Anyone else struggling with the combat?

[Chubzdoomer]

I can't seem to get the hang of it, particularly when fighting groups of enemies.

The targeting switches constantly, and manually locking on seems incredibly finnicky as well. It's also difficult to follow what's happening because of the camera, and the fact that enemies quickly move all over the place and don't seem to have easily-read attack patterns/animations. As a result, I just end up dodging everywhere and spamming the warp strike, with an occasional dodge/parry when the indicator pops up. I feel like I'm not even playing correctly that way though.

I tried using the Wait mode instead of Active combat, but I found it clunky and tedious. I think a much better system would've been to give the user a dedicated "Wait" button. It seems stupid that it's an entirely separate "mode," and that in order for it to pause you must come to a standstill.

Is anyone else having a heck of a time with this system?

[Derangel]

It can take a bit to get the hang of combat. It took me a few hours on the PS4 version before I felt really comfortable with how it plays.

[Larsque]

the combat is difficult to adjust to. It will take time
I had issues the first few days playing it on PS4

[Seraphyx]

Definitely don't use wait mode. It took me a while to get used to the combat system but it sounds like you are playing it "correctly" to me. At least that's how I also play it. You're not going to be able to avoid all attacks, in general you can hold RMB to keep dodging if things are crowding around you then wait till they're done attacking to start attacking yourself. Or just warp out and back in.

Targetting does suck sometimes, lock on is the only real option if it's doing it too much from my experience.

[Amancue]

yeah,.. the combat took some getting used too,.. and the bushes man the bushes keep blocking me view during attacks and none of the lock and warp key placements are covienent for my hands,. .(controller) but I'll get used to it eventually

[Immobilis Dignitas]

Hm, basically the trick is to focus your mind on the battlefield and to move the in-battle camera away from you a bit if need be. Lock on to an enemy and attack accordingly and watch your back at all times for an enemy to rush you. I adjusted pretty quickly when I played the game when it launched on consoles in 2016, but everybody adjusts to the gameplay differently. What I advise is to practice locking on and switching your targets using the right analog stick if playing on controller. That is the easiest way I can explain it. Lock on, attack, hold the evade/dodge button when you want to prepare to evade, and you can easily evade most oncoming attacks without fail if you just focus on enemy attack timing. Noctis can even dodge freaking bullets. Though the key is practicing handling the lock on mechanics. Switching targets in a flash is key.

[jalapenojon]

I have put in four hours on the demo...best thing to do is to fight as many times as possible. After like the 10-15th battle, you should start getting the hang of it.

[Seraphyx]

Originally posted by Amancue:

yeah,.. the combat took some getting used too,.. and the bushes man the bushes keep blocking me view during attacks and none of the lock and warp key placements are covienent for my hands,. .(controller) but I'll get used to it eventually

Completely agree, ♥♥♥♥ those bushes.

[Reign]

Some tips:

• Controls: Change the controller options to to "mode C" or whatever it's called. It allows you to lock-on, dodge and attack very easily with the shoulder buttons. From there just dodge then attack, repeat.
  
  
• Battle Planning: Pretty much all battles you fight will have a handy warp point. Noctis is really meant to be an "in-and-out" type character. Get a few good hits in, warp away, pick an enemy in Wait mode then attack.
  
  
• Techniques: Your 'tech bar' depletes after battle so use it constantly, it's how you level up your bro's techniques and they will really save your ass. At the beginning Glady's tech's are OP (they never really stop being OP), Ignis is primarily support and healing - which will be vital later on. Prompt has some really useful enemy weakening, crowd control and damaging techs. Use them all, often.
  
  
• Weapons: When you get the hang of it, the weapons all have their own feel to them.
  
  
• Swords: are for quick in-and-out strikes and some air. You unlock abilities that let you air attack in your grid. They're a little tricky, but when you get the hang of them it's pretty badass.
  
• Spears: are for air attacks, long dodges (hold back to get out then forward to do a strong lunge) and some quick strikes. Air attacks are similar to the sword, but also include an early air slam attack (think a low-jump dragoon attack)
  
• Great Swords: are slow, but have a wide arc and do great damage. If you warp in from afar you're more likely to knock down the enemy. Hold back from the enemy and attack to charge, wait for red (if able) do to some serious damages.
  
• Daggers: are very fast and have high maneuverability. Personally, I hold left or right to get behind and go for back attacks. They link well with the bros and you can rack up some serious pain.
  
• Shields: are good for knockdowns and keeping you alive with HP regen (some shields) and high defence/mag defence. If you find you're fighting a boss and getting knocked down frequently - put up a shield.
  
• Guns: slow fire rate and only so many shots before reload. Most guns seem a comparably worse choise at first, however their long range and good warp-strike skills make them much more fun than you'd think.
  
• Machinery: The charge attacks are the same for each, and can do some good AOE damage. Each machine has it's own special attack but their hitboxes can take some getting used to and they leave you open for counter attacks. Test them out a good handful of times before taking them into serious battle to get a hang for them. Personally, I used Bio Blaster more than I thought I would, it's a great way to open up a battle against some mobs.
  
