Stellar Blade can already be difficult enough on normal mode, but if players want to jump into a truly challenging hack-and-slash experience, they need to select the game’s pretty brutal Hard mode. This unforgiving difficulty can only be accessed after completing the game, which at least gives players a bit of time to learn the core mechanics and practice their combos before taking it on.
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Monsters will pack way more of a punch on Hard mode, making even a single jab from a Naytiba warrior feel like the power of a thousand fists. Thankfully, there are plenty of valuable skills and accessories that can be acquired throughout the journey, but there are also a few basic techniques that are worth brushing up on in order to make it through this relentless additional mode in one piece. Here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind which will help aid in Eve’s survival against the fearsome Naytiba in Stellar Blade’s unforgiving Hard mode.
7 Level Up The Parry
Focus Boost Can Make That Brutal Parry Window A Little More Forgiving
Though there are faint hints of Devil May Cry within Stellar Blade’s combat, it more resembles a Soulsborne game, not only in the slower pace of the fights but also because of how important the parry is. There are a ton of enemy types in Stellar Blade, but the majority of them can be repelled with a fatal parry, giving Eve a chance to pull off a light or heavy chain of attacks.
The timing window for the parry is still very small though, which is why acquiring the “Focus Boost” ability is so important. This is by far one of the most powerful abilities in the Survival skill tree, and it becomes crucial in hard mode where making a single parry can result in either life or death. It only costs 2 SP points, so it’s also easy to get early on and is well worth grinding for.
6 Make Use Of New Upgrades And Skills
New Game + Mode Will Have Some Useful New Skills To Unlock
If players jump into Hard mode on New Game +, they will be able to make use of some brand-new skills and upgrades. These not only affect Eva though, as there are also several new drone enhancements to install too, including one that boosts its total magazine capacity which can make it incredibly powerful for crowd control, along with enhanced shotgun blasts, just to name a few.
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In terms of the new Infinite Skills, Infinite Pierce is a particularly important one as it can deal a staggering amount of damage in barely any time at all. There’s also Infinite Breaker, which can melt enemy shields, making it ideal for enemies such as the Juggernaut who can always be a little tricky to overcome because of their durability. Utilizing everything new that the game has to offer will prove to be a big help, especially for those late-game encounters.
5 Ambush When Possible
The Ambush Ability Can Take Out Most Enemies With A Single Strike From Behind
Eve has the chance to instantly kill certain enemies when catching them from behind, but only when the Ambush skill found in the Attack Skill Tree is unlocked. This move is so vital, it’s honestly bizarre that it isn’t a regular ability from the get-go as it can make clearing out groups of smaller enemies a lot easier, while also negating the risk of taking a hit and losing a little health in the process.
Keep in mind, that this technique only works when attacking an enemy who hasn’t spotted Eve, but she will still be able to sprint up to them from behind without being detected. When attempting this though, be prepared to press triangle as soon as it shows up, otherwise, a failed Ambush attempt could end up leading to a chaotic battle.
4 Don’t Skip The Wasteland
The First Real Open-Area Of The Game Is Packed Full Of Loot, Quests, And Secrets
The Wasteland is the first real open zone that becomes available after venturing into the sanctuary of Xion. Though it is possible to skip over this place entirely, it’s packed full of supplies and items that can help Eve along her dangerous journey, so it’s well worth exploring. Be aware though, that some of the more valuable loot, along with a few safe codes, will be guarded by enemies, including snipers, so it’s best to always be prepared for the worst.
Outfits and healing consumables are just a few items Eve will be able to stumble upon when digging around in the corners of the Wasteland, but it’s also not a bad idea to complete some of the area’s optional side quests. These can offer valuable rewards, and also help in branching out the skill trees, which is always a huge bonus.
3 Stay Safe With Tempest
The Tempest Ability Will Keep Eve Protected From Enemy Attacks While Charging Up Her Own
Though Eve has more than a few deadly attacks that she can unleash as part of a fiery combo, the enemy forces also have a few sneaky attacks up their sleeves which can easily interrupt a barrage of kicks and slashes. This can be costly on Hard mode as it means it can be risky to fully commit to a particular attack string without worrying about taking a hit. The Tempest ability, which is a Burst Skill, will grant Eve a brief moment of immunity before launching an attack of her own.
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Being able to inflict a safe amount of damage and staying protected against giant attacks can be crucial, especially against some of the more gung-ho bosses like Tachy. Incorporating the Tempest ability into a regular fighting routine is highly advised in order to see a tough battle through to the end on hard mode.
2 Look Out For Explosive Barrels
Use The Environment To Deal Some Free Damage To Enemies From A Distance
An incredibly useful environmental weapon players will be able to make use of throughout their playthrough is the explosive barrels. Enemies can take quite a beating before they’re down for good on Hard, so being able to inflict a bit of free damage before jumping into a battle can be a big help. When the screen is getting a little clustered, it can be easier to spot these explosives by using the drone scanner where they will glow bright orange.
The enemy AI can be easy to influence in Stellar Blade, so considering these can kill off some weaker enemies in one go, there’s no reason not to set them alight with a drone. It goes without saying, but staying a safe distance away from the barrels is always advised since Eve can take some nasty damage if she’s caught in the blast.
1 Activate Auto Loot
Switching On Auto-Loot Will Ensure No Items Are Accidentally Skipped Over After A Battle
Auto loot is a mechanic that can be manually toggled on by heading over to the settings, and it’s definitely worth it considering how much easier it makes the exploration. While Stellar Blade features some absolutely jaw-dropping locales, on a second playthrough, it can be tempting to try and get through to the main objective as quickly as possible, so picking up resources while on the go can make things much faster.
The grab range for these items is also pretty generous, so don’t be afraid to fire the drone at crates from a distance, or simply run in the opposite direction after slashing them. Resources are incredibly useful for upgrades that will be needed for Hard mode, so considering this is just a quick settings change, there’s no reason not to turn it on.
Stellar Blade
- Released
- April 26, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Shift Up
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
