A Plague Tale: Requiem- Crafting and Skill Guide

A Plague Tale: Requiem, the sequel to 2019’s most underrated title, A Plague Tale: Innocence, is finally out.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is the sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, and follows siblings Amicia and Hugo de Rune who must look for a cure to Hugo’s blood disease in Southern France while fleeing from soldiers of the Inquisition and hordes of rats that are spreading the black plague. The game was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S on 18 October 2022.

The follow-up Plague Tale game improves on the original in every way, including crafting. Although crafting existed in the first game, the sequel gives you different ways to craft. You can craft stuff regardless of whether you’re holding a sling, a jar, or a crossbow. You can even take advantage of the Weapon Wheel and craft as time slows down.

What can you craft in A Plague Tale Requiem?

Despite the “upgrades”, crafting in A Plague Tale Requiem remains largely identical to the first title. Crafting still relies on you foraging for one of five materials in the game’s world to use for crafting ammo types and coatings for weaponry, specifically: Sulphur, Alcohol, Saltpeter, Fabric, and Resin.

You’ll find all five of these materials quite easily throughout the world as long as you literally turn over every rock. Secret chests, in particular, harbour plenty of rewards. However, even without the secret chests, you should find plenty of materials throughout the world.

What are the different ammo types in A Plague Tale Requiem?

As long as you have the materials listed above, you should be able to craft the following ammo types, regardless of your weapon of choice:

Ignifer
Extinguis
Odoris
Tar

Each of these ammo types has its respective uses in the game. Later, you’ll find scenarios that require using different ammo types. If you’re creative enough, you can use a combination of the ammo types to uncover new secrets en route to securing collectable items in the game.

For the most part, you’ll use the Ignifier (1 x Rock, 1 x Alcohol, and 1 x Sulphur) and Extinguis (1 x Saltpeter and 1 x Sulphur). The former lets you set tall grass and Tar on fire. Meanwhile, the latter can kill flames and let you hide under the guise of smoke clouds. Weirdly enough, Odoris (1 x Alcohol and 1 x Resin), which lets you attract rats to a specific area, exists in a game where one of the playable characters, Hugo, can control rats.

Later in the game, you’ll come across the Devorantis (1 x Rock, 2 x Saltpeter, 1 x Alcohol) that melts enemy helmets; Somnum (1 x Fabric, 4 x Alcohol, 4 x Saltpeter, 3 x Sulphur) to kill guards at close range; Luminosa (3 x Sulphur, 4 x Saltpeter, 4 x Alcohol, 1 x Leather) that lets you clear a horde of rats from a particular area.

The three different A Plague Tale Requiem skills

A Plague Tale Requiem’s skill tree system splits into three sets, namely: Prudence, Aggressive, and Opportunism.

The names are relatively self-explanatory. Going the Prudence route lets you specialize in stealth while Aggressive is more geared toward melee combat. Finally, Opportunism is all about crafting, specifically potions and other items with alchemic properties.

How to level up A Plague Tale Requiem skills

Earning and unlocking skills in A Plague Tale Requiem happens when you engage in a playstyle related to a particular skill tree. For example, if you want to earn Prudence and such skills, you’ll want to constantly sneak past enemies and leave them unharmed. You can also lure enemies away by distracting them to passively increase your Prudence skillset. On the other hand, brute-forcing your way through the game by using the crossbow and sling is a surefire way to level up your Aggressive skills. Last, but definitely not least, crafting and using rats help you earn and unlock more Opportunism skills.

Naturally, Opportunism is the fastest skill bar to fill up in A Plague Tale Requiem. The game is literally designed for you to use alchemy and rats to get rid of enemies. On the other hand, Prudence skills are difficult since you need to be excellent at sneaking and being careful. You’d be surprised at how much patience is needed to leave enemies alive as you pass through the game.

While Opportunism is the fastest skill bar to fill up, Aggressive skills are the easiest to earn. All you’ve got to do is to keep on fighting and killing enemies. Just make sure to keep an eye out for your resources. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself running out of alchemical ammo and crossbow resources in the middle of a fight.

Ultimately, Asobo Studio deserves props. The way skills work in A Plague Tale Requiem prevents you from feeling too overpowered by the end of the game.

What are the best skills in A Plague Tale Requiem?

All skills in A Plague Tale Requiem will come in handy sooner or later. However, not all skills are made equal.

These are the best skills to get in A Plague Tale Requiem:

Light Footstep

Don’t let the Aggressive skill tree fool you, A Plague Tale Requiem is very much a stealth game. A huge chunk of the game revolves around not being seen and heard. This is why Light Footstep is so important as it muffles your movement and makes you less noisy. This minimizes the chances that enemies will see you.

Nimbleness

If Light Footstep makes you harder to detect, Nimbleness lets you move faster while undetected. This lets you sneak past enemies you would rather not fight and avoid encounters altogether.

Pure Product

Found in the Opportunism category, this skill is perfect as it lets you craft alchemical ammo for free. If you’re playing A Plague Tale Requiem at a higher difficulty or in New Game Plus, this is a must-have.

Alchemy Knowledge

Alchemy Knowledge is less of a power boost and more of a safety net. Basically, it lets you craft ammo faster in the game. This won’t come in handy most of the time but in tense situations where you’re outnumbered (this will happen late in the game), you’ll be glad that you got this skill.