Read the power bar
The bar beneath your health is worth watching before you swing. Demo players recommend waiting for the power bar to fill rather than repeatedly attacking from a depleted state.
A December 9, 2025 developer explanation said the latest demo patch had removed the old minimum of one damage per hit. Do not assume every hurried hit will produce useful damage just because the weapon connects.
Recognize a charged attack
Community and demo-playthrough advice describes holding attack to charge. Watch for the blue bar and the weapon’s ready stance rather than counting an assumed number of seconds.
In this Demo 1.0.3 example, the sword is held ready as the blue bar approaches full.
The next action is a forward thrust. The bar empties and the Ratty Bug loses health.
This example shows the visible sequence. It does not supply a fixed damage multiplier or a measured refill time, so use the bar and the target’s health as your feedback.
Rest between attempts
Players recommend choosing Rest at a Crystal Monument to restore health, and report that resting also brings enemies back. Treat this as a reason to plan the return trip rather than assuming a cleared corridor will stay empty.
Save and Rest are different choices. Saving alone should not be treated as the rest action described by that tip.
Match the damage type
Against Ratty Bug, the demo bestiary lists Slash: Weak, Impact: Normal and Pierce: Resist. Check the Ratty Bug defense guide before judging a weapon only by how quickly it attacks.