Tales of Iron may look charming with its rodent-sized characters and beautiful hand-drawn world, but don’t be fooled — underneath that exterior lies a combat system that demands timing, patience, and an understanding of the game’s mechanics. If you’re just getting started or finding yourself stuck, this guide is here to smooth out the experience and give you a foundation to become the rat king you’re meant to be.

Save Points and Map Markers

First things first: use your map. Tales of Iron doesn’t hold your hand, but it gives you all the tools you need. Save points, item refill stations (for life, arrows, or poison), and fast travel nodes are clearly marked. These benches and lanterns are critical before boss fights, so always save when you’re nearby. Fast travel boards look similar to the side quest boards — use them often to reduce backtracking.

Understanding Gear and Loadouts

Unlike traditional RPGs, Tales of Iron does not include experience points or leveling. Instead, your power is defined by the gear you equip. There are three main weapon categories: one-handed, two-handed, and ranged. Within melee, you can choose between swords, axes, and spears. Each type has its own weight, animation, and strategy.

• Spears are excellent for beginners due to their long reach and speed. They’re especially useful when paired with a shield.
• Axes offer higher damage but come with slower windups, leaving you open during animation gaps.
• Swords serve as a balance between the two but become more viable in two-handed form for breaking enemy blocks.

Two-handed weapons add a charge effect, making them ideal for bypassing shields and dealing burst damage. Whether it’s a hammer, sword, or a thrusting spear, mastering the range and timing of these is key to defeating tougher enemies.

Weapon Rarity and Weight Management

Weapons come in rarity tiers:

• Gray (Common)
• Light Blue (Rare)
• Purple (Epic)
• Yellow (Legendary)

Pay close attention to weapon weight. The total weight of your gear directly affects your movement speed and roll animation. A lighter loadout means faster dodging and less time stuck in recovery. This becomes crucial in combat, especially when avoiding red-telegraphed attacks that can’t be blocked.

Ranged Weapons and Utility Items

Your ranged arsenal includes bows, crossbows, and — later in the game — firearms unlocked through interactions with the mole faction. Ammo is generous; you can recover it from corpses or refill at marked stations. Don’t hoard it. Flying enemies (mozzies) and bosses become much more manageable with ranged support.

Poison containers are unlocked through ranger interactions and offer even more tactical options, especially against larger enemies. Use everything the game gives you. It’s designed to let you succeed if you experiment and adapt.

Armor, Resistance, and Weight Strategy

Your armor does more than just provide defense. It grants resistance to specific enemy types:

• Mozzies (flying insects)
• Grubs
• Frogs
• Moles

Switching armor to match your current foe is far more important than just picking the highest defense number. Each enemy faction behaves differently, and tailoring your resistances can mean the difference between victory and repeated deaths.

You can go two ways with armor:

• Lightweight: High dodge speed, low protection. Great for avoiding red attacks.
• Heavyweight: High defense, slow movement. Viable if you’re confident in blocking and trading hits.

All equipment stacks its weight. Shields, weapons, armor, even your helmet — it all adds up. So when switching to heavy armor, expect to feel the sluggishness immediately. Your dodge will still work, but the startup and travel distance are significantly hindered.

Boss Fights and Combat Cues

Combat in Tales of Iron is fair but unforgiving. Enemies telegraph their moves with color-coded cues:

• Red: Undodgeable attacks — you must move.
• White: Indicates incoming projectiles — block with a shield or two-hander.
• Environmental clues: Look for leaves, lights, or sound effects signaling danger zones.

Bosses often have two phases. After their armor breaks, they become faster and hit harder. Adapt your gear and approach accordingly. For instance, use spear and frog-resistant armor when fighting frog bosses. These combinations will often make the battle significantly easier, especially when you’re learning their patterns.

Some bosses even drop subtle indicators of where they will land or strike next — leaves falling before a slam or dirt rising before a lunge. Always stay alert.

Final Thoughts

Tales of Iron is all about observation and adaptability. There’s no single best build — your gear choices should shift depending on your enemy and surroundings. Switch armor to match resistances, choose weapons based on your comfort with their speed and animation, and don’t neglect your ranged tools. Once you internalize how to read enemies and manage your weight, you’ll find the game rewarding, even elegant in its brutality.

Good luck out there, and remember — save before the boss fight. Mr. G out.