Welcome to Absolum, a brutal, lore-rich action RPG set in the shattered world of Talamh — a land scarred by war, forbidden magic, and rebellion against tyranny.
This guide is designed to help new players understand core mechanics, world structure, and combat flow, giving you the best possible start to your journey as one of the last surviving Root Sisters’ warriors.
Here, you’ll learn:
- How to master movement and combat
- The purpose of The Hearth and character upgrades
- How to use Rituals, weapons, and mounts effectively
- Tips for surviving exploration and uncovering hidden secrets
Let’s begin where all rebels begin — under the shadow of the Sun King’s rule.
Introduction: The War-Torn World of Talamh
Eighteen years ago, the Cataclysm of Yeldrim tore apart the foundations of magic. The Root Sisters, ancient wielders of natural rituals, were declared enemies of the Sun King Azra the Conqueror. Backed by the Crimson Order, his faceless enforcers, he outlawed all forms of ritual magic, enslaving the land under his divine tyranny.
Now, only a handful of survivors remain — warriors and mystics bound by vengeance and hope.
You will play as one of them:
Galandra, the blade of revenge;
Karl, the last of his fallen kin;
Cider, broken yet burning within;
Brome, forged in hatred and purpose.
You are the rebellion.
Your mission: kill the Sun King.
Land of Talamh: Understanding the Setting
The world of Talamh is vast and layered, filled with ruins, forests, mines, and shrines.
You will begin your journey in the Hearth of Uchawi, a safe sanctuary and base of operations where the last remnants of magic still breathe.
Beyond it lies Grandery, a sprawling wilderness overrun by Azra’s Crimson soldiers, beasts, and cursed machinery. Each area hides secrets, shortcuts, and remnants of the old world.
Exploration in Absolum rewards curiosity — every dead end, every strange sound, and every glimmer in the dark could hide lore fragments, resources, or secret passages.
Controls & Combat Basics
Combat in Absolum is fast, precise, and punishing. To survive, you must balance offense, defense, and timing.
Movement
Walk/Run: Move with the left stick or keys. Double-tap left or right to run.
Dodge: Double-tap up or down to roll away from attacks.
Dash: Use the Dash button to quickly reposition or evade; holding it allows continuous running.
Jump: Simple but vital. You can combine jumps with aerial attacks and dashes.
Basic Attacks
Strike (Light Attack): Fast, repeatable hits that can be chained into short combos.
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- You can turn mid-combo to strike multiple enemies.
- Running before attacking triggers a Running Strike, a powerful opener.
- You can also Strike in the air, allowing for air juggling combos.
Skills (Heavy Attack)
Skill (Heavy Attack): Slower but stronger strikes that deal higher damage.
Chain a Skill immediately after a Strike for a combo finisher.
Both ground and aerial Skills are possible.
Learn to time Skills carefully — they can break defenses and stagger enemies.
Deflection & Cancels
Dashing toward an incoming attack allows you to Deflect it, negating damage.
You can cancel out of any Strike or Skill with a Dash or Dodge, allowing instant transitions between offense and defense.
Proper timing and rhythm make you unstoppable in close combat.
Arcana (Magic Abilities)
Arcana are Ritual-based powers that use Mana.
Mana builds up as you land hits.
Arcana can be chained into any attack combo, providing strong offensive bursts or defensive invincibility frames.
Experiment with Arcana types — some deal direct damage, others control space, or protect you during critical moments.
The Hearth: Your Safe Haven
The Hearth of Uchawi serves as your home base — a place to rest, upgrade, and interact with your allies.
Tree of Talamh: Spend Crystals here to upgrade your abilities.
- Upgrades unlock in tiers as you invest in earlier ones.
- Choose upgrades that balance your weaknesses — health, stamina, or Arcana recovery.
Ederig the Veteran: A mentor figure who offers new combat techniques in exchange for rare materials. His lessons expand your mechanical depth significantly.
Your Siblings: Fellow rebels rest around the campfire.
- When a speech bubble appears, talk to them — these interactions unlock storylines, lore, and sometimes bonuses.
- You can switch between playable characters at the campfire. Each has unique animations, combos, and story nuances.
The Eastern Root: A glowing pathway that leads you out of the Hearth into Grandery. Always prepare before leaving — restore health, adjust your Rituals, and strengthen your weapons.
Rituals and Weapons
Once you leave the Hearth, Mother Uchawi grants you a choice of Rituals, magical blessings that define your playstyle.
Rituals
Offer elemental or spiritual enhancements.
Choose one that complements your weapon — for example, a fire-based ritual pairs well with aggressive melee builds, while defensive players may prefer barrier or healing rituals.
You can swap Rituals later, so don’t hesitate to experiment.
Weapons
Weapons define your rhythm.
One-Handed Weapons: Balanced and fast, perfect for chaining attacks and deflections.
Two-Handed Weapons: Slower but devastating, ideal for breaking armor or staggering bosses.
Throwable Weapons: Found in the field — axes, daggers, or even rocks. These deal quick ranged damage and can interrupt enemy animations.
Tip: Use throwables to stagger armored foes or interrupt magic users before they cast.
Combat Encounters and Strategy
Every enemy has distinct attack patterns. Observe their movement before committing to combos.
Mounted enemies are fast but vulnerable; defeat the rider to take their beast.
When mounted, your attacks change — learn each creature’s strengths and weaknesses.
Example:
A wolf mount offers agility and dash-based combos.
A bull mount allows for devastating charge attacks.
Adapt your fighting style to the terrain and enemy composition.
Exploration and Secrets
Exploration is as important as combat. Every area hides secrets that reward patience and observation.
Look For:
Breakable containers and leaf piles for gold and healing food.
Tall grass that may hide relics or ambushes.
Sparkling flames that whisper lore from Mother Uchawi — often tied to Talamh’s lost history or secret puzzle hints.
Black, one-eyed rabbit-like creatures marking areas with hidden paths, destructible walls, or environmental puzzles.
Every return to a familiar area may reveal new routes or story events, so backtracking is worth it.
Death and Rebirth
When you fall in battle, Mother Uchawi restores you to life.
Death in Absolum isn’t a setback — it’s a step toward mastery.
You can:
Revisit known regions to uncover missed secrets.
Choose different paths to challenge new enemies.
Experiment with loadouts and Ritual combinations to refine your strategy.
With each death, you grow stronger and wiser — every failure teaches you how to fight like a true Root Sister.
The people of Talamh are counting on you. The rebellion burns quietly in the shadows, and your actions will decide whether the land of magic rises again or falls under Azra’s eternal sun.