Dungeon Siege III Focus, Power and defense: the combat resource loop
Understand what builds each resource and what spends it.
Edition covered
Original Dungeon Siege III campaign and publisher PC pictures. Treasures of the Sun adds a separate adventure and changes progression options; its systems are not assumed in these base-game tables.
Attacks refill Focus
Basic attacks generate Focus for special abilities. Alternate ordinary attacks with chosen abilities instead of emptying the meter and expecting a separate mana-potion loop to solve every fight.
| Resource | Gained through | Spent or lost through |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Health orbs and recovery abilities | Enemy damage |
| Focus | Ordinary attacks and Focus orbs | Special abilities and blocking costs |
| Power | Taking damage, special abilities and Power orbs | Defensive or empowered actions |
| Ability mastery | Repeated use of a special ability | Unlocks its empowered version |
Power is a different reserve
Taking damage and using special abilities build Power. Defensive abilities, power attacks and empowered actions spend it, so an offensive burst can consume the same reserve needed for emergency recovery.
| Threat | Response | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary incoming strike | Block when affordable | Mitigates damage |
| Large telegraphed attack | Dodge out of its area | Avoids the damaging hit |
| Low health with Power available | Use a suitable defensive ability | Converts the reserve into survival |
| Resource orb in danger | Wait for a safe opening | Recovery is not worth an immediate heavy hit |
Blocking can cost Focus
Block reduces incoming harm but can drain Focus; the Block statistic reduces that cost. Dodging avoids the attack through movement and is often the better answer to a clearly telegraphed large strike.
Collect resource orbs safely
Enemies and destructible objects can release health, Focus and Power orbs. Recover them during a safe opening rather than crossing a boss’s attack simply because an orb is visible.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Dungeon Siege III publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Publisher game manual | shared.akamai.steamstatic.com |
| Obsidian game overview | www.obsidian.net |
| Developer forum co-op explanation | forums.obsidian.net |