Asobo Studio brings us back to the dreadful, dangerous world of fourteenth-century France in A Plague Tale: Requiem. After defeating Nicholas and the Inquisition, Amicia and Hugo de Rune simply wish to live peacefully. However, the children must face new and old dangers in this next adventure.
A returning adversary in the sequel is the rat horde. These rodents consume anyone and anything in their path, spreading death and disease wherever they go. Although the rats can never be truly defeated, there are a variety of ways to fight them long enough to survive. We break down all the possible ways Amicia and Hugo can combat the rats in A Plague Tale: Requiem.
Ignifer Pots
In chapter three, A Burden of Blood, you learn to craft Ignifer.
By mixing Alcohol and Sulphur, Amicia creates a fiery projectile that can light braziers to scatter rats away, but its true value is when you use Ignifer with pots. You can find Alcohol and Sulphur in various chests or just on the ground throughout the game.
Rats can’t attack when there’s light, so using an Ignifer pot is an efficient way to rid yourself of rodents.
When you throw an Ignifer pot on the ground, it’ll cause a small explosion that sends rats scurrying for the shadows. The explosion only lasts about seven seconds, but that should be plenty of time to escape the area. If you don't have any pots available, utilizing torches and sticks on fire is a suitable alternative.
Pyrite
If you’re about to get consumed by the rodents, activate a Pyrite. Amicia will spark the mineral against the ground, causing it to light up and push away the rats around her. Pyrites are found usually next to chests.
Amicia can only use a Pyrite when she’s about to be swallowed up by rats; you can’t activate it otherwise.
You can’t carry more than one Pyrite unless you fully upgrade your Gear, but typically you won’t need to use it very often. It lasts for about 15 swings, or you can manually stop using it if you’re safe from danger. You won't be able to do any other action while you're swinging the Pyrite, so only disable it when you're in a safe area.
Imperium
In chapter six, Leaving All Behind, Hugo controls the rat horde using Imperium. While controlling the rats, Hugo can use them to attack guards, but this ability can also be used for simply moving the rodents out of the way.
This isn’t a recommended tactic, but one that can help you try to survive in a pinch.
If you don’t have any alchemical resources or a Pyrite to clear rats, you can resort to taking control of them and moving them elsewhere. But even if you move them out of the way, they won't stay clear for very long.
Also, be mindful of Hugo’s stress level. If you overuse Hugo's ability, he won't be able to use Imperium or Echo for some time.
Odoris
By mixing one Episanguis and one Saltpeter, this concoction intoxicates the rats, and they scurry to wherever it’s thrown. Odoris is effective through any means, whether fitted with the Crossbow or if Amicia is throwing it onto the rat horde.
Once the rats get a whiff of Odoris, Amicia can safely walk through without fear of being detected. Not only is this alchemical compound effective in distracting the rats, but you can also drench guards in it, and then the rats will attack them.
While you could use Ignifer to clear rats in certain areas, sometimes it's more effective to use Odoris because the effects last longer.
Sophia’s Prism
This powerful crystal can light patches of tall grass on fire to cause distractions from the guards, but it can also reflect light off other sources to clear a path through the rats. While Sophia is using her prism, Amicia can loot chests and pick up items. However, your mobility will be limited so be mindful not to use her ability if there are guards in the area.
In chapter ten, Bloodlines, you’re able to command Sophia to use her ability, Refract, to shine her prism off torches and fire pits to create a pool of light around you.
Her prism will get weaker as you move further away from the light source, but you’re able to quickly switch to another one without completely going dark. Utilizing Refract can save you from using Ignifer in certain situations and potentially wasting precious alchemical resources.