The developers at Team Ninja have always placed heavy emphasis on combat in their recent games, and in Rise of the Ronin, players will find themselves with much to learn in order to master its combat systems and come out on top against the many enemies that stand in their way.
Although it may be feasible to button mash and pummel certain enemies to submission, chances are, the enemies are more than capable of humbling all challengers who are not careful. A great way to do so is to break an opponent's Ki, and instead of being a victim, use this guide to learn just how to break the opponent's Ki effectively in Rise of the Ronin to aid the cause.
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How to Break Enemy's Ki in Rise of the Ronin
In combat, players must pay attention not just to health, but also Ki. This applies not just to the opponents, but your playable character as well. Ki functions similarly to stamina, with almost every move during combat requiring a certain amount of Ki to execute. Run out of Ki, and you will be left defenseless against an approaching foe.
Similarly, cause your opponent to run out of Ki, and they will be open to a damaging Critical Hit, potentially ending their lives then and there. Here are some surefire ways of dealing Ki damage:
Normal Attacks
While normal attacks are more about dealing damage to your opponent, any blocked hit will still cause Ki damage to a guarding enemy. Keeping up constant pressure will reduce the opportunity for them to recover any lost Ki, and make it another step closer to breaking their Ki. However, this is not an effective method to count on.
Counterspark Deflections
For a better way of breaking Ki, mastering Counterspark Deflections is a skill everyone must learn. As enemies start to go on the offensive, turn the tables on them by parrying and deflecting their attacks. Singular attacks deal good Ki damage, but parrying enemy combos with a Counterspark Chain will cause them significant Ki damage and also reduce their overall Ki gauge. The longer a fight goes, and the more effective you are at this move, the easier the fight will become.
Martial Arts
In addition to normal attacks, players can also unleash Martial Arts learned from various styles for the different weapons. These skills can take some time to execute, but when they connect, they will hurt the enemy greatly and deal good Ki damage too.
By combining all three methods, you will become a force to be reckoned with, always breaking the Ki of the enemy and initiating Critical Hit after Critical Hit. Having a co-op partner that can do the same will also stack the odds heavily in your favor, so consider calling for help for harder missions.
Rise of the Ronin
- Platform(s)
- PS5
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
