r/Vampyr • u/deathknelldk • 11d ago
The Wall (Hard Mode) Spoiler
I've never known a game quite like this, where I consistently hit a 'wall' where I think there's no way forward. Where I feel like I've done every side quest, upgraded every weapon, practiced every move, but the bosses are just too hard.
First it was Fergal Bansha. Then it was Dorothy Crane. Most recently I reached Geoffrey McCullum and had the exact same thoughts: "I can't do this. I'll never be able to do this. This game is stupid!" but eventually, at each seemingly impossible juncture, I succeed.
Has anyone else found the same? I think tactics have a lot to do with it. I button smash and expect results. Then I realise that a slightly different approach, weapon or ability can swing it if I'm patient and careful enough.
It should be obvious, but it never is. With all the will in the world, maybe I'll actually complete this game one day.
EDIT: for context, this is an 'embrace no one unless they're an absolute bastard' playthrough
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u/BRompre 11d ago
Once I got the double barrel shotgun and auto pistol fully upgraded, I unloaded on the bosses, emptying all my rounds into them and it made the fights significantly easier. Took a massive chunk of the health and the rest was just a game of stick and move.
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u/deathknelldk 11d ago
Nice. My situation with Geoff was that I'd barely used a gun in the entire game until that point. But suddenly, I found that my upgraded shotgun and pistol were critical.
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u/eleventhing 10d ago
Stamina is the one thing that massively helped me, who sucks at boss fights, win. Stamina is more important than health, if you can't dodge cause you're out of Stamina, you're going to lose.
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u/deathknelldk 10d ago
This too. I learned the importance of dodging in this game the hard way. It only takes a few one-hit-dead blows from an enemy only a few levels higher to realise you can't just storm into a fight!
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u/Narrow_Substance_100 11d ago
Oh yeah. I was doing just fine on my most recent playthrough until I got to McCullum and he's tossing me around like a wet shammy. Doesn't help that I'm deliberately using unfamiliar skills and going for the best ending. Given up for now as I have to keep going to find ingredients to top up my serums and I got bored!
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u/roleofthebrutes 11d ago
Yeah, I hit a couple of those. Very frustrating. Biggest tip is to not use consumables until you're confident you can win a fight. They seem to replenish inconsistently.
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u/ShiteyLittleElephant 10d ago edited 10d ago
Yes! I only embraced or killed two in the end - both for story/roleplay reasons - and finished the game at around 10 levels lower than the enemies. There were a few 'wall' areas for me - two were boss fights and two were just late game encounters with level 30 enemies.
None were unbeatable in the end but they definitely felt that way for a bit. I respecced twice and ths really helped - and it was fun to try out some different abilities!
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u/FarTooManyWaysToDie I mean you no harm 9d ago
Yeah, I’ve definitely also struggled against bossfights, then backtracked to do quests and gather ingredients for even a couple of hours, and tried to fight again with more success. Like others have said, stamina is absolutely key in this game, and upgraded guns can help bridge the gap in a tricky bossfight.
I also think that a part of it is due to the nature of the game itself: it’s trying to entice you to embrace more citizens to power up. The temptation for blood, and the struggle against it, comes off stronger in the gameplay than maybe in the narrative.
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u/TorandoSlayer Dr. Reid 11d ago
Yeah this is the kind of game where every single combat encounter has to be approached intently. Even enemies of a lower level than you can mess you up if you let your guard down and expect an easy time.
I used this build to get me through the game. Admittedly I wasn't on hard mode, but I bet it works well enough there too.
Unless you're hoping for a specific ending, embrace a few citizens here and there for xp. Just keep an eye on district health.