Combat Guide
This Guide goes over the intricacies of Combat in Vassal.
This Guide goes over the intricacies of Combat in Vassal.
Combat in Vassal is a lot more slow and deliberate. You need to time your attacks to hit at the moment you'd like, and you can't spam attack unless you have a VERY fast weapon.
Weapons also have a range and area of attack. For example, swords have a wide arc, whereas a spear has a long, thin area in front of you. Test out different weapon types and combinations (you can dual wield!) to find what works best for you!
You can block and parry with a large majority of Weapons in Vassal, usually those with a large blade or shaft that could protect you from harm. When you initially block, you'll have 12 Ticks (Just over half a Second) where you completely deflect any incoming attacks in front of you and even stun your attacker.
However, after those 12 Ticks, blocking still helps reduce damage by 55%, though it makes you slower and puts you at risk for sequential blows.
Just Remember, Blocking only works in a 200 degree arc around your front, and will not protect you from attacks coming from behind.
The Weight of your Armour is a Key Component of Combat; The More Protective Armour is, the Heavier it is, which slows you down considerably depending on the total weight.
Because of this, some players might actually prefer wearing minimal armour or no armour at all if they prefer a playstyle with High Mobility. Less Armour gives you better opportunity to dodge attacks, whereas More Armour will protect you, but you'll also end up having to tank more attacks due to not being able to dodge.
If you want something in the Middle, Try Cloth, Leather, or Chainmail type Armour Sets, they also tend to be Cheaper than Full Steel Plate!
Shields in Vassal only block a set amount of Damage, rather than 100% of it. This means you'll want to choose your Shield Style carefully, and work to get the best material tier you can to ensure the best protection. However, better Shields tend to also slow you down, just like Armour.
Additionally, Pavises, while very slow, protect you incredibly well, and can even be placed down as a block to act as a temporary wall in a battle!
Weapon Oils can be Brewed in an Apothecary Stand, and can be Applied to Weapons to give them Temporary Bonuses! The Recipes aren't listed, so you'll need to learn them through Trial and Error!