Combat

Learn the ins and outs of Fable's combat system. Master Melee, Ranged, and Magic attacks, understand your Health and Mana meters, and utilize Flourish Attacks for maximum effect.

Fable offers three primary combat styles: Melee attacks, Ranged attacks, and Magic attacks. These can be combined to suit your playstyle. The type of experience gained depends on the method used to defeat enemies.

Meters: At the top-left of the screen, you'll find your Health Meter (red) and Mana Meter (blue). Health decreases when taking damage and replenishes with food, Healing Potions, or Healing Spells. Mana decreases with magic use and replenishes over time or with Will Potions.

Melee Combat: This involves hand-to-hand fighting or using Melee weapons (drawn with the White Button). Lock onto a target by holding the Left Shoulder Button and attack with the X Button. Repeated presses perform small combos, and landing enough hits allows for a Flourish Attack. Block enemy attacks with the Y Button, which also allows you to roll. Prolonged Melee Combat causes scars on your character's body.

Ranged Combat: Use Ranged attacks to defeat enemies from a distance. Arm your Ranged weapon (press the Black Button), typically a Bow or Crossbow. Lock onto your target by holding the Left Shoulder Button. Charge your shot by holding the X Button; a longer hold increases the shot's range. Aiming correctly can result in a decapitation without a Flourish Attack.

Flourish Attacks: These are crucial for both Melee and Ranged combat. They are awarded for hitting an enemy multiple times without taking damage. Pressing the B Button performs a powerful, unblockable Flourish Attack. These are unlimited as long as you don't miss or take damage. Flourish Attacks can decapitate stunned enemies, and the game tracks these. When not in combat, holding the B button allows your character to run.

Magic Combat: Fable features various spells. You start with a Level 1 Lightning Spell, and can upgrade or learn new spells by accumulating points. During combat, hold the Right Shoulder Button to enter Magic Mode. The jewel buttons now cast spells instead of performing other actions. The Y Button cycles through available spells if you have more than three. Favorite spells can be assigned to the control pad for easier access. Prolonged Magic Combat causes your character's eyes to lighten and produces strange skin tones, resembling tattoos.

Combat Multiplier: This is vital for leveling up. The Multiplier increases as you inflict damage and decreases when not fighting or taking hits. A higher Multiplier results in more experience gained from defeated enemies.

Experience Orbs: Battle experience is distributed as orbs dropped by defeated enemies. Collecting these grants experience in the stats used during battle.