Advanced Combat Techniques — The Alters Guide

Master combat in The Alters! Learn advanced techniques, action priority, and survival tips to dominate every encounter. Get the edge you need to succeed.

Alright, so you've gotten the hang of the basics, maybe even finished a few missions. Now it's time to really dive into how to handle yourself when things get dicey. Combat in Trace/Alter can be pretty intense, but with the right know-how, you'll be able to take on pretty much anything the game throws at you.

Action Priority List

This is super important. Think of it as your go-to strategy when you're in the thick of it. It's all about making sure you're doing the most effective thing at any given moment. While the exact list might vary slightly depending on your build and what you're facing, the general idea is to prioritize:

• Survival first: If you're low on health or in immediate danger, your first move should be to get out of harm's way or heal up. Don't get greedy!
• Debuffing enemies: Applying negative status effects like slows, stuns, or damage-over-time can make a huge difference. It weakens them and gives you breathing room.
• Dealing damage: Once you're safe and they're weakened, unleash your best attacks. Focus fire on one target if possible to eliminate threats faster.
• Buffing yourself: If there's a lull or you've got a moment, apply any beneficial effects to yourself to boost your stats for the next wave.

Getting a feel for this list will really streamline your combat and make you way more efficient. You'll find this under section 7.1 in the New Player's Guide, so give it a good read!

General Combat Tips

• Know your enemy: Different creatures and NPCs will have different attack patterns and weaknesses. Pay attention to what they do!
• Use your hotbar wisely: Make sure your most important skills and items are easily accessible. You don't want to be fumbling around when a tough enemy appears.
• Don't be afraid to retreat: If a fight is going south, it's often better to disengage, regroup, and come back stronger than to wipe. Remember section 12: "I died! What do I do?!" – it's always better to avoid that situation if you can.
• Gear matters: Keep an eye on your equipment. Upgrading your weapons and armor will significantly boost your combat effectiveness. Check out section 6 for tips on setting up your hotbar and section 11 for Cybernetic Augmentation, which can also give you a serious edge.

Mastering these techniques will take some practice, but before you know it, you'll be a seasoned veteran of Trace/Alter's combat.