Blade of Fire's combat is brutal, and every hit feels like it has weight, but it's also challenging, where even the Queen's Hounds can land two shots and send Aran back to the nearest Anvil to restart the loop again. It shares many similarities with the Dark Souls series but features a combat system more akin to the newer God of War games. However, it distinguishes itself through a variety of available weapons, directional attacks, and dismemberment.
Blades Of Fire: How To Unlock More Weapon Scrolls
To forge new weapons in Blades of Fire, players need to obtain Forge Scrolls; here’s how to unlock Forge Scrolls for new weapons.
Most battles in Blades of Fire require strategy and timing, but few things beat landing those spectacularly bloody finishing blows. Use the following combat tips to ensure success in Blades of Fire.
7 Aran Is Stronger With Better Weapons
Aran's Strength Is Tied To The Quality Of The Steel
Unlike similar games, Aran doesn't level up beyond finding items to increase his stamina and health bar. His strength is tied to the weapons he creates at the Forge of the Gods. The better the weapon, the more damage it does against enemies.
You can create better weapons by defeating enemies that drop a lot of iron, coal, and other crafting materials that can be used to forge a weapon. Enemies with armor usually drop more materials, and mini-bosses like the Warmongers of Mayhem and the Trolls can reveal better steel that can be crafted.
6 Lock On To Aran's Enemies
Highlight The Enemy's Weaknesses
Pressing the lock-on button will highlight the enemy Aran is about to attack, but the outline's color will show whether the weapon being used will inflict damage.
- The color red indicates that the weapon Aran is wielding will bounce off the enemy's armor or skin, resulting in no damage.
- Orange means the enemy will take damage, but mitigate some of it.
- Finally, when the enemy is highlighted in green, Aran can inflict maximum damage.
However, some enemies have armor with vulnerabilities; for example, most of their body will have a red outline, but the head, torso, or arms will be green. So, you can just attack the vulnerable areas with quick attacks or time a finishing attack.
5 Keep An Eye On Aran's Stamina
Heavy Swings & Dodges Will Slow Him Down
Aran will use stamina when dodging enemy attacks and using heavy attacks. Combat in Blades of Fire is designed to feel like a hard-fought duel where picking one's shots matters. Overcommitting and missing will drain Aran's stamina and slow him down. However, this can be avoided using the following methods:
- Hold the block to activate Breath of the Defender and replenish Aran's stamina bar.
- Watch the enemy's attack patterns, keep a distance, and step out of the way instead of diving. This way, Aran can take advantage of the opening without getting tired.
- Try to get the higher ground; Aran tires less when he has the advantage.
- Use combinations by following one attack with another. The chain attacks lessen the impact on the stamina bar; this also works for heavy attacks.
- Hitting the block at the moment of impact will activate the parry animation, indicated by a blue flash, and give Aran unlimited stamina for a short space of time.
4 Change Stances To Find Openings
Slashing & Piercing Weapons Utilize Stances
Aran can change stances while blocking attacks when he's wielding swords and spears. One stance will utilize stabbing, which is good for fast attacks and targeting weak spots in the armor. The slashing stance will hit enemies with swinging attacks that could potentially decapitate or cut off limbs.
5 God Of War Games With The Best Combat, Ranked
While narrative has taken center stage in recent years, the God of War franchise has always been about combat at its core.
- Use stabbing attacks with spears, daggers, and swords when fighting in tight spaces. Aran risks hitting the environment instead of the opponent, leaving him vulnerable to a counterattack.
- Use swinging attacks to go for kills, fast-moving enemies, and to hit multiple opponents at once.
3 Save The Best Weapons For Stronger Enemies
Use Weaker Or Damaged Weapons On Smaller Foes
As players progress through Blades of Fire's story, they'll unlock more Forge Scrolls to create new weapons. However, these weapons wear down and break after use. Players can create more powerful weapons, but may want to keep them for stronger and more dangerous enemies.
For example, slashing through hordes of the undead usually takes one swing of the blade, but it'll wear the weapon down, and it will need to be repaired at the cost of one Forge Star. Either purposely create a weapon with lower quality steel that gets the job done, or use a weapon that's on its last star, and save the best weapons for mini-bosses and armored enemies.
2 Don't Commit To Finishing Every Enemy
Use Tactics To Look For Openings
Sneaking up on an enemy and chopping their heads off or crushing them with a Warhammer is incredibly satisfying. However, aside from draining Aran's stamina, the attacks are slower, making him an easy target for fast enemies wielding swords and daggers.
Instead, move or dodge their attacks to the side and make short swings with chaining attacks when appropriate. The fights are designed to be duels, and going for the one-hit kill shot all the time will prove costly for Aran. Try to gain the tactical advantage by using blocks and parries to finish stronger and faster enemies instead.
1 Keep Adso Around
Aran's Chronicler Keeps Records Of Everything
Aran's companion Adso chronicles their adventure and makes notes of every encounter with enemies, collectible items, and more. He can be sent away, but he won't make any notes, and worse still, won't record Aran's kills to create Forge Scrolls for new weapons after defeating enemies. He also makes notes that outline strategies and tactics for beating all the enemies he encountered.
He can communicate strategies during combat and unlock sealed doors as well. Additionally, Adso serves as an excellent distraction. While he cannot be harmed, enemies will attempt to attack him when he is nearby. This creates opportunities for finishing moves and helps to scatter groups of enemies.
Blades of Fire
- Released
- May 22, 2025
- ESRB
- M17+ For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- MercurySteam
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
