Local and area attacks

Learn the difference between local and area attacks in Titan Quest 2. Discover how to use both melee, ranged, and magic skills effectively against single targets and mobs.

Alright, let's talk about how you hit stuff in Titan Quest 2 – specifically, the difference between hitting one guy really hard (local attacks) and hitting a whole bunch of them at once (area attacks). You'll see these terms pop up, and understanding them is key to tackling everything from tough bosses to swarms of monsters.

Think of it this way: high local damage is your go-to for bosses. It's all about putting all your power into one target. Area damage, on the other hand, is your best friend when you're surrounded by a mob of enemies. It might not be as effective against a single, super-tough foe, but it can clear out a crowd in a flash. While you can get by without them, having skills that specialize in either local or area attacks will seriously make your life easier, especially on higher difficulties.

Melee Attacks

For our close-combat warriors, a standard weapon swing is a local attack. You hit one enemy, and only that enemy takes damage. Simple enough, right?

But then there are skills like 'War Wind' from the Warfare mastery. This is your area attack for melee. When you use it, you're not just hitting the one monster in front of you; you're hitting multiple enemies around you with each swing. Super useful when you're getting mobbed!

Magic Attacks (Close Range)

Magic users have similar options. A direct blast at an enemy is a local attack – it hits your target and only your target. Even if another monster is practically standing on top of them, they won't get caught in the blast.

For area attacks in close-range magic, think skills like 'Flame Surge' or 'Ring of Fire' from the Earth mastery. These let you damage multiple enemies in a radius around you, making them great for crowd control.

Bow Attacks

With bows, it's pretty straightforward. Each arrow you fire is a local attack, hitting only the specific target you aimed at.

However, skills like 'Scatter Shot' from the Hunting mastery change the game. When you use this, your arrows explode on impact, hitting enemies in a small area around your primary target. It turns your single-shot attacks into a mini-area effect.

Magical Attacks (Ranged)

Even when you're slinging spells from a distance with a staff, the basic blast is usually a local attack. It hits the one monster you're aiming at, and that's it. Don't be fooled by flashy animations like lightning – if it's a staff blast, it's typically single-target.

Where ranged magic shines for crowd control is with its area attack skills. Masteries offer some fantastic options here, like 'Volcanic Orb' (Earth) or 'Ternion Attack' (Spirit). Investing in these skills and their enhancements is a smart move if you want to deal massive damage to groups of enemies quickly.

So, remember to build your character with a mix of both local and area attack capabilities. It'll make you a much more versatile and effective adventurer!