Primal/Combat Tips

Combat is a frequent aspect of the game. Here are some general tips on techniques and use of the various forms available.
 * Blocking
 * Blocking immediately after attacking can be helpful, as that way you will take less damage if an enemy launches an attack whilst you are in the middle of one.
 * Learn to block on time. If a block is timed just right, you will automatically parry. This effectively gives you a free hit.
 * Combos
 * If you must get in close (or you just want to), don't just mash buttons. If you time the presses carefully, you can queue up sequences of powerful attacks.
 * The screen will glow slightly when you get this a little bit correct, or a lot if your timing is perfect.
 * The more moves you string together, the more powerful the attacks.
 * Hard attacks
 * Hold the button in longer - this does more damage, but is slower.
 * Hard attacks have more range, which helps you stay out of harm's way.
 * Ranged attacks
 * Use ranged attacks whenever you can. Just keep ducking out of the way and hitting with a ranged attack.
 * Wraith and Djinn forms have ranged attacks. Use the whip and the huge sword to make combat very easy.
 * Switch to Djinn's sword with psx: C.
 * Movement
 * You can avoid attacks simply by not being there.
 * If you hit an enemy from the side or back more damage is done.
 * Running around the back of the door guards (the ones with shields) can help a lot.
 * Use the Wraith dodge when in Wraith form. This is especially good when there are large numbers of opponents.
 * Avoid combat
 * Run away if your energy is low. Disengage combat with psx: S, and charge up from Scree.
 * You can avoid combat completely in a lot of cases. Just running away, using the Wraith run can be particularly helpful here.
 * Finish your enemy
 * Make sure that you finish off enemies if required. Nothing is more annoying than having them recover 50% health.
 * Get in close towards the end, and practice actually executing the move - it can be tricky.
 * Other enemies will just watch you finish someone off, so you're pretty safe doing it in a group if you can get in close enough.
 * In general
 * If you have a helper in combat (as sometimes you do), then let them attack first. The enemy will concentrate on them, and you can hit them in the side or back for more damage (plus they won't be attacking you so you won't take any damage).
 * Use the spin attack if you get stuck in the middle of a group.
 * Kill enemies that fire at you first or fight out of their line of sight. This reduces the damage that you will take during combat.
 * Taunting with psx: T doesn't serve any useful purpose.