What am I missing?

[Shade_Tepes]

I've heard from people of the internet that this game has the best saber combat and I just don't see it!
I'm near the end of the game doing dark side and the saber vs saber combat feels so frustrating to me. To me its seems so spammy and rng like as to whether you get a kill or be killed. Sometimes I use the force abilities like speed and rage and get kills, then I die, reload a save and try the same tactics just to get one shot.
Any help or tips would be great. As of now tho while the game is enjoyable, I'd say episode 3 on ps2 got the best saber combat.

[Worldstream]

The meme answer here is "skill issue" - the non-meme answer is the combat in this game is incredibly nuanced and in-depth but it doesn't do a good job of teaching you what moves are best, how to string moves, etc. But it also wasn't really meant to - like a lot of games with online communities the metas were refined over years and years of online play.

The combination of movement in 8 different directions + several different follow-up moves makes it incredibly complex (i.e., you can do two swings with a saber while moving right and the second swing will make you spin, vs. doing one swing right then quickly going left to snap back - a combo when done in succession is called fanning, btw). There's also some hitbox tomfoolery (the damage zones not always being exactly where you think on a saber swing, or having a high chance of being blocked by an opponent's saber based on their own hitboxes, etc.) that makes certain styles being considered far better than others. For example, medium single-saber style is often considered the best since it has good hitboxes, relatively quick swings, and does a good amount of damage. Strong style is slow and easily blocked and often not considered worth the time lost swinging. Fast style is too close combat to be safe in many scenarios but has some amazing moves (the crouch forward-lunge) - while dual sabers and the staff are usually viewed as much less optimal than single sabers for several reasons.

Long story short even if you're not messing around with online, it definitely requires a play-through to get used to the controls. It's also really best played with a mouse and keyboard. I can definitely understand not being impressed on a first playthrough but there's definitely a lot of depth to the game that you may enjoy if you dive a bit deeper.

Sincerely,

A guy who was forged in the fires of online play in this game when I was a wee lad

[nemésis]

Originally posted by Shade_Tepes:

I've heard from people of the internet that this game has the best saber combat and I just don't see it!
I'm near the end of the game doing dark side and the saber vs saber combat feels so frustrating to me. To me its seems so spammy and rng like as to whether you get a kill or be killed. Sometimes I use the force abilities like speed and rage and get kills, then I die, reload a save and try the same tactics just to get one shot.
Any help or tips would be great. As of now tho while the game is enjoyable, I'd say episode 3 on ps2 got the best saber combat.

I was late to tell you the same as the guy above just wrote! :-O

Originally posted by Worldstream:

The meme answer here is "skill issue" - the non-meme answer is the combat in this game is incredibly nuanced and in-depth but it doesn't do a good job of teaching you what moves are best, how to string moves, etc. But it also wasn't really meant to - like a lot of games with online communities the metas were refined over years and years of online play.

The combination of movement in 8 different directions + several different follow-up moves makes it incredibly complex (i.e., you can do two swings with a saber while moving right and the second swing will make you spin, vs. doing one swing right then quickly going left to snap back - a combo when done in succession is called fanning, btw). There's also some hitbox tomfoolery (the damage zones not always being exactly where you think on a saber swing, or having a high chance of being blocked by an opponent's saber based on their own hitboxes, etc.) that makes certain styles being considered far better than others. For example, medium single-saber style is often considered the best since it has good hitboxes, relatively quick swings, and does a good amount of damage. Strong style is slow and easily blocked and often not considered worth the time lost swinging. Fast style is too close combat to be safe in many scenarios but has some amazing moves (the crouch forward-lunge) - while dual sabers and the staff are usually viewed as much less optimal than single sabers for several reasons.

Long story short even if you're not messing around with online, it definitely requires a play-through to get used to the controls. It's also really best played with a mouse and keyboard. I can definitely understand not being impressed on a first playthrough but there's definitely a lot of depth to the game that you may enjoy if you dive a bit deeper.

Sincerely,

A guy who was forged in the fires of online play in this game when I was a wee lad

I would love to duel you XD

[Worldstream]

Originally posted by nemésis:

I would love to duel you XD

Bahaha alas although I used to live on this game for most of my childhood I haven't had a proper online duel in over a decade and probably would die instantly. Crazy how fast time flies...

[Shade_Tepes]

Originally posted by Worldstream:

The meme answer here is "skill issue" - the non-meme answer is the combat in this game is incredibly nuanced and in-depth but it doesn't do a good job of teaching you what moves are best, how to string moves, etc. But it also wasn't really meant to - like a lot of games with online communities the metas were refined over years and years of online play.

