In the current Acts of Blood demo, reliable play comes from a short attack string, a timed counter after an enemy commits, and a quick reposition before the next threat reaches you. Dodge attacks that are unsafe to counter—most notably the chainsaw boss encounter—then convert a stagger or knockdown into a compact combo or finisher. Pushes, weapons, and rage are tools for restoring a readable fight when several enemies collapse on your position.
What this guide covers—and what is still subject to change
Acts of Blood is a third-person brawler set in the fictional city of Bandapa. The playable material currently available is a Steam demo containing an apartment hub, a warehouse story stage, and replayable arena modes. Eksil Team announced on October 14, 2026: “Acts of Blood launches on Steam on December 4, 2026!” The instructions below describe the current demo, not a guaranteed launch-day frame-data chart or a complete final moveset.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That distinction matters because the combat has changed between demo builds. Patch v0.9.5 (December 27, 2025) altered attack feel, hit reactions, enemy stagger, boss pacing, phase transitions, waves, AI, ranged behavior, and dodge/counter response. Patch v0.9.7 (April 5, 2026) added combo-set attacks, finishers, an elite enemy, a counter-button fix, and another enemy-spawn fix. If a timing or input behaves differently in your build, check the version shown by the game before treating it as a universal rule.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe three-minute beginner loop
The safest way to learn the demo is to repeat a small decision cycle instead of trying to memorize a long route through every encounter:
#1 Best Overall
- BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES: Our blue light glasses for women boast UV400 protection, blocking harmful blue rays from computer screens. With these bluelight glasses women, you can enjoy gaming, reading, or watching TV with no worries of eye strain.
- EYE RELIEF: Our blue light glasses are engineered to reduce blurry vision or strain caused by prolonged screen time. These womens blue light glasses aid in better sleep by preventing blue light from disrupting your natural sleep cycle, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful night's sleep, making them the perfect christmas present.
- COMFORTABLE: Crafted from durable material, our trendy blue light glasses for woman or blue light glasses men ensure long-lasting comfort. The high-transmittance lenses accessories, gamer gifts for men, help keep your eyes relaxed. Perfect stocking stuffers, gifts for gamers men, christmas gifts for men, halloween costumes.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: These clear blue light glasses feature a lightweight frame, meaning they’ll stay comfy for long-term wear. Perfect as blue blockers glasses for women or mens blue light glasses, these non-prescription fake glasses for men can be worn throughout the day. The blue light blocking glasses women feature polycarbonate HD lenses, which are anti-reflective and restore true color.
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: If you experience any issues, our support team is ready to assist you quickly. These are the perfect costume glasses for cosplay dressing up.
- Open with a short punch or kick string. Use enough hits to test the opponent without locking yourself into a long animation while another enemy is free to attack.
- Watch the nearest attacker. When that enemy visibly commits to an incoming strike, press counter during the attack rather than before it starts.
- Convert the stagger. Spend the brief opening on a compact punch or kick combo, or use a finisher if the target is staggered or downed and no second attacker is about to connect.
- Reposition. Move so the remaining group stays in front of you and the next attack is visible. A successful counter is not permission to stand still in the middle of the crowd.
- Dodge unsafe attacks. If the timing is unclear, the attack has unusual reach, or the encounter specifically punishes counters, leave the line of attack and look for a safer opening.
This loop separates the four jobs that are easy to confuse: attacks create pressure, counters punish commitment, dodges preserve safety, and finishers convert a clear opening into damage. Practising those jobs independently makes arena waves much less chaotic.
How do I parry in Acts of Blood?
The demo calls the defensive input a counter; players often call the same action a parry. It is a timing punish, not a block button to hold continuously. Let the enemy begin its attack, identify the incoming strike, and press counter during that strike. A successful counter produces a stagger that you can immediately convert into damage.
Reading the commitment
- Stand close enough to see the attacker’s wind-up, but do not begin a long string while another enemy is already entering range.
- Wait for the attack to start. Pressing counter at neutral or repeatedly mashing it throws away the timing window and leaves you without a planned follow-up.
- After the stagger, use a short combo first when the room is busy. Save a long animation for a moment when the other enemies are distant, downed, or facing away.
