The Thaumaturge Combat Guide – Traits, States, and the Action Queue

While observation and exploration are important in The Thaumaturge you’re also going to need to win your fair share of fights to get by. Read on for my full combat guide covering traits, states, the action queue, and more.

The Thaumaturge Combat Guide - Traits

Traits are extra defenses enemies can have that help them in combat. These can always be disarmed by removing all of the enemy’s Focus. However, the quickest way is to attack the enemy with its matching salutor (their text box will say which will work), as long as you also have high enemy skill in that dimension. This is why it is important to diversify. 

The most common traits you’ll see are: 

• Invulnerability: The enemy is immune to negative states.
• Resistance: Damage is reduced by 80 percent.
• Focus: Can’t be slowed or interrupted.

Invulnerability is the most annoying so I tend to focus on anyone with that first. Resistant targets can still be dotted and weakened, meaning you can whittle them down while making their attacks pretty feeble.  

Related: The Thaumaturge beginners' guide - tips and tricks  

The Thaumaturge Combat Guide - States

States are listed underneath both your and your enemies’ health bar. Red states imply a negative effect on them, such as a DOT or weakening effect. A white status is a positive effect, such as increased speed, extra damage, or an ability that will trigger when the target is hit. The details are in the same combat box where you see any Trait information (just hover over an enemy).

These last states can be game-changers, so keep an eye out for them. For example, some will trigger a counter-attack from all enemies. If only one enemy has this, they’re a prime candidate to leave until last. Either that or reduce their focus to be able to take them down in one hit with a strong attack.   

The Thaumaturge Combat Guide - The Action Queue

Pay careful attention to when each character will act by keeping an eye on the action queue at the top of the combat screen. If you plan an attack and realize it will trigger too late, you can right-click it on the Action Queue to cancel it and choose something else.

Note that your life bar will have a section that glows on and off, showing how much health you’ll lose when the enemies’ attacks land next. This is not set in stone. For example, you may be able to weaken or cancel attacks or take one of the opponents down. This will then change the outcome.

Also, note that both you and your salutors may be able to land several quick attacks before the enemy attacks. Look for the lines between rounds to see if you’ll get more chances to attack before they do. 

Related: Best Upgrades and Salutors for Suffering in The Thaumaturge 

The Thaumaturge Combat Guide - Salutor Battles

Salutor battles give you two additional things to think about. First, note the point on the salutor’s bar (below the action queue) with a person icon. This is when the reinforcements will arrive. They will arrive early if you destroy all of the first wave. 

Second, the salutor will have an attack of its own that you can’t do anything about. This will usually start as some kind of effect (slowing your attacks or buffing your enemies). Once the reinforcements arrive, these attacks intensify to include damage. I suggest that if you have time you try to weaken the last enemy in the first wave and use Upyr to take them down as much as possible while healing you, putting you in good shape for the second wave.

The Thaumaturge Combat Guide - Quick Tips

Here are some general tips and tricks I’ve used to help battles go smoother.

• Upgrades: Pick the best Upgrades to suit your style of play. 
• Rematch: If you lose a battle, the last autosave will be the beginning of the battle. This allows you to go into your settings and alter any upgrades that may give you the upper hand.
• Stay healthy: Upyr’s fast attack can give you a serious health boost but it isn’t the fastest, so don’t leave it too late to heal up. 
• Transfer DOTs:  Lelek’s Mournful Tones attack can be a game-changer if you’re getting DOTed a lot. It transfers all your DOTs onto an enemy.  
• Jabs FTW: Once you have Veles, and you’re down to one enemy, its Venemous Smile combined with your quick attack combined with Fortune gives you repeated opportunities to interrupt attacks. Try it. You won’t regret it. 

Finally, remember you can always alter the combat settings in the game menu even just before a battle. This will greatly reduce the damage output of enemies on the lowest difficulty setting. 

Looking for more help and information with The Thaumaturge? Pro Game Guides has everything you need! Check out How to get all Salutors in The Thaumaturge, Should you trust Rasputin in The Thaumaturge, and more right here.