Aloft has some fairly simple combat mechanics that become more complex as you explore new islands, unlocking skills, weapons, and consumable upgrades. The main purpose of combat is to clear infected islands of the Mykter enemies that inhabit them, destroying corrupted nodes to grant crafting and looting access.
As you start out in the game, you can use any tool as a weapon, but the further you explore you’ll get access to the sword and special attacks that make dealing with enemies a little easier. Here’s a complete guide to combat in Aloft.
Quick Links
Weapons And Combat Basics
Right at the start of the game, you can use the humble Stone Axe as a weapon.
However, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to a Stone Dorkip or a Stone Sword.
How To Get A Weapon In Aloft
You can craft a Stone Dorkip with:
- Two Wood
- One Sharp Stone
- One Rope
You can craft a Stone Sword with:
- One Wood
- One Rope
- Three Sharp Stones
Both of these weapons are obtainable via chests on islands.
Special Attacks
As you clear more infected islands, you’ll begin to unlock special attacks. The first two you unlock, Leap Attack and Upslash, are found within the first biome. You can unlock further special attacks by clearing infected islands. Some of these islands might have knowledge stones, good resources, or attacks to unlock.
Momentum And Blocking
As you fight, you’ll build momentum bars – these are shown underneath your health bar. Each special attack costs one momentum bar, which means you need to build them over time.
You can do a shove attack by blocking and attacking at the same time.
Consumables
There are a few very useful consumable items that can make combat more manageable in Aloft. As you progress, the number and difficulty of enemies at one time does get more challenging.
Food
The best way to prepare yourself for battle is to eat some food before attempting to tackle an infected island.
Simple food, like Blackberries or other fruit and vegetables you harvest from islands, will provide a rudimentary health buff and possibly a small attack speed increase.
Further in the game, you’ll discover a Cooking Plate which will allow you to craft better meals as long as you have a campfire and the ingredients.
For example, combining Blackberries with Sugar creates Grilled Fruits – a consumable item that grants 24 bonus health and an attack speed boost for eight minutes.
Healing
While food provides the buffs, it won’t actually heal your HP. To do this, you’ll need to craft Leaf Bandages which are crafted with two Leaf Cloth and a Reishi Mushroom. You need to equip this on your hotbar to use it.
Reishi Mushrooms are found growing on the base of trees. They might even spawn on your own home island.
Coatings
Later in the game, you’ll be able to craft Coatings at the Research Lab. Apply these to your weapons and the enemies you kill will drop advanced fibers, used to craft cures and antidotes.
Clearing Infected Islands
Clearing infected islands is a key part of progression in Aloft. You’ll encounter plenty as you explore the skies, and each is inhabited with enemies that need to be dealt with.
You’ve got your standard angry mushroom who will punch you, smaller, weaker mushrooms that will throw stuff at you, and flying mushrooms that will pick you up and carry you around.
Infected islands will also have corrupted nodes that spawn – you’ll need to clear these to be able to loot on the island, or access knowledge stones and frescoes located there.
Related
Aloft: Complete Crafting Guide
Here’s a complete guide to crafting in Aloft, with a list of every recipe we’ve found so far.