Combat system

Overview

Combat in Silver Palace is a real-time action system built around party switching, a stun-and-execute loop, and the Silverdrip resource mechanic. PC Gamer's coverage noted that the game is "hiding a deliciously violent combat system underneath" its anime presentation, with execution animations involving skull-bashing and dismemberment that surprised many observers.

Party and character switching

Players field a party of up to four characters. Any character can be controlled directly, and switching between them is instant. Each character has unique attack chains, active skills, a passive trait, and an ultimate ability. Switching at the right moment chains the outgoing character's combo into the incoming character's abilities.

Stun gauge and executions

Enemies display a stun gauge beneath their health bar. Landing attacks fills this gauge progressively. Once the gauge is full, the enemy becomes stunned and vulnerable to an Execution, a high-damage finisher move with a unique animation per character. Executions deal significantly more damage than normal attacks and also charge Silverdrip segments.

Silverdrip system

Dealing damage fills the Reactor and Silverdrip segments, shown as triangular indicators between the HP and skill bars. Each filled segment equals one stack. One stack enables an Ambush skill when swapping to another character. Ambush attacks trigger the incoming character's equipped Catalyst attribute, which provides different effects depending on the Catalyst: elemental damage, buffs, shields, or healing.

The Silverdrip system creates a rhythm of building stacks through sustained combat, then spending them on character swaps to trigger powerful Ambush attacks. This rewards active play and discourages sitting on a single character for the entire fight.

Catalysts

Catalysts are equippable items, up to three per character. Each Catalyst has a unique attribute that activates when spending a Silverdrip segment or using an Ambush attack. The variety of Catalyst effects means the same character can fill different tactical roles depending on their equipped Catalysts.

QTE combos

Quick Time Events are triggered during boss fights, executions, and certain stealth sequences. Successful QTE inputs produce cinematic attack sequences that deal heavy damage. Each character has their own QTE animations. Firtho, for example, jabs syringes into enemies during her QTE sequences.

Defensive mechanics

Parrying and perfect dodging are both rewarded. A successful parry creates an opening for a counter-combo. A perfectly timed dodge triggers a slow-motion window where the player can land free hits. The Detective can also switch between melee (sword) and ranged (pistol) stances; ranged attacks fill the enemy's stun gauge from a safe distance.

Stealth

Three options are available when approaching enemies from behind undetected:

1. Knock them unconscious

2. Interrogate them for intelligence

3. Use a syringe (consumable anesthetic) to incapacitate them silently

Resonance

Building a team with characters sharing the same element unlocks Resonance effects, which are team-wide AoE damage bonuses. This provides a team-building incentive beyond just picking favorite characters.