From 15 movesets to nearly 30. From rigid chains to infinite combos, repositioning strikes, and area-of-effect assaults. CI Games has debuted the next chapter of its community-driven development series — Lifting the Veil — pulling back the curtain on a sweeping combat revamp for Lords of the Fallen II, the highly anticipated soulslike action-RPG. Led by Chief Creative Officer Ryan Hill, the team lays out how player feedback from Lords of the Fallen (2023) has been forged into a fighting system that gives players unprecedented freedom to fight their way.
LISTENING, LEARNING, EVOLVING — THE COMMUNITY AT THE CENTRE
Since the 2023 launch, CI Games has delivered more than 70 post-launch updates — refining mechanics, adding features like Shared Progression Co-op and a dedicated jump button, and rebalancing combat based on what players told them worked… and what didn’t. That same philosophy powers the sequel:
“Everything we build for Lords of the Fallen II starts with the community. Every change, every new ability, every weapon moveset we’ve designed has been shaped by what you told us you wanted.” — Ryan Hill, Chief Creative Officer, CI Games
The result is a combat system reimagined from the ground up — faster, more fluid, and far more expressive — where your weapon isn’t just damage: it’s a toolkit of tactical possibilities.
2X THE VARIETY — NEARLY 30 FULLY DISTINCT WEAPON MOVESETS
The headline upgrade is staggering: where the 2023 game offered 15 weapon movesets, Lords of the Fallen II will launch with almost 30 — each weapon class reworked with signature behaviours that fundamentally change how you engage every encounter.
EVERY WEAPON PLAYS DIFFERENTLY — THE NEW ARSENAL
| Weapon Class | Signature Style | Standout Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Swords & Shields | Balanced, defensive, versatile | Repositioning strikes — shift your stance mid-combo to circle and flank foes |
| Greatweapons | Slow, crushing, high impact | Area-of-effect assaults — clear crowds and stagger groups |
| Dual Blades | Lightning-fast, relentless pressure | Infinite combo chains — sustain momentum without breaking rhythm |
| Scythes | Far-reaching, sweeping arcs | Wide cleaves that pull enemies into range |
| Katanas | Precise, fluid, lethal counters | Rapid strikes and unique parry windows |
| Hammers & Maces | Heavy impact, stagger-focused | Ground-shattering blows that disrupt enemy attacks |
| Ranged & Magic Stances | Full mobility — cast and shoot while moving | Quickfire spells and projectiles seamlessly woven into melee combos |
FREEDOM IN MOTION — NO MORE LOCKED ANIMATIONS
The Lifting the Veil breakdown emphasises flow above all else:
- Mid-combo weapon switching — chain attacks between two equipped weapons without dropping your offensive
- Disengage strikes — built-in backward leaps and evasive manoeuvres that let you control distance without consuming stamina
- Counterstrike system — reward precise timing with devastating follow-ups that keep combat responsive
- Seven schools of magic — each spell type fully chargeable, with mana replenished through your Sanguinarix
- Infinite base ammo for bows and crossbows — no more scrambling for bolts in the heat of battle
MORE THAN WEAPONS — A WHOLE COMBAT ECOSYSTEM REBUILT
The moveset expansion is just one pillar of the overhaul. The team also confirms:
- Smarter, more aggressive foes — passive shield-turtling is no longer a viable strategy; enemies will probe your defences and punish hesitation
- Visceral execution & dismemberment — finishers now feel as impactful as they look, with dynamic dismemberment that visually tracks your damage
- Umbral 2.0 integration — the dual-realm mechanic has evolved beyond a simple timer. Your combat actions now influence the realm’s hostility: the more aggressive you are, the more dangerous the Umbral becomes
- Shared-progression co-op at launch — bring a partner through the full campaign from day one
PLATFORMS & RELEASE OUTLOOK
Lords of the Fallen II launches simultaneously across PC (Steam + Epic), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. No release date has been formally announced beyond “coming 2026.”
The full Lifting the Veil episode is available now — packed with side-by-side comparisons, gameplay snippets, and deep-dive breakdowns from the design team.
YOUR FIGHT, YOUR RULES
This isn’t just “more attacks.” It’s a fundamental shift in what a soulslike combat system can be — where your choice of weapon defines your playstyle, and your skill with it defines your victory. Whether you’re carving through foes with endless katana combos, repositioning to strike from every angle with a longsword, or clearing the battlefield with sweeping scythe arcs — the combat is yours to master.
Lords of the Fallen II — where every weapon tells a different story. Add it to your Steam wishlist now.
Find out more here: Lords Of The Fallen II
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