An orange indicator with the Japanese character 斬 ("cut") will appear on any target which can be cut, while armour which can be cut will be highlighted in blue. Normal enemies can be cut to pieces in Blade Mode without issue, but more powerful enemies with armour or riot shields require softening up with standard attacks or counters before cutting becomes possible. The FC Gauge can be re-filled by performing standard attacks on enemies (at a rate defined by the equipped weapon's absorption rate), by using Electrolyte Packs, by picking up fuel cells, or by performing Zandatsu on enemies if it is still blue. Enemies will continue to move, attack and react to Raiden during Blade Mode which makes the bonus slowdown very useful, particularly if attempting to retrieve a special left arm from an alerted enemy.īlade Mode can be entered as long as there is any energy at all in the FC Gauge, but if the gauge is yellow it will not slow time or increase cutting power it does not use any more FC in this state. The screen will turn blue and the game briefly slow down after certain attacks such as combo finishes as well as landing a successful counter-parry, Ninja Kill or Execution triggering Blade Mode in this state will slow down time by 90%. The degree to which time is slowed varies depending on what is happening when Blade Mode is triggered triggering it manually slows down time by 50%. The FC bar starts small, but Fuel Cell Upgrades can be found and bought to boost capacity, up to double the starting amount. The precise rate of FC usage varies depending on the equipped sword and its mods, and Raiden's equipped body. It is also vital for acquiring Left Hand IDs from enemies who have them. cut and take) to be performed on enemies. Following that stage and Raiden's body being rebuilt by Doktor, Blade Mode uses Fuel Cell (FC) energy while active, increases the sword's cutting power, and allows Zandatsu (斬奪, lit. In the prologue it is possible to use Blade Mode, but it does not slow down time or cut enemies to pieces unless an enemy is knocked off their feet or Blade Mode is triggered while the screen is blue. While the game never actually states it, it is possible to move while in Blade Mode by clicking in the left analog stick and then moving it. The blade can either be slashed using buttons (Square / X for a horizontal slash and Triangle / Y for a vertical slash) or aimed precisely using the analogue stick fully pressing the analogue stick in one direction and then releasing it will slash the sword in the opposite direction, alternatively, use the stick to aim your blade and hit either light/heavy attack to slash - this prevents accidental nudges of the analog stick upon release as releasing the stick isn't necessary. It was originally going to be featured in Metal Gear Solid: Rising as a slow motion element that would aid in the accurate cutting mechanic.īlade Mode can be compared to the "iron sight" mode of most shooters, allowing Raiden to aim his sword at specific targets rather than slash in combos.
Although it is primarily utilized with an HF Sword, any blade will work for Blade Mode as evidenced by Raiden utilizing it with one of Metal Gear EXCELSUS's sword arms to cut apart its head.īlade Mode is a core mechanic that Raiden can use in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Using molten carbonate fuel-cell electrolytes to power it, Blade Mode allowed Raiden to supercharge his reflexes and slow the apparent passage of time, while his CNT muscle fiber was strengthened for lethally powerful blows. While Raiden was capable of using this ability after a fashion even when serving as N'mani's bodyguard, his rebuilt cyborg body boosted the capability beyond recognition. History World Marshal Incidents See also: Raid at World Marshal, Ambush in Africa, Abkhazian Coup, Investigation in Guadalajara, Raid in Denver, and Operation Tecumseh