What to do when a counter appears unresponsive
Official v0.9.7 notes record a fix for an unresponsive counter button, so an older or incorrectly updated demo build can produce a problem that is not a timing mistake. Confirm that the game is running the current demo build and that the counter is still assigned to the key or button you expect.
There is also a practical binding conflict. In the older input behavior, assigning counter/parry to right-click could interfere with picking up weapons or props. If an object refuses to equip while counter is mapped to right-click, assign interaction to a separate input and test the pickup again. Keep one deliberate counter input rather than adding several overlapping bindings while you are learning.
When not to counter
Do not treat every redirection or heavy attack as a counter opportunity. If an attack has an unfamiliar rhythm, covers too much space, or arrives while another enemy is striking from your blind side, dodge instead. The current chainsaw-boss guidance is explicit: dodge that encounter rather than attempting to counter it, and attack only during a safe opening.
What is the best beginner combo?
There is no published launch combo chart or authoritative frame-data table yet. For the demo, the best beginner combo is a short punch or kick string that you can stop safely after a counter-created stagger. The goal is dependable damage and awareness, not the highest theoretical hit count.
Rank #2
- WINDEX GAMING WIPES: effortlessly clean all your gaming gear and gaming electronics in one easy step with our new Windex Gaming Wipes
- AMMONIA FREE: our ammonia-free formula is safe to use on all of your favorite gaming equipment like consoles, headsets, controllers, screens, keyboards, and more
- PRE-MOISTENED WIPES: each wipe instantly removes dust, dirt, and stubborn smudges and fingerprints leaving a streak-free shine
- ANTI-STATIC: great for cleaning and wiping down your gaming gear and electronics leaving behind no visible residue
- COMPACT RESEALABLE PACKAGE: store your pack of Windex Gaming Wipes anywhere in your home for whenever a quick and easy wipedown is needed
Use short strings while surrounded
Start with one compact punch sequence or one compact kick sequence. Watch whether the target remains in front of you and whether a second enemy is already winding up. If the group is closing, stop attacking, turn toward the immediate threat, and prepare to counter or dodge. A shorter string that leaves you facing the group is more useful than a longer sequence that ends with your back exposed.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Switch families when a pattern is avoided
Practise both punch and kick families. Changing from one to the other alters the height and rhythm of your pressure, which helps when an opponent repeatedly avoids the same pattern. Patch v0.9.7 added two punch combo-set moves and one kick combo-set move, so the available options depend on the skills you have unlocked in the hub.
Convert, then disengage
After a counter, use the stagger to land a compact string and then move. If the target falls, check the rest of the group before committing to a finisher. This conversion pattern—counter, short combo, reposition—keeps your damage tied to a defensive event instead of asking you to attack blindly.
Should I dodge or counter the chainsaw boss?
Dodge. The current demo walkthrough specifically recommends dodging the chainsaw boss rather than countering it. Treat the encounter as an exercise in leaving the attack path, waiting for a safe opening, and punishing only after the threat has finished its committed action.
How to use the dodge
- Dodge through or past the threat when there is room, rather than retreating in a straight line and allowing the boss to keep the same angle.
- Use the movement to create a punish angle: after the chainsaw attack has ended, face the boss and take the brief safe damage opportunity.
- If another enemy is present, continue moving until you can see both the boss and the second attacker. A technically successful dodge can still fail if it places you in a new attack lane.
Exact dodge invulnerability frames have not been published in the cited material. Do not build a precise frame-perfect timing claim around an unverified number; use the visible attack commitment and your available space instead.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →When a normal enemy gives you a choice
Counter when the incoming strike is clear and you are close enough to benefit from the stagger. Dodge when the attack is unsafe to counter, when you need to cross a crowded lane, or when a second enemy makes the timing ambiguous. The choice is about safety first, then damage conversion: a dodge that puts you beside one isolated enemy can be more valuable than a risky counter that leaves you surrounded.
Rank #3
- Ergonomic & Adjustable Design: Fight "text neck" and improve your posture. Designed for comfort, it offers an adjustable height (7.1in-8.5in) (1.4in adjustable range) and angle (5°-85°) Please note: cell phone stand is only 9 inches tall—the length of a standard pencil
- Without blocking subtitles Perfect for office desk Tiktok Face Time Zoom video—this is the ultimate kitchen desk essential for phones! Perfect viewing experience while reducing neck back strain, A must-have for gamers streamers desk, and anyone who values both style and support!
