Shiro Games’Wartalesis an open-world medieval RPG with turn-based combat similar to theXCOMseries. With a variety of classes and specializations to choose from, players can equipeach member of their partywith a unique set of Skills to use during combat. From powerful Area-Of-Effect abilities to dynamic buffs for the entire team, there are plenty of skills available and just as many reasons to unlock them all.

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New Skills can be acquired by players as they level up and will be granted when players choose a Specialization for a character. Often, they will cost Valor Points to use in combat, though this is not always the case. These are the most combat-effective Skills players can unlock and deploy on the battlefield.

8Spear Wall

For any characters in the Spearman class, more specifically those of the Pikeman Specialization, the Spear Wall skill can be unlocked at Level 3, granting a powerful defensive Area-Of-Effect ability that is sure to benefit the entire party. Once activated, any enemies passing through this 3-meter cone will be impaled by the Spearman’s Attack Of Opportunity and halt them in their tracks.

Since this ability can be unlocked early, it can be made use of even by relatively low-level characters. Although not a glaring priority,having a Spearman in the teamwith this ability can greatly benefit allies who are under threat of attacks in the next round, or as a way of capitalizing on chokepoints in a given battlefield.

Wartales Liberator

7Recoil Shot

This tactical ability is available to Archers of the Hunter Specialization and enables them to fire a shot that will knock enemies back by 2 meters. While this may not sound too impressive at first, it can be extremely effective when used correctly and combined with Area-Of-Effect attacks from either the Archer or other members of the party.

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The mobility of the Archer will also help since they can fire off the Recoil Shot to position enemies in the ways that they might need before sprinting away in order to complete their turn. Coupled with Mud or Fire arrows, the Archer can weaken enemies of huge portions of health before they are anywhere near in range to make an attack of their own. It can also be used to knock enemies into traps or threats in the surrounding environment.

6Laceration

Laceration is one of the most powerful Area-Of-Effect attacks available to players inWartales. Unique to Swordsman of the Swordmaster Specialization, this powerful attack will swing two fast slashes across a wide area, delivering double damage to any units caught in its way. No charge is required, so players can deliver the attack instantaneously at the cost of 2 Valor Points,rather than having to wait until the following round.

This attack can be especially useful for finishing off groups of enemies toward the end of a round, once the rest of the party has unleashed a lot of damage. Equally, it can be used early on to weaken enemies for other characters to finish off.

Wartales Recoil Shot

5Galvanize Troops

Valor Points are an important resource inWartalessince they allow players toexecute special attackslike many of those listed here. Running out of these can mean the difference between victory or defeat since many actions such as healing and Area-Of-Effect abilities will cost Valor Points to use.

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Galvanize Troops is an incredibly useful ability which allows players to gain 1 Valor Point for every ally within a 5 meter radius. This can be a game-changer as it allows players to use many powerful abilities and simply placing a unit in the thick of the action and activating Galvanize Troops can grant a tonne of extra Valor Points.

4Defensive Riposte

Not every skill inWartalesis necessarily an attacking move. Many skills and abilities also provide defensive buffs, but in this case, Defensive Riposte actually offers a counter-attacking ability, which can easily see those who wield it cutting through enemies with ease, and always retaliating whenever they are attacked.

Defensive Riposte will cause the character who has it to strike back at full powerwith their primary weaponwhenever they are attacked by an enemy within range. In evenly-matched engagements this can make all the difference, and for Tank-style units, they can easily turn the tide of an entire battle.

Wartales laceration

3Right Between The Eyes

Another powerful skill for characters in the Ranger class who have the Assassin Specialization is the Right Between The Eyes ability. At the cost of 1 Valor Point, this attack will deal 60-80% Dexterity damage as well as apply Bleeding to any target within a 6-meter radius. The Bleed damage will sap away 20% of the opponent’s health at the end of each turn, meaning it only needs to be used a handful of times to see offeven the greatest foes.

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If Bleeding damage is already applied to the target, it will be doubled, making this one of the most powerful and effective skills for the Ranger class to possess. The skill can also be upgraded to increase Critical Hit damage by 30%.

2Cutting Maelstrom

One of the best Area-Of-Effect skills in the entirety ofWartalesis Cutting Maelstrom. Equipped by Warriors of the Executioner Specialization, this attack will deal 40% Strength Damage for every target within the striking radius. Once upgraded, this can also be reactivated for every Fatal Blow this character strikes during a battle.

In combination with other abilities like Taunt and Challenging Shout, this unit can soak up plenty of pressure before unleashing the deadly Maelstrom. At later levels, this can become so powerful that it is capable of taking out up to five enemies at a time!

Wartales Galvanize Troops

1Smoke Screen

Rangers can be one of the most useful tactical classes to utilize inWartalesand the Smoke Screen ability has the chance to completely alter the course of any given battle. Once thrown, thissmoke bomb will detonateanywhere within a 9-meter Radius and emit 3 meters worth of smoke all around it. Any allies engaged in combat within this Smoke Screen will disengage and be granted a free Attack of Opportunity on their opponents.

This skill can be particularly useful for units low on health or large clusters of engagements happening at the center of the battlefield. Equally, this can be a godsend for saving Archers since their combat effectiveness will be severely hampered when they are engaged.

Wartales Riposte

Wartales Devotion

Early Access Games - Wartales - Player attacking enemies in turn-based combat system

Wartales Smoke Screen