Combat

Core principles

Combat in Krosis is about choosing the right moment, direction, and distance. MCO provides the foundation for attack sequences, while For Honor Reforged helps you read directional combat when a target is locked. Assess the opponent and your stamina before choosing an action; cycling attacks without a plan quickly gives up control of the exchange.

This guide refers to actions such as Target Lock, Normal Attack, Power Attack, Block, and Dodge. Their keys can be remapped, so any default binding shown by the game is only an example. Follow the action name in your own control settings.

Target lock

Use the Target Lock action when you want to focus on one opponent. Lock-on keeps that opponent central to the exchange and is required for some attack follow-ups. If a follow-up does not become available, first check whether its target is actually locked.

Do not preserve a lock at the expense of awareness. When the view becomes awkward or another enemy joins the fight, switch targets or release the camera and recover a useful position.

Normal, power, and directional attacks

Use Normal Attack for basic pressure and Power Attack for a more committed continuation with a greater stamina demand. Choose a direction together with the attack action to suit your position relative to the target instead of changing directions at random.

Guard break and Unstable

Combine the backward direction with the Power Attack action to perform a guard break. A successful backward Power Attack guard break applies Unstable to the target and can open an available follow-up with a reduced stamina cost.

Unstable identifies a state associated with lost stability. Treat it as a prompt to choose an appropriate continuation, not as a reason to repeat the heaviest input automatically.

Attack follow-ups

A follow-up is a continuation made available by the right outcome in an exchange. Parries, guard breaks, and supported knockdowns can open reduced-stamina follow-ups. Some of these follow-ups require target lock.

Recognize the opening first, then use the relevant attack action. If its conditions are not present, return to distance and defense instead of forcing the continuation.

Poise

Poise governs stability during an exchange. Do not assume every hit will stop an enemy action; read the state of the fight and decide whether to continue, defend, or disengage. Unstable helps signal when that stability has already been disrupted.

Parry and timed block

Use the Block action at the right moment for a timed block or parry. The timing of the decision matters more than the name of the key, so work from your own remapped controls and the opponent's action.

A successful parry can open a follow-up with a reduced stamina cost. Do not try to parry every attack: regular defense and changing distance remain valid choices.

Dodge and stamina

Use the Dodge action for a purpose: leave the attack line or change position. Check stamina before beginning your own sequence and preserve enough for a defensive decision. When the resource runs low, ease off pressure and recover control of the distance.

Directional indicators

With a target locked, the For Honor Reforged directional indicators help you read the direction of the current attack. Read the indicator together with the opponent's movement; it informs a timed block, parry, or repositioning decision but does not replace watching the animation.

Fighting groups

Avoid letting several enemies surround you. Reposition so nearby threats remain visible, change targets, and seek a new angle after short exchanges. In a group fight, repositioning is as important as attacking: a safe angle is worth more than an unfinished sequence.

Enemy behavior

Enemies use combos, dodges, parries, guard breaks, and follow-ups. They can answer predictable pressure, so watch their choices and vary your timing. After losing an exchange, return to defense rather than repeating the same input blindly.

In-game reference

Better Help Menu contains several entries whose names begin with Advanced Combat. Open those topics to review combat actions in game. The action names there are more useful than memorizing somebody else's key because bindings can be remapped.

Practical summary

Lock the target when an action or follow-up requires it; track direction, poise, and stamina; use timed defense, dodge, and guard break as the situation demands. After a parry, guard break, or supported knockdown, check for the reduced-stamina follow-up. Reposition constantly against groups, and consult Advanced Combat when you need to confirm an action.