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.
 * Learn to block. 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.
 * Use 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.
 * Use hard attacks (hold the button in longer). These do more damage, but are slower. - Use ranged attacks where available.  Wraith (the whip) and Djinn (the huge sword - switch with psx: C) forms have ranged attacks, which can make combat very easy.  Just keep ducking out of the way and hitting with a ranged attack.
 * Hard attacks have more range. This can help with staying out of the way.
 * Move! You can avoid attacks simply by not being there.  Additionally, 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.
 * 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 Wraith dodge when in Wraith form. Especially good when there are large numbers of opponents.
 * Use the spin attack if you get stuck in the middle of a group.
 * Make sure that you finish enemies off 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.
 * Kill enemies that fire at you first (you may have to run around others to get to them), or fight out of their line of site. This reduces the damage that you will take during combat.
 * Run away if your energy is low (psx: S to disengage combat), and charge up from Scree.
 * Taunt (psx: T) never worked for me - has anyone found a use for it?
 * Finally, you can avoid combat completely in a lot of cases. Just run away, using the Wraith run can be particularly helpful here.