Learning how to dash is one of the first things you should do in Slayers 2 because standing still during combat makes even simple enemies much harder to deal with. Once you understand the timing, you can avoid most incoming attacks and punish enemies while they’re recovering.
In this guide, I’ll explain the dash controls, how to time your dodges, and how to use the dash against single enemies and groups. I’ll also cover a few skill upgrades that make movement and combat much easier as you progress.
The basic idea is simple: bait the enemy into attacking, dash away from the attack, then hit them while they’re recovering. Once this rhythm becomes natural, you’ll be able to use the same technique against bandits, bears, bosses, and later combat challenges.
How to Dash in Slayers 2
The dash is controlled with Q.
You can combine Q with the movement keys to control the direction:
- Q + W — Dash forward
- Q + A — Dash left
- Q + S — Dash backward
- Q + D — Dash right
The game also displays the Dash: Q + WASD control reminder on the bottom-right of the screen, which is useful when you’re still getting used to the controls.
The most important thing to understand is that the dash isn’t just a way to move faster.
It’s your main defensive tool during early combat.
Use Sideways Dashes Instead of Always Backing Away
A backward dash can get you out of danger, but it doesn’t always put you in a good position to counterattack.
A sideways dash is usually more useful because you avoid the enemy’s attack while staying close enough to punish them immediately.
For example, if an enemy is facing you and starts swinging, don’t simply hold S and run away.
Instead, move around the enemy and use Q + A or Q + D as the attack starts.
You’ll slide out of the attack’s path while remaining close enough to attack their exposed side.
The Basic Dash and Attack Technique
The easiest way to understand the combat loop is to break it into five steps:
- Move around the enemy.
- Bait them into attacking.
- Dash as their attack begins.
- Attack while they’re recovering.
- Dash away before their next attack.
You don’t need to perform a massive combo after every dodge.
In fact, keeping your attacks short is often safer.
Landing three attacks and getting away cleanly is much better than attempting a long combo, getting interrupted, and taking the enemy’s entire attack string.
Practice Against Civilian NPCs
If you’re new to Slayers 2, don’t immediately practice your movement against difficult bosses.
Start with Civilian NPCs around the starting area.
Hit one to start the fight and let it move into an open area. Since these NPCs can run away, fighting near walls or buildings can make the practice unnecessarily awkward.
Once the NPC is in a clear area, start circling it.
Circle the Enemy Before You Dash
Don’t stand directly in front of the enemy waiting for the attack.
Instead, hold a movement direction and slowly move around them.
This does two things:
- It makes their attack easier to read.
- It puts you in a better position for a counterattack.
Stay near the edge of their attack range.
You want the enemy to think you’re close enough to hit, because that’s what encourages them to swing.
Dash as the Attack Starts
This is the most important part of the technique.
Don’t wait until the attack has already hit you.
Watch the enemy’s wind-up animation and press Q with a directional key as they begin the attack.
If your timing is correct, the attack should completely miss.
For example, if the enemy is facing you, you can circle toward their side and then use Q + D as they swing.
You’ll move outside the attack’s path while the enemy finishes their animation.
Attack During the Recovery
As soon as the enemy finishes their attack, hit them.
This is your safest opportunity because they have already committed to the previous attack and need a moment before they can attack again.
Start with your basic attacks and keep the combo short.
Once you see the enemy recovering from your hits or preparing another attack, dash away and repeat the process.
The full rhythm becomes:
Circle → Bait → Dash → Attack → Retreat → Repeat
How to Dodge Multiple Enemies
Fighting several enemies at once requires a slightly different approach.
Don’t dash directly through the middle of a group.
Instead, try to move toward the outside of the group.
The goal is to make the enemies line up so that only one or two can attack you at the same time.
If three enemies surround you, continuously attacking one target can leave you exposed to the others.
Use your dash to move around the edge of the group and force the enemies to follow you.
This makes their attacks easier to predict and gives you more room to react.
