GAMEPLAY GUIDE

Summoned to the dusk of humanity, the Bloodsworn fight over the First Blood.
Players will have to hunt wandering foes and survive fierce combat against other Bloodsworn in order to emerge victorious from the Dusk Battle.
This page explains the game's basic systems and explains the various tactics and methods needed to achieve victory in this Network Test.

Dusk Battles

Dusk Battles determine the Bloodsworn who will reach the blood bestowal. Dusk Battles are divided into four phases.

Eight Bloodsworn are summoned to battle, and as the phases progress, they are culled by the grail.

In the final phase, the three Bloodsworn who survive the culling and are summoned by the grail take on the final battle for bestowal.

Bloodsworn

  • Albert

  • Bloodhand Jan

  • Trang Lanh

  • Sniper Layla

  • Senator Samir Patres

  • Zork

The Six Bloodsworn Available in the Network Test Ver.

The player character. They possess superhuman abilities including high-jumping, air jumping, and dashing, and they fight using weapons suited for melee or ranged combat (each with different origins). They also possess unique abilities and special powers known as Bloodsworn Skills.

  • Note: Bloodsworn Skills and aspects are customizable in the release version.

Lands of Dusk

Bloodsworn are summoned to the Lands of Dusk when the battle begins.

In the network test version, the battle is set on just one of those lands: Lowanro City.

In addition to a towering clock tower and cathedral and the city spreading around them, there is a multilayered landscape of multiple regions, including a cave, a forest, and a lake.

Bloodsworn are also able to revive any number of times in this land until they fail to survive the culling.

Explore this land freely to enhance your Bloodsworn and obtain Virtue to survive the grail's culling.

Albert

Weapons

Lorrik's Jeweled Saber / Submachine Gun:

The treasured sword is used for melee attacks. It's joined by a submachine gun for ranged attacks.

Bloodsworn Skills

Blood Blade:

Fires off a blade formed of the wielder's blood.
Scales with wielder's blood caliber.

Light of Hayern:

Raises the crystal of light mounted on the casing and shines forth a beam of light.

Aspects

High Lorrik Blood:

Blood-based Bloodsworn skills have additional usages.

Upriser:

Increases stagger potential of attacks against Bloodsworn with high Virtue.

Bloodhand Jan

Weapons

Bloodthirsty Axe / Stone of Sorcery:

A bloodstained battleaxe made from a cast, used for melee attacks. The Stone of Sorcery is embedded in the left hand. It can be activated to unleash flames straight ahead.

Bloodsworn Skills

Blink:

Uses the wielder's blood to enhance the speed
of evasion. Effect will be lost after some time.

Surrender to My Blood:

Quench the axe's thirst with the wielder's blood, strike the blade into the ground and rend the surrounding area with blood slashes.

Aspects

Bloodhand Lineage:

Counterattacking after receiving damage restores HP.

Lord of Blood:

Heals HP of spellbound foes and also boosts attack power.

Trang Lanh

Weapons

Full Moon Blade:

A circular blade made from cold silver. Can be used in melee combat or thrown like a chakram.

Bloodsworn Skills

Darkmoon:

Conceals the body behind the darkmoon for
a limited period.

Mama Nātha:

Summons a giant silver serpent, the guardian of the Ratnam, to attack the surrounding area.

Aspects

Alluring Bride:

Drinking blood also spellbinds nearby enemies.

Daughter of the Darkmoon:

Hides oneself from distant foes, and makes one harder for foes to target.

Sniper Layla

Weapons

Hieroglyph Katars / Sniper Rifle:

Dagger-like blades of polished bronze wielded in both hands for dealing melee attacks. They're paired with a ranged weapon in the form of a sizable sniper rifle capable of precision aiming.

Bloodsworn Skills

Neb-ra Vanishing:

Assume the form of a swarm of insects to move to a distant location. The afterimage confuses foes.

Verd Gatling Gun:

Extracts a giant Gatling gun from the wielder's body, prepares to fire, and then unleashes a rapid-fire barrage.

Aspects

Neb-ra Lineage:

HP is gradually restored to 1/2 of max. A Goldblood Stake restores less than others'.

Nighteye:

Longer range for lock-ons and observation.

Senator Samir Patres

Weapons

Senate Rapier / Soulbird Ring:

A well-tempered, narrow-bladed straight sword used to perform melee attacks as the primary weapon. The ring sends forth a prehistoric spectral bird for ranged attacks.

