Weapon Formae

Learn how to equip, use, and obtain Weapon Formae (skills) in Code Vein II. Understand Formae Builds, skill types, and how to customize your combat abilities.

Weapon Formae, also known as weapon skills, are special abilities that can buff, heal, cast spells, or perform special attacks. Most weapons come with one or two innate skills, and you can equip up to four in total. To customize your weapon skills, interact with a Mistle and select “Customize Weapon.” You’ll then see four slots for equipping various weapon skills, which are mapped to controller buttons. To use a weapon skill in combat, hold the designated button and press the assigned skill button. Be aware that using weapon skills consumes Ichor.

Weapon Formae are categorized into several types:

• Combat Formae: Offensive attacks that use the equipped weapon’s stats and attributes for damage.
• Short/Mid-Range Magic: Magical attacks whose damage scales with Mind and Willpower.
• Long-Range Magic: Magical attacks whose damage scales with Mind and Willpower.
• Offensive Support: Buffs that increase your offensive stats.
• Defensive Support: Buffs that increase your defensive stats.
• Other: Abilities that modify gameplay aspects like Stamina costs, noise, or sprint speed.

Combat Formae are integral to the weapon, while other types use the weapon as a conduit. Some Formae are weapon-specific (e.g., Piercing Leap for halberds), while others are universal (e.g., Adrenaline).

Weapon Formae Builds

Each weapon has a “Weapon Formae Build” stat, which limits the types and number of Weapon Formae you can equip. These stats are Reliability, Handling, Conversion, and Conductivity. Generally, Combat Formae require Reliability and Handling; Short/Mid-Range Magic requires Reliability and Conversion; Long-Range Magic requires Handling and Conductivity; and Buffs/Other Formae require Conversion. Weapons have varying amounts of these stats, influenced by their base design and transformations, determining how many points are available for each Formae type. Each weapon skill has a specific build cost, and you cannot equip a skill if the weapon lacks sufficient points in the required category.

Obtaining New Weapon Formae

New Weapon Formae can be found as treasure (from defeating bosses, opening chests, or looting golden pickups) or purchased from merchants like Jadwiga and her Minions. You can equip and remove Formae freely, but you must possess them to equip them. To have the same Formae on multiple weapons, you need separate copies or must move it between weapons. You can duplicate existing Formae by interacting with a Mistle and selecting “Duplicate Weapon Formae,” which consumes Worn Coins.

It’s recommended to check the Formae on new weapons and equip them to your favorite gear. Even simple buffs can enhance combat prowess without altering your playstyle. Experimenting with new Formae, especially Combat Formae and Magic types, is encouraged to discover new combat options and utilize your Ichor effectively.