On foot | Combat Mad Max Guide

Enemies usually have advantage in numbers.

Combat is an inseparable part of Mad Max. In almost every place of the game world you will meet at least few enemies. Despite the fact that you have weapons, the battle is usually fought with fists, mostly because of the limited amount of ammunition. Max possesses few abilities which you will develop as you progress in the game. The types of enemies are varied as well. However, their attacks are predictable, which makes them easy to learn. Predicting next attacks, successful blocks, dodges and counterattacks are the key to winning each combat with large numbers of enemies.

Don't let enemies surround you.

Almost always Max must face large numbers of enemies. Most of all, all attacks are signalized with an icon informing you whether they can be blocked (yellow icon) or if you must perform a dodge (red icon). Despite the fact that hits are varied, those two rules are important during the whole game. It is worth to learn enemy attacks:

- standard hit - enemy attacks without any weapon, the attack can be easily blocked,

- hit with a weapon - enemy attacks you with a melee weapon. The hit can be blocked after buying an upgrade in Max's menu,

- knife attack - signalized with a red icon. It cannot be blocked, you must perform a dodge,

- charge -enemy with a shield and bosses will usually charge at Max. A successful dodge will allow you to deal some hits at enemy backs.

- Thunderstick throw - special enemy type is able to throw Thundersticks. Those enemies are usually keeping distance from you and throwing explosives. The place where the charge will fall is marked with a red aura, giving you one second to run away.

- back throw - this attack cannot be blocked, it's an ability of few enemies. They catch Max from the back. You must quickly press the interaction button in order to free yourself. There's an ability that allows you to perform execution immediately after being captured by an enemy.

Attack which you can block is marked with a specific icon.

During the battle you should carefully observe enemy behavior. Each attack performed by them is signalized shortly before, giving you time to perform a dodge or, if it is possible, block the hit and perform a counterattack. Fighting group of enemies should be based on counterattacks and dodges. When there aren't many enemies nearby, you can allow yourself to perform a longer combo. However, if you are surrounded, that would end with receiving a hit at your back. Because of that, focus on proper counterattacks since the beginning of the game - it's the most efficient way which, despite the defensive approach, allows you to quickly weaken enemies and then eliminate them.

Using weapon can make a battle much shorter and easier.

Depending on blocks is not the only effective tactic. In many places you will be able to pick up a melee weapon, usually dropped by a defeated enemy. Whenever it is possible, make use of such gifts. Each weapon you pick has limited durability, usually after up to a dozen of hits (depending on ability level) you will be forced to get rid of the tool. Despite that, a melee weapon gives you great advantage, allowing you to hit more than one enemy simultaneously. It also deals much more damage than a regular attack. Max also possesses knives (used for executions) and shotgun which you can use to quickly eliminate even few enemies at once. In some places you will also find stands with Thundersticks - you can use them to throw at enemies or place them inside them (a standard attack which results in an enemy exploding after a while). During the battle you should remember about those possibilities and utilize them in one hundred percent.

In fury mode Max's attacks deal more damage and it is easier to stun enemy.

Each successfully landed hit (and each hit received) increases the fury bar. Once it reaches maximum, Max goes into mode in which he deals much larger damage. Regular hits become stronger and a full combo ends with an impressive throw of the enemy. In this mode the battle itself doesn't change too much, you should still depend on blocking enemy attacks. However, it would be a shame not to use the powerful attacks. So, whenever you are not threatened by a back hit, perform powerful combos. Fury lasts for a specific amount of time, it can be increased by buying ability at Griffa.

You won't block boss' attacks, you must perform a dodge.

Sometimes you will be forced to fight a special, stronger enemy type. This includes shield bearers and hounds which are mini bosses met in camps. In most cases, you can't block their attacks, which means you must depend mostly on dodges. In case of a 1 vs 1 duel it's not a big problem. However, when enemies are found in larger groups, then you should always focus on eliminating the weaker opponents first, while observing the movements of the shield bearer or the boss. Later in the game you will unlock the ability to destroy enemy shields. As for the bosses, battles with them are similar during the whole game - blocking and back attacking, usually with the use of melee weapons and flames found on the arena (if you position yourself properly, the boss will fall directly into the flame after a charge).

You should always eliminate the War Crier in first order.

When you are conquering enemy camps, you will frequently meet a special enemy type called War Crier. This enemy doesn't fight you directly. Instead, he is hanging above the battlefield and he supports his allies. Entering the arena with a War Crier is immediately signalized with a loading bar. Once the bar reaches its end, enemies will receive a special boost, lasting until you kill the War Crier. The easiest way to eliminate him is shooting him down. If you don't have bullets, you must find a valve located someplace nearby - turning it will drop War Crier to the ground.

If you heal during battle, watch out for enemies running at you.

Max's health doesn't regenerate during battle, so try to use the canteen and try to find food before attacking enemies. It is hard, but you can use the canteen during the battle as well. Do it only if the health bar is close to minimum, as at that point you become an easy target for your enemies. Also, don't forget about running as far from an enemy group as possible, this should give you few seconds for drinking the water and improving your health.

Skills useful in combat

You will unlock new abilities as you progress in the game. Remember about gradually upgrading other parts of Max's equipment (Jacket, Knuckleduster, Shoulder protection) as well. This will increase the hits resistance and damage dealt by Max.

Combat-related skills:

Chain finisher - after performing few attacks, it is possible to deal a stronger hit. Max does it automatically.

Weapon parry - allows you to block attacks of armed enemies.

Shoulder charge - you can gain speed and hit an enemy with your shoulder. It often stuns him, and while in fury, also makes him lose his weapon.

Gut shot - allows you to shoot enemy below his stomach. To do it, you must be close to enemy and perform a "quick shot" without aiming.

Limb breaking counter - after performing a perfect block, Max deals a powerful hit that stuns the enemy.

Fury ground execution - it becomes possible to eliminate the knocked over enemies while in fury mode. Thanks to that, Max is able to kill each stunned opponent with a single move. This ability is active for a short period of time; if you let enemy regain his senses, the execution won't be possible anymore.

Wall finisher - after a combo, you can finish up weaker opponents with a powerful wall hit. More resistant enemies will be stunned after that.

Reversal - after performing a perfect block, Max is taking enemy's weapon.

Weapon Melee Execution - if you have a weapon in your hands, you can use it to perform an execution.

Wall Shiv Execution - an enemy stunned by the wall can be quickly finished with a knife.

Shiv Grapple Escape - a very useful skill. If you have knives, you can immediately release yourself from an enemy grab. An escape will end with the immediate kill of the opponent.

Shield Shatter - this skill can be used after hitting enemy shield. In that case, Max will hit again few times at enemy cover. In fury mode this should be enough to destroy the cover, otherwise you might need to repeat it.

Master Melee Reversal - it allows you to take enemy weapon even after performing a regular block. You must quickly press the action button, otherwise enemy will push Max back.

Master Shiv Reversal - enemies with knife can be disarmed and immediately killed by Max. Similarly to the ability above, you must perform the execution quickly. When performing this move, you will obtain the enemy's knife (your ammunition will increase).

Shiv Chain Finisher - after a successful combo, you can perform execution immediately, as long as Max has a knife.