also yes it is VERY similar to Expedition 33 colors wise and shape wise, im gonna keep the rhombus i like it a lot more than circles and the yellow perfect strike area will have different colors to correspond with each character you play (it's gonna take up a chunk of file size but i think it'll look nice) and on the topic of Ex33, and im thinking about adding a parry mechanic but that was more because of Executor in Nightreign thank Expedition 33, and the first chapter only has one character in your party I think it'll add some more variety for the fights

To keep the guarding mechanic I have in place right now i think i'll just make it so guards just have a flat damage reduction rate with the same formula im currently using for it, but the trade-off is you cant dodge or parry, so its a tradeoff for you to choose do i want to parry and take no damage but run the risk of taking head on damage or do i want to guard and ensure i take less damage