Enshrouded elevates survival game combat by integrating action RPG mechanics, making each combat style unique and rewarding. Whether you favor melee, ranged, or magic, this guide will help you optimize your build, choose the right gear, and master combat techniques for overcoming any challenge.

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1. Melee Combat: Up Close & Personal

Melee is the most direct and aggressive playstyle in Enshrouded, but it requires careful stamina management, blocking, and parrying.

Weapon Types & Damage Mechanics

• One-Handed vs. Two-Handed: One-handed weapons offer faster attack speed, while two-handed weapons hit harder but use more stamina.
• Damage Types: Cutting, Piercing, and Blunt.
• Elemental Effects: Weapons may deal Poison, Fire, Ice, Shroud, or Shock damage, increasing versatility in combat.

Key Melee Combat Strategies

• Stamina Management is Key: Always keep the Rested Buff active (by sleeping in a well-furnished base) to ensure faster stamina regen.
• Use the Right Food Buffs:
  • Cooked Meat: +50 Health per point in Constitution.
  • Chamomile Tea: +20 Stamina and passive health regeneration.
  • Hazelnuts: +15 Melee Damage (from +3 Strength boost).
• Parrying & Stunning:
  • Time your parries for a stun effect.
  • Attacking a blocking enemy builds up their stun bar.
  • Once stunned, enemies become incapacitated—use this window to deal massive damage.
• Shielding vs. Dodging:
  • Defensive Approach: Hold block with a good shield to absorb damage.
  • Aggressive Approach: Sidestep instead of rolling to maintain attack range.
• Backstab for Bonus Damage: Attacks from behind deal +10% extra damage.
• Stick-and-Move Tactics: Force enemies to relocate by repositioning, which resets their attack animations.

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2. Ranged Combat: Precision & Positioning

Ranged combat excels at high-damage, long-range engagement, making it ideal for players who prefer a strategic approach.

Stats & Gear for Ranged Combat

• Dexterity: Each point boosts ranged damage by 5%.
• Critical Hit Damage: Bows can score headshots for bonus damage.
• Best Early Bow: Fel Commander Bow (excellent synergy with ranged builds).
• Arrow Types:
  • Wooden Arrows: Basic piercing damage.
  • Poison & Cutting Arrows: Unlock later via Hunter NPC.

Best Ranged Combat Strategies

• Use Food Buffs to Increase Dexterity:
  • Vegetable Puree (from Farmer NPC) boosts Dexterity.
• Always Keep a Supply of Twigs: Bows require tons of arrows.
• Exploit Enemy Weak Spots: Most enemies take extra damage from headshots.
• Use Terrain for Safety:
  • Climb onto rooftops, cliffs, or terrain features to fire from a safe vantage point.
  • Avoid melee range whenever possible.
• Backstab with Ranged Attacks: Positioning behind enemies grants the same bonus damage as melee backstabs.
• Retreat & Reposition: Always keep distance and force enemies into vulnerable positions.

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3. Magic Combat: High Damage & Utility

Magic in Enshrouded is powerful but requires proper stat investment and resource management.

Best Stats for Magic Builds

• Intelligence: +5% Magic Damage per point.
• Spirit: Increases Mana pool (not regeneration).
• Constitution: More HP to compensate for low armor protection.

Best Early Magic Food Buffs

• Azure Rasula (Revelwood): +3 Intelligence.
• Aroling Flowers (Farmed at Base): +Spirit boost.
• Boiled Eggs (Nomad Highlands): Boosts stamina, health, and mana regeneration.

Magic Weapons: Wands vs. Staves

• Wands:
  • Fast-firing, no stamina cost.
  • Can deal Fire, Ice, Shock, or Shroud damage.
  • Wand Master Skill (Battle Mage tree) grants a 30% chance for double projectiles.
• Staves:
  • Slower but stronger, consuming mana with each spell.
  • Best for AOE & burst damage.
  • Quick Charge Skill (Battle Mage tree) reduces cast time by 50%.
  • Requires crafted spell ammunition (or infinite-use Eternal Spells later in the game).

Best Magic Combat Strategies

• Bunny-Hop Casting: Jump while attacking to cancel wand animations (may be patched later).
• Quick-Swap for Maximum Impact: Equip a wand for general combat, but switch to staff for high-damage spells.
• Target Enemy Weaknesses:
  • Vuka beasts are weak to fire.
  • Ice enemies take extra shock damage.
• Use Auras to Boost Effectiveness:
  • Water Aura: Heals allies over time.
  • Radiant Aura: Deals AOE magic damage to enemies.

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4. General Combat Tips for All Playstyles

1. Pick the Right Armor for Your Build

• Melee Armor: Crafted by Blacksmith NPC.
• Ranged Armor: Crafted by Hunter NPC.
• Magic Armor: Crafted by Alchemist NPC.
• No Set Bonuses Exist (Yet): Mix and match pieces to optimize buffs.

2. Skill Priorities

• Double Jump: Increases mobility for all builds.
• Merciless Attack: Deals more damage to stunned enemies (great for melee).
• Evasion Attack: Perfect for quick melee counterattacks.
• Battle Heal: Essential for self-sustained survivability.
• Eagle Eye: Adds zoom function for ranged combat.
• Quick Charge: Reduces magic staff casting time by 50%.

3. Adapt to AI Patterns

• Enemies have predictable movement and attack sequences.
• Force enemies to move to reset their attack animations.
• Flanking and attacking from behind deals extra damage.

4. Upgrade Weapons & Craft Superior Gear

• Upgrade weapons at any crafting NPC for increased power.
• Salvage old gear to gain upgrade materials.
• Higher quality gear can be upgraded more times:
  • Common (White): 1 Upgrade
  • Uncommon (Green): 2 Upgrades
  • Rare (Blue): 3 Upgrades
  • Epic (Purple): 4 Upgrades
  • Legendary (Orange): 5 Upgrades

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Final Thoughts: Which Playstyle is Right for You?

Each combat style in Enshrouded has its strengths and weaknesses:

• Melee: High risk, high reward. Best for aggressive players who enjoy close combat and parrying.
• Ranged: Ideal for strategic positioning and high-damage precision shots.
• Magic: Versatile but mana-dependent. Best for AOE damage and utility support.

By following these tips, you can master any combat style and conquer Enshrouded’s toughest challenges. Now, go forth and dominate the battlefield! Fly safe, adventurer!