Not content with having Henry Cavill, Superman, play Geralt of Rivia in the live-action series on Netflix, now you can be part of the world, too, with your own Witchers. By imitating Pokemon Go! in using augmented reality and adding parts like the mobile game combat from Elder Scrolls: Blades, The Witcher: Monster Slayer could be a very entertaining, addictive game. It drops on 21 July, but we have some advance details on the game mechanics so you won’t be caught out.
Contracts
Like in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you’ll get a contract on a monster and then have to track it. You do this by examining the tracks and bodies it leaves in its wake. After you’ve found it, you’ll do battle using bombs, potions, signs and your trusty silver sword.
Basic combat in Monster Slayer
The combat is similar to Elder Scrolls: Blades but with a few notable differences. A pointer moves down a bar on the right-hand side of the screen and by timing your finger swipe the attack is either ‘fast’ or ‘strong’. An orange meter builds above the enemy, when it reaches a certain point you can perform a critical hit. Tapping and holding the screen also lets you block and parry enemy blows.
Bombs and signs
Another cool feature of Monster Slayer is that you can bring the full Witcher arsenal to bear against monsters. The bombs are like Pokéballs, you have to flick them. For signs, tap the button at the bottom right of the screen, and you’ll have a limited amount of time to draw it.
The key to combat in The Witcher: Monster Slayer is learning how to parry and quickly use signs, bombs or hits between a monster’s strikes.
Potions and oils
Monster Slayer features the iconic oils, potions, and Witcher prep before facing off against an opponent. Before going into battle, you can see the monster’s vulnerabilities and equip yourself to deal with them, with the right bombs, a potion or a handy oil.
Skill system
Monster Slayer also has a skill system. As you complete contracts in the game, you earn skill points, which you can apply wherever you choose. There are three different skill trees: combat, alchemy, and signs.
These skills mainly increase the effectiveness of pre-existing abilities, such as a percentage increase in the damage to your quick attack, the effectiveness of oils, and signs.
When you pre-register, you’ll get rewards when it launches officially, so you’ll get the Kaer Morhen Steel Sword for free and an extra 10% Experience Points for every monster you kill, to help you get started in the game.
