Nine Sols: 8 Combat Tips

In Nine Sols, players will often find themselves backed into a corner when it comes to enemies. True to any soulslike game, these enemies can quickly and efficiently dispatch Yi to his demise. Before heading out from the Pavilion, it’s best that players have a game plan in mind.

Developing effective techniques and tricks for combat is essential to making it further than the first few areas. This is especially true for players not familiar with this style of play. Using these combat tips and tricks will help even the most diehard Metroidvania fan breeze through this game.

8 Boost Yi’s Health

Last Longer In Fights

To help prepare for battle, it’s best to ensure Yi is in his best form. When the game first starts, there’s no doubt that he is extremely squishy, with some enemies able to crush him with a mere two strikes. Of course, he has his healing pipe, but even that has limitations.

So, to buff him up, players can take poison to Shennong. For every two poison-related items, he’ll offer Yi a Medicinal Brew. Players can locate Shennong at the Pavilion if they’ve completed his first quest. It also doesn’t hurt to increase the number of Medicine Pipe uses players have access to. They can increase their maximum number of Pipe Vials at the 3D printer.

7 Don’t Forget To Visit The Pavilion

Stay Equipped For The Long Road Ahead

As players make their way through the various Zones in the game, they should always remember to stop back in at the Four Seasons Pavilion. Not only is this a safe zone, but it’s also a key location for getting important items. They’ll have the opportunity to interact with the key NPCs, advance their personal quests, and sometimes obtain important items from them.

It’s also where they can recycle items for Jin and buy upgrades. By frequently stopping in at the Pavilion, players won’t miss out on key events in the story and will always have a chance to upgrade their equipment as needed to beat the next enemy they come across.

6 Master Dodging

Parrying Isn’t Always An Option

One of the most crucial moves players will learn during the tutorial phase of the game is how to dodge. While parrying is effective and, with the right upgrades, can reflect projectiles back at the enemy, Yi can only do it in so many situations. Eventually, parrying too much could kill him.

Dodging is an effective strategy that allows Yi to slip by an enemy attack to gain a better footing. Out of the danger zone, players can recoup and move back in to take their own strike at the enemy. Alternatively, a well-timed dodge can allow for a powerful Shadow Strike to deal massive damage.

5 Internal Versus Direct Damage

Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds

In Nine Sols, there are two types of damage: internal and direct damage. Both Yi and his enemies receive both. Direct damage is any type of damage that cannot be healed without a healing item. Internal damage can build up, and so long as Yi doesn’t take any additional damage, it will heal on its own over time.

To make it easier to succeed in battle, players can pick up different types of Jades that help prevent the effects of internal damage. Some Jades even bestow healing following a successful parry.

4 Don’t Neglect The Azure Bow

A Game-Changer In Battle

After players reunite with Kuafu, they’ll be rewarded with the Azure Bow. This secondary weapon is crucial to Yi’s survival and should be regularly upgraded. Players will need Dark Steel to complete the upgrades, making this material a must-find whenever Yi is out and about.

The Azure Bow can help Yi get out of some pretty tight spots. It’s powerful enough to knock out groups of weaker enemies, which can be a game-changer when Yi is surrounded. Another bonus is its disruptive effects against stronger enemies, as it can interrupt their attacks mid-move.

3 Don’t Charge Into Groups Of Enemies

Patience Is A Virtue

It can be very tempting to charge headlong into a group of enemies when Yi has been on a successful run. But that group of enemies could easily be his downfall. It’s incredibly easy to become overwhelmed by even a small group of enemies. Each type has its own attack pattern, and trying to keep track of them all at once can be a bit of a struggle.

So, when players approach an area of high activity, it’s best to take a few seconds and evaluate the situation. Developing a strategy before rushing in can prevent the devastating loss of Jin and EXP. Eventually, tackling multiple enemies at once won’t be so challenging, but at the start, patience is the key to success.

2 Experiment With Jades

The Right Ones Make All The Difference

Jades offer different talisman effects depending on their type. Players can obtain Jades throughout their journey and shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with them until they find the optimal combination for their play styles.

One thing that’s important to note is they must have enough computing units in order to equip all their desired Jades. Some Jades require one unit, while others require multiple. These computing units can be purchased from merchants or received as a reward for successfully defeating some of the mini-bosses.

1 Unlock The Best Skills

Enhance Yi’s Combat Abilities

As Yi levels up, he’ll earn Skill Points, which can be applied to the purchase of new skills. As players progress through the game, they should focus on those skills that will enhance Yi’s ability in combat, making him a powerhouse. While there are plenty of skills that can be unlocked, a couple stand out as must-haves.

Bullet Deflect is one of the first skills that can be unlocked. It turns a regular parry into a deflection attack against ranged enemies. Shadow Strike boosts the damage delivered from charged attacks and Talisman explosions that come from behind.