Bloodsworn Skills

Bloodstake:

Form a swamp of blood at the feet of foes.
A colossal bloodstake rises from the swamp.

Saurian Form:

Assume the form of a carnivorous dinosaur before charging at foes and attacking with powerful jaws.

Aspects

Blood Disciple:

Lowers required Bloodsworn skill level.

Unshakable Sword:

Perfect guarding boosts melee attack power.

Zork

Weapons

Undersea Cable / Speargun:

A severed portion of an outmoded undersea cable, for melee attacks, is the primary weapon. The speargun is fired for ranged attacks.

Bloodsworn Skills

Missile:

Deploys a cannon from the back of the diving suit, assumes a firing stance, and then fires.

Human Rocket:

Deploys a propulsion mechanism from the back of the diving suit, shifting to flight mode and charging straight ahead.

Aspects

Law of the Deep Sea:

Defeat Bloodsworn to steal max HP. Any HP gained is lost if defeated by a victim.

Dread Resonance:

A howl of inhuman sonic wavelength. Hold down [L] + [ZR] to extend howling.

Virtue

Virtue is needed to survive Dusk Battles.

Only the Bloodsworn with the highest Virtue in the second and third phases survive the culling and proceed to the next phase.

Virtue can be obtained not just through battle, exploration, and strategy.

Here, we will explain the various ways to earn Virtue.

  1. Repulsion Virtue

  3. Within the Lands of Dusk, there are great foes. These are stronger even than other enemies. Then there are even greater outside threats called trespassers.

    You can get Repulsion Virtue by defeating these enemies.

    Great foes and trespassers are formidable opponents. Before taking them on, it's best to enhance your Bloodsworn.

  1. Flame Virtue

  3. Flame Virtue can be obtained by lighting flames within the skulls of corpses sitting on chairs scattered around the Lands of Dusk. There are lantern corpses that are a degree larger.

    These grant even more Virtue, but only the first person to light them will receive it.

  1. Earning Virtue at Ritual Sites

    In the second and third phases, after enough time has passed, a ritual site appears.

    There are two ways to earn Virtue at ritual sites. Challenge other Bloodsworn in battle, or evade combat and make a pledge... How you maneuver at ritual sites is critical for earning Virtue to survive the culling.

  1. Sword Virtue

    You can get Sword Virtue by defeating other Bloodsworn at ritual sites. This Virtue is not earned outside of ritual sites.

  2. Pledge Virtue

    Blood pledge pillars can be found within each ritual site. Swear to them to earn Pledge Virtue. This Virtue is lost if the pledge is overwritten by another Bloodsworn.

  1. Redstones and Goldstones

  3. At ritual sites, there are rock plinths from which you can claim redstones and goldstones.

    Only one type can be claimed at a time. While you have a redstone, you can earn more Sword Virtue; while you have a goldstone, you can earn more Pledge Virtue.

    Use different strategies that mesh well with your own play style to earn Virtue, such as getting a redstone and vanquishing other players, or getting a goldstone and evading combat to make a pledge.

Note: If you leave a ritual site after entering, you will be penalized for your desertion with a loss of HP.

Commendation Virtue

There are two types of Commendations, and the players with the highest and second-highest values for each of these can earn Virtue at the end of each phase.

  1. Bloodfang Commendation

    Defeating an enemy contributes toward this Commendation. All enemies are legitimate targets.

  2. Collector Commendation

    Acquiring items by exploring contributes toward this Commendation.

    The rarer the item, the greater the contribution.

    Also, newly acquired items make a large contribution to the Commendation. Items dropped by enemies do not affect the Commendation.

Enhancing Bloodsworn

Leveling Up Bloodsworn

You can earn experience and level up by defeating enemies and other players, increasing HP and attack power.

Some Bloodsworn Skills become available only when you reach certain levels.

Compacts with Kin

Those who have entered an agreement with the Order of Dusk are known as kin.

Kins enter compacts with the Bloodsworn, lending their power.

Compacts with kin are formed at summoning circles, found at the base of the chains of light that stretch into the sky.
There are three types of kin summoning circles: Ring, Blade, and Eye. Each of these has a different type of kin you can compact with.

  • Note: Eight kin exist in the network test version.

There are various types of kin who can offer support in Bloodsworn battles, each with their own unique abilities. These include a young swordswoman of a clandestine society, a sorcerer who has mastered the flame, a prisoner who can protect allies by singing, and a black wolf who lords over a forest.

