Absolum – PC Controls and Combat Guide

Your essential starter guide to the controls and combat system in Absolum. Learn the PC keybindings and master the basics of Strikes, Skills, Arcanas, and animation canceling to become a formidable fighter.

A Complete Guide to PC Controls and Basic Combat Mechanics.

Absolum PC Keybindings at a Glance

Before we dive into the mechanics, here’s a quick reference table for all the default PC keyboard controls in Absolum.

Action	Default Key
Move Up / Down / Left / Right	Arrow Keys
Jump	Space
Strike	Z
Skill	X
Dash	C
Interact	A
Arcana 1	Left Ctrl
Arcana 2	Left Shift
Inventory	D
Map	M

Mastering the Movement Basics

Movement in Absolum is more than just walking. You have several options for navigating the world and the battlefield, and knowing them all is key to survival.

• Run: You can run by either double-tapping a direction (left or right) or by holding down the Dash (C) button while moving.
• Dodge: You can perform a quick dodge up or down by double-tapping those directions. Alternatively, you can hold up or down and press the Dash (C) button.

Your Core Attacks: Strikes and Skills

Your offense is built around two main buttons: Strike and Skill. Learning how they work together is the foundation of combat.

Strike (Z Button) This is your fast, primary attack. You can press it multiple times to perform a quick combo. You can also use it in the air for aerial attacks or while running to execute a powerful running strike.

Skill (X Button) This is your slower, heavier attack that deals more damage. While you can use it on its own, its real power comes from chaining it. After landing any Strike, you can immediately press Skill to chain it into a heavy combo finisher.

The Key to Defense: Dashing and Dodging

Your Dash and dodge aren’t just for moving around; they are your most important defensive tools. Mastering them will separate you from the casuals.

Deflecting Attacks Absolum features a deflect/parry system. To perform a Deflect, you must time your Dash (C) so that you move into an enemy’s attack right as it’s about to hit you.

Animation Canceling (Pro Tip) This is the most important mechanic for high-level play. You can cancel the animation of any Strike or Skill by immediately using a Dash or a dodge. This means you can be in the middle of an attack, see an enemy about to hit you, and instantly cancel your attack to dash away or deflect theirs.

Unleashing Magic: How Arcanas Work

Arcanas (L Ctrl / L Shift) are your ultimate abilities. These powerful magic skills can turn the tide of any battle but require a resource to use.

You’ll need Mana to cast Arcanas, which you generate by successfully hitting enemies with your regular attacks.

Arcanas are amazing offensive tools that can be chained at the end of any combo. More importantly, most of them grant you a brief moment of invincibility (i-frames) when you cast them, making them a perfect “panic button” to dodge through an otherwise unavoidable attack.

Basic Combat Flow and Combos

Here’s how you can put all these mechanics together in a few basic combos.

• Basic Combo: Strike -> Strike -> Strike
• Heavy Combo Finisher: Strike -> Strike -> Skill
• Magic Combo: Strike -> Skill -> Arcana 1
• Defensive Reset: Strike -> (see enemy attacking) -> Dash (to cancel & deflect) -> Restart Combo

These are just the fundamentals to get you started in Absolum. Master these mechanics, especially animation canceling and deflecting, and you’ll be well on your way to conquering the game’s toughest challenges. GG!