Target lock, Change target and Block

[EF_Neo1st]

I am using a PS4 controller.

I did not find a way to engage combat without target lock, it always automatically lock to target no matter what whenever I get to certain range from enemy making it way harder to dodge as all dodge movement is always 0°-180° or 90°-270° in relation to target locked, then if that is more than 1 enemy it changes target on itself or dont change target at all, making it just worst to dodge and fight.
Is that a way to fight without target lock? (I would love to, I am not used to combat with target lock at these games, including Sekiro, less when it is to deflect).
I could not understand how to change target either.

About block, I ont understand how it work as many times I am holding block and I block everything until my stamina runs out, but sometimes I block and long before stamina runs out I get guard broken, also it dont seem to work better if I press at the moment of attack only as the results are the same, sometimes it blocks, sometimes it dont, but sometimes I break the enemy attack and get free hit (and for that it seem like a parry) so, I really could not understand how the block mechanic work at Absolver.

Any help (or confirmation of what is possible and what is not possible) is appreciated.

[Panzershrek]

So there's an option you can choose in gameplay settings to switch target on attack. It's not perfect, but it's better than not having it. Fighting multiples is probably the weakest part of this game due to the lock on system. I wish tapping LB and RB switched targets when you're locked on. I don't think it's possible to fight without target lock because stances are important to how the game works.

Blocking can be broken by some skills with the breaking property. I think those skills usually have the orange glow when they're starting. Those are usually slower skills so you should use your style's defensive maneuver against it.

You can't parry with your standard guard, but tapping it between attacks does give you more stamina recovery than just holding the guard down the entire length of time.

Parry is a different mechanic and comes from your style (I think only Forsaken, Faejin and Kahlt can parry... though not having played Kahlt I don't know if that counts as a parry). If you're using the controller it should your right stick movement. That's probably what you're seeing when you describe breaking the enemy attack.

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by Panzershrek:

So there's an option you can choose in gameplay settings to switch target on attack. It's not perfect, but it's better than not having it. Fighting multiples is probably the weakest part of this game due to the lock on system. I wish tapping LB and RB switched targets when you're locked on. I don't think it's possible to fight without target lock because stances are important to how the game works.

Blocking can be broken by some skills with the breaking property. I think those skills usually have the orange glow when they're starting. Those are usually slower skills so you should use your style's defensive maneuver against it.

You can't parry with your standard guard, but tapping it between attacks does give you more stamina recovery than just holding the guard down the entire length of time.

Parry is a different mechanic and comes from your style (I think only Forsaken, Faejin and Kahlt can parry... though not having played Kahlt I don't know if that counts as a parry). If you're using the controller it should your right stick movement. That's probably what you're seeing when you describe breaking the enemy attack.

Yes, I tried using directional parry like at The Surge 2 and For Honor, holding or pressing block and the right stick, but I am not sure if it is how it work here.

The lack of possibility to go without target lock is annoying (to the point of being infuriating) as it auto-target lock wheen on certain distance while I would not want to target lock at that distance even if I was to parry (that is no reason to auto-target lock from like 5m to 7m away, less there are attacks that suddenly can cover all that distance in a small fraction of a second and I dont know yet).
Maybe it is not possible to fight without target lock (tho I noticed I would be able to dodge better without it as the dodge is a short distance) but the fact I can not go without target lock also imply once I get to range I am locked to that movement set in relation to target (what, again, is annoying and counter-intuitive to me) and the fact I could not find a way to even change target when against multiple targets only make it worst.

I also noticed there are moments where I (or enemy) get locked facing backwards or sideways, a way to go target-lock-off would fix it in a moment and I also did not find a better way to fix it other than dodging away to the sides and trying to force my chacarter to face the enemy front to front again (and if I lock a target into a wall facing backward or sideways it is usually a free win there, as much as it is a free lose if I get locked sideways aganst a wall or something else on the map).

In short, tthe target lock system being the way it is (automatic, full locked and no possibility to go without it) is something I did not like at the game but it seem promissing.

I still did not understand how things work here, what are the skills or whatever it is named (and how to use or activate), how the combos really work (or how to change targets, still did not figure that out yet) but trying.

Yes, I noticed that tapping between attacks save and replenish more stamina, reason too why I was trying it instead of holding, also going without cloth I can move faster and deal more damage but having less protection, so at least the basics work as I am used to at other games.

[Panzershrek]

You don't need to hold block for the directional parry, but if you parry you open your guard.

What you're seeing when you or your opponent are facing sideways/backwards is your character's stance. You can change that at any time, I think default by right trigger (R2 on PS4 I guess?)+direction. You can also double tap right bumper (R1) twice to reset to front right stance, which is the default stance. You should have a diamond in the bottom center of your screen that moves as you attack.

Target lock system is definitely one of the flaws of this game. I don't really have any advice regarding it, it is what it is unfortunately.

Also, the moves that you learn (which I presume is what you mean by "skills") are things you can put into your combat deck, which define your attacks and combos. When you learn a new move you can meditate to put it into your combat deck and change your attack patterns.