Rise of the Ronin: Combat Styles Guide
Combat Styles are features in Rise of the Ronin that alter how players fight with different weapons.
These styles adjust the offensive and defensive maneuvers available. Specific Combat Styles work better against certain enemy weapons. This article breaks down all of the combat styles in Rise of the Ronin.
How Combat Styles Function
Combat Styles operate similarly to stances found in games like Nioh and Ghost of Tsushima. Each style has strengths and weaknesses versus particular weapons. Players can swap between unlocked styles mid-battle to gain an edge.
Weapons have multiple Combat Styles available. Choose the most suitable style based on the current enemy’s weapon for an advantage.
Swapping Combat Styles
Players can equip up to three Combat Styles per primary weapon. Swap between them during combat by:
- Pressing R1 button
- Moving the right thumbstick toward the desired style
Changing styles mid-combo using the Violent Gale skill unlocked later in the story is possible. This technique performs the style swap when an attack lands on an enemy.
Counterspark Compatibility
A Combat Style’s Counterspark Compatibility shows its chance of successfully countering a foe’s weapon type. Three common types exist:
Jin
- Advantages against lightweight weapons like Sabres.
- Disadvantaged versus heavy ones like Odachi.
Chi
- Advantages against heavyweight weapons like Odachi.
- Disadvantaged versus middleweight ones like Katanas.
Ten
- Advantages against middleweight weapons like Katanas.
- Disadvantaged versus lightweight ones like Sabres.
Two other special categories also exist. The None type has no advantages or disadvantages. Shinobi styles are always disadvantaged regardless of enemy weapon.
Note: A visual icon displayed on an enemy’s health bar indicates the current Counterspark Compatibility situation with that foe.
Unlocking New Combat Styles
Additional Combat Styles in Rise of the Ronin become available through:
- Story progression
- Completing side missions
- Building character bonds
- Defeating bosses and fugitives
Upgrading Combat Styles
Each Combat Style has its unique upgrade requirements, like raising a bond level or advancing the main story.
Players can check the details page for each combat style to view its specific upgrade needs.
Combat Styles According to Primary Weapons
Here are all the currently known Combat Styles in Rise of the Ronin and their associated primary weapon:
Unarmed
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | None |
Katana
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Jin |
| Hokushin Itto-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Chi |
| Tatsumi-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Chi |
| Shinto Munen-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Ten |
| Yagyu Shinkage-ryu | Strength +19, Intellect +19 | 38 | Chi |
| Hayabusa-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Shinobi |
| Gikei-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Shinobi |
| Aisu Kage-ryu | Strength +19, Intellect +19 | 38 | Ten |
Paired Swords
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Jin |
| Niten Ichi-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Ten |
| Kyoshin Meichi-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Chi |
Spear
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Jin |
| Taneda-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Ten |
Odachi
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Jin |
| Nodachi Jigen-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Chi |
| Jigen-ryu | Strength +19, Intellect +19 | 38 | Ten |
| Shinto Munen-ryu | Strength +19, Dexterity +19 | 38 | Ten |
Sabre
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Strength +19, Intellect +19 | 38 | Jin |
| US Training | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Ten |
| British Training | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Chi |
Polearm
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Jin |
| Shinto Munen-ryu | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Ten |
| Hokushin Itto-ryu | Charisma +17, Dexterity +19 | 36 | Chi |
| Hayabusa-ryu | Charisma +17, Dexterity +19 | 36 | Shinobi |
Bayonet
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Dexterity +19, Intellect +19 | 38 | Jin |
| Kiheitai Style | Charisma +17, Dexterity +19 | 36 | Ten |
| French Training | Charisma +17, Dexterity +19 | 36 | Chi |
Greatsword
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Jin |
| Hoshin-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Chi |
| Tennen Rishin-ryu | Strength +19, Charisma +17 | 36 | Ten |
Oxtail Blade
| Combat Style | Bonus Stats | Total Bonus | Style Type |
| Mumyo-ryu | Charisma +17, Dexterity +19 | 36 | Jin |
| Qing Style | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Chi |
| Kiheitai Style | Charisma +17, Intellect +19 | 36 | Ten |
More weapons and their associated Combat Styles are expected to be discovered as players progress through Rise of the Ronin.
The Combat Styles system in Rise of the Ronin adds depth and customization to the gameplay experience. Multiple fighting disciplines allow players to experiment and discover which styles work best for their preferences and approach to any given combat scenario.
FAQs
- What are Combat Styles in Rise of the Ronin?
- Combat Styles adjust a player’s offensive and defensive capabilities when using different weapon types in Rise of the Ronin.
- How many styles can be equipped?
- Up to three Combat Styles can be equipped per primary weapon.
- How do I swap between equipped styles?
- Press R1 and move the right thumbstick towards the desired style icon during combat.
- What is Counterspark Compatibility?
- This indicates if a style has an advantage, disadvantage, or no effect when attempting to counter an enemy’s weapon type.