Don’t Chase a Running Enemy
One common mistake during group fights is chasing an enemy who is moving away while another enemy is still behind you.
That’s an easy way to get hit from the side or back.
If one enemy runs away, don’t automatically follow them.
Look around first.
If another enemy is still close enough to attack, deal with the immediate threat before chasing the target that ran away.
Use Dashing to Farm Enemies Safely
Once you become comfortable with the technique, you can clear regular enemies without constantly trading health.
Clean fights are especially useful while leveling because defeating enemies gives you EXP and mastery, and you’ll often find items such as Health Potions around the areas you’re farming.
Instead of standing still and absorbing hits, use the dash to keep your health high while continuing to defeat enemies.
Skill Points That Help Your Movement
You earn three skill points per level, and some upgrades can make the dash-based playstyle much easier.
You don’t have to spend every point on damage.
If you keep running out of stamina or getting hit during fights, invest in the areas that address those problems.
| Skill | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Stamina | Gives you more resources for attacks and movement |
| Health | Gives you more room for mistakes |
| Block Regeneration | Provides another defensive option |
| Double Jump | Gives you another way to reposition |
| Wall Climb | Helps with traversal and reaching trainers |
Stamina is particularly useful if you’re constantly dashing and attacking.
Meanwhile, Health is a good safety net while you’re still learning enemy attack patterns.
Unlock Double Jump and Wall Climb Early
Movement abilities aren’t only useful during combat.
Double Jump gives you another option for repositioning when an enemy corners you.
Wall Climb is also important later because you’ll need it to reach certain trainers and areas.
Getting these movement upgrades early means you won’t have to return later just to unlock basic traversal abilities.
They also give you more options when a fight starts going badly.
How to Know You Dodged Correctly
You don’t need a complicated indicator to know whether your dash timing was successful.
Watch what happens during the enemy’s attack.
A successful dodge usually looks like this:
- The enemy starts its attack animation.
- You dash out of its path.
- Your health doesn’t decrease.
- The attack finishes without connecting.
- You immediately land your own hits.
If your health is still dropping, you’re probably dashing too late.
If you’re successfully avoiding the first attack but immediately getting hit again, you may be dashing straight backward and then walking back into the enemy’s range.
Common Dash Mistakes
Dashing Too Late
Waiting until the attack is already moving toward you is one of the biggest mistakes.
Start the dash when the enemy commits to the attack.
Always Dashing Backward
Backward movement creates distance, but it doesn’t necessarily give you a good counterattack position.
Try using sideways dashes more often.
Attacking for Too Long
Don’t assume every successful dodge means you should use your longest possible combo.
Get your hits in and prepare to dodge the next attack.
Fighting Against Walls
Walls and buildings limit your movement and make directional dodges harder.
Move enemies into open areas whenever possible.
Ignoring Other Enemies
When fighting multiple enemies, always keep track of what’s happening outside your current target.
A perfect dodge against one enemy doesn’t help if another enemy is about to hit you from behind.
Use the Same Technique Against Bosses
The good thing about learning this technique early is that you don’t have to completely relearn combat later.
You’ll eventually use the same basic pattern against stronger enemies and bosses.
The attacks become more complicated and the combos become longer, but the fundamental decision stays the same:
Watch the wind-up → dash out of the attack → punish the recovery → move away before the next attack.
You can practice this pattern against Civilian NPCs first, then use it during bandit quests, the bear area, boss fights, and eventually Final Selection.
If you’re still struggling with the timing, don’t focus on attacking at first.
Spend a few fights doing nothing except watching the enemy and practicing your dashes.
Once you can consistently avoid their attacks, add one or two basic attacks after each dodge.
Eventually, the movement will become automatic.
The most important thing is to dash when the enemy starts attacking, not after the attack connects. Combine that timing with sideways movement, short counterattacks, and good positioning, and even early-game enemies become much easier to handle.