Blade Mode



Blade Mode is a core mechanic of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, allowing Raiden to use his specially modified sword to make lethally accurate cuts.

History
While Raiden was capable of using this ability after a fashion even when serving as N'Mani's bodyguard, his rebuilt cyborg body boosted the capability beyond recognition. Using fuel-cell electrolytes to power it, Blade Mode allowed Raiden to supercharge his reflexes and slow the apparent passage of time, while his CNT muscle fibre was strengthened for lethally powerful blows.

Mechanics
Blade Mode can be compared to the "iron sight" mode of most shooters, allowing Raiden to aim his sword at specific targets rather than slash in combos. The blade can either be slashed using buttons (Square / X for a horizontal slash and Triangle / Y for a vertical slash) or aimed precisely using the analogue stick; fully pressing the analogue stick in one direction and then releasing it will slash the sword in that direction.

In the prologue it is possible to use Blade Mode, but it does not slow down time or cut enemies to pieces unless an enemy has been knocked into the air. Following that stage and Raiden's body being rebuilt by Doktor, Blade Mode uses Fuel Cell (FC) energy while active, increases the sword's cutting power, and allows Zandatsu to be performed on enemies.

The precise rate of FC usage varies depending on the equipped sword and its mods, and Raiden's equipped body. The FC bar starts small, but Fuel Cell Upgrades can be found and bought to boost capacity, up to double the starting amount.

Blade Mode can be entered as long as there is any energy at all in the FC Gauge, but if the gauge is yellow it will not slow time or increase cutting power. The FC Gauge can be re-filled by performing standard attacks on enemies (at a rate defined by the equipped weapon's absorption rate), by using Electrolyte Packs, or by performing Zandatsu on enemies.

Normal enemies can be cut to pieces in Blade Mode without issue, but more powerful enemies with armour or riot shields require softening up with standard attacks or counters before cutting becomes possible.