Retaliation is a weapon effect in Windrose that increases melee damage on successful Perfect Blocks. Each parry applies a Retaliation stack, and the stacks remain until the player takes any damage. Retaliation rewards aggressive parry-focused play by snowballing damage output across clean defensive exchanges.
Stacking Rules
Stacks | Melee Damage Bonus | Special (Captain's Greatsword) |
|---|---|---|
1 | +10 to 15% | None |
2 | +20 to 30% | None |
3 (max) | +30 to 45% | Captain's Greatsword: Perfect Blocks restore 10% Health at max stacks |
Retaliation's damage bonus per stack varies by weapon. The baseline is +10% per stack for most Retaliation weapons (max +30% at 3 stacks). The Captain's Greatsword is the standout: +15% per stack (max +45%) plus the 10% HP restore at max stacks.
Reset Condition
Taking ANY damage removes ALL Retaliation stacks, including damage-over-time effects like Bleeding, Corruption, or plague status. This makes Retaliation weapons high-skill-ceiling: players who can chain Perfect Blocks flawlessly will output significantly more damage than players who trade hits. A single sloppy dodge resets the accumulated damage bonus to zero.
Retaliation Weapons
Confirmed Retaliation weapons include:
Captain's Greatsword - the standout with +15%/stack and HP recovery at max
Other greatswords and one-handed melee weapons with Retaliation passives (community-documented list continues to expand)
Build Synergy
Retaliation pairs with the Fencer talent system branch (Perfect Counter, +5-12% crit after block) and the Toughguy branch (Flawless Defence, 15-35% block posture cost reduction). The combination creates a parry-focused build where every Perfect Block amplifies damage, recovers stamina, and potentially restores HP.
Tactical Notes
Avoid Damage-over-Time statuses before engaging; Bleeding or Corruption pings from previous fights will reset Retaliation stacks
Cleanse food buffs do not block DoT resets; prevention is the only counter
Boss fights with visible combo attacks (Savage Boars, Pirate Sergeants, Tainted Priestess adds) are ideal Retaliation opportunities
Multiplayer groups can have one player draw aggression while the Retaliation wielder stacks against a different target
See Also
Perfect Block - parry mechanic
Captain's Greatsword - signature Retaliation weapon
Combat - combat mechanics
Weapons - weapon categories