- Sleek & Stable Design fits Otterbox Case: Say goodbye to bent cables, tangles, and tip-overs! LISEN’s stylish adjustable desk phone holder features a built-in charging hole and smart cable management, keeping your phone secure and your workspace clutter-free cool gadgets for men
- ANTI-SLIP DESIGN free hands: The under 10.00 items easy gadgets back and the bottom of this kitchen essentials for women are fully covered by anti-skid silicone, which LISEN stand up desk decor can provide maximum protection device from any scratches and slides
- Your Perfect Viewing Companion:If your product arrives damaged or breaks within 365 days, reach out to LISEN for a quick and hassle-free solution. Struggling with assembly, like tightening the screw? We’ve got your back! Your experience matters to us. (Product including: phone Holder stand*1, screw*1, hexagon screwdriver*1, specification*1)
How do finishers work safely?
Finishers are commitment animations. In the demo, use one on a staggered or downed target only after checking whether another enemy is about to hit you. Patch v0.9.7 added new finisher moves and improved cinematic finishers, but the update does not make every finisher safe in every crowd situation.
A finisher checklist
- Confirm that the target is actually staggered or downed.
- Scan the nearest attacker before activating the finisher.
- Prefer a finisher when the group is separated, another enemy is also down, or the animation clearly keeps you out of danger.
- Cancel the idea and reposition if a ranged enemy has a clean line of fire or a rusher is already committed.
In a one-on-one opening, a finisher is an efficient way to turn control into damage. In an active wave, a short combo may be the better conversion because it returns control to you sooner.
How do I control crowds in Acts of Blood?
The official notes add a push action for crowd control: press Q on keyboard or push the left stick on a controller. Use it to open a lane, then turn toward the most immediate threat so the group remains in one readable cluster in front of you.
Push to create a lane
- Identify the side where the group is densest or where a second attacker is about to flank.
- Use push to create separation instead of beginning a long attack string into the cluster.
- Turn toward the nearest active attacker immediately after the push.
- Counter the clear commitment, dodge the unsafe attack, and keep moving so enemies do not form a ring around you.
Push is space control, not a replacement for damage. Its value is that it restores visibility and gives you a chance to choose the next defensive response.
Ranged enemies and rushers
In arena waves, interrupt a ranged enemy or a rusher with a weapon or an environmental object when the firing line or charge is the immediate problem. Once the line is broken, return to hand-to-hand combat so counter timing remains readable. Do not spend a long finisher while another enemy is active unless the animation is clearly safe.
Keep the group in front
After every counter, dodge, or push, face the remaining enemies. Fighting with one opponent behind you removes the visual information that makes the defensive timing work. If the crowd spreads, move toward open space, push to re-form the lane, and only then resume your punch or kick sequence.
Rank #4
- Easy Installation: Our gaming lights have been designed to enhance your entertainment experience. Simply position the led light bar next to your TV or game console to create a game room environment with ease. They come with USB power and a 60 inch cord for direct mounting and mobility
- Audio Syncing & Extensive Mode: The built-in high-sensitivity music sensor allows you to sync the TV led lights to your favorite music. Lights react and move to the beat of music, film and game audio, creating an incredible immersive sound and light experience – and all without the need for an additional hub. You can choose from 64+ patterns, including strobe, illusion, jump, energy, gradient, running, chasing, fluttering mode etc. Each mode can be applied to different scenes
- 64+ Chasing IC+RGB & W Effect: The independent control design of IC+RGB and white all-in-one multifunctional rgbw led bar lights monitor backlight allows you to easily switch the led lights for desk between IC+RGB and white to enjoy a variety of lighting effects, you can choose white lighting mode with high brightness for better illumination when working, etc. Choose IC+RGB lighting mode when you need to create an entertaining atmosphere for the light show, 16 million colours of Color changing rgb light bar let you dance to the beat and create a dynamic party atmosphere
- Dynamic and Dimmable Lights: 1%-full brightness free brightness adjustment gives you the flexibility to adjust dimmable led light bar for room decorations or a variety of occasions
- USB Powered: USB light bars for room can be powered by powernank, usb charger, TV, Monitor, laptop PC mainframe, making behind TV led lighting bar easy to install in any location.TV led lights are powered by the TV usb interface / PC mainframe, can be turned on/off synchronously with TV / PC
When should I use weapons and rage?
