Key Takeaways
- Harness the powers of enemies by turning their strengths into tactical advantages.
- Games like Northgard and Final Fantasy 15 feature mechanics where you can enslave enemies or borrow their powers.
- Titles like Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Kirby And The Forgotten Land offer unique abilities by absorbing skills or evolving powers.
There are heroes who dedicate themselves to mastering their combat skills, grinding away to perfect their abilities and meticulously raise their stats. They train, strategize, and push their limits to become the strongest versions of themselves. But then there are others who take a more opportunistic approach: why rely only on your own power when you can turn the abilities of your enemies against them?
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These video games introduce mechanics that let you borrow, steal, or replicate the powers of your foes, turning their strengths into your own arsenal.
10
Northgard
Enslave Your Enemies
Northgard
- Released
-
March 7, 2018
- Developer(s)
-
Shiro Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Shiro Games
Northgard is a Norse mythology-inspired strategy game where players choose a clan, each with unique abilities and playstyles. One of the most unique is Nidhogg, the Clan of the Dragon, whose humans can be transformed into powerful Dragonkin. Central to this clan’s strategy is the Sacrificial Pyre, a mechanic that allows you to rejuvenate your clan’s strength and buff your resources through sacrifice.
You’ll want to prioritize maintaining your gold intake when playing Nidhogg, allowing you to quickly build your forces and have the flexibility to purchase Thralls on a moments’ notice.
While Dragonkin and villagers can be sacrificed for the Pyre, it’s far more resource-efficient to use Thralls instead. Thralls are human slaves who can be purchased from the mainland or captured after unlocking the Capture skill. This ability lets you enslave enemies by conquering their territories, offering a strategic and cost-effective way to acquire sacrifices while crippling your opponents.
Why spend resources on Thralls when you can claim your rivals’ life-force instead?
9
Final Fantasy 15
Borrow The Power Of The Astrals
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
-
November 9, 2016
In Final Fantasy 15, Noctis embarks on a road trip with his close friends, determined to save the world of Eos from encroaching darkness. Along the way, he must face the Astrals, massive, godlike beings, to claim their power. These six deities have watched over Eos for centuries, slumbering as they awaited the arrival of the Chosen King: Noctis.
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Ifrit is the only Astral that Noctis cannot summon.
Lunafreya, Eos’s Oracle and Noctis’s fiancée, travels ahead to awaken each Astral. Once she has prepared them, Noctis must battle each one to prove his worth and earn their respect, forging a sacred pact. Afterward, the Astrals lend their strength in battle, allowing Noctis to unleash devastating abilities capable of clearing entire battlefields of enemies.
8
Tales Of Symphonia: Dawn Of The New World
Make Monsters Fight For You
- Released: June 26, 2008
- Platforms: Wii, PS3
- Genre: RPG
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is a direct sequel to Tales of Symphonia, continuing the story with new protagonists, Emil and Marta, as they journey to restore balance to the world. One of the game’s standout features is the introduction of monster taming and battling, a departure from the traditional Tales series mechanics.
Similar to Pokémon, you can capture monsters, level them up, and even evolve them to enhance their combat abilities. Wild monsters can be recruited by boosting your affection stats, which influence their willingness to join your team. Once recruited, monsters are controlled by the game’s AI during battles.
However, your party is limited to four monsters at a time, with any extras eagerly awaiting you in the Katz Guild pen until called upon.
7
Mega Man X5
Obtain Special Weapons
In Mega Man X5, the Earth faces imminent destruction as the massive space colony Eurasia hurtles toward the planet. If the collision occurs, it will spell the end of life as we know it. X and Zero must race against time to prevent the catastrophe, battling through a gauntlet of Mavericks standing in their way.
Continuing the tradition of the Mega Man series, X5 features Special Weapons, powerful tools acquired by defeating bosses. However, the game introduces a twist with the DNA program mechanic. By collecting DNA data from Reploids, X and Zero can analyze and integrate it into their systems.
For X, this means enhancing his Variable Weapon System with new powers, while Zero uses his Learning ability to unlock additional techniques.
6
Thymesia
Power Up With Plague Weapons
- Released
-
August 15, 2022
- Developer(s)
-
OverBorder Studio
The Kingdom of Hermes teeters on the edge of annihilation. Once a thriving realm, its reliance on alchemy to solve everyday problems has backfired, unleashing a devastating plague. Now, infected monstrosities roam the streets, reducing the kingdom to chaos and despair.
