Parries, follow-ups, heavy swings and proper arrow sequences. Your favorite weapon has learned a few things.
Make the opening count
Axe gets Sundering Chop and Breach. Great Axe gets Reaping Swing and Deep Wounds. Sword and Greatsword gain their active follow-up attacks, while Maul brings Earthbreaker and Aftershock. The weapons are developing different ways to turn one good opening into a very bad few seconds for the target.
Spear Driving Thrust steps into a real contact. Land health damage and Withdraw gives you a brief chance to step back out. Miss, or hit a shield that absorbs everything, and that exit is not earned. Watch where the point goes.
Wait for it
Greatsword Parry and Riposte rewards a fresh, timed block input. Catch an eligible frontal melee hit in the short parry window, then release and press again during the earned counter window. Holding the button does not keep making new parries.
The attempt and counter both have stamina costs. You are making a read on the incoming attack, not buying permanent protection. Land the timing and the counter gets stronger with the appropriate mastery ranks.
Every arrow has to leave the bow
Longbow and Crossbow actives now use their normal projectile and reload paths. Shortbow Rapid Pair and Running Volley draw and release a separate arrow for every shot. The arrow you see nocked becomes the projectile that actually hits something.
Shortbow sequences need the correct ammunition budget and consume each arrow when fired. Later shots follow your current aim. Interrupt the sequence and fired arrows stay spent. Ranged drawing and aiming also have a movement penalty now, with Skirmisher relief and Running Volley's sequence benefit.