ATTRIBUTES & METERS

There are five main attributes in the game: three exclusive to your character, and two exclusive to your horse.

ATTRIBUTES

These attributes are represented by dynamic meters that appear in the lower-Ieft corner of the screen. Each meter actually consists of two separate gauges: a main attribute meter, and an attribute core.

MAIN ATTRIBUTE METERS

Main attribute meters are represented by a circular gauge. They are depleted in accordance with certain actions or events (for example, taking damage will reduce your health meter) and can be replenished by using tonics, sleeping, or through the restorative effect of attribute cores. The latter occurs automatically over time for health and stamina, and with every kill for Dead Eye.

Your character’s attribute meters start at a low level but can be improved. As you perform specific actions, you will acquire attribute experience points; when these reach specific milestones, the related attribute will level up and gain an additional meter segment.

ATTRIBUTE CORES

Cores are the icons that appear inside each attribute meter, and primarily serve as a last-resort extension of the corresponding attribute. If a main attribute meter is fully depleted, additional usage or damage will begin to deplete the core. With the health attribute, exhausting the main meter and its core leads to death.

The secondary function of cores is that they determine the recovery rate of the related attribute meter. When full, you enjoy the maximum possible replenishment speed; if depleted, you will need to wait longer.

 

This makes cores extremely important. If you sustain damage during battle, for example, having a full health core will enable you to heal fairly quickly: you just have to stay in cover for a moment. The same situation with an almost empty core will prove far more challenging, and will likely require the use of a health tonic if you have one… or a fraught conclusion to your current confrontation.

Cores drain slowly over time through hunger and fatigue. Your stamina core, for example, is a lightning icon that is initially entirely white; as times goes by, however, you will notice that it gradually drains, with depleted sections colored in gray.

In normal conditions, it takes 90 minutes for a core to drain completely. Adverse weather conditions can increase the speed at which they are depleted. Cores, therefore, require regular “maintenance”.

CORE MAINTENANCE

Restoring cores can be achieved by sleeping, bathing, or by eating appropriate food. Note that the game offers a preview of the impact of each item on the affected meters before you actually consume it. Sleeping is a cheap and convenient way to replenish your cores. The following options are available:

Campfires: After you complete the early story mission “Exit Pursued By A Bruised Ego”, you can set up your own camp almost anywhere either by resting (hold Triangle/Y, then press the same button again) or by selecting the camp option at the bottom of the item wheel. Camping gives you access to multiple options, including crafting and sleeping, making this a staple feature that you will use often. Note that you cannot set up camp in towns.

Bed: You can sleep in your own bed at the gang’s current camp.

Rented Rooms: Another option is to rent rooms in towns for a flat rate.

For a full guide to attribute cores, see page 167.

HEALTH

Health is probably the most straightforward attribute, representing physical integrity. Allowing your character’s health meter and core to fully deplete will result in death. Try to always have tonics at hand for emergency situations where you may need to urgently top up this gauge in order to survive.

An easy way to level up this attribute is to regularly perform melee knockouts or thrown weapon kills. Once you have access to a boat, rowing is also an effective method to extend your meter. For a full list of appropriate training methods, see page 167.

STAMINA

Stamina determines your ability to maintain physical exertion, and requires diligent management.

The most common cause of stamina depletion is sprinting. To minimize the overall drain, switch between maximum speed (by repeatedly tapping X/A) and running speed (by holding X/A) at regular intervals to enable the meter to refill without unnecessarily encroaching upon the core.

While riding your horse, the same principles apply to its separate stamina gauge. However, when you gallop at full speed by repeatedly tapping X/A, you can actually prevent the meter-draining process by pressing the button in sync with your mount’s gallop. Mastering the required rhythm won’t take too long, and will leave you free to take in the sights as you travel.

A very simple way to level up your stamina meter quickly is to sprint often and for extended periods. See page 167 to study all possible training methods.

DEAD EYE

Dead Eye is a special skill that enables you to slow down the flow of time while aiming a weapon, giving you a temporary but massive advantage over your enemies.

To trigger Dead Eye, press R3/RC while aiming. The basic way to employ it is to shoot targets manually while enjoying the slow-motion advantage.

After your Dead Eye ability improves early on in the adventure, you can queue attacks on multiple enemies, or hit a particular target numerous times. With Dead Eye active, move the aiming reticle over intended victims and press R1/RB to tag them; when ready, press R2/RT to fire at all specified targets in rapid succession.

To level up this attribute, hone your combat skills to perform long distance headshots and free-aim kills. For a full list of appropriate training methods, see page 167.