The last glimmer of hope lies with Corvus, a mysterious plague doctor clad in a feathered cape and iconic mask, who must uncover the truth behind the catastrophe.
In Thymesia, players guide Corvus through the crumbling kingdom, facing grotesque mutants and infected foes in intense, fast-paced combat. Boss battles and challenging enemies provide access to powerful plague weapons, which can be upgraded and modified to suit your preferred playstyle.
With its atmospheric world and customizable mechanics, Thymesia offers a gripping journey through the ruins of Hermes, where every choice could mean survival… or doom.
5
Wuthering Waves
Absorb The Echoes Of Tacet Discords
- Released
-
May 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
Kuro Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Kuro Games
Wuthering Waves takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by monstrous creatures known as Tacet Discords, which attack anything that enters their domain. However, these creatures leave behind Echoes of themselves, which can be absorbed and used in combat.
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Equipping Echoes works similarly to the artifact system in Genshin Impact. They enhance your stats and grant unique abilities, such as boosting healing or summoning a light dragon to attack enemies. These Echoes can dramatically shift the tide of battle, making them an essential part of your strategy.
4
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
Absorb The Skills Of Enemies You Kill
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
In Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, you step into the shoes of Soma Cruz, a teenager unexpectedly drawn into Dracula’s Castle during a solar eclipse. Within the castle’s dark and dangerous halls, Soma discovers he possesses the power of dominance, an ability that allows him to absorb the skills and powers of the enemies he defeats.
Armed with this unique power, Soma must battle his way to the Master’s chamber to uncover the secrets of the castle and his own destiny.
After completing the game, you can start a New Game+ with all the souls you collected.
Aria of Sorrow introduced the innovative Tactical Soul system, changing up the series’ gameplay. This mechanic lets players absorb and equip abilities from defeated foes, offering unparalleled customization and strategic depth. From offensive spells to passive enhancements, the variety of souls collected enables players to tailor their approach, making the system particularly impactful during challenging boss fights.
3
Kirby And The Forgotten Land
Eats Enemies And Takes Their Powers
Kirby has been a beloved Nintendo icon since 1992, known for his signature Inhale ability, which lets him swallow enemies and copy their powers. Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes this classic mechanic further by introducing the option to evolve abilities.
By collecting rare stones and blueprints, you can upgrade skills at Waddle Dee’s Weapons Shop. Once unlocked, these abilities can be swapped or upgraded to enhance their power, range, or duration.
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A standout new feature in Forgotten Land is Kirby’s ability to transform by wrapping himself around inanimate objects, granting him unique powers. For instance, inhaling a car allows Kirby to speed through levels as a battering ram, while swallowing a traffic cone enables him to make powerful, concentrated attacks that can break through enemies and environmental barriers.
2
Copy Kitty
Customize Your Enemies’ Abilities Into A Super Weapon
- Released: April 19, 2018
- Platform: PC
- Genre: Action
Boki dreams of becoming a hero, but she doubts her ability to stand out in a world where superpowers are the norm. Her unique talent is copying the abilities of others… a skill she worries isn’t flashy enough for the superhero spotlight.
Encouraged by her Uncle Savant, who gifts her a virtual reality military training program for her birthday, Boki gains the chance to hone her powers and take her first step toward realizing her dream.
In Copy Kitty, defeating enemies allows Boki to absorb their abilities, storing up to three at a time. These powers can be used individually or combined into devastating super weapons. With 175 possible combinations, the game offers incredible variety, ensuring no two play sessions are the same.
1
Ender Lilies: Quietus Of The Knights
Recruit Souls To Join You
The once-thriving world of Land’s End lies in ruin, its inhabitants twisted into monsters by the Blight. You play as Lily, a young White Priestess gifted with the power to purify the corrupted. Awoken by the protective spirit of a knight who served a previous White Priestess, Lily embarks on a perilous journey to cleanse the land and uncover the truth behind the Blight.
In addition to recruiting souls through boss battles, lost souls of common people can be found throughout the map. Explore every level to catch ’em all!
Throughout your adventure, purified souls of fallen warriors pledge their strength to your cause. Each ally spirit grants unique battle mechanics or passive abilities, expanding your options in combat and exploration. These abilities, such as double jumping or summoning spectral attacks, are essential for navigating the treacherous world and overcoming its challenges.
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