Fist charge guide: keep combos and heal with Bernhard’s Wrath

How many hits does fist charge need?

Fist weapons use charge points. The three stage thresholds are 1, 4 and 9 points, with damage multipliers of 1×, 1.2× and 2×. A threshold is not a hit count: the amount gained depends on the attack that connects.

Most fist attack actions add 1 charge on a qualifying hit. The fourth ground-combo attack and the Uppercut Whip Strike add 2. Missing does not build charge, so swinging repeatedly out of range does not prepare the strongest stage before a fight.

Why does my charge disappear?

Receiving a direct hit resets charge. At normal game speed, going 4 seconds without increasing charge also resets it. A long retreat can therefore remove a built-up stage even when you avoided the next attack.

A practical approach is to use short attack windows you can actually maintain, then disengage when necessary. After a long dodge or a hit, rebuild from the starting stage instead of planning your next exchange around a bonus you have already lost.

How does Bernhard’s Wrath heal?

Bernhard’s Wrath adds healing to its fist hits against enemies. At 1, 4 and 9 charge points, qualifying hits restore 1%, 2% and 3% of maximum health respectively. At zero charge there is no healing. This is a percentage of Rose’s maximum health, rather than a fixed amount based on the enemy’s damage taken.

The ordinary Cestus, Jewel Knuckles and Fists of Talos share the charge mechanic, but the legendary weapon’s life steal is its own effect. Do not expect every fist weapon to heal simply because it reached 9 charge.

Use the grapple follow-up deliberately

Aim at an enemy, use grapple to approach, then press the main attack during the approach to perform the fist weapon’s Uppercut Whip Strike. This is one of the attacks that adds 2 charge on a qualifying hit. It is a follow-up to the grapple action, rather than an instruction to equip a whip weapon.

Where are the four fist weapons?

Cestus is in Sewer Reservoir, Paris Streets; Jewel Knuckles is in Main Hall; Fists of Talos is in Clock Tower; Bernhard’s Wrath is in the Hall of Mirrors chest linked below. The word Talos in a weapon name does not by itself make it a boss reward. Follow each weapon’s chest link for its actual location.