Improved Perfect Defense

Enhance your Stellar Blade combat experience with improved Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge mechanics. This mod provides subtle but noticeable improvements to timing windows and responsiveness, making defensive combat more reactive and enjoyable without trivializing the challenge.

✨ Key Features

Enhanced Timing Windows

• Perfect Parry: Increased from 9 frames → 12 frames (0.15s → 0.2s)
• Perfect Dodge: Increased from 9 frames → 12 frames (0.15s → 0.2s)
• Guard Cooldown: Reduced from 24 frames → 21 frames (0.4s → 0.35s)
• Responsive Combat: More reactive gameplay without removing challenge

Multiple Versions Available

• Standard Version: Recommended balanced improvements
• Extended Version: Larger timing windows for easier gameplay
• Lite Version: Only cooldown improvements, no timing changes
• Rush Variants: Combined with Rush cooldown improvements

Technical Improvements

• Better Responsiveness: Reduced input buffer time between actions
• Reactive Gameplay: Support for reactive rather than purely predictive play
• Exospine Compatibility: Works with all existing skill and equipment bonuses
• Tachy Mode Support: Proper handling of Tachy Mode mechanics

🎯 What This Mod Changes

Core Mechanics

• Perfect Parry Window: Extended timing for successful parries
• Perfect Dodge Window: Extended timing for successful dodges
• Guard Cooldown: Faster recovery between defensive actions
• Input Responsiveness: Improved reaction time for defensive maneuvers

Combat Feel

• More Forgiving: Slightly easier to execute perfect defenses
• Better Flow: Smoother combat rhythm and timing
• Skill Expression: Maintains challenge while improving responsiveness
• Variety Support: Enables use of different Exospine types effectively

📦 Available Versions

Main Files

Improved Perfect Defense (Standard)

• Perfect Parry/Dodge: 9 frames → 12 frames (0.15s → 0.2s)
• Guard Cooldown: 24 frames → 21 frames (0.4s → 0.35s)
• Recommended: Best balance of improvement and challenge

Improved Perfect Defense - Extended

• Perfect Parry/Dodge: 9 frames → 15 frames (0.15s → 0.25s)
• Guard Cooldown: 24 frames → 21 frames (0.4s → 0.35s)
• For Players: Who want more forgiving timing windows

Optional Files

Improved Perfect Defense - Lite

• Guard Cooldown Only: 24 frames → 21 frames (0.4s → 0.35s)
• No Timing Changes: Maintains original parry/dodge windows
• Minimal Impact: For players who only want responsiveness improvement

Improved Perfect Defense - Rush

• Perfect Defense: Standard improvements (12 frames)
• Guard Cooldown: Reduced as standard
• Rush Cooldown: 8 seconds → 6 seconds
• Combined Benefits: Defense and offensive improvements

Improved Perfect Defense - Rush EX

• Perfect Defense: Standard improvements (12 frames)
• Guard Cooldown: Reduced as standard
• Rush Cooldown: 8 seconds → 4 seconds
• Maximum Enhancement: Significant Rush cooldown reduction

Improved Perfect Defense - Extended - Rush EX

• Perfect Defense: Extended improvements (15 frames)
• Guard Cooldown: Reduced as standard
• Rush Cooldown: 8 seconds → 4 seconds
• Ultimate Version: Maximum improvements across all systems

🔧 Technical Details

Frame Data Analysis

• Original Timing: 9 frames at 60 FPS = 0.15 seconds
• Standard Improvement: 12 frames = 0.2 seconds (+0.05s)
• Extended Improvement: 15 frames = 0.25 seconds (+0.1s)
• Cooldown Reduction: 3 frames = 0.05 seconds faster recovery

Skill/Gear Interactions

The mod is fully compatible with existing game systems:

Built-in Improvements

• Focus Boost Skill: +0.04s to Perfect Parry window
• Reflex Boost Skill: +0.04s to Perfect Dodge window
• Reflex-Type Exospine: +0.04s to both windows
• Reflex-Type Exospine Mk. 2: +0.06s to both windows (NG+ only)

Additive Effects

• All bonuses stack with mod improvements
• Consider total timing when choosing mod version
• Standard + Reflex Exospine Mk. 2 = 0.26s total window
• Extended + Reflex Exospine Mk. 2 = 0.31s total window

Tachy Mode Handling

• Baseline Window: Already 0.2s in Tachy Mode
• Standard Version: No change needed (already optimal)
• Extended Version: Increases to 0.25s for consistency
• Proper Integration: Maintains intended Tachy Mode advantages