Kin Advancement

When you defeat enemies while accompanied by a kin, your kin also gains experience and levels up, increasing both health and attack power.

Some may even gain access to new attacks based on their level.

  1. Taking on Great Foes

  1. Powers of Blood

  3. You can acquire Powers of Blood, which grant various powers to Bloodsworn, by defeating great foes and trespassers.

    You'll select and acquire one of the two options.

    Up to five acquired Powers of Blood can be manifested at one time. Adjust these through the Blood Manifestation and Quick Items menu.

  1. Co-op Battles with Other Bloodsworn

  3. When a battle with a trespasser begins, other nearby Bloodsworn are invited to join forces to do battle against it. Then you can work with Bloodsworn who accept the request in the battle.

  1. Exploring Different Regions

    Several different features appear in the regions of the Lands of Dusk during each phase.

    Some may give you advantages in battle.

    It is wise to consider the features of each region on the map and seek out the ones that suit your own play style.

  1. Regional Feature: Bloodsworn Skill Enhancement

  3. Bloodsacs wander the land.

    By defeating them, you will receive blood crystals to enhance your Bloodsworn's skills.

  1. Regional Feature: Weapon Enhancement

  3. Alchemy Forges appear, which you can use to imbue weapons with fire or other affinities.

    Enhancing a weapon again at a matching Alchemy Forge will raise its enhancement level by one.

  1. Regional Feature: Kin Enhancement

  3. Small kin summoning circles appear. You can enhance compacts with kin, yielding a large amount of experience for partnered kin.

  1. Getting Items During Exploration

  3. You can get items by finding them through exploration or by defeating enemies.

    There is a wide variety of items. Some, like the Fire Flask, which sets a raging blaze, give you advantages in battle, while the Memorial Stake can be planted in the ground to let you revive in that location after death.

The Final Phase: Moon Blood Bestowal

The grail may beckon three Bloodsworn, but the moontears will flow for one and one alone.

At the end of Phase III, the three Bloodsworn with the highest Virtue are beckoned, and a battle is held.

The grail grants each Bloodsworn two lives, and additional HP is granted based on Virtue earned up to the final phase.

Aim for victory as you make use of everything from the phases up to this point, including the enhancements of your Bloodsworn, your kin's power, and items you've gathered.

Elements That Change the Battle

  1. Alliances

    You can form alliances with rival Bloodsworn. Petition other Bloodsworn you encounter for an alliance.

    If they accept, you temporarily become confederates working together to reach the final phase.

    Confederates in an alliance cannot harm each other, and confederates share Sword Virtue and Pledge Virtue earned at ritual sites with one another.

    Alliances are disbanded in the final phase. Say your farewells to your allies and aim for the Blood Bestowal.

  1. Sigils

    Sigils establish relationships with other Bloodsworn.

    When a Bloodsworn is etched with a Sigil, the player will be given a unique objective that can net them Virtue.

    The unique objectives include tasks like defeating a particular Bloodsworn or forming an alliance and aiming for the final phase.

    Identify participating Bloodsworn associated with you and strive to complete your objective.

    There are four Sigils in total in the network test version:

    Sigil of a Sworn Enemy; Sigil of an Old Friend; Sigil of the Eye of Muralis; Sigil of Love Ephemeral

    • Note: These can be changed freely in the release version.

  1. Events

    In Phase II and Phase III, there may be events that change the Lands of Dusk. There may be unexpected developments, such as a zeppelin appearing in the sky from which you can request supporting fire, or a powerful storm that forcefully transports players to other locations.

TIPS

House of Night

The base of the Bloodsworn. You can choose which Bloodsworn to use in Dusk Battles or learn basic controls and rules in this Network Test.

  1. Battle Remembrance

    You can experience parts of Dusk Battles and learn the rules. Once you visit the House of Night, it's recommended that you first try experiencing the battle between Bloodsworn from this menu.

  2. Archive

    Information recorded here can be reviewed at any time, including tutorials, Bloodsworn weapons, the kin you've entered a compact with in Dusk Battles, items you've acquired, Powers of Blood, and events you've encountered.

    • Note: You can also open the archive from the info screen, even in the middle of a Dusk Battle.

  1. Courtyard

  3. In the House of Night's courtyard, you can practice controls on the Graveyard Scarecrow or try out Bloodsworn actions. You can also change various settings, including changing the Graveyard Scarecrow to a different opponent from the menu, entering a compact with any kin, or changing your Bloodsworn level.

