Ys X: Nordics Details Adol, Karja’s Combat Skills
Nihon Falcom released new details and screenshots for action RPG Ys X: Nordics. The latest update covers some of protagonists Adol and Karja’s unique skills, an additional Mana action, and Raven Stones.
Ys X: Nordics features two combat modes: Solo Mode and Combination Mode. Solo Mode plays similarly to previous titles, with players controlling one character while the AI controls the other. Combination Mode, meanwhile, has players fight with both Adol and Karja at the same time. Adol and Karja have their own attack skills, which use SP. There are different skills for both solo mode and combination mode, with combination mode skills using both characters’ SP.
Some example skills include Adol’s Raid Slash, a quick slash of any enemies in front; Pentagram, a much more powerful upgrade of Raid Slash that forms a five-pointed star; Mana Shot, a low-power energy shot aimed at distant foes; and Carmine Blast, an upgrade to Mana Shot that fires a directable ray of energy. Meanwhile, Karja’s skills include Shield Bash, a strike with her shield that doubles as a way to guard against enemy attacks; Skulled Strike, an upgrade of Shield Bash that combines using the shield, her axe, and a kick; Flip Axe, a straightforward upward swing of her axe; and Lost Cocytus, an upgrade from Flip Axe that generates an icy prison for enemies.
Combination skill examples include Double Smasher, a dual smash attack preceded by a jump that deals high damage; Adamus Saber, a combination of blocking enemy attacks and immediately hitting them back with a counter; Blaze Cross, where Adol and Karja cross paths in a V shape and knock an enemy back; and Xena Striker, where one of Adol and Karja will use Mana to swing their partner around and damage surrounding foes.
As players use the same skills repeatedly, the proficiency of those skills increase, raising the skill’s power level when the maximum proficiency level is reached. Certain skills can also receive upgrades to their effects. Meanwhile, guarding against foes in combination mode will fill up the Revenge Gauge. If the gauge is full, then activating a combination skill will apply a multiplier to its damage. Combining this with the power gain from maximum proficiency allows certain combination skills to do considerably more damage than solo skills.
In addition to combat skills, Adol and Karja can use various Mana Actions while exploring. One of these action is Mana Sense, which utilises a relic called the Druid Monocle. This allows players to see things that are otherwise invisible, including enemies, environmental tricks, and items buried underground. Players can also upgrade the Druid Monocle, allowing it to slow time for a period and let players get through obstacles they might otherwise not be able to.
Finally, Raven Stones are special sculptures that can be found in dungeons. These allow Adol and Karja to temporarily remove the Mana bond between them, letting them investigate the area independently, which will sometime be necessary to progress. During these sections, players will only be able to control that character without support from the other, so will need to watch out for things like enemy power attacks that can only be blocked using combination mode abilities.
Ys X: Nordics takes place between the events of Ys I & II and Ys: Memories of Celceta. It sees Adol visiting the northern sea’s Obelia Bay, where he encounters a seafaring people called the Normans, as well as seemingly undead creatures called Griegers known to attack humans. The game is planned to release for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in Japan on September 28, 2023, with no announcement made regarding a western release. Those looking to read more about previous Ys titles can check out RPGamer’s earlier Where to Start? guide on the series
Source: Gematsu
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