Jade Master Difficulty: Combat Strategies

[stcaFylnO]

[Edit:I finally figured out how to post a guide and made this into one! It got truncated, but I fixed it sort of.]

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=802142492
.
.
Transform Interupt Method



Style Interrupts are paramount:

It is always valuable to interrupt a style's recovery animations by swapping rapidly between different ones, but I finally found an exceptional use; additionally, I have an increased appreciation for Transformation styles. In fact, this method is primarily focused on Jade Master (JM) difficulty and Transformations. Here goes the spew: issues (-), solutions (+), putting it together, and then a battle.



-Issues:

-Enemies in JM are so damage resistant (DR), even Jade Golem struggles to kill them; it is like chopping down a tree with a hatchet; this means martial styles feel like a spoon and weapons like a knife.

-Prolonged battles, due to enemy DR, drive Chi costs of transformations into unacceptable levels. Even Chi Strike on martial and weapon styles suffer. However, the enemies are so sturdy, it is pointless not to use Chi Strike... catch 22.

-Bypassing blocks with martial Power attacks, do unsatisfactory damage and leaves the character exposed too long. With multiple damage sources, this is far too risky. If only Jade Golem had mobility.

-Tang's Vengeance suddenly feels to wimpy... too wimpy!? Tang's!? Thank the Water Dragon, that it at least has no Focus costs if upgraded! This leaves little enthusiasm for martial styles, other than the mobility and speed.

-Even unarmed Ghosts and magic throwing Lost Spirits can damage a transformed character with certain attacks, so the lack of mobility equals death. Our character does piddling damage, our followers do even less, but the enemies do... do...? Heck, I don't know, hundreds of percent more damage than normal.

-Light attack combos (martial styles) do so little damage, they are virtually pointless, except as fast rabbit punches to induce interrupts and reactionary blocks.

-The unique style "Spirit Thief" is far too slow when replenishing Chi and subsequently Health, but still very useful to tank-up if no shrines are around.

-The enemies’ reactions and timing are increased, so it is unwise to hit an enemy, unless it is blocking, staggered, or immobilized. Mobility and speed are key. Evading attacks is paramount. Blocking is typically unwise, except for the exception... better to not be there, especially with multiple damage sources.



+Solutions:

+Assassinating the highest risk target, in the most efficient manner is key. The highest damaging attack I'm aware of, is Jade Golem. I consider the Power attack as a replacement for martial and weapon Power attacks to bash shields; thanks to interrupting styles quickly (for mobility), it is virtually the only attack I use it for.

+Since transformations are too immobile and cost far too much Chi, swap rapidly between styles. As one style's attack is being executed, swap to another. There is a momentary delay in Chi degradation, so swap in and out of transformed states, preferably before the degradation begins.

+Use of Red Minister to replenish Chi and Health is key! Swapping between Red Minister and Jade Golem is the Jade Master version of lighter combos and Power attacks.

+Tang's Vengeance is primarily relegated to trash mobs. The unlimited Focus, reach, multi-enemy cleaves, and footwork are too impressive to ignore, in the correct situation anyway. Damage is pitiful on JM, but it can be useful to swap in and out of.

+Use fast martial styles to interrupt enemies. Also, use tumbling and jumping the same way. Try to always stagger before transforming, so the ♥♥♥♥♥♥'s attack will hit. This is invaluable for Red Minister light attacks.

Note: Of course, immobilizing is great when the enemy is not immune: Ice Shard vs. fliers, Dragon Storm for crowds, Stone Immortal if not flying, Paralyzing Palm on solo targets, etc.

+After inducing an enemy to block, swap to Jade Golem, execute a Power attack, then swap instantly to another style to conserve Chi and restore mobility. Never end a fight in Jade Golem mode! If the timing is wrong, it will drain an amazing amount of Chi.

+To keep pace with the damage disparity of enemies, interrupt them first, then use Red Minister as the light combo attacks and replacement for Spirit Thief, then Jade Golem to break block, then swap again… Martial style to tumble, RM to vamp, magic/support to immobilize, etc.

Note: Hot swapping so quickly with transformations, means the player can’t see ♥♥♥♥. Mainly, try to watch the health meters on the HUD, but also learn to anticipate movements, displacements, range, blocks, etc.

+Transformations provide immunity to various attacks and do far more damage than weapons and martial styles. Compare with Leaping Tiger: It pushes and follows a target, which evades other enemies. Both methods are aggressively defensive, but on JM, the latter is primarily for mobility, not killing.

+If Red Minister will kill the last enemy too quickly, but it is desirable to fill the Chi meter, swap to Spirit Thief, as usual. However, be aware that with increased speed, timing, and reactions, the enemies are dangerous when using full combos. Also, the duration on effects is reduced in JM, so they may break free too soon. Therefore, only hit the enemy once or twice with light attacks, while constantly walking forward. This causes an “interrupt-lock” situation; the double tap is especially efficient at recharging Chi.



