The Karakuri Katana is a simple but effective weapon in Wild Hearts. With its low number of attacks and ease of use, the Katana is the perfect weapon for beginners to the game, but offers a strong choice for veterans that have learned its intricacies.
Learning the basics of the Karakuri Katana is simple, but mastering it is an entirely different matter. If you're looking for some tips and tricks for using this weapon, you've come to the right place. Below, we'll take a look at the Karakuri Katana's moveset, combos, and some tips for learning it.
The Karakuri Katana
The Karakuri Katana is a Slash-damage weapon that utilizes fast attacks and repositioning to swiftly move around the Kemono. By building up the Release Gauge through normal attacks, you will be able to unleash the Karakuri within the Katana, transforming it into a bladed whip, increasing the damage of all your attacks. Below, you can find the basic controls for each of the Karakuri Katana's attacks.
Basic Moves
- Light Attack (Left Click, Square, or X) - A series of quick slashes. This attack can be chained five times before the combo starts over.
- Heavy Attack (Middle Mouse Button, Triangle, or Y) - A series of slow Iai slashes. This attack can be chained three times before the combo starts over.
- Special Attack (F or RT) - A series of three special attacks that utilize the Katana and its sheath. These can be used on their own or comboed into the Light and Heavy Attack chains.
Using these attacks will build up the Release Gauge, which can be seen above your health bar. When the Release Gauge is full, you can press the buttons for a Special and Light or Heavy Attack to Unleash the Katana, transforming it into a bladed whip. In this mode, all of your attacks will deal more damage and hit more times. You can press F+C, RT+Circle, or RT+B to exit Unleashed mode before the gauge fully depletes.
Karakuri Attacks
The Karakuri Katana has several additionall attacks that can be used with certain Karakuri devices, detailed below.
- Crate - After jumping off a Crate, perform a downward slash attack.
- Spring - After leaping off a Spring, perform a rolling double slash attack.
- Glider - While hanging off a Glider, perfrom a descending rolling slash.
- Torch - Approach a Torch to perform an unsheathing slice, igniting the Katana in the process.
Karakuri Katana Combos
Using the attacks listed above, there are several combos you can perform that can be used in a variety of sitations.
Using a Special Attack after a Heavy Attack will have you perform a moving slash attack that repositions you forward while turning you around to face your original position. This combo is your bread and butter for dealing damage while avoiding the Kemono's attacks. Using a Heavy Attack after the repositioning slash will have you charge back toward the Kemono, where you can continue attacking.
Using a Special Attack after a Light Attack will have you perform a series of several slashes with the blade and sheath, dealing high damage but making you unable to move. This attack is perfect against immobile Kemono, or ones that have been trapped in a Chain Trap, but can be risky to use elsewhere.
On Kemono that are knocked down, the following combo can deal great, consistent damage.
- Light Attack, Light Attack, Light Attack, Special Attack, repeat
This combo utilizes three fast normal attacks chained into the blade and sheath series of slashes, dealing tons of damage over a short period of time. If the Release Gauge is full, Unleashing the Katana before this combo will have you dealing even more damage.
Karakuri Katana Tips And Tricks
The Karakuri Katana is simple to learn but hard to master. Using these tips and tricks, you can walk to the road to mastery with ease.
The Katana's Special Attack combo should be used sparingly when the Kemono isn't knocked down. The first two attacks in the chain, the forward thrust and rapid slash attacks, have long animations that lock you in, making you exceptionally vulnerable. Additionally, Special Attacks quickly deplete your stamina, making you unable to dodge away when danger appears. Avoid using these attacks until the Kemono is knocked down or not moving, or else you make yourself open to attack.
If the Kemono is running away while you are in Unleashed mode, you can manually end it to prevent the gauge from depleting. Be sure to use this to preserve the Release Gauge for its next use.
The Karakuri Katana has no defensive abilities, meaning you'll need to rely on armor skills and the dodge roll to avoid taking damage. However, although the repositioning slash doesn't have any invulnerability frames, its still great for getting out of the way of the Kemono's attacks. Frequent use of this attack will allow you to avoid damage while dealing it yourself, remaining on the offensive. This idealogy perfectly encapsulates the Karakuri Katana's general playstyle of unrelenting attacks and always moving one step ahead of the Kemono.