GamesAction RpgRise of the RoninRise of the Ronin Combat Styles and stances explainedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAction RpgRise of the RoninRise of the Ronin Combat Styles and stances explainedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
What are Combat Styles in Rise of the Ronin?
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
Combat Styles in Rise of the Ronin are stances attached to specific weapon types that are designed to counter certain kinds of enemies. Specifically, while weapons can have all sorts of styles to fight with,all styles are ultimately divided into three groups: Jin, Chi and Ten.
More Rise of the Ronin guidesRise of the Ronin tipsRise of the Ronin fast travelBest Rise of the Ronin classBest Rise of the Ronin skills and abilitiesHow to level up in Rise of the Ronin
More Rise of the Ronin guides
Rise of the Ronin tipsRise of the Ronin fast travelBest Rise of the Ronin classBest Rise of the Ronin skills and abilitiesHow to level up in Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin tipsRise of the Ronin fast travelBest Rise of the Ronin classBest Rise of the Ronin skills and abilitiesHow to level up in Rise of the Ronin
When we say “effective or ineffective”, we specifically mean thatthese styles are massively more or less damaging to enemy Ki, setting them up all the more easily for a critical hit. As a rule,you should try to have a Jin, Chi and Ten style ready to go at all times,even if it has to be distributed across two differentRise of the Ronin weapons. This means that there really is no “best” style - it’s all about finding the right counter to the kind of enemies you’re going up against.
Speaking of which,players can use the “Equipment” section of the pause menu to assign up to three Styles to a weapon that they have equipped(assuming they’ve found that many). Combat styles have greater nuances beyond simple stamina drain - they impact your moveset and available special attacks, as well as granting temporary stat buffs - so test them out as you find them. They can also be upgraded to higher ranks, unlocking new special moves, though the actual process for how this is done varies from style to style (check it in the Combat Style section of the pause menu to see what the requirements are).
How to change Combat Styles
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
You’ll know which combat style to use because of thecoloured arrows next to the enemy’s health bar- if it’s blue and pointing upwards, you’re using a Style that’ll be extra effective - which is good! If it’s red and pointing downwards, you’re at a disadvantage, and a white icon indicates no advantage either way. If an enemy comes at you, you’ll want to immediately switch to any style that provides a blue arrow.
How to unlock more combat styles in Rise of the Ronin
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
Combat Styles in Rise of the Ronin are contextual rewards for either completing missions, killing fugitives, or building your bonds with certain characters who use those weapons the Styles are associated with (such asGonzo in Rise of the Ronin). Fortunately, the game doesn’t conceal that those are rewards, and if you check a still-locked stance in the Combat Styles menu, it’ll tell you the requirements to unlock it.
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