Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - Combat Tips & Strategies
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is shaping up to be one of the most mechanically deep entries in the musou-style series yet, promising to throw hordes of formidable foes at players. The battle for Hyrule requires more than just mashing buttons; it demands strategy, quick thinking, and a deep understanding of each hero's unique abilities.
To ensure you’re prepared to face the encroaching darkness, we’ve compiled the most crucial combat tips and strategies to help you turn the tide of every battle and make every encounter a decisive victory.
Master the Strategic Character-Swap
The ability to control multiple heroes on the battlefield is a core tenet of the Hyrule Warriors experience, and in Age of Imprisonment, it’s more vital than ever. Simply playing as your favorite character will not be enough to secure victory in tougher missions.
Get into the habit of constantly switching between your active party members. While you are controlling one hero, your AI-controlled allies are still fighting. You can open the map and direct them to capture specific outposts, defend key positions, or engage high-priority targets like a Wizzrobe or a Moblin commander. This allows you to effectively be in two places at once. A pro-level technique is to set up a powerful combo with one character, then immediately swap to another across the map to finish off a weakened outpost captain, maximizing your efficiency.
Exploit Elemental Weaknesses with Zonai Devices
A groundbreaking addition to the combat system is the integration of Zonai Devices. These ancient tools can be equipped and used to imbue your attacks and special moves with elemental properties. Pay close attention to enemy types and on-screen prompts that indicate a weakness.
- Frost Emitters: Excellent for slowing down fast-moving enemies like Lizalfos or freezing a large group of Bokoblins solid, leaving them vulnerable to a finishing blow.
- Shock Emitters: Perfect for making enemies drop their metal weapons or for creating a stunning area-of-effect attack in rainy or wet conditions.
- Flame Emitters: Ideal for dealing damage over time to heavily armored foes like Iron Knuckles or for clearing out encampments made of wood.
Using the right Zonai Device against a powerful boss can instantly deplete a significant portion of their weak-point gauge, creating the opening you need to unleash a devastating smash attack.
Pre-Battle Preparation: The Power of Cooking
Don't underestimate the power of a good meal. Before deploying into a mission, you will have the opportunity to cook dishes that provide temporary, but often battle-defining, buffs. Accessing the right ingredients and cooking the best meals is a strategy in itself. If you know you are heading into a mission against a particularly tough boss, cook a meal that boosts your attack power. If you’re playing a timed mission, a speed-enhancing dish can make all the difference. Always check the mission briefing and prepare your buffs accordingly.
Balance Offense with Perfect Dodges and Parries
While unleashing spectacular combos on thousands of enemies is the main appeal, a strong defense is just as important. Every character in Age of Imprisonment has access to a dodge and a parry. Learning the timing of enemy attacks is critical.
A last-second "Perfect Dodge" will trigger a Flurry Rush, allowing you to slow down time and unleash a rapid series of strikes against your foe. This is one of the most effective ways to expose an enemy’s weak-point gauge. Similarly, a well-timed parry can deflect a projectile back at the sender or stagger an enemy, opening them up for a powerful counter-attack. Don't get greedy with your combos; watch your enemy and be ready to react.
Direct Your Allies for Maximum Impact
Beyond simply swapping between characters, you can issue direct commands to your AI teammates. This feature is crucial for managing the flow of battle on larger maps. If a friendly outpost is about to fall, you don't need to abandon your own fight. Simply pull up the command menu and order Link to head over and defend it. If a powerful Lynel appears, you can order your entire squad to focus their attacks on it, bringing it down much faster than you could alone. A well-commanded team is an unstoppable force.
The "Seal of Imprisonment": The Ultimate Combo Finisher
A unique mechanic central to this game is the "Seal of Imprisonment." As you defeat enemies and execute special attacks, you will fill a new gauge. Once full, you can unleash this powerful technique. This move doesn’t just do damage; it temporarily locks down an enemy commander’s special abilities and severely weakens their defenses.
Here’s a bonus combo to maximize its effectiveness: Use a character with wide, sweeping attacks to build the gauge quickly. Once a boss is vulnerable, activate the Seal of Imprisonment to trap them. Immediately swap to your highest single-target damage character and use their most powerful special attack. This one-two punch can often finish a battle in seconds and is the key to achieving high ratings on difficult missions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the best way to deal with large bosses in Age of Imprisonment?
A: The key is patience and observation. Learn their attack patterns to know when to dodge and parry. Focus on using the correct elemental Zonai Devices to exploit their weaknesses, which will quickly expose their weak-point gauge. Once exposed, hit them with everything you have.
Q: How important is using the environment in combat?
A: Very important. Many battlefields contain explosive barrels, conductive pools of water, and other environmental hazards. Luring a large group of enemies near explosive barrels and detonating them can clear a crowd instantly. This saves time and protects your health.
Q: Can we upgrade characters and weapons?
A: Yes, a deep progression system allows you to level up heroes, unlock new combos and skills on a character-specific grid, and fuse weapons to create more powerful armaments with enhanced stats and special seals. Prioritizing these upgrades is essential for tackling late-game content.