📋 Installation Requirements

System Requirements

• Stellar Blade PC version (Steam/Epic Games)
• At least 5MB free storage space
• Administrator privileges for file operations

Compatibility Notes

• Compatible: With most other Stellar Blade mods
• Conflicts: Mods that edit SkillTable.uasset
• Rush Mod Integration: Use combined versions if using both
• Single Installation: Only install one version at a time

🔧 Installation Guide

Method 1: Using Mod Manager (Recommended)

1. Download your preferred version from the files above
2. Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a temporary folder
3. Open Stellar Blade Mod Manager
4. Navigate to your mod collection folder
5. Create a subfolder named “Gameplay_Enhancement_Mods”
6. Copy the extracted mod files (.pak, .utoc, .ucas) to this subfolder
7. Select the mod in the manager and click “Apply”
8. Launch the game to test the improvements

Method 2: Manual Installation

1. Locate your Stellar Blade installation directory

   Steam: Right-click game → Manage → Browse local files
   Epic: Epic Games/StellarBlade/

2. Navigate to the Paks folder

   StellarBladeDemo/SB/Content/Paks/

3. Create the mods directory (if it doesn’t exist)

   StellarBladeDemo/SB/Content/Paks/~mods/

4. Extract and install mod files

   • Extract your chosen version’s ZIP file
   • Copy the .pak, .utoc, and .ucas files to the ~mods folder
   • Ensure all three files are present for proper functionality

5. Verify installation

   • Launch Stellar Blade
   • Test Perfect Parry/Dodge timing in combat
   • Notice improved responsiveness

🎮 Usage and Testing

Testing the Improvements

1. Find a combat encounter with predictable enemy attacks
2. Practice Perfect Parries and notice the extended window
3. Test Perfect Dodges with improved timing
4. Feel the responsiveness improvement in guard recovery
5. Compare with your memory of vanilla timing

Choosing the Right Version

• New Players: Start with Standard version
• Struggling with Timing: Try Extended version
• Minimal Changes: Use Lite version for responsiveness only
• Rush Users: Choose appropriate Rush variant
• Experienced Players: Standard version maintains good challenge

⚠️ Important Considerations

Design Philosophy

• Not a Cheat: Intended as quality-of-life improvement
• Maintains Challenge: Still requires skill and timing
• Reactive Support: Enables reactive play alongside predictive
• Subtle Changes: Improvements are noticeable but not overwhelming

Limitations

• One Direction: Only helps if you’re slightly early, not late
• Skill Required: Still need to learn enemy patterns and timing
• Frame Perfect: Late inputs still fail regardless of window size
• Balance Maintained: Game difficulty curve preserved

Performance Impact

• Minimal: Very small file size and no performance impact
• Stable: Thoroughly tested for stability
• Compatible: Works with most other gameplay mods
• Safe: No risk to save files or game integrity

🔄 Uninstallation

Complete Removal

1. Navigate to the ~mods folder
2. Delete the three mod files (.pak, .utoc, .ucas)
3. Restart the game to revert to original timing
4. Verify changes have been reverted in combat

Version Switching

1. Remove current version files
2. Install new version files
3. Test in-game to confirm changes
4. Only use one version at a time

💡 Tips for Best Results

Combat Strategy

• Practice Timing: Use training areas to get used to new windows
• Reactive Play: Take advantage of improved responsiveness
• Skill Synergy: Combine with appropriate skills and equipment
• Gradual Learning: Start with easier enemies to adapt

Mod Combinations

• Visual Mods: Combine with visual enhancement mods safely
• Performance Mods: Compatible with optimization mods
• Character Mods: Works with appearance modifications
• Avoid Conflicts: Don’t use with other combat timing mods

🤝 Community and Support

This mod is created by Andrew Creekmore with careful attention to game balance and player experience. The goal is to enhance the combat feel without compromising the intended challenge.

Support the Creator

• Consider supporting the mod author if you enjoy the improvements
• Provide feedback on balance and feel
• Report any compatibility issues
• Share your experience with the community

Getting Help

• Verify correct installation path
• Ensure only one version is installed
• Test with minimal mod setup if issues occur
• Check for conflicts with other combat mods

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Ready to improve your Stellar Blade combat experience? Choose your preferred version and enjoy more responsive and satisfying Perfect Defense mechanics!