Combat Guide

The core loop

1. Attack to build charges

   Basic attacks and skills build each character's resource (Action Points / Gradient) so you can cast the big stuff.

2. Aim for weak points

   Use free aim (shooting) to hit weak spots, stagger enemies and break their stance for bonus damage.

3. Dodge, jump or parry

   Every enemy attack can be avoided in real time. Dodging is forgiving; parrying is risky but counters and builds resources.

4. Break, then burst

   Fill an enemy's Break gauge to stagger it, then unload your strongest skills and Gradient attacks for huge damage.

Defence tips

• Learn each enemy's rhythm — attacks are choreographed, so timing beats reflexes.
• Parry chains: perfectly parrying a full combo often ends with a free counterattack.
• Jump over low/ground attacks and gradient sweeps that can't be dodged sideways.
• When unsure, dodge — a successful dodge still avoids all damage, just without the counter.

Reading an attack

• Watch the enemy's wind-up animation, not the projectile — the tell is the timing cue.
• Multi-hit combos have a fixed rhythm; count the beats and parry each in turn.
• Unblockable grabs are usually flagged — jump or dodge them rather than parrying.
• Fights are consistent, so a combo you fail once can be practised and mastered on the retry.

Free aim & Break

• Between turns, free-aim (shoot) weak points to chip the Break gauge and build Gradient.
• A fully Broken enemy is staggered and takes hugely increased damage — your burst window.
• Aim for glowing weak spots; some enemies only Break when you hit a specific part.
• Alternate defence and free-aim so you're always building toward the next Break.