AC Black Flag Resynced · Combat Guide
Best Combat Loadout Guide
Combat in Resynced is skill-based - enemies adapt to repeated moves. The right sword type and tool setup lets you chain takedowns efficiently across all enemy types.
Core mechanic: Chain takedowns via Perfect Parry
Max chain: 4 takedowns
Key unlock: Rope Dart (Sequence 3)
Core Goal
Players want setups that break enemy defenses, chain takedowns on groups, and handle tough enemies (Brutes, Captains, Demolitionists) without enemies triggering Unstoppable Attacks from spammed moves. Variety and adaptation win fights - there is no single dominant move to spam.
Sword Type - Your Primary Loadout Choice
Each sword type changes your Heavy Attack (hold attack button) and entire combat feel. Pick based on the fight type.
Cutlass
Best for Crowds
Heavy Strikes sweep in a wide arc hitting multiple enemies. Ideal for boarding parties, fort assaults, and any group fight of 3 or more enemies.
Use it when: Fighting groups. End combos with Heavy Attack to trigger crowd sweeps. Pair with Kick or Leg Sweep to cluster enemies before the sweep. Maximizes chain takedowns (up to 4) in dense fights. Best default choice for most of the game.
Rapier
Best for Single Targets
Heavy Strikes pierce through the target with focused high damage. Cuts through armored defenses more reliably than the Cutlass.
Use it when: Fighting Brutes, Captains, or Demolitionists. Land light attacks to chip defense, then Heavy at combo end. Follow with a pistol shot to break remaining defense and continue the chain. Switch to this mid-fight when a tough enemy appears.
Pistol-Sword
Most Versatile
Heavy Attack fires two pistol shots - can focus one target or split between two. Bridges melee and ranged burst in a single weapon slot.
Use it when: Facing mixed groups or when you want ranged interrupts in melee range. Strong for finishing low-HP targets quickly and interrupting armored enemies mid-animation. Good all-around pick if you do not want to swap mid-fight.
Recommended Default
Start with Cutlass for early game and most standard encounters. Switch to Rapier against lone tough enemies. Pistol-Sword is the pick if you want one weapon that handles both without swapping. Weapon upgrades for better takedown stats matter more than raw damage - prioritize those.
Full Loadout - Tools to Always Carry
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Primary
Sword of choice (see above) - your entire combat identity is built around Heavy Attack type
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Ranged
Pistols / Flintlock - free-aim shots to break Brute and Captain defense mid-chain when sword attacks are blocked
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Tool 1
Rope Dart (unlocks Sequence 3) - pull enemies into melee range, interrupt incoming attacks, yank from elevated positions, redirect thrown grenades. Use to open fights and set up takedowns before enemies form defensive posture
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Tool 2
Kick / Leg Sweep - stagger groups for Ground Takedowns. Sweep into wall for Wall Takedowns. Combine with Cutlass Heavy for maximum crowd control
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Utility
Blowpipe with Berserk Darts - turn an enemy against their own group before engaging, reducing numbers without spending sword combos
Combat Rotation - Step by Step
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1Open with Rope Dart or environment - Pull the first enemy into your position or use a Berserk Dart to neutralize a tough enemy before the group engages. Starting on your terms prevents the group from surrounding you.
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2Mix light attacks, kicks, and Rope Dart - Never repeat the same move more than twice in a row. Enemies adapt and will counter with Unstoppable Attacks if you spam parries or kicks. Keep the mix varied to maintain flow.
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3Perfect Parry on the highlighted enemy attack - The timing window is tighter than the original game. Watch for the visual cue. A successful Perfect Parry opens the Hidden Blade Takedown prompt and starts the chain.
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4Execute chain takedowns (up to 4) - After the first Hidden Blade Takedown, immediately attack the next enemy to continue the chain. Each chain kill within the window extends it. Use Cutlass sweeps or Rapier pierces depending on group density.
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5End combo with Heavy Attack for defense break - If enemies are still standing after the chain ends, finish your combo with Heavy Attack. This deals the highest damage and has the best chance of breaking remaining defense for a follow-up.
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6Use pistol to break armored enemies mid-combo - Against Brutes or Captains that block your sword combo, fire a pistol shot to break their guard. Then resume the combo or start a new chain from the exposed state.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spamming one move repeatedly (parry, kick, or any single attack) - enemies detect the pattern and counter with Unstoppable Attacks that cannot be blocked.
- Ignoring Heavy Attacks - they are your best defense-breaking tool and essential for keeping combo chains alive, but players familiar with the original game often skip them.
- Playing like the original Black Flag - the original rewarded counter-spam and was forgiving of repetition. Resynced punishes it. Treat it as a different game mechanically.
- Not using pistols against armored enemies mid-fight - a blocked sword combo wastes your chain window. One pistol shot breaks Brute/Captain guard and resets the opportunity.
- Sticking to one sword type for every encounter - Cutlass is weak against solo tough enemies, Rapier is slow for groups. Swap in the equip menu when the fight type changes.
- Forgetting Rope Dart after unlocking it - it is one of the strongest openers in the game and dramatically reduces the difficulty of group encounters when used proactively.