Darts & Sunder Slash Guide

Darts — Stop Unavoidable Red-Flash Attacks

Unlock Darts from the skill / talent menu with Blood Dust. Ruby shifts to a short tutorial space. While focusing, press the dart button (B on many controllers) to throw; hold to charge a volley, then press again to release. Red-flash attacks — enemies glow red and leap — cannot be rolled safely; enter Focus and dart while they are airborne.

Faye rematch jumping red-flash, Alcina morning-star jump, and several Mana Source leaps all expect this answer. Missing the interrupt usually means a full combo punish. On True Difficulty, treat Dart as the default response to red aerials rather than hoping for a perfect dodge.

Sunder Slash — Counter Purple Grabs

Sunder Slash (also called Strike Slash in some UI strings) is learned on the talent tree — Focus held + regular attack timed as the grab commits. Success banks a Mark and briefly stuns the boss. Purple glow telegraphs grabs; Faye’s homing purple orb can also be deflected with the same counter.

Counter too early on a feint and you whiff into free damage. Wait for the hand, body, or orb to truly commit. Pair with Perfect Dodge Guide for grounded strings that are dodgeable instead of grab-telegraphed.

Combat Habits That Stick

Keep one mental slot for “what is the answer to this cue?” — dodge grounded strings, Dart red aerials, Sunder purple grabs, walk out of poison/fire lanes. Charged dart volleys help when you need interrupt damage without closing for a slash.

Practice both tools on Bound Man / Undying in the basement before Capital gate rematches. Embed below shows Focus-centric demo combat that still relies on the same observation loop these counters extend.