Tides of Annihilation: Knight System Guide

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide explains how the knight system works in Tides of Annihilation, covering how to unlock knights, how they fight alongside you, and how to manage them effectively. You’ll learn the core mechanics, how to pick the right knight for your playstyle, and what common mistakes to avoid.

Background: What the Knight System Is

The knight system is a companion mechanic that lets you summon one of several unlockable knights to fight beside you in combat. Each knight has a distinct weapon, moveset, and set of passive bonuses that can complement your own character’s abilities. Knights are not just AI allies; they are actively controlled through a dedicated button, and their actions are tied to a shared resource called the Knight Gauge.

Knights are introduced early in the campaign, but the full roster is only available after you complete certain story missions and side quests. The system is designed to encourage experimentation, as different knights are more effective against different enemy types and in different situations.

How the Knight System Works: Core Mechanics

At its heart, the knight system works on three principles: summoning, commanding, and managing the Knight Gauge.

Summoning: You can summon a knight at any time during combat, provided the Knight Gauge has at least one segment filled. Summoning costs one segment and brings the knight into the fight for a limited time.
Commanding: While a knight is active, you can press the command button to order a special attack. Each knight has a unique special that deals heavy damage, applies a status effect, or interrupts enemy attacks. The special has its own cooldown, separate from the summon timer.
Dismissing: You can dismiss a knight early to conserve the Gauge, but you will not get the segment back. The Gauge refills over time, with the rate increasing when you land attacks or perfect dodges.

The Knight Gauge has a maximum of three segments. It does not carry over between battles, so you will start each encounter with a full gauge. This encourages you to use knights aggressively rather than hoarding them.

Unlocking Knights and Upgrades

Knights are unlocked through story progression and optional content. The first knight, Sir Aldric, is obtained during the second main story mission. Others are tied to side quests, hidden areas, or defeating optional bosses.

Once unlocked, each knight has a skill tree with three branches: Offense, Defense, and Utility. You spend upgrade points earned from leveling up or completing knight-specific challenges. Offense upgrades increase damage and add new combo finishers; Defense upgrades reduce damage taken and add a shield ability; Utility upgrades improve the Knight Gauge regeneration or add passive buffs to your character.

You can respec a knight’s skill tree at any rest point for a small in-game currency cost. This makes it easy to adapt to a new boss or area without committing permanently.

Choosing the Right Knight for Your Playstyle

Each knight fills a different role, and the best choice depends on your preferred combat style.

Sir Aldric (Sword and Shield): Balanced in offense and defense. His special is a shield bash that stuns enemies, making him ideal for aggressive players who like to stay close.
Lady Isolde (Twin Daggers): Fast and fragile. Her special is a rapid multi-hit attack that builds combo meter quickly. Best for players who rely on dodging and counter-attacks.
Baron Voss (Great Hammer): Slow but devastating. His special is a ground slam that deals massive damage and breaks enemy armor. Good for players who prefer heavy, deliberate attacks.
Seer Maelis (Staff): Ranged and support. Her special is a healing pulse that restores a portion of your health. Ideal for players who want a safety net in longer fights.

There is no single “best” knight. The game’s difficulty curve is designed so that each knight is viable, but some are more forgiving than others. If you are struggling with a boss, try switching to a knight that counters its attack patterns.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Players often make a few predictable errors when using the knight system.

Using the special too early: The special attack is powerful, but it has a long cooldown. Save it for when the enemy is staggered or when you need to interrupt a telegraphed heavy attack.
Ignoring the Gauge: The Gauge refills faster when you are aggressive. If you play too defensively, you will rarely have knights available. Balance your offense and defense to keep the Gauge healthy.
Not dismissing before a big attack: Knights can be knocked out of the fight if they take too much damage. If you see a boss winding up a massive area attack, dismiss your knight to avoid losing it for the rest of the battle.
Sticking to one knight: The game gives you multiple knights for a reason. Experiment with different knights against different enemy types. A knight that struggles against a fast boss may excel against a slow, armored one.

Knight System vs. Other Companion Mechanics

If you have played other action games with companion systems, you will notice some key differences. In many games, companions are either fully autonomous or purely cosmetic. The knight system in Tides of Annihilation is more active: you control when to summon, when to use the special, and when to dismiss. This gives you a level of tactical control that is rare in the genre.

Compared to a summoning system like a spirit or familiar, the knight system is more resource-intensive. You cannot spam knights; you must manage the Gauge carefully. This makes each summon feel meaningful and prevents the system from becoming a crutch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock more knights? Knights are unlocked through main story missions, side quests, and optional boss fights. The game will typically notify you when a new knight becomes available. If you want to find all of them, explore every area thoroughly and talk to NPCs with side quest markers.

Can I use multiple knights at once? No, you can only have one knight active at a time. You can switch between knights during combat, but doing so costs a full Gauge segment. This prevents you from chaining multiple specials in a row.

Does the knight’s level affect my character? No, the knight’s level and skill tree are independent of your character’s level. However, some Utility upgrades grant passive bonuses to your character, such as increased health or stamina regeneration. These bonuses are always active, even when the knight is not summoned.

What happens if my knight is knocked out? If a knight takes too much damage, it is knocked out and cannot be summoned again until the next battle. The Knight Gauge will still be drained, so you lose both the knight and the Gauge segment. You can avoid this by dismissing the knight before it takes fatal damage.

Is the knight system necessary to beat the game? No, the game is beatable without using knights, but it is significantly harder. Knights provide crowd control, burst damage, and utility that make tough encounters more manageable. Using them effectively is key to higher difficulty settings.

Do knights have their own inventory or equipment? No, knights do not have equipment slots. Their stats are fixed, and their power scales with your character’s level and the knight’s skill tree. This keeps the system simple and avoids the need to manage multiple gear sets.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.