Nightwing Guide — Escrima Sticks, Aerial Combos, and Acrobatic Combat

Dick Grayson brings years of experience as both Robin and Nightwing to the battlefield, and it shows. Nightwing is the most dynamic combatant in the roster, combining acrobatic flair with devastating damage output. He is not a character for passive play — Nightwing demands constant motion, precise timing, and aggressive positioning. Master him, and you will clear combat encounters faster than any other character.

Unique Gadgets

Escrima Sticks

Nightwing's signature weapons are a pair of collapsible Escrima Sticks that serve double duty as both melee weapons and conduits for electrical attacks. They have two distinct modes:

Standard Mode

• Rapid Strikes — Fast alternating hits that build combo meter quickly. Standard mode attacks are the fastest melee attacks in the game.
• Double Strike — Press both attack buttons simultaneously to strike with both sticks at once, dealing double damage to a single target.
• Staff Throw — Throw one Escrima Stick as a ranged attack. It bounces between up to three enemies before returning. Excellent for crowd control.

Electric Mode

• Shock Combo — Electrified sticks deal bonus shock damage and stun enemies on each hit. The stun effect prevents enemies from counter-attacking.
• Arc Discharge — A charged attack that releases a wave of electricity, hitting all enemies in a cone in front of Nightwing.
• Conductor — Electrified sticks can activate certain electrical panels and conduits in the environment, solving puzzles that require an electrical charge.

Switch between modes mid-combo to keep enemies guessing — standard strikes build combo meter, and electric strikes spend it for crowd control.

Wing Dings

Nightwing's ranged throwing projectiles. Smaller than Batarangs but faster and more numerous. Wing Dings are thrown in quick succession and are ideal for:

• Staggering enemies from a distance to close in safely
• Hitting weak points on environment objects that require precise, fast projectiles
• Keeping the combo alive when no enemies are in melee range

Acrobatic Abilities

Nightwing's mobility is second only to Catwoman's, but where Catwoman focuses on vertical exploration, Nightwing excels at horizontal and aerial combat mobility:

• Double Jump — A standard