Weapons are interruption tools
The demo shows weapons and environmental objects providing stagger or stopping power. Use one to interrupt a ranged enemy, halt a rusher, or create the space needed to return to hand-to-hand combat. Public notes do not establish the final weapon classes, ammunition rules, reload timing, or durability, so do not plan around a definitive weapon economy yet.
Remember the input issue: if right-click is assigned to counter/parry and a prop will not equip, separate the interaction binding. A weapon that cannot be picked up is often a control configuration problem rather than a combat rule.
Build and spend rage deliberately
The demo walkthrough describes rage as a burst-damage resource that fills while you maintain a hit chain. Reserve it for an elite enemy, a gunner problem, or a boss punish window. Spending rage on an encounter you have already won removes the resource from the next high-risk opening. Because the full game’s resource values and economy are not documented here, judge each use by the threat it removes rather than by an assumed fixed number of charges.
Where do I spend skill points?
Skill purchases happen in the apartment hub between outings, not during a mission. The skill tree was moved to the hub in v0.9.5, so return there after a run if you cannot find an upgrade screen inside the warehouse or arena.
A practical first-demo order
- Survivability or health. Extra margin lets you learn counter and dodge timing without ending a run after one mistake.
- Attack speed or reliable combo options. Faster or more dependable basic attacks improve the counter-to-combo conversion and make it easier to disengage before another enemy arrives.
- Additional finishers. Add these after your basic loop is stable, because a finisher is useful only when you can identify a safe opening.
This is a practical ordering for a first demo run, not an official optimal build. If you are consistently surviving but failing to close out staggered targets, move an attack or finisher option earlier; if you are losing to crowd pressure, keep survivability and space control ahead of damage.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What changed in the current demo?
| Build | Date | Combat and progression changes relevant to beginners |
|---|---|---|
| v0.9.5 | December 27, 2025 | Added two arena levels; made attacks feel heavier; allowed brute grapples to be escaped with repeated counter presses; improved hit reactions, enemy stagger, boss pacing and phase transitions, enemy waves, AI, ranged behavior, and dodge/counter response; moved the skill tree to the hub. |
| v0.9.7 | April 5, 2026 | Added and improved cinematic finishers, new finisher moves, two punch combo-set moves, one kick combo-set move, an elite enemy, a more grounded combat feel, a counter-button fix, and an additional enemy-spawn fix. |
These changes explain why older videos or written advice may disagree with the current demo. A brute grapple, for example, can now be escaped by repeated counter presses in v0.9.5, while a normal attack still calls for a timed counter rather than uncontrolled mashing.
Best Value
- Compatible with Wide Screens - To ensure compatibility with the dual monitor mount, your each monitor must meet three conditions at the same time: First, computer screens size range: 13 to 32 inches. Second, screen weight range: 4.4 to 19.8 lbs. Third, the back of the monitor screen must have VESA mounting holes with a pitch of 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
- Regarding the compatibility with desks - Your desk must meet three conditions at the same time: First, desk material: Only wooden desks are recommended, plastic or glass desks cannot be used. Second, desk thickness range: 0.59" - 3.54". Third, the bottom of the desk should not have any cross beams or panels, as this will interfere with installation. We recommend carefully checking that your desk and monitors meets all above conditions before purchasing.
- Dual C-Clamp Hold - Worried your dual monitors might wobble or slip? Our upgraded base uses a larger platform plus a dual C-clamp structure to lock the dual monitor arm firmly to your desk. Each arm safely keeps your screens steady while you type, click and game—no shaking, no sliding, just a clean and secure setup you can trust every day. It also provides Grommet Mounting installation choice, both options ensure stable and secure fixation for your 0.59" - 3.54" desk.
