Stoneshard – How to Properly Use Hooking Chop

Just a quick guide on how to properly use hooking chop.

Guide to Abuse Hooking Chop

Note: Credit goes to Rocket!

Hooking Chop

Hooking Chop is available as soon as you start the game and used to be one of the best skills in the game. However, it has since been nerfed in the Equipment III update. It no longer has a >100% chance to pull enemies, but it was given some bleed chance to compensate. When an enemy (or you!) is pulled into an object such as a wall or other enemy, they are dazed and take a good chunk of damage. Beginning each fight with daze is obviously extremely powerful, so here’s a short tutorial on how to position to abuse hooking chop.

Positioning for Hooking Chop Horizontally

It’s simpler than you think. When the enemy is to your left or right, position below them, with an obstacle or other enemy between you.

The following positions are valid.

The following positions are not valid.

Positioning for Hooking Chop Vertically

When the enemy is above or below you, position to the right.

The following positions are valid.

The following positions are not valid.

Additional Thoughts and Summary

• Do note that in the positions above, there must be an obstacle adjacent to you, between you and the enemy. When the enemy is horizontal to you, the obstacle must be in the same horizontal line as you, and when the enemy is vertical to you, the obstacle must be in the same vertical line as you.
• If the obstacle is not adjacent, but is in the same line as you, then the enemy will be pulled into the tile next to you. For example, when doing a valid hooking chop facing an enemy to the right, if there is a wall below the enemy, but not one to the right of you, the enemy will get pulled into the empty space.
• If the obstacle is adjacent, but is not in the previously aforementioned lines, your hooking chop will be blocked/invalid.For example, when doing a valid hooking chop facing an enemy to the right, if there is not a wall to the right of you, but there is a wall to the left of the enemy, then you will be unable to use hooking chop.

In dungeons, it’s possible to get the proper positioning almost every time, however, it is a little more difficult in the wilderness, where enemies have more room to walk and may path around the wrong side of the obstacle you are trying to pull them into. Be wary of this, and note that it may sometimes be necessary to use hooking chop without pulling them into anything. Good luck and have fun with your newfound knowledge!