• Royal Arms: They hurt you when you use them, but have some really amazing movesets. Each one is different but requires you to be cautious and not spam to heavily. I suggest trying each one out atleast once (as you find them) they are really fun.
  
• Magic: Quick-kill button. I tried not to use Magic too frequently as it's really overpowered. Mostly I used it when levelling or when caught up against an enemy I just couldn't overcome. When used correctly it's very overpowered.

[Vayne]

Originally posted by Reinsol:

Some tips:

• Controls: Change the controller options to to "mode C" or whatever it's called. It allows you to lock-on, dodge and attack very easily with the shoulder buttons. From there just dodge then attack, repeat.
  
  
• Battle Planning: Pretty much all battles you fight will have a handy warp point. Noctis is really meant to be an "in-and-out" type character. Get a few good hits in, warp away, pick an enemy in Wait mode then attack.
  
  
• Techniques: Your 'tech bar' depletes after battle so use it constantly, it's how you level up your bro's techniques and they will really save your ass. At the beginning Glady's tech's are OP (they never really stop being OP), Ignis is primarily support and healing - which will be vital later on. Prompt has some really useful enemy weakening, crowd control and damaging techs. Use them all, often.
  
  
• Weapons: When you get the hang of it, the weapons all have their own feel to them.
  
  
• Swords: are for quick in-and-out strikes and some air. You unlock abilities that let you air attack in your grid. They're a little tricky, but when you get the hang of them it's pretty badass.
  
• Spears: are for air attacks, long dodges (hold back to get out then forward to do a strong lunge) and some quick strikes. Air attacks are similar to the sword, but also include an early air slam attack (think a low-jump dragoon attack)
  
• Great Swords: are slow, but have a wide arc and do great damage. If you warp in from afar you're more likely to knock down the enemy. Hold back from the enemy and attack to charge, wait for red (if able) do to some serious damages.
  
• Daggers: are very fast and have high maneuverability. Personally, I hold left or right to get behind and go for back attacks. They link well with the bros and you can rack up some serious pain.
  
• Shields: are good for knockdowns and keeping you alive with HP regen (some shields) and high defence/mag defence. If you find you're fighting a boss and getting knocked down frequently - put up a shield.
  
• Guns: slow fire rate and only so many shots before reload. Most guns seem a comparably worse choise at first, however their long range and good warp-strike skills make them much more fun than you'd think.
  
• Machinery: The charge attacks are the same for each, and can do some good AOE damage. Each machine has it's own special attack but their hitboxes can take some getting used to and they leave you open for counter attacks. Test them out a good handful of times before taking them into serious battle to get a hang for them. Personally, I used Bio Blaster more than I thought I would, it's a great way to open up a battle against some mobs.
  
• Royal Arms: They hurt you when you use them, but have some really amazing movesets. Each one is different but requires you to be cautious and not spam to heavily. I suggest trying each one out atleast once (as you find them) they are really fun.
  
• Magic: Quick-kill button. I tried not to use Magic too frequently as it's really overpowered. Mostly I used it when levelling or when caught up against an enemy I just couldn't overcome. When used correctly it's very overpowered.

Which weapon types best for end game? Sword? Spear?

I kinda hate great sword as its too slow

[Reign]

Entirely up to your playstyle. I never really liked spears, but by end game they grew on me. I loved daggers pretty much the entire way through and used them frequently. You will likely have one or two Royal Arms equipped at all times and atleast one go-to weapon type, at the beginning just play around.

Great Sword is super slow, but you can offest that by using them with Warp Strike attacks, with the dodge roll+attack combos, or by switching to them and using them mid-air combo. Makes them faster. Otherwise they really leave you open, especially with faster monsters.

Each weapon balances with a weakness so they all feel unique. You get four slots and can change those mid-battle so don't feel stuck with one weapon.

[duEprocEss]

Those were some great tips, much appreciated!

Do I have to use the lock on button? It seems that I can't warp to an enemy unless I lock on to them. Also, is there a way to may lock on a toggle instead of having to have my finger premanently glued to a button?

[jalapenojon]

Originally posted by duEprocEss:

Those were some great tips, much appreciated!

Do I have to use the lock on button? It seems that I can't warp to an enemy unless I lock on to them. Also, is there a way to may lock on a toggle instead of having to have my finger premanently glued to a button?

Yes you need to use lock on when doing wrap strikes...otherwise you are warping into air.

And I don't disagree with toggling lock on...something worth looking into.

[PingvinSalat]

Toggling lock on can be done by holding the lock on button, then clicking the right analog stick.

Cumbersome imo, but it works

[†øøts]

Yeah it's clunky at first. You get so many options and special moves but I was just spamming attack and warp because I didn't feel comfortable with the keybindings; need to invest in controller one of these days.

[LeapingRodent]

Also: go into the options menu and set the camera distance to "far". When I played through the game on PS4 last year, I was getting annoyed fighting groups where one enemy attacks from behind, so I found this helps, somewhat.