Halberds hold a unique place in Outward as one of the most versatile melee weapons available. While they may not excel in any single area, they offer a balanced mix of speed, reach, damage, and impact, making them invaluable for players who want adaptability in combat. This guide explores the ins and outs of halberd combat, from basic combos to advanced techniques and the best halberds you can find.
Why Choose a Halberd?
The halberd’s main strength lies in its versatility. It isn’t the fastest, strongest, or longest-reaching weapon in the game, but it performs well in all categories. Its wide-sweeping attacks make it ideal for crowd control, while its decent impact allows for effective stagger and interruption of enemy combos.
Halberds also excel at maintaining a safe distance, allowing players to poke and retreat effectively. This makes them a perfect choice for players who want a balanced weapon capable of handling most situations without needing to specialize.
Mastering Halberd Combos
The halberd offers a variety of combos that can adapt to different combat scenarios:
- Three Basic Hits: A straightforward combo that provides decent speed and impact.
- One Basic + One Special: This combo delivers a powerful second hit that is ideal for quick engagements.
- Two Basic + One Special: Slower but delivers a devastating final blow, perfect for finishing staggered enemies.
The halberd’s special attack is Moonswipe, a spinning slash that hits twice and offers both high damage and impact. Moonswipe’s wide arc makes it excellent for fighting groups, and its high impact can stagger even heavily armored enemies.
Where to Learn: Obtain Moonswipe from Burak in Cierzo or the Wandering Mercenary in Monsoon.
Positioning and Range Management
Halberds require precise spacing to use effectively. Keeping a moderate distance allows you to capitalize on the weapon’s superior reach without exposing yourself to enemy attacks. Backstepping and side-stepping are crucial skills to master for halberd users.
- Tip: Use the one special combo to back away from an attack and instantly counter with a thrust.
- Reach Advantage: Halberds can strike enemies at a range where swords or axes cannot reach, providing a tactical edge in most fights.
Best Halberds in Outward
- Thrice-Rot Halberd
- Damage: Fire + Ice elemental damage
- Where to Find: Complete the Cabal of Wind Temple in Enmerkar Forest.
- Why Use It: Pure elemental damage bypasses most armor types, making it effective against heavily armored enemies.
- Dreamer Halberd
- Damage: Ethereal + Physical
- How to Obtain: Help the friendly Immaculate across the four base game regions without asking for items.
- Best For: Fighting ghosts and enemies with high physical resistance.
- Duty
- Damage: High physical + Holy Blaze (damage-over-time effect)
- Location: Found in Caldera; check the wiki for detailed steps.
- Special Traits: Inflicts Holy Blaze 4, one of the strongest DOT effects in the game.
- Masterpiece Applewood Halberd
- Type: Legacy version of the Damascene Halberd
- Strength: Enhanced damage and impact, making it a top-tier choice for endgame.
Recommended Skills and Builds
To unlock the full potential of halberds, pair them with skills that boost impact and crowd control:
- Enrage: Boosts impact and is perfect for staggering enemies.
- Wind Infuse: Adds elemental damage and improves speed.
- Sweep Kick: Pairs well with halberds’ reach for controlling multiple enemies.
Best Build: A hybrid of elemental infusion and physical damage, focusing on staggering enemies with impact while applying status effects.
Conclusion: Mastering the Halberd
The halberd’s balanced stats and versatile moveset make it a powerful choice for players who want flexibility in combat. Whether you’re clearing mobs or taking down bosses, the halberd offers the tools to adapt and overcome. Master its range, combos, and timing, and you’ll find it to be one of the most rewarding weapons in Outward.
Equip your halberd, practice your spacing, and get ready to carve your path through Aurai!
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