Inkbound’s combat system offers a unique blend of exhilarating action and strategic depth, beckoning players to hone their skills and conquer perilous dives. This guide unveils the intricacies of combat, empowering you to dominate the battlefield and emerge victorious.
Delving into the Combat Arena
As you venture beyond the Athenaeum’s walls and set foot in uncharted territories, you’ll encounter designated combat zones. These arenas serve as battlegrounds where you and your party will clash against formidable foes. To initiate combat, all party members must approach the symbol emblazoned in the arena’s center and interact with it. Brace yourselves, for upon initiating combat, a wave of enemies will materialize, eager to test your mettle.
The Thrill of Turn-Based Battles
Inkbound’s combat unfolds through a seamless turn-based system, where all participants, both heroes and adversaries, execute actions simultaneously. Each turn, you’ll have a designated pool of Will at your disposal, a vital resource that governs your actions. Will points fuel your Bindings, which are essentially your character’s unique set of abilities. These Bindings can inflict devastating attacks, bolster your defenses, or manipulate the battlefield to your advantage.
Remember, movement within the arena also consumes Will points. Strategically positioning yourself is paramount in Inkbound’s combat, as you’ll need to maneuver around enemy attacks while optimizing your ability range. The good news is that your Will reserves replenish at the outset of each turn, allowing you to dive back into the fray with renewed vigor.
Energy Orbs: A Boon for the Weary
Dispersed throughout the arena at the beginning of each turn are pulsating spheres of energy. These Energy Orbs are vital tactical tools that can significantly enhance your performance. Approaching and interacting with an Energy Orb bestows upon you a precious Will point, replenishing your pool and reigniting your offensive potential. Additionally, Energy Orbs serve as a catalyst, reducing the cooldown timers of your Bindings. This expedites your ability rotation, enabling you to unleash a relentless barrage of attacks upon your foes.
Mastering the Art of Bindings
Each Inkbound class possesses a distinct set of Bindings, each serving a specific purpose in combat. The first Binding in your arsenal is unique in that it boasts no cooldown, allowing for continuous use while your other Bindings recharge. The second and third tiers of Bindings come with moderate cooldowns, typically lasting two or three turns. These cooldowns can be strategically reduced by equipping specific items, unlocking advantageous character traits, or, as previously mentioned, by diligently collecting Energy Orbs scattered across the arena.
Dives also offer the opportunity to acquire two additional Bindings for temporary use. These potent Bindings often possess hefty cooldowns, ranging from four to six turns. Utilize these temporary Bindings judiciously, for they can tip the scales of battle in your favor during critical moments.
Reading Enemy Tells: Anticipating Incoming Onslaughts
While you and your party meticulously strategize and unleash your Bindings, beware, for certain enemies harbor the ability to retaliate during your turn. These foes are marked by a distinctive symbol – a crossed sword emblazoned with a number – displayed beneath their health bar. This symbol indicates the number of Bindings that need to be cast before the enemy unleashes a counterattack.
By keenly observing these marked enemies, you can anticipate their offensive maneuvers. When a marked enemy’s designated trigger point is reached (i.e., the requisite number of Bindings are cast), they will unleash their counterattack. Here’s where your mastery of movement comes into play. By swiftly guiding your character out of the marked attack zone before the enemy triggers it, you can effectively dodge the brunt of the assault. Subsequently, you can reposition yourself and resume your offensive onslaught once the enemy’s attack has subsided.
This strategic dance of offense and anticipation is a cornerstone of Inkbound’s combat. By mastering these techniques, you’ll transform from a fledgling combatant into a formidable force, leaving a trail of vanquished enemies in your wake.
