Close Combat Upgrades | Challenges Batman: AO Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
This category lists a few tens of various skills, whose common characteristic is that they are useful for succeeding in melee combat with the enemy. These include, first of all, the new functions for the Batman's gadgets (e.g. the ability to counter the riot shield attacks by using the shock gloves), passive bonuses (e.g. better armor) or unique special combinations that can be activated after you achieve the sufficiently high multiplier
Unlike in the previous category, skills here need to be unlocked with the skill points so, I recommend that you acquaint yourself with the hints below, which inform you of the most useful upgrades. At the same time, note that the whole is constructed with adherence to the skill tree outlay so, if you want to unlock the best upgrades, you need to purchase the previous ones first.
It is a good idea to start investing in the successive levels of the Combat Armor and Ballistic Armor skills early in the game. It is especially advisable if you have selected a higher difficulty level, because it is easier to die if you wear only the standard Batman armor.
As you progress, later into the campaign mode, you will notice that the difficulty level of some of the direct battles is higher. That is when I recommend that you invest into unlocking the Double special combo move and Critical Counter. Especially the former is useful, where you can easily disarm an enemy with a knife. What is even more, while avoiding the consecutive swings, you will not cause the multiplier to be reset.
Soon after you gain access to the shock gloves, try to purchase the upgrades connected with this gadget, especially the Shock Gloves - accumulator efficiency and Shock Gloves - Increased Charge. The gloves are definitely the best element of Batman's equipment to win combat (they deal increased damage and allow for easier attacks on some of the elite enemies and also boost up the multiplier) and, as a result, it is worth using them as often as possible.
Towards the end of the game, focus on the remaining skills, i.e. the ones connected with additional special combinations, and the smoke pellets upgrades.