Game Mechanics

Attacks

All melee weapons use a three-animation attack cycle that progresses with each swing or stab. This cycle is persistent, so your weapon will remain on its current animation even if you sheath it, only resetting back to the first animation when you die or reset your character. Furthermore, if an opponent blocks or parries your attack, it will cause your weapon to advance to the next animation in the sequence.

Stamina

Stamina is a crucial resource that dictates your ability to perform various actions, including swinging your weapon, blocking, kicking, rolling, dodging, and running, all of which will deplete it. This system also works defensively, as an opponent's swing that is deflected by your armor, weapon or shield will drain their stamina. You must manage this resource carefully, as blocking an attack with very low stamina will cause you to be disarmed. Your current stamina level is displayed as a vignette effect around the screen; the darker and more widespread this effect becomes, the less stamina you have. To regenerate stamina more quickly, you can lift your helmet's visor.

Blocks/Parries

Blocking will stop your opponent from landing a hit. A perfectly timed block, called a parry, will cause your opponent to flinch backwards, leaving you a short window to fight back.

Armor

Armor determines your character's total health points (HP) and provides protection based on its level of plating. The more plated your armor is, the more likely it will deflect standard attacks from bladed weapons. However, this defense can be bypassed; a bladed weapon used in a half-sword stance will pierce through the plating's gaps to guarantee a hit. Furthermore, blunt weapons completely ignore the plating effect and will always land their hits.

Kicking

Landing a kick to your opponent will cause them to flinch backwards, leaving you a short window to fight back.