Summary
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Misthas a unique system for a Metroidvania. The heroine, Lilac, has a crystal that allows her to absorb mutants called Homunculi in the game and she’s known as an Attuner. Players can assign these Homunculi to the face buttons oftheir controller of choice. For example, the first Homunculus, Nola, gives Lilac a sword attack.
Homunculi can be upgraded inEnder Magnolia: Bloom in the Mistto unlock alternate attack patterns too. These resources are more limited than most, so players have to be wise about how they spend them. Let’s rank the best abilities players should learn and equip in this latest Metroidvania adventure.
8Benumbed Howl (Shackled Beast)
Counter With An Icy Blast
Benumbed Howl is the best ability for the Shackled Beast who resembles something out ofBloodborne. All of the Shackled Beast’s attacks are counters, so to activate them, players must be ready whenever enemies attack.
The timing has some leeway more so thanother counter systems in gamesbut it can still be tricky. Benumbed Howl has an area effect that will blast enemies with cold damage and possibly freeze them in place. It’s a move best reserved for random enemies and not bosses.
7Poison Cloud (Huginn)
Dodge And Create A Poisonous Cloud
There aretwo bird companions, or owls specifically, in the game and Huginn is the second. Players will activate Huginn’s abilities by dodging and the only ability that makes sense to use from Huginn is Poison Cloud.
Wherever players dodge from will create a small purple cloud that can damage enemies so long as they are inside of it. Players will probably deal with this attack from enemies mostly in the game and it can be annoying. That’s why it’s fun to turn the tables even though Huginn overall isn’t the best Homunculus.
6Blazing Fist (Lito)
Inflict Damage And Blaze Them Up
Blazing Fist is Lito’s starting ability and while his other two are handy, this is the one to keep and upgrade. Lito’s abilities are among the few that run on cooldowns like in a typical action RPG.
Blazing Fist will fire Lito’s fist forward for a good amount of damage and there is a chance enemies will be infected by Blaze. Blaze will do continuous fire damage to an enemy so it’s a good ability to launch at a boss at the start of a fight. Don’t forget to try again after the cooldown too.
5Stun (Munnin)
Zap Enemies Automatically
Stun is a basic name for a good ability from Munnin, the other owl in the game. Munnin can be summoned with a button press and then it will automatically use whatever moves players have equipped to it sporadically.
Of the three, Stun is great because it has a chance of applying Shock to enemies. Munnin’s attacks aren’t strong but they’re useful as players don’t have to worry about managing them. AI companions will never be a replacement for real-lifefriends in co-op, but Muninn does a decent job.
4Eviscerate (Yolvan)
Drill Into Enemies Continuously
Eviscerate is one ofYolvan’s moves, he is one of the harder bosses inEnder Magnolia: Bloom in the Mistbefore he joins. He starts with a pistol ability but Eviscerate will turn his ranged attacks into a melee one via a drill made out of wind.
Players can hold down the assigned button and continuously attack with Eviscerate until they want to stop. The only downside is trading the safety of range for the power of melee but overall most of Yolvan’s abilities are worthwhile.
3Thunder Flower (No. 7)
Jump And Spin Into Enemies
No. 7 is a samurai-like character who uses his blade to slash multiple enemies. Thunder Flower will turn these slashes into a vertical spin attack, similar to Samus’ Screw Attack inSuper Metroid, one of the progenitors ofthe Metroidvania genre.
Thunder Flower inEnder Magnolia: Bloom in the Mistcould be an homage to the Screw Attack or it could simply be a coincidence. Either way, this continuous ball of damage has a chance to inflict Shock on top of high damage.
2Whirlwind (Luiseach)
Protect Lilac With Two Opposing Cyclones
Luiseach is one of the last Homunculi that will join the team. She’sa powerful witchand it’s honestly hard to decide which of her three abilities is the best because they all inflict extra elemental damage and effects.
Whirlwind slightly wins out and like Yolvan, Luiseach’s attacks are continuous. This ability will create two tornados to protect Lilac on either side and any enemy that gets near will take damage. It has the bonus of causing Shock to enemies too.
1Soul Harvester (Nola)
Attack Enemies With A Scythe
Soul Harvester is a great name for a scythe in any game as that’s what the Grim Reaper does with his weapon of choice: harvest souls. Nola, Lilac’s starting Homunculus, has three weapons that manifest themselves as abilities inEnder Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist.
She starts with a sword and then players can switch between a scythe and a great axe. The scythe has the best overall balance between attack power and speed. Plus it just looks cool to perform combos with a scythe in any game fromEnder Magnolia: Bloom in the MisttoDarksiders 2toFinal Fantasy Type-0.