- Full-Motion Adjustment For Comfortable View - Pull the screen closer when you’re deep in a spreadsheet, push it back to watch videos, or rotate to portrait for coding — moving everything smoothly with just one hand. The monitor stand offers +85°/-50° tilt, ±90° swivel and 360° rotation. Raise your monitor up to 15.75″ to support a healthy sitting posture. Whether you’re working from home, gaming through the night, or switching between video calls and documents, getting the screens to your natural line of sight helps relieve neck, shoulder and back strain so you can stay focused longer with less fatigue.
- Keep Your Desk Organized: By lifting both screens off the desktop, this dual monitor stand opens up valuable space for your keyboard, notebook, docking station or a simple, clutter-free work area. Built-in cable management guides wires along the arms, keeping cords out of sight and out of the way. Enjoy a tidy, modern workstation that looks as good as it feels to use.
A practice plan for your first runs
Run one: learn the defensive rhythm
Use the warehouse stage or an arena encounter to practise identifying one nearby attacker. Start a short string, stop, watch the wind-up, and counter only after commitment. Do not spend rage or attempt cinematic finishers until the timing feels repeatable. Your goal is to recognise the difference between an attack that can be countered and one that should be avoided.
Run two: add movement and push
Keep the same counter practice, but add a push whenever two enemies overlap your lane. After the push, turn toward the most immediate threat and use a dodge to pass through or around the danger when needed. This teaches you to restore a readable formation instead of trying to defeat every enemy from the centre of the crowd.
Run three: practise conversion choices
After a successful counter, choose between a short combo and a finisher based on the rest of the room. Use the combo when another enemy is active; use the finisher when the target is down and the animation is clearly safe. Save rage for the elite, a gunner, or a boss opening so the resource decision becomes part of the same defensive loop.
Boss practice
Against the chainsaw boss, remove counter attempts from your plan. Dodge the committed attack, move to a safe angle, and punish during the opening. This isolates the timing and positioning skills that the encounter is testing without encouraging a counter on an attack the current walkthrough says to avoid.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Holding or mashing counter: release it and press during the incoming strike. The exception is escaping the brute grapple, where v0.9.5 notes specify repeated counter presses.
- Using a long combo while surrounded: switch to a short string, push or dodge to restore space, then face the next attacker.
- Finishing the first stagger you see: scan for a second attacker before committing to the animation.
- Countering the chainsaw boss: follow the current demo rule and dodge instead, then punish a safe opening.
- Failing to pick up a weapon: check whether counter/parry is bound to right-click and assign interaction separately.
- Looking for upgrades inside a mission: return to the apartment hub; the skill tree was moved there in v0.9.5.
- Assuming an old guide matches your build: verify whether you are on v0.9.5, v0.9.7, or a later demo revision before judging timing, stagger, or combo availability.
Choosing a play style: safety, space, damage, and resources
| Decision | Safer default | Why it works in the demo | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming attack | Timed counter when the commitment is clear | Creates a stagger for immediate damage conversion | Do not mash; use a dodge for unsafe or unclear attacks. |
| Positioning | Push, then keep enemies in front | Opens a lane and preserves visual information | A push creates space but does not finish the fight. |
| Damage conversion | Short punch or kick string | Returns control quickly in a crowd | Use a finisher only after checking other attackers. |
| Resource timing | Save rage for elites, gunners, or bosses | Concentrates burst damage on the problem that needs it | The final resource economy is not documented. |
| Progression | Health, then attack reliability, then finishers | Improves survival before expanding damage options | This is a practical demo order, not an official build. |
What is confirmed—and what is not yet published?
Confirmed demo-facing guidance includes the counter-after-commit timing, dodging the chainsaw boss, short punch and kick strings, finishers on staggered or downed targets, the Q/left-stick push, rage filling through a maintained hit chain, and skill spending in the hub. Official patch notes also confirm the changes listed above.
No independently published gameplay statistic was found for the material available here. There are no authoritative published frame-data tables, complete launch combo charts, or final documentation of weapon classes, ammunition, reload timing, durability, or exact dodge invulnerability frames. Treat those details as unconfirmed until the launch version documents them. The full game is scheduled for December 4, 2026, so expect timing, enemy behavior, and available moves to be rechecked after release.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