Putting it all Together:

I’ll use Lost Spirits and Ghost from the forest as an example, since they respawn and make good practice dummies. Focus-sprinting between the two clearings near Pilgrim’s Rest, is best. In case of mistakes while learning, use Heaven’s Chi shrine, near the forest’s Focus shrine. Each clearing only has one Lost Spirit during respawns, which also makes learning easier. Keep in mind, the D-Pad selections change depending upon enemy types throughout game.



On the controller’s D-Pad, queue up:

*Leaping Tiger (or favorite “fast” style) – Mobility, pressure, interrupt, footwork, and flips.

*Jade Golem – Block breaker, assassination attack, crowd dispersal, and multi-enemy attack.

*Red Minister – Light combo attacks, Spirit Thief replacement, reasonable sustained damage.

*Spirit Thief (Alternate: Ice Shard can immobilize flying enemies).



Advice:

Target swapping is paramount. For instance, while using Red Minister, if enemies begin blocking, swap to one that is not. Don’t waste time with other attack types like Power or AoE. Alternatively, use martial to escape, Jade Golem to disperse, or magic/support to immobilize.

Highest risk targets must be eliminated first. Rely on mobility and transformations to reduce damage taken. For instance, even one enemy with a weapon, or in this case, one Lost Spirit, can kill a Jade Golem incredibly fast.

Styles must be interrupted during the final animation sequence of an attack. Don’t wait till afterward, or it is too late. Don’t swap too soon, or the attack fizzles. Basically, the position, attack animations, and potential blocks of enemies must be anticipated. The player can’t hardly see anything other than occasional glimpses and possibly health meters. This is another reason why a fast-mobile martial style is invaluable.



Play-by-play:

*Enter the glade/clearing and activate the enemies. Pause, select martial style, select Lost Spirit if nearby…

*If Lost Spirit is far away, remove target locks and sprint or Focus-sprint to Lost Spirit, then lock.

*Tumble into the Lost Spirit, or open with a light attack to interrupt it.

*If it gets staggered, swap to Red Minister and use combos.

*When it blocks, swap to Jade Golem, use Power attack.

*Not sure what to do? Swap to martial combos for defnesive-aggressive light combos, induce blocks, evade…. The flip kick is amazing.

*If it becomes displaced, swap to martial and tumble… wash, rinse, repeat until destroyed.

*Target lock a Ghost, tumble away, then tumble for interrupt, or use a light martial attack.

*If multiple enemies, swap the lock to whichever is not blocking, combo with Red Minister.

*If crowded, disperse with Jade Golem, or evade and immobilize with magic (rarely worth it though).

*If pursuit or evasion is required, back to martial.

*Finally, use straggler to fill the HP & Chi meters; if successful, the meter should be full anyway!

*The End, VICTORY!



Beware:

The PC version’s camera is awful, so when in doubt, evade until you got your bearings again. It is not like the Xbox’s original camera, so being extra jumpy in small fighting spaces can get twitchy.



Simplistic Battle System? My Butt!

Now, how many reviewers have criticized the combat system as being simplistic, while also thinking the game is too short at ~20 hours? 20 hours!? Come on, it took me quite a few hours just to adapt my fighting techniques to Jade Master mode…. Sure, playing through the whole game on Student difficulty, while ignoring content, could make it seem short and overly simple. I say, quit playing on Student and stop relying on A+A+A button combos. ;p

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to self, regarding simplistic combat: http://steamcommunity.com/app/7110/discussions/0/215439774849215323/

[stcaFylnO]

Style interupts rule in this game. Heck, even the AI does it. I was toggling between Demon Sword and Tang's Vengeance against First Brother, while he was able to swap styles and even cast Heavenly Wave while holding a staff and jittering from perpetual stagger-locks.

One of my new favorites is Demon Sword + Tang's Vengeance toggling. The reach and aggresive footwork is just obscene in large mobs. Changing the target lock constantly can cause the character to dance circles through the crowd.

I make mistakes with my inputs regularly, but I found a video where the player hits every single input and has precise timing; he never misses. Astounding!

Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwFhkPoKy0A

[stcaFylnO]

Jade Master: Imperial Arena

Anyone got good tips, tactics, strategies? The arena is a lot more challenging on JM.

I just finished and got my Iron Palm, but I was sloppy and learning while doing.


The hardest points for me were:

Imperial Engagement -
I didn't get the Elephant Demon dead in time, so I had to evade him while fighting all 3 brothers with Tang's Vengeance and Demon Sword toggles. I saved one to replenish Chi and Health, just to be safe. Then I immolated the demon as a Horse Demon and crushed him as a Jade Golem & Chi Strike.

Serpent's Challenge -
I'm not used to Horse Demons being that sturdy. Using weapons and Chi Strike were too costly and still not efficient enough, so I poisoned them as a Frog Demon when they appeared, used Focus just to be double-safe, used Jade Golem with Chi Strike to kill one, then repeated the process for the other. Tang's Vengeance might not use Focus when fully upgraded, but toggling with the Demon Sword really guzzles (if mistakes are made when toggling and it is used too much). I wish we could keep all versions of weapons, rather than displace them; that way, Fortune's Favorite could still be utilized for zero Focus costs.