The combination of movement in 8 different directions + several different follow-up moves makes it incredibly complex (i.e., you can do two swings with a saber while moving right and the second swing will make you spin, vs. doing one swing right then quickly going left to snap back - a combo when done in succession is called fanning, btw). There's also some hitbox tomfoolery (the damage zones not always being exactly where you think on a saber swing, or having a high chance of being blocked by an opponent's saber based on their own hitboxes, etc.) that makes certain styles being considered far better than others. For example, medium single-saber style is often considered the best since it has good hitboxes, relatively quick swings, and does a good amount of damage. Strong style is slow and easily blocked and often not considered worth the time lost swinging. Fast style is too close combat to be safe in many scenarios but has some amazing moves (the crouch forward-lunge) - while dual sabers and the staff are usually viewed as much less optimal than single sabers for several reasons.

Long story short even if you're not messing around with online, it definitely requires a play-through to get used to the controls. It's also really best played with a mouse and keyboard. I can definitely understand not being impressed on a first playthrough but there's definitely a lot of depth to the game that you may enjoy if you dive a bit deeper.

Sincerely,

A guy who was forged in the fires of online play in this game when I was a wee lad

Thank you for this response. I'll keep trying and pulling through.
I just got salty as for the most part I was doing okay until I got to what I'm assuming is the last level and getting my ass handed to me by jedi and sith alike.
Might've been a mistake too that I'm using dual sabers so hopefully with the jaenhanced mod I think i can change sabers during the mission.
thx again for the post and have a good one.

[nemésis]

Originally posted by Worldstream:

Originally posted by nemésis:

I would love to duel you XD

Bahaha alas although I used to live on this game for most of my childhood I haven't had a proper online duel in over a decade and probably would die instantly. Crazy how fast time flies...

It's truly a shame we lost passionate players like You are for sure, judging by what have You posted here...
I wouldnt describe the nuances of single blade better myself, and so in the future I will be inspired by your words in an effort to enrich the experience of any outcome, for those who are just starting out...unless the game falls into oblivion this year, which I strongly doubt it will not fall. As we lost many of these players searching for sense rather rather than seeking respect from achieved result, their lust for creating legacy of their names (alter-Egos), which they won't ever achieve, thanks to their inevitable fear of loss of what they think they have already created... ( /Padawan entered game )
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[nemésis]

Originally posted by Shade_Tepes:

Originally posted by Worldstream:

The meme answer here is "skill issue" - the non-meme answer is the combat in this game is incredibly nuanced and in-depth but it doesn't do a good job of teaching you what moves are best, how to string moves, etc. But it also wasn't really meant to - like a lot of games with online communities the metas were refined over years and years of online play.

The combination of movement in 8 different directions + several different follow-up moves makes it incredibly complex (i.e., you can do two swings with a saber while moving right and the second swing will make you spin, vs. doing one swing right then quickly going left to snap back - a combo when done in succession is called fanning, btw). There's also some hitbox tomfoolery (the damage zones not always being exactly where you think on a saber swing, or having a high chance of being blocked by an opponent's saber based on their own hitboxes, etc.) that makes certain styles being considered far better than others. For example, medium single-saber style is often considered the best since it has good hitboxes, relatively quick swings, and does a good amount of damage. Strong style is slow and easily blocked and often not considered worth the time lost swinging. Fast style is too close combat to be safe in many scenarios but has some amazing moves (the crouch forward-lunge) - while dual sabers and the staff are usually viewed as much less optimal than single sabers for several reasons.

Long story short even if you're not messing around with online, it definitely requires a play-through to get used to the controls. It's also really best played with a mouse and keyboard. I can definitely understand not being impressed on a first playthrough but there's definitely a lot of depth to the game that you may enjoy if you dive a bit deeper.

Sincerely,

A guy who was forged in the fires of online play in this game when I was a wee lad

Thank you for this response. I'll keep trying and pulling through.
I just got salty as for the most part I was doing okay until I got to what I'm assuming is the last level and getting my ass handed to me by jedi and sith alike.
Might've been a mistake too that I'm using dual sabers so hopefully with the jaenhanced mod I think i can change sabers during the mission.
thx again for the post and have a good one.

Spectating on Your interest, it does warm my heart.
One day you might wanna try MultiPlayer though... I strongly warn You.

Originally posted by nemésis:

Be aware of shallowness spreading over two decades troughout MP servers, and rather then try to find to your side those, who might share the passion.
The public servers are occupied by those yearning to show You that the game is broken.
...No..It's their passion that broke over the years.
And rather remember my words and my nickname, as it could, one day, come in handy in order to try out the true meaning of JediAcademy Multiplayer.
My goal is to create smaller, but characteristic and passionate community(..thus chilled&friendly), of those who fell in love with the eight-dimensional lightsaber combat.

I wish beautiful single-saber playtrough to You, and ofcourse -
Merry Christmas&Happy New Year! :-))

[SwiftDuCk]

you have to play against other players. Not AI. lol

[OddJob]

Originally posted by Shade_Tepes:

I've heard from people of the internet that this game has the best saber combat and I just don't see it!
I'm near the end of the game doing dark side and the saber vs saber combat feels so frustrating to me. To me its seems so spammy and rng like as to whether you get a kill or be killed. Sometimes I use the force abilities like speed and rage and get kills, then I die, reload a save and try the same tactics just to get one shot.
Any help or tips would be great. As of now tho while the game is enjoyable, I'd say episode 3 on ps2 got the best saber combat.

