‘Dark Souls 3’ battle system receives major changes with new skills

“Dark Souls 3” is getting a lot of tweaks regarding its mechanics, as compared with previous titles. Most of the changes are geared toward changing the way the battles play out. Perhaps one of the biggest changes is the addition of a new layer of strategy to weapon-based attacks and magic spells that will offer new tactical advantages for players.

From Software has added a new “skills” mechanic to both forms of attack in “Dark Souls 3,” Forbes reports. These new skills can be activated by pressing the L2 button. The new tweak to the battle system also brings forth a new gauge that will accompany the health and stamina bar: a magic bar. The magic bar will be depleted through the use of skills, but it will be replenished by using a new item called the Ash Estus Flask.

A special weapon-based attacks will be added, which will vary from weapon to weapon. Like regular attacks, the skills come at the expense of stamina, but it will also deplete the magic bar as well. Since they are more powerful and useful than regular attacks, they consume more stamina.

For magic attacks, pressing the L2 button will perform the spell and give it extra jolt, making the assaults more powerful than usual. Polygon reports that charged-up magic spells deal at least about 20 percent more damage compared with regular magic attacks.

The new skill system also grants bonuses to characters that are focused on using miracles. An example of this is the use of Lightning Spear. Usually, Lightning Spear is an electricity-based projectile assault on enemies, but upon pressing L2, players will be given a temporary power-up that will boost the power of their other attacks.

“Dark Souls 3” is gearing up to be a whole new experience for the series' fans. It will come to PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One in April 2016 in North America and Europe. It will come a month earlier in Japan on March 24.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.