  1. Selecting Game Rules

  3. In the Dusk Battle menu, you can configure matchmaking. Only Standard is selected by default, but you can also select the No Alliances or Bloodbound Alliances rules.

    No Alliances

    With this rule, you cannot form alliances with other Bloodsworn.

    Bloodbound Alliances

    From Phase I through the final phase, all Bloodsworn battle as pairs in a blood pact. Bloodbound Alliances are not abandoned even after entering the final phase, giving these compatriots the chance to revel in a final victory together.

    • Note: For the release version, we plan to implement a feature that allows you to go into matchmaking already in a blood pact with a friend you invite.

Knowledge and Skills for Combat

  1. Staggering Enemies

  3. Attacking an enemy inflicts damage while filling the stagger gauge. Max out the gauge to stagger enemies and create a significant opportunity for yourself.

  1. Drinking Blood

    You can suck the blood of staggered enemies, inflicting large damage while also recovering your own HP. Weaker-willed foes will be spellbound when their blood is drunk; once spellbound, they follow and obey their newfound master.

  2. Howling

    All Bloodsworn are able to howl, producing a gust of wind. Performing a howl in time with an enemy's attack will interrupt that attack and greatly increase their stagger gauge. Howling can also be used to deflect some ranged attacks.

  1. Guard

  3. Bloodsworn are able to generate a shield to block frontward attacks.

    Receiving repeated attacks will break the shield, creating a large opening. Broken shields are repaired over time.

    Guard Counters

    You perform a guard counter with [R] immediately after guarding against an enemy attack. This will make you more resistant to interruptions from enemy attacks.

  1. Refilling Goldblood Stakes

    Goldblood Stakes recover Bloodsworn HP. To replenish Goldblood Stakes, defeat enemies or find obtainable effects around the map.

  2. Target Lock Switching

    Change several settings related to target locking. With Target Lock Switching, you can set whether to prioritize enemies that have initiated attacks when switching targets. Setting this to ON enables this setting.

    • Note: This is set to OFF by default.

Looking at the Info Screen

  1. Info Screen

  3. During Dusk Battles, you can open the info screen by pressing [+]. This allows you to review information such as your position on the map, the tracks of other Bloodsworn, and helpful information for exploration like regional features.

  1. Regional Features

  3. Several regional features appear in each of the regions of the Lands of Dusk.

    These features change each phase, and you can check the icon next to the area name to see them.

    • Obtain Flame Virtue: Corpses sitting in chairs appear.

    • Bloodsworn Skill Enhancement: Bloodsacs appear.

    • Kin Enhancement: Small kin summoning circles appear.

    • Weapon Enhancement: Alchemy Forges appear.

  1. Instant Travel

    By selecting [warp] on the map, you can travel to that location. This greatly expands your search range. However, it cannot be used during the following times.

    • At the start of the phase.

    • For a period after you instant travel or revive.

    • While engaged in battle.

  2. Trespasser Locations

    Trespassers are shown as [invader] on the map. There are also even stronger trespassers [fmd_invader].

  1. Changing Settings in Game Options

  2. Left Stick Control on Info Screen

    Set whether [Lスティック] will control the character or the map cursor when using the info screen.
    If this is set to control the character, you can move the character while the info screen is open.

    • Note: It is set to control the map cursor by default.

  3. Auto-Close Info Screen upon Damage

    Set whether the info screen automatically closes when you are attacked.
    Setting this to ON enables this setting.

    • Note: This is set to OFF by default.

Special Controls

  1. Emote

  3. You can hold down [+] to open the Emote menu and perform various emotes. Some emotes are important for fulfilling the goals for certain Sigils.

  1. Function Menu

    Holding down [Y] opens the Function menu.

  1. Petitioning for Alliance

    You can petition locked-on Bloodsworn for an alliance. You can also petition Bloodsworn you've encountered in battle for an alliance from the info screen.

  2. Placing Pins

    You can place pins on the screen and use them as markers for exploration. You can also place pins anywhere on the info screen map.

  1. Observer View

    If you lock on to other Bloodsworn in observer view, you can view info about them.

  2. Summoning Kin

    Summon and dismiss kin. When kin die, they are automatically dismissed from battle and cannot be summoned back for a period of time. While dismissed or not in combat, a kin's HP will be gradually restored. You cannot dismiss kin while they are being attacked.

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