You may have heard people say that combat in Brighter Shores is slow and lacks excitement. Some even claim it's akin to watching an AFK cutscene! Well, they’re wrong. With the right approach, combat in Brighter Shores is incredibly dynamic, giving you the power to take on enemies even 10 levels above your character. Here, I'll share essential tips to help you gain the upper hand in battles, showing that the game’s combat is all about skillful strategy, not just stats. Let’s dive in!

1. Understanding Weapon Attack Speed

The first thing you need to know about Brighter Shores combat is that weapon attack speed matters—a lot. While the game doesn’t explicitly display this stat, you can determine it by watching your weapon's visual cues as it attacks. Here's how to identify it:

Visual Feedback: Each weapon has a circular animation that fills up clockwise to indicate the attack's animation time. Additionally, a bar fills up from bottom to top, representing the delay between attacks. This bar is the key to gauging attack speed.

If you’re familiar with old-school games like RuneScape, you know that attack speed directly impacts your damage-per-second (DPS). A weapon with lower damage but a higher attack speed may outperform a high-damage, slow weapon. Test each weapon you find; sometimes, a seemingly weak weapon can deliver fast and frequent attacks, making it invaluable.

2. The Sudden Death Advantage

In high-stakes situations where both you and the enemy are low on health, attack speed can be the difference between victory and defeat. If your weapon swings faster than the enemy's, you’ll likely land the killing blow first in a close encounter. This can be a lifesaver when you’re one hit away from defeat.

That said, not all high-attack-speed weapons are universally superior. Choose a weapon that complements your combat style, and consider both attack speed and damage based on the enemies you’re facing.

3. Use Healing Potions Off Cooldown

In Brighter Shores, healing potions have a lengthy animation and cooldown, so you can’t rely on them for rapid recovery in combat. To make the most of your potions, follow these guidelines:

Heal Strategically: If your health drops below that of your opponent, it’s time to drink a potion. Waiting too long could leave you vulnerable to an enemy's powerful attacks, wasting potions and forcing you to restock.

Potion Timing: If you’re up against a high-level enemy or a boss with substantial HP, keep an eye on your health bar and start chugging potions before you’re desperate. This proactive approach helps ensure you stay in the fight longer.

4. Movement is Key in Battle

Movement in combat isn’t just for dodging attacks; it’s essential for positioning and gaining an advantage. Utilize your character's mobility to dictate the flow of the fight:

Ranged Advantage: Begin each fight at maximum range from your enemy and use all your ranged attacks. By the time the enemy reaches you, they’ll already be starting with a lower health pool.

Kiting with Range Attacks: If you have a ranged weapon, move away while pressing the keybind for your ranged attacks. This way, your character will continue firing as soon as the cooldown ends, dealing damage without letting the enemy get close.

Mastering movement in this way allows you to chip away at an enemy’s health before they’re even within striking range, putting you ahead from the start.

5. Run to Stall Cooldowns

Sometimes, survival hinges on waiting for your potion or special attack cooldowns. Running away can buy you that precious time:

Outrun Your Opponent: In most cases, you and your enemy move at similar speeds. If you start running while they’re in mid-attack, they may land one hit, but after that, you’ll be able to outrun them. This tactic gives you time to heal or wait for a cooldown.

Use Open Areas in Boss Fights: While stalling with movement can be tough in open-world fights, boss arenas often have enough space to maneuver. Use these open areas to your advantage, keeping your distance while waiting for cooldowns.

6. Use Terrain to Your Advantage

Terrain can be a powerful ally in combat, helping you get the upper hand on enemies before they even reach you. When you position yourself effectively, you can launch free attacks without taking any hits in return.

Terrain and Range: Place yourself on higher ground or behind obstacles that slow your enemy's approach. This lets you use all your ranged attacks before switching to melee, starting the fight with a significant advantage.

Fear Potions for Aggressive Enemies: If you’re dealing with aggressive enemies that usually charge at you instantly, use a fear potion. This makes them non-aggressive, giving you time to position yourself for maximum ranged attacks. It’s an excellent tool for leveling the playing field against tough opponents.

7. Practice Makes Perfect

Mastering combat in Brighter Shores takes time, especially as you learn to adapt each of these strategies to various enemy types. Don't get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Each enemy encounter is a chance to test new tactics, adjust your gear, and become a more formidable fighter.

Final Thoughts

In Brighter Shores, combat is as much about skill and strategy as it is about stats. From understanding weapon speeds to learning the importance of timing and positioning, there’s a lot you can do to gain the upper hand. Whether you’re fighting a mob in the wild or facing down a towering boss, these tips will help you make every encounter a successful one.

Let me know in the comments if these tips helped you in Brighter Shores combat. And if you have any other strategies you think I missed, I’d love to hear them! Follow MMOexp.com now, get our guides and Brighter Shores gold service. Happy hunting, and may your battles be victorious!

MMOexp Brighter Shores Team