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Combat in Chronicles: Medieval is a skill-based melee system designed to function consistently across all scenarios, from one-on-one duels to large-scale battles with hundreds of participants. The system was developed in collaboration with Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) expert Björn Rüther, whose input shaped weapon handling, guard positions, blade contact, and the overall weight and rhythm of engagements.
Core Mechanics
Two primary variables govern each combat engagement: Energy and Posture. Both names are subject to change during Early Access development.
Variable | Description | Effect When Depleted |
|---|---|---|
Energy | Represents endurance. Drains with each heavy attack, parry, or dodge. | Attacks become weaker, slower, and easier to counter. Players are vulnerable in extended skirmishes or when facing multiple opponents. |
Posture | Represents balance and defensive stability. Reduced by taking hits, being parried, or attacking into a block. | When critically low, the player is left open to devastating finishers or disarms by the opponent. |
Design Philosophy
Raw Power Games chose to reject directional combat systems in favor of a design built on clarity, control, and consequence. Every swing is intended to be readable, every hit communicates why it landed, and every decision carries weight. The system uses motion-warping technology for fluid positioning and includes an optional lock-on targeting mode.
Weapon Progression
Each weapon category has its own dedicated progression path. Proficiency improves through use, with players advancing through Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master tiers. Each tier unlocks additional techniques and abilities specific to that weapon type. Role-specific advantages are built into the system: spears dominate open ground, maces perform well against armored opponents, and longswords offer broader versatility.
Players can carry up to four weapons simultaneously and swap between them freely during combat, allowing for strategic loadout decisions before and during engagements.
Mounted Combat
Mounted combat merges the strength of the horse with the skill of the rider. Lance behavior varies by equipment quality, and character proficiency affects readiness speed, stability, and aim adjustment when mounted. Each horse has individual characteristics including top speed, turning rate, health, and trampling damage. Players can charge enemies on horseback or participate in full-scale cavalry clashes.
HEMA Partnership
Raw Power Games partnered with Björn Rüther, a recognized figure in Historical European Martial Arts, to ensure the combat system reflects the precision and weight of authentic historical swordsmanship. The collaboration informed blade-to-blade contact simulation, guard positions, realistic parrying, and the overall feel of weapons in combat.