A criterion for a good open-world gacha game is its combat, and to no surprise, Wuthering Waves takes the combat to the next height. Genshin Impact ruled over all the open-world gacha games for almost three years with its unique combat system that utilized elemental reaction.
However, Wuthering Waves provided a fresh breath of action upon its release. The combat is more fast-paced and satisfying, with new and fun-to-play mechanics. If you have already played Genshin, then some terms might be familiar. If not, this article will introduce you to all the combat mechanics in Wuthering Waves.
The combat system of Wuthering Waves and Genshin Impact is quite similar, with some new add-ons. Normal, Charged, Jump attacks, Skills, Ultimates, Artifacts, or Echoes are common in both games. However, Parrying, Stagger System, Concerto Gauge, and Forte Circuit are a fresh addition by Wuthering Waves.
Wuthering Waves Combat Mechanics That Are Similar to Genshin
1. Basic Attack
Basic Attacks are the simplest form of attack in Wuthering Waves. Each character has a different type of basic attack associated with them.
2. Heavy Attack
A Heavy Attack in Wuthering Waves is an alternative to a charged attack in Genshin Impact. It can be performed by holding the basic attack button.
3. Jump Attack
Plunge or Jump Attacks are similar in both games and can be performed by jumping in the air and pressing the basic attack button.
Note: Characters that use Pistol cannot perform plunge attacks. Instead, when they attack mid-air, their gravity decreases. Yes, for now, pistol characters defy the laws of physics in Wuthering Waves.
4. Normal Dodge
Normal dodging is very similar to Genshin, where you just avoid the enemy’s attack by sprinting left and right. Well, if you have Zhongli, then dodging doesn’t matter anyway. However, dodging is important in Wuthering Waves because of the extra DPS you can obtain after successfully performing one. That’s called perfect dodging, which we have listed later in this article.
5. Echoes
Echoes are the most important and fun aspect of Wuthering Waves. These are similar to artifacts in Genshin, but instead, these are overworld monsters that you KILL, ABSORB, and then EQUIP your characters with. In other words, you are a part-time POKEMON TRAINER.
Each Echo not only provides a variety of stat bonuses, but they also have unique abilities and can be used in combat. Isn’t it cool?? Killing Monsters and using them in combat against enemies.
6. Resonance Skill
Resonance Skill is very similar to Genshin’s Elemental Skill. It deals a certain amount of damage that varies with the characters while recharging the Resonance Liberation and Forte Circuit.
7. Resonance Liberation
Resonance Ultimate is similar to Elemental Burst and has multiple purposes. Some Liberations can buff allies, while others deal damage. The buffs can vary between elemental damage buffs, attack-type buffs (normal attack, heavy attack, skill, liberation), and healing.
8. Inherent Skills
Inherent Skills are like passives in Genshin Impact, which mostly increases the characters’ or the team’s stat.
Unique Combat Mechanics Introduced by Wuthering Waves
1. Perfect Dodge
Perfect Dodge is one of the most satisfying combat mechanics in Wuthering Waves. It activates when you dodge an enemy’s attack right before it lands. After doing so the enemy is slowed down for a bit, and one can perform a dodge counter to deal more damage. This differs from Genshin, where dodging only consumed extra time with no damage increase.
Note: Perfect Dodge refreshes the cooldown of Normal Dodge. Also, don’t normally dodge twice or else your third dodge will be on internal cooldown.
2. Dodge Counter
Dodge Counter is a special attack that can be performed using a Basic Attack after a successful Perfect Dodge.
3. Parrying
Parrying is by far the biggest difference between Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. It allows you to counter enemies’ attacks when your attacks coincide with them.
When an enemy attack is about to hit, a yellow ring, called a Weakness Halo, appears. If you time your basic attack to hit the enemy, you trigger a counterattack as the rings overlap. A successful parry depletes the enemy’s Stagger Bar and generates Concerto Energy.
4. Stagger Bar and Stagger System
Stagger Bar appears below the HP bar of the boss and elite enemies. It can be depleted by Parrying, performing Intro Outro Skills, and Dodge Countering. Once depleted, the enemy enters a Stagger System, where it cannot move and takes more damage.
5. Forte Circuit
Forte Circuit is a passive ability that provides a unique effect depending on a character’s playstyle. The gauge above your health bar indicates Forte Circuit, which can be charged by performing Liberation, Skills, Basic Attacks, and Intro Outro Skills.
6. Concerto Gauge
Concerto Gauge is the circle icon on your HP bar’s left side. When you attack an enemy, Concerto energy is generated. Once the circle is full, you can perform Intro and Outro Skill by swapping on to the next character.
7. Intro and Outro Skills
Intro Skills can be performed when your Concerto Gauge is full, and the character enters the field after swapping from another character. Some Intro Skills can buff your team or the character, while others can deal direct damage.
The Outro Skill is similar to the Intro Skill but is performed by the character you swap from.
8. Multiplayer Intro and Outro
These can be performed in multiplayer or co-op mode when the other person’s Concerto Gauge is fully charged.
Absence of Elemental Reaction
Unlike Genshin, Wuthering Waves doesn’t have elemental reactions. The six elements, Electro, Glacio, Aero, Fusion, Spectro, and Havoc, deal separate damage without reacting with each other.
However, that doesn’t limit the overall experience the combat system has to provide. The animations are beautiful and everything just gets better as you play the game more.
About Wuthering Waves
Wuthering Waves is a free-to-play open-world action-adventure title developed by Kuro Games. This game is being compared to Gensin Impact for its anime-like visuals and gacha-style gameplay.
Developed on Unreal Engine 4, the game involves exploring, crafting, and collecting weapons and heroes. However, unlike other similar games, it is meant to be heaving combat-centric, so players’ skills can be tested and they can provided with the thrill they are looking for.
