The Crimson Plague has plunged Europe into chaos, and survival in Valor Mortis will take more than a sharp blade. Developed by One More Level, this dark soulslike adventure puts players in the role of William, a young English soldier who joins Napoleon’s army in pursuit of a united Europe, only to face horrors far beyond the battlefield. Available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass, the game combines challenging combat, supernatural abilities, and interconnected environments filled with secrets. With Xbox Play Anywhere support, players can also continue their journey across compatible Xbox and PC devices.

Before stepping into the plague-ravaged world, here are the essential combat strategies, upgrades, and exploration tips to help William survive.

Valor Mortis may be a soulslike, but its combat revolves around a connected set of mechanics. Melee attacks break enemy posture, firearms target vulnerable spots, and successful weak-point hits replenish your nephtoglobin, known as nephto. Defeated enemies can also drop ammunition, rewarding players who balance their attacks.

Understanding how these systems work together is key to surviving tougher encounters.

- Break enemy posture. Attack and parry to fill an enemy's posture meter. Once it breaks, follow up with a heavy attack or powerful finisher.
- Time your parries carefully. Attacks cannot be canceled into a parry animation, so commit to each swing wisely. A successful parry creates an opportunity to counter, while a perfect dodge briefly slows time.
- Block and strike back. Counter-attacking immediately after blocking restores the health lost during the block, making defense an important part of your survival strategy.
- Aim for weak points. Ammunition is limited, so use your sights to target glowing pustules known as lambent blisters. These precise shots can replenish nephto and help conserve resources.
- Use the environment. Shoot explosive barrels carried by certain enemies and target glowing red-orange nodes to reveal blocked routes.
- Set enemies on fire. Fire Transmutation ignites opponents, leaving them vulnerable to finishers and giving you an opening to deal significant damage.

Ambers let you tailor William's abilities to your preferred playstyle. Some provide straightforward stat boosts, while others fundamentally change how combat works. You can equip them at lanterns, and leveling up William increases the number of Ambers you can use.

Catalyst clots in your inventory can help push William past the next level threshold, unlocking additional customization options.

Here are three Ambers worth experimenting with:

- Marksman's Bane: Allows you to parry bullets, with every successful bullet parry rewarding you with a pistol round. Enemy gunfire becomes a potential source of ammunition.
- Volatile End: Makes shots against enemy weak points trigger damaging explosions, increasing the impact of accurate firearm attacks.
- Butcher's Carnage: Restores health through melee strikes but disables healing with Ferrofluid Flasks. This high-risk option rewards aggressive play and punishes hesitation.

Experimentation is especially important during boss fights. If a particular encounter feels overwhelming, try changing your Transmutations, switching firearms, or using different inventory items before attempting it again.

xploration plays a major role in Valor Mortis, with interconnected levels that gradually open up as William acquires new abilities. Areas that initially seem inaccessible may contain valuable rewards once you return with the right tools.

Combat arenas also feature multiple elevations, while villages hide shortcuts and alternate routes that can make navigating the world easier.

Keep an eye out for:

- Echoes of the fallen and journal pages: Discover fragments of the story behind the Crimson Plague and uncover secrets about the army.
- Hidden Ambers: Explore optional areas to find upgrades that can significantly improve your build.
- Shortcuts and alternate paths: Search villages and interconnected environments for routes that make revisiting locations more convenient.
- Optional mini-bosses: Some of the game's most dangerous opponents lurk away from the main route, offering additional challenges for curious explorers.

You won't necessarily discover every Amber or secret during a single playthrough, so thorough exploration can make a real difference.

Major bosses require more than simply attacking whenever an opening appears. Learning enemy patterns, managing resources, and choosing the right combination of abilities can turn a frustrating fight into a manageable challenge. If you're struggling, consider adjusting your approach rather than repeating the same strategy. A different Transmutation, a more suitable firearm, or a carefully chosen item could give you the advantage you need.

Most importantly, pay attention to how your combat choices interact. Breaking posture, exploiting weak points, and replenishing nephto can create a rhythm that keeps you on the offensive without leaving you defenseless.

Valor Mortis is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. With challenging soulslike combat, customizable Amber builds, hidden mini-bosses, and a dark alternate-history setting inspired by Napoleon's Europe, the game offers plenty of reasons to explore every corner and refine your strategy.

Master the combat, experiment with your build, and follow the clues scattered throughout the world. In Valor Mortis, survival depends on how well you adapt to the horrors waiting ahead.