surrounded.

Like xTheVisionary says. Parry. A well timed parry followed by a heavy attack is very good and will always knock down an enemy.

Also, if enemies phase out and gets all shadowy and you don't have focus ready, then parry their attack to make them vulnerable again without using focus.

But most important: Stay calm! Slow and steady wins the race :)

[洋摩]

Originally posted by Gnome:

As for combat tactics on the bridge:

Keep calm and don't rush into the group of enemies when you get as much as 6 or even 7 against you.

Try to keep all enemies in front of you by dodging past them when surrounded.

Like xTheVisionary says. Parry. A well timed parry followed by a heavy attack is very good and will always knock down an enemy.

Also, if enemies phase out and gets all shadowy and you don't have focus ready, then parry their attack to make them vulnerable again without using focus.

But most important: Stay calm! Slow and steady wins the race :)

Holding heavy attack and releasing it also gets the phased out enemies into the physical state. And if you're on Easy mode, the parry to heavy counter is a one hit kill.

[Gnome]

The shielded enemy I usually dodge to the side when he attacks and follow up with a quick melee to stagger him. Once he's staggered, I unload heavy attacks on him until he recovers. Then rinse and repeat.

The enemy that gives me most problems is the dual wielding guy. He's fast and deadly and I do my best to take him out first. I use focus whenever I can with one of those guys against me.

[Gnome]

Originally posted by xTheVisionary:

Holding heavy attack and releasing it also gets the phased out enemies into the physical state. And if you're on Easy mode, the parry to heavy counter is a one hit kill.

I did not know that. Thanks!

[Surfblasted]

I use a controller as I don't have the dexterity to use keyboard and mouse. Using different button combos is particularly difficult for me. I have managed to get a good power attack working - but even using that with focus enabled it takes me five hard hits to kill the sword welding northman (probably the easiest for me) but MXR only needs two hits.

I'm jealous :)

[Surfblasted]

Aha - I think I see what he's doing better than me. I've not manged to get parry working yet - will have to try giving that a go too.

Thank you guys for all the helpful tips - really useful :)

[Gnome]

I haven't watched the vid you're talking about, but I have only killed a normal swordsman in two hits if I use the Parry followed by a Heavy Attack trick twice in a row. Maybe this is what he's doing? Or maybe he's playing on easy?

[Gnome]

Originally posted by Surfblasted:

Aha - I think I see what he's doing better than me. I've not manged to get parry working yet - will have to try giving that a go too.

Thank you guys for all the helpful tips - really useful :)

Yes, parry is not only a good defensive move, but it also magnifies the damage on the attack you follow up with :) Practice that and win the game :D

[洋摩]

Originally posted by Surfblasted:

Aha - I think I see what he's doing better than me. I've not manged to get parry working yet - will have to try giving that a go too.

Thank you guys for all the helpful tips - really useful :)

All good! I'm telling you though... the freakin' sprinting light attack is stupidly strong for some reason. Try it. In yhe last fight in the game, it still 1 shots every basic type enemy.

[Surfblasted]

No - I think your right - he's using parry. There's a big clash of weapons right before he attacks. I've not seen that it my game at all - must be parry.

[Gnome]

Ye, when you do a successful parry, there will be a flash and game slows down for a second (this is the focus kicking in).