Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a souls-lite, taking place in a world called Kian, where you have to defeat brutal enemies and be the hope for humanity. In this game, you have to master typical souls-like game mechanics, such as dodging and parrying, as well as adapt new types of attacks with sidearms.
1. Dodging and Parrying
Your Shift key allows you to sidestep and dodge when you press it twice. On the other hand, you can parry your opponent’s attacks by pressing ‘Q’ just as the attack is about to land.
You have to remember that not every attack can be parried – attacks with a flashing red icon called Break attacks can only be dodged.
2. Use Parry to Remove Shields
Armored enemies are one of the most annoying mobs to fight against, and you will need to remove their shield and keep them exposed to your attacks to defeat them.
You can remove enemy shields by using both your axe and pistol parry, which will stun and expose them to your critical attack. After this attack, their shield will be removed.
3. Use Enki’s Abilities
There are two types of Enki’s abilities you can use to make your attacks stronger: Curse and Prime.
You can press ‘E’ on an opponent to inflict Enki’s Curse, which causes a debuff depending on what Magic tree skill you have equipped. You will then notice a purple meter above the cursed opponent’s head, which is the Priming Gauge. When the Priming Gauge is full, your next attack will automatically be a critical hit.
4. Get More Healing Flasks by Liberating Hamlets
You should work on liberating Hamlets as they get you access to the Coffee Shop. There, you can get an extra Healing Flask by interacting with the limby barista.
5. Focus on Skill Trees
Powder, Magic and Steel – these are the three types of skill trees available in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. You need Reputation to learn the perks, and you have to be mindful of where you spend them because unlearning a perk will only refund a small portion of what you spent.
More Enki charges and Black Powder are always good perks to unlock, as they will let you use your sidearms and Enki’s magic more.
6. Leveling Up Enki
Enki is your powerful companion that can improve your combat skills. However, in the beginning, Enki only has a few curses, and they take a long time to replenish.
You can level up Enki by recovering Enki Feathers. The first one can be found just north of Gavel Gate in Three Peaks.
7. Conserve Reputation at First
Be mindful of using Reputation at first, as perks get more expensive to unlock as time goes on. Similar to souls-like games, you will lose your Reputation when your character dies. However, you can recover your Reputation by visiting the place where you last died and interacting with the skull. But if you die before recovering, you will permanently lose the points.
8. Get Side Quests and Sapper Quests
Don’t forget to indulge in the side quests of the game while trying to finish the main story. Side quests are available in the Coffee Shop, where you have to interact with the owner and select “Rumors.”
Sapper quests are also available via the crew of the group that settles around your camp. Each member of the group will have their own quest that you can do.
These are some important beginner-level tips you should follow in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. The game releases on PS5, Xbox Series S/X and PC on July 18, 2024.
