There are three different stances that Harkyn can utilise during combat in Lords of the Fallen and each allows players to perform different abilities. The currently active stance can be identified by the small icon appearing below harkyn’s magic bar. As most enemies have a variety of moves and weaknesses, it is often useful to switch between stances during combat in order to exploit their various abilities.

Weapon + Shield¶

Harkyn holds a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other. In this stance, players are able to block attacks and use a shield’s secondary ability. depending on the type of shield equipped, players can use different abilities. Note that with a shield equipped in this stance, players will be unable to attack with a two-handed weapon or use their Gauntlet.

Tower Shield - These are **** large, bulky shields that offers more protection than any other. These have several useful abilities.

• Running at enemies with your shield up can shield charge which will temporarily stun them.

• The shield charge ability can also be used to knock down fragile walls to find secret areas.

• Players can plant their shield on the ground and take cover behind it to create a shield wall - this can stun charging enemies and reduce a lot of damage taken.
  Kite Shield - This is a medium sized shield that is lighter than a Tower shield, but heavier than a buckler and provides a level of protection somewhere in between the two other varieties.

• Running at enemies with your shield up can shield charge which will temporarily stun them.

• The shield charge ability can also be used to knock down fragile walls to find secret areas.

• Players can shield bash enemies with a kite shield, temporarily stunning them.
  Buckler Shield - Small, wrist bound shields that are much, much lighter in terms of weight than the other shield types and offer decent protection and a cool secondary ability.

• Running at enemies with your shield up can shield charge which will temporarily stun them.

• The shield charge ability can also be used to knock down fragile walls to find secret areas.

• Bucklers allow players to riposte - hitting the secondary button as an enemy attack is incoming can deflect it, allowing Harkyn to avoid damage and simultaneously follow up with a critical strike attack. This is incredibly useful, but the timing and risk involved make it quite difficult to actually use.

Weapon + Gauntlet¶

Weapon + Gauntlet – Harkyn holds a weapon in one hand and uses his other for the Gauntlet. In this stance, players are able to block attacks with their weapon and use the gauntlet’s various ranged abilities. Note that in this stance, players will be unable to attack with a two-handed weapon or block using a shield.

Depending on runes equipped on the gauntlet, the effects of their abilities can differ greatly.

There are three types of Gauntlet attacks:

• Explosive – This will launch a small, looping energy attack resembling a grenade. This is used more as an opening attack on a patrolling enemy or a ranged attacker as its fuse length and projectile arc make it less reliable during actual combat.
• Projectile – This attack acts as like a gun – point and shoot! I found this to be the most useful gauntlet ability as it allows you to lock on and shoot a target continuously, has a relatively high mana cost when compared to the other Gauntlet abilities, but it makes up for this by being much more reliable than the other attacks.
• Blast – This attack resembles a shotgun blast. It can hit multiple enemies at once but they need to be in close proximity to Harkyn. Unfortunately, the charge up animation to use the blast attack is a little long, meaning harkyn will be exposed to attacks in the interim.

Two-handed¶

The two handed stance allows Harkyn to use two handed weapons and dual weild certain dagger and fist weapons. In this stance, players are able to block attacks with their weapon/s however are unable to use the abilities of their equipped shield or gauntlet.