How to fight against each hero in For Honor?
Last update: 09 March 2017
For Honor introduces 12 different heroes, each characterized by his distinctive playstyle and purpose - some are better at simple combat, while others are great at intercepting and harassing their opponents. However, there are certain combinations and abilities that should be avoided in order to emerge victorious from most encounters. For more details, access the individual sections.
Warden
Warden is a class that is often chosen by newbies, and rightly so - even the character selection screen describes the class as "straight-forward". As a result, we often encounter Wardens that just engage the enemy and hack away. Nevertheless, battling an experienced Warden is a real chore, as the class has powerful interruption abilities. First, avoid any overhand attacks - Warden has an ability that enables her to parry every attack of this type, and return with a powerful counterattack that will deprive you of a large portion of your health.
Secondly, this hero can follow Guardbreaks with light attacks, effectively mixing interceptions with damage dealing. There are two ways to counter this move - either return with your own attack by performing your Guardbreak moments after the enemy hits you, or simply make a side dash and avoid Warden's combo completely.
Conqueror
When fighting against a Conqueror, remember to perform single hits rather than press your luck with hit chains - his class ability, Superior Block, enables Conqueror to automatically block your heavy attacks (the game will read those as parries) and interrupt your current combination. To be specific - the attack will be parried after the initial fragment (1/3) of the animation, throwing you off balance, while his attacks will land. In short, your attack will be blocked, while Conqueror's will have a sure chance of hit, as you won't be able to do anything about it.
Moreover, Conqueror, in a manner similar to Warden, can follow his Guardbreaks with strong attacks. Such hit can be followed by a Shield Bash - your enemy will throw you off balance, and use the opportunity to perform another strong attack. To avoid this repeatable chain, simply perform a Side Dash and hit your opponent in the back.
Peacekeeper
One of the most controversial heroes, mainly thanks to the Bleed effect. Certain abilities from the Peacekeeper's moveset (Stab, Deep Gouge, Riposting Stab) deal rather slight damage, but enable her to place a Bleed effect that deals another (greater) portion of damage that is dealt over time. Other than that, her Guardbreak also contains a nasty surprise - once used, Peacekeeper can follow with three rapid stabs, with the final one placing the aforementioned Bleed.
If you want to emerge victorious from this encounter, maintain pressure - you cannot let your enemy return with a Guardbreak or use an ability that ends with the Bleed effect. Peacekeeper doesn't have much health points - a few good hits will be enough to defeat her. Stick to light attacks, as strong attacks are too slow to be effective against this hero.
Raider
Wielding a great axe, Raider is a hero characteristic for his sluggish strong hits, which at the same time are the most powerful from the ones found in game. Take extra care to recognize and avoid them - some of his combinations are powerful enough to kill weaker heroes on the spot. You'll be seeing a lot of them on the battlefield - get used to shoves and offensive-oriented approach.
There are three moves that require extra attention. First move is the shove that is a part of either the Stampede Charge, or the Raider's Guardbreak. The move enables Raider to catch an enemy, shove him through the battlefield, and throw him off balance (this gives him an opportunity to deal one "safe" hit). If the shove ended on an obstacle, the victim will be stunned, severely limiting his ability to see the incoming attacks.
Secondly, beware of Stunning Tap. Aside from minor damage, this attack ends with a Stun - for a few seconds, your vision and hearing will be obscured, severely handicapping your ability to defend yourself or engage your opponent. In such case, simply disengage your enemy and wait for the effect to pass - the removed direction markers make blocking or parrying much tougher.
Finally, there is the Ranger's Zone Attack, which is unblockable. To counter this move, wait for the moment your opponent turns orange (and a small icon appears) and either lead with a light attack to interrupt the casting, or simply Dash outside of its range.
Warlord
A Viking hero that is similar in essence to Conqueror, although he lacks his range. Warlords are also characteristic for their shove (Crashing Charge), similar to the one used by Raider - a Warlord can push his opponent using his shield, ending the shove at an obstacle (which stuns the target) or throwing his enemy into an abyss. Moreover, his Headsplitter Leap ability packs quite a punch, but is rather easy to parry, as the attack is always dealt from overhand.
