Charged attacks, specials and recovery windows
Quick answer
A charged attack raises damage, but holding it restricts other actions. Specials depend on the equipped weapon.
On this page
Charge deliberately
Hold the primary attack input and watch the power indicator turn blue. You can begin charging while the meter recovers. Holding the charge prevents running, Wind Dash and throwing attacks, so start only when your position allows that commitment.
Use a safe opening
Let the opponent finish an attack, then release a controlled strike and disengage. Charging throughout an unsafe approach can remove the movement or ranged action you intended to use to escape. Practice the sequence on a familiar enemy before a boss.
Special attacks
Weapons have different secondary actions and charge behaviors. Some store resource over time while others build it through attacks. Check the item and visible meter rather than assuming that every special has the same cooldown. Keep another appropriate weapon equipped for the interval. This page does not give unverified stagger thresholds or claim every enemy can be interrupted.