It's definitely not RNG!

You can prove it to yourself by exploiting one simple move that is guaranteed to destroy AI every time - just walk sideways and swing with Mid saber style. You'll do an OP cleaving motion that AI just doesn't know how to stop.

It gets a lot better when you stop and pay attention to each move and how they work.

[SolutionS]

the player hit box is weird and you are able to turn one hit into many by moving the mouse a little bit. Some people run scripts for this which kinda ruins the game.

[Mr.Ongi Doge (RUS)]

This game does not explain anything in regards of saber combat, but i assure you we even have complex mechanics like blocking and parrying. Im not a pro at this, but Ill try to explain (sorry for lack of accuracy if i tell something wrong):

Hit priority in a nutshell

We have 3 styles. Each one heavier than the other. The heavier the style, the more advantage on hit you have. If both of you and the opponent hit at the same time, and you have heavier style, you win a clash against the enemy. If you both have same style, no penalties to either side.
Succssess of your hit is also determined on how early you launch an attack. If you launch attack earlier and your opponent have a same style, you win a clash. LIght style is good for defending against projectiles and poking your opponent, but crumbles against open confrontation in melee, even making you drop your sword when getting pressed too much. Middle style is the most stable style for offensive swordfights, but not the best in defence, although infinite times safer than light against oppression, just dont try to block with middle style against spam. The notorious Heavy style known for op defence and big damage with ability to stick your sword in the enemy the longest for even bigger damage (up to oneshotting them straight up if no shields), its very slow but mischievous if you mistake your opponent slowness for defence. Considering how fast player model moves and the speed of parries, its slowness can be negated to a degree. Most people dont try to go for parries anyway, so it is most popular with veteran players, Have most moves than can be safely whiffed.

Then we have weird hitboxes and block mechanic. The side of your main hand (the hand in which your model holds the saber) is the weak side that can be poked upon and you wont be able to block. About block is all natural here - heavier stance have advantage

Now parry. You can parry if you press a button when enemy hit connects and you have heavier stance. When you parry, you hit faster. And Im not 100% sure, but you can parry a parry back at some circumstances

We also have attack patters, usually veterans call em "kata's", as in japan swordsmanship. They work better for lightsaber than for real life weapons though, lol. And it would be worth a grad diploma work if i explain all the hit properties in this game in a single comment here, so ill just stick for one handed sword (since its most versatile and easy to understand). Left side attacks for single saber covers most of your body (because we are holding saber in right hand) so good defence-offence option lies there. Right side attacks have better reach, but nothing too grand. Back side attacks can net you to whirl attacks that im pretty sure have more priority on hit, but are slow. If you press exact opposite attack on any attack on your old direction, you chain them together. You can chain any attack into jump for fun effects like adding new vector for your attacks, prolonging attack animation and stuff.

And always aim at legs, since it extends your range and is safer. And use slow walk when you about to hit so it is more accurate and less predictable from which side you are going to attack

The most interesting setups however come when you combine this knowledge - will you be able to outspeed and outstance your opponent? Will you go for a fast poke, or maybe mindplay a little - all comes down to many playstyles that have been developed for a loooooong time, if you find a skillful player that is, and a server with a good ping.

[Long Niar™]

Originally posted by Shade_Tepes:

I've heard from people of the internet that this game has the best saber combat and I just don't see it!
I'm near the end of the game doing dark side and the saber vs saber combat feels so frustrating to me. To me its seems so spammy and rng like as to whether you get a kill or be killed. Sometimes I use the force abilities like speed and rage and get kills, then I die, reload a save and try the same tactics just to get one shot.
Any help or tips would be great. As of now tho while the game is enjoyable, I'd say episode 3 on ps2 got the best saber combat.

Saber combat comes in 3 hit combos.

Hold the mouse button and a direction to do 3 swings.

You change direction with each swing to perform a combo.

Example: Holding A+S and LMB gives you a diagonal upwards swing. Keep holding LMB, A+S, and it will swing again. And if you then hold A or D and LMB it will do a horizontal chop to finish the 3 hit combo off.

With yellow style you can hold A+W and LMB to diagonal chop 2 times, then push W+D and LMB to do the opposite side to finish it off.

There are many variations.

Took many of us years to master the game.

Skill is a big thing which should be developed.

[Macario]

I agree that sometimes it is very RNG, it is full of very annoying enemies, that constantly push you, blind you with electricity or constantly choke you, the truth is I enjoy the game more when I am cheap with the choke move and that way you win all the saber fights, if not this game would be unplayable for me.

[crush eat kill repeat]

Check out MB2

[nemésis]

Originally posted by crush eat kill repeat:

Check out MB2

XDXDXDXD