Players of medieval combat will appreciate For Honor and its tactically brutal approach to combat. After all, its roster of four Hero Types boasts unique themes and fighting strategies that make each match dynamic and ever-changing. However, the game is just as quick in punishing mistakes — often with brutal executions.
Thing is, such a tactical fighting game can make For Honor quite overwhelming for newcomers. Thankfully, knowing some of the most common mistakes in the game can help initiates stay on top of their game and even dominate against the fiercest of foes.
10 Forgetting Hero Specifics
While players can customize how their characters look, For Honor is still more of a fighting game than an RPG. When they select a Hero, this Hero comes not just with a Class but their own moveset and Hero Specific features as well. Taken in the context of a fighting game, players who use their Hero like a "normal" character will get crushed easily in combat - especially if they forget their special features.
Remember, some Heroes "defy" the standard in For Honor's mechanics. For instance, the Shinobi (Assassin), Shaolin (Hybrid), and Tiandi (Vanguard) are all movement-focused Heroes. However, their Classes make them suitable for specific roles, and their movesets further emphasize special moves that put enemies in a disadvantage.
9 Neglecting The Minimap
Granted, it's already a challenge keeping up with what's happening in the main game - especially when dueling against an opponent. However, chaotic matches such as 4v4 Dominion need players to pay closer attention to their minimap. After all, enemies can hide well within their minion clusters, and other enemies can charge other players while they're busy fighting another hostile.
To avoid these surprises, players should always make it a habit to look at the minimap every now and then. This matters especially when there are nearby minions in the distance, or if the duel is taking too long than expected. There's always a chance that a populated area or a prolonged battle is becoming a setup for an ambush.
8 Anticipating Instead Of Reacting
Players who come to For Honor will likely remember some fighting game fundamentals with them - primarily anticipation. After all, if Heroes have a particular moveset, it's very likely that their attacks can get predictable, right? Not necessarily! In fact, focusing too much on planning ahead or anticipating enemies often get on the unfortunate end of a surprise attack.
Instead, players should learn how to react on instinct - to know exactly what to do when opponents pull off a certain attack. Remember, the game shows a slight mark whenever opponents make an attack. Players should use this opportunity to time their Blocks and Parries right.
7 Button Mashing Is A Death Sentence
Unlike other fighting games, For Honor doesn't reward button mashing. All attacks weave into each other with proper timing, especially given the game's close attention to body physics. Even in panic, players shouldn't button mash as this will easily make their moves predictable to the opponent.
When in panic, players should instead Dodge to create room between themselves and the opponent. Another nifty solution when in a panic is to try and find allies, especially in Dominion Mode. Players may feel more confident when aided with minions and other players - but they need to stay wary of the enemy's potential Revenge Meter when tag-teaming them.
6 Staying Too Much On Guard
Granted, the Guard Stance remains a crucial aspect in maintaining defense. When used properly, the Guard Stance can effectively block most incoming attacks. However, players shouldn't just outright stay in Guard Stance for the entirety of combat. After all, this leaves them wide open for a Guard Break — a thrust or a shove that effectively punishes a defensive player for refusing to get on the offensive.
To avoid instances of Guard Breaks, the players should stay wary of potential counter options instead of just blocking attacks. For instance, a well-placed Parry can momentarily stun foes for a quick combo. Likewise, countering a Guard Break with another Guard Break can send the enemy walking backwards — again, wide open for attack.
5 Avoid Dodging Solely For Defense
Of course, Dodging remains a great way to "return" to a neutral stance in combat. When in the receiving end of a harsh combo, a well-timed backwards Dodge can give players some breathing room to rethink their combat approach. However, given the Stamina-heavy nature of a Dodge, just using it for defense might be wasting its combat potential.
Instead of just Dodging to create space, players should try incorporating Dodges into their offensive strategy. For instance, Dodging sideways can still evade attacks but still retains the enemy within melee range. Dodges paired with Light Attacks (or a properly-timed Heavy) can become a great way to pepper through an enemy's hitpoints.
4 Neglecting Throws
Players who need to make space between them and the enemy don't always need Dodges to do this for them. Sometimes, a good ol' Throw can actually give players the short time they need to set up a devastating chain. To do this, they simply need to press the Guard Break button twice.
Granted, Throws aren't as strong as other attacks. However, this can give players just the right kind of break they need in combat - especially if they want to reposition themselves or alternate a strategy. Moreover, Throwing an opponent with an empty Stamina bar will temporarily knock them on the floor, leaving them wide open.
3 Forgetting The Environment
Skill isn't always the sole determining factor in war. In fact, sometimes the environment is the single most important determinant of a victor in any fight. Much is the same with For Honor, especially at the hands of a player who know exactly how to capitalize on their environment when in a losing fight. Players who forget their environment when fighting can have a more difficult time defeating their opponents.
Essentially, using the environment properly can slowly dismantle the enemy's offense. For instance, players can take cover in passages, boulders, and walls to instantly block enemy attacks. Likewise, players can lure enemies in bonfires to deal burning damage, or leave them wide open to attacks by luring them off small hills. For a good dose of instant death, tossing them off a cliff also works.
2 Getting Excited About Revenge Mode
Thanks to Revenge Mode, For Honor allows players to get back into the fight with a remarkable super mode. When in Revenge Mode, players fight fiercer — reducing Stamina consumption, receiving less damage, and dealing more juice with attacks. As the name implies, the Revenge Meter fills up whenever players perform well in combat - blocking hits, or even fighting many enemies. However, players shouldn't just recklessly look forward to Revenge Mode.
Remember, relying solely on Revenge Mode to win a fight makes players reckless. Moreover, the enemy also has a Revenge Meter to fill up. Players should avoid tag-teaming an enemy if their ally seems capable of defeating them alone. After all, even a tag team might not have enough in their arsenal to deal with a vengeful underdog in Revenge Mode.
1 Ignoring Psychological Warfare
Much like other fighting games, For Honor needs players to be just as tricky as they are focused in their matches. Essentially, players who rely on a standard rotation or chain too much will become a tad a bit too predictable to enemies. Doing this makes them wide open for Dodges, and particularly harsh counters.
To avoid these situations, players should try to add a bit of unpredictability to their mix. Instead of relying on a standalone chain of attacks, they should try to study their Hero's moveset to identify the kind of moves they can pull off in specific situations. That way, players can lure enemies into setups that end up being a different thing entirely.