Combat is a crucial part of Terrain of Magical Expertise. You will battle a variety of monsters and other players throughout the game. But the game is somewhat slow in explaining all the mechanics of combat to you.
Terrain of Magical Expertise is an RPG that utilizes turn-based combat with quick-time-event inputs. In combat, you have your strike, items, strategy, and magic. Each option has its input.
Strike is a basic attack. This is done with the D key on mouse and keyboard, B button on Xbox controller, and Circle button on PlayStation controller. Select an enemy to attack and if you time your button presses correctly, your character will initiate a combo. Brawlers are capable of a six-hit combo if you time your presses correctly. Using a basic attack restores some mana for your party.
Items can be used with the W key on mouse and keyboard, Y button on Xbox controller, and Triangle button on PlayStation controller. Use the directional input to select which item in your inventory to use and press the item input again. Select the party member you wish to use the item on and press the item input again.
The strategy menu can be opened with the S key on mouse and keyboard, A button on Xbox controller, and X button on PlayStation controller. Select which option you want to use, the White Hat Hacker has an additional hack option that other characters do not have, and press the strategy input again.
Magic can be used by pressing the A key on mouse and keyboard, X button on Xbox controller, and Square button on PlayStation controller. Using magic requires mana and the party shares one mana bar. You can recharge mana with basic attacks. Each magic ability has its own input and this is detailed in the magic spell's description when selecting the attack. Magic spells also have elements that can deal additional damage to foes weak to that element. Some magic attacks can cause status effects.
When an enemy attacks you, you can press the strategy input to defend and reduce the inflicted damage. You have to time this correctly or else your character won't defend. You can also select Defend in the strategy menu to have your character defend without having to press any buttons. Some enemy attacks cannot be defended.
Later in the game, you can unlock team attacks. These are attacks that require two characters to give up their turns. Because of this, team attacks are quite powerful. Each character also has an element. This dictates what resistance they have and typically what kind of attacks they have. Enemies also have elements.
Winning battles in Terrain of Magical Expertise requires a combination of matching elemental strengths and weaknesses as well as precise timing. Using a weak element or mistiming an attack can leave you open to a lot of pain.
For more information on Terrain of Magical Expertise, check out Should I Buy Terrain of Magical Expertise – Terrain of Magical Expertise Review and Is there experience points in Terrain of Magical Expertise on Pro Game Guides.
Justin has been diving into fantasy worlds since he can remember. He is a certified nerd who has a deep love of reading, writing, and hiking. He has been writing since his college days, but specifically in gaming for two years. His favorite games are The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Banjo Kazooie.