However, the biggest challenge is dealing with his unblockable strong attacks. Once through the initial animation, Warlord will shine with a characteristic white glow - this means that his attack cannot be mitigated (the attack has a 100% chance of success). You can return with your own attack, but as a result of his high durability, Warlord will probably be the one who had dealt more damage. As a result, pay attention to his movements and parry if necessary.
Basically, proceed as you would be facing a Conqueror - focus on dodging (e.g. by performing Side Dashes) and return with single light attacks.
Berserker
A hero with only one task - harassing his opponents. Berserker can engage in unending chains of attacks created by mixing light and strong attacks. Moreover, every hit that follows the first four strikes is uninterruptible and costs less stamina. You can either dodge or parry the attack - blocking will lower the damage dealt, but you'll still be hit. Other than that, watch out for his dodges which can be used to return with an instant hit. Such move doesn't deal much damage, but enables Berserker to begin a new combination and continue his attack.
Most of all, worry about the strong attacks. Berserker can deal a strong attack "straight off" either at the beginning, or at the end of a combination. Such hit is very slow and easy to counter, but deals ENORMOUS damage if struck (in most cases taking over a half of your health bar). Moreover, there is a catch - Berserker can feint in the middle of the attack, and use the opportunity to begin another chain combination.
Remember that Berserker has to be really close, practically at arm's length to be able to hit an opponent. Use it to your advantage - maintain safe distance and use attacks that work on longer ranges.
Kensei
A Kensei controlled by an experienced player is a tough nut to crack. Good range, powerful attacks, while the amount of his health points enables him to absorb some amount of punishment before giving up. Moreover, he has access to useful moves (Grasping Pounce and Swift Strike) that widen his range of offensive and defensive movements.
The biggest challenge here are the sure-fire chain finishers that are performed third in the combination. A strong overhand finisher is unblockable, while side finishers (left or right) are uninterruptible (the attack has 100% chance of success, even if the enemy hits you first). Both begin with a short flash, either orange (in case of unblockable attack) or white (in case of uninterruptible one). Additionally, the unblockable strong overhand can be Feinted and exchanged for the strong side attack. Moreover, both these attacks can be used instantly after a Guardbreak.
Kensei's biggest weakness is his low speed, as well as predictable playstyle that focuses on three-hit combinations and unique strong hits that end them. Focus on harassing him through light attacks, avoid the overhand and parry the side one, and don't let him take the initiative.
Orochi
An irritating sight, mainly thanks to his immense movement speed which enables him to appear out of nowhere and harass their opponents. Orochi has to be very close to be able to damage his target, but certain moves (Lighting Strike) enable him to quickly close the distance to his enemy, or simply escape from an unfavorable situation. To emerge victorious from such encounter, stay calm - Orochi can Deflect your attacks and return with a powerful hit. To minimize his chances of a counter, keep to the single hits and avoid lashing out.
A good approach is to use Guardbreak once Orochi closes the distance. When it comes to defense, their normal attacks aren't that deadly, but are very fast - a good skill in blocking or parrying will surely prove to be useful. Also, remember that Orochi has the lowest amount of health points from all available classes - a few good hits will be enough to eliminate him.
Nobushi
A tough one - best range in game, and the ability to place Bleed with almost half of his attacks. Moreover, Way of the Shark - a passive ability that adds additional damage to each attack dealt to a person affected by his Bleed. If you got affected by his Bleed, keep blocking his attacks or stay behind until the effect goes away - without it, Nobushi's attacks are not that powerful. Your opponent can also throw a Kick after each attack - this will push away your hero and enable Nobushi to throw a light hit that will place the Bleed effect. This attack is rather easy to predict - avoid it by side dashing. Aside from that, Nobushi is more of a harasser - his strong hits are very slow and downright trivial to block or parry.
His greatest weakness is his large stamina consumption - If Nobushi is currently engaging you, focus on blocking and wait for the right moment. His stamina should run out - when that happens, use your Guardbreak to knock him down and throw a few free hits.
Nobushi is very effective at middle distance, but has problems fighting "face-to-face", especially against certain classes. Try to close the distance and stay as close as you can. Nobushi doesn't have a lot of health points, so a few stronger hits will be enough to eliminate him.