- Valor Mortis Howler is an aggressive infected enemy known for loud, telegraphed scream attacks
- Best counter: Perfect parry its lunge, then punish during the long recovery window
- Key weakness: Its scream has a slow wind-up, giving you time to dodge or shoot a weak point
- Danger zone: Never fight multiple Howlers in narrow corridors; use spacing
- Reward focus: Farm Howlers early for upgrade resources and combat practice
Howler Overview: Threat Profile
The Howler is one of the recurring infected enemies you will encounter across plague-stricken Napoleonic Europe in Valor Mortis. As a first-person Soulslike, the game rewards reading enemy behavior before committing to attacks, and the Howler is an excellent teacher of that discipline. Its signature scream and committed lunges punish players who mash attacks without leaving stamina for defense.
Video Highlights:
- Official gameplay shows first-person melee timing against infected enemies
- Firearm interrupts create openings before enemies close distance
- Stamina management determines whether you survive multi-enemy pulls
No official trailer currently focuses exclusively on the Howler, so treat this guide as a combat-principles breakdown built from the game's confirmed mechanics: blocking, perfect parries, dodges, executions, weak-point attacks, and stamina control.
The most common cause of death against Howler-type enemies is spending the entire stamina bar on offense. Always reserve enough stamina for one dodge or block before committing to another swing.
Attack Patterns and Counter Table
Every Howler attack is information about your next safe window. Large wind-ups create punishable openings; fast follow-ups should be answered with defense or repositioning.
| Attack | Tell / Wind-Up | Best Response | Punish Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scream | Long inhale, visible posture change | Dodge sideways or shoot during wind-up | Medium - long recovery |
| Forward lunge | Brief crouch, guttural growl | Perfect parry or sidestep | Long - very punishable |
| Double swipe | Quick arm raise | Block first hit, parry second | Short - one attack only |
| Ground slam | Slow overhead raise | Dodge backward, then close in | Medium |
| Grab | Shuffling approach, arms spread | Dodge through, never block | Long after whiff |
Attacks with large wind-ups usually create the clearest openings. If an animation looks slow and heavy, it is almost always your best parry or punish opportunity.
Key reading habits:
- Stay close enough to read attack animations without being trapped
- Stop attacking the moment the encounter changes pace or range
- Confirm the punish only after the dangerous part of the animation ends
- Track which attack killed you and change one decision per attempt
Best Weapons and Abilities Against Howlers
Valor Mortis supports several complementary approaches rather than a single mandatory build. Choose the tool that matches the situation and your confidence with timing.
Melee (Sabre / Sword)
- Best for: consistent parry-and-punish cycles
- Reliable during stagger windows
- Enables executions on vulnerable Howlers
- Risk: close positioning against groups
Firearms
- Best for: interrupting the scream wind-up
- Effective on exposed weak points
- Controls enemies that are unsafe to approach
- Risk: limited ammunition, exposed reloads
Supernatural Abilities
- Best for: dangerous phases and group control
- Adds solutions ordinary attacks lack
- Reserve for reliable openings
- Risk: wasted cooldowns if used too early
| Loadout Slot | Recommended Pick | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Primary melee | Sabre-class weapon | Balanced speed and range for parry punishes |
| Ranged option | Sidearm / pistol | Interrupts screams, targets weak points |
| Ability | Crowd-control or burst power | Handles multi-Howler pulls safely |
| Defensive habit | Perfect parry practice | Converts lunges into execution chances |
Dual wielding expands your options during an exchange but increases the number of decisions required in first-person combat. Pair complementary tools - such as a fast blade plus a pistol - rather than duplicating the same function.
Step-by-Step: How to Beat a Howler
Scout before engaging
Check whether the Howler is alone, whether the terrain has narrow corners, and whether nearby enemies will join the pull. Approach from a position where you cannot be surrounded.
Bait and read one attack
Stay at the edge of its aggro range and let it commit to a lunge or swipe. Do not attack yet - use this first exchange purely to confirm the timing.
Parry or dodge, then punish briefly
Perfect parry the lunge, or dodge through it, and land one or two attacks during the recovery window. End your combo before the safe punish window closes.
Interrupt the scream
When you hear or see the scream wind-up, either dodge sideways immediately or spend a pistol shot to interrupt it. The scream often precedes its most aggressive phase.
Execute when vulnerable
Once the Howler enters an exposed state from parries or repeated staggers, prioritize the execution instead of chasing extra damage with low-impact attacks.
After each failed attempt, change a single decision - which attack you parried, where you stood, when you healed - so you can clearly identify what actually improved the fight.
Common Mistakes and Farming Checklist
| Mistake | Consequence | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Attacking through the scream wind-up | Heavy damage or stagger | Dodge sideways or interrupt with a firearm |
| Fighting in doorways | Surrounded by additional pulls | Pull Howlers into open space |
| Exhausting stamina on offense | No defense available for the lunge | Reserve stamina for one dodge or block |
| Panic retaliation after taking damage | One mistake becomes three | Create distance, heal, wait for a readable opening |
| Ignoring the execution state | Extended, risky fights | Take the guaranteed finish immediately |
Before Every Howler Encounter:
- Confirm health, stamina, and ammunition are ready
- Identify the arena's corners, hazards, and escape route
- Choose a primary plan: parry-punish, ranged pressure, or abilities
- Check whether nearby enemies will join the fight
- Note the attack that caused your last death
FAQ
Q: Can I block the Howler's scream in Valor Mortis?
Blocking a scream is generally not the recommended answer because the attack is designed to punish stationary players. Dodging sideways during the long wind-up, or interrupting it with a firearm shot, keeps your stamina intact and creates a better punish window.
Q: What is the best weapon against the Howler?
A sabre-class melee weapon paired with a sidearm is the most reliable setup. The sabre handles parry-and-punish cycles during recovery windows, while the pistol interrupts the scream wind-up and pressures weak points from range.
Q: Is the Howler dangerous in groups?
Yes. Like most enemies in a first-person Soulslike, Howlers are far more dangerous in numbers because your field of view is limited. Pull them one at a time into open terrain, and never let them surround you in corridors or doorways.
Q: How do I practice fighting Howlers safely?
Use early encounters purely for timing practice: bait one attack, defend, and punish with a single strike before retreating. Treat repeated attempts as information gathering rather than failure, and change only one decision per run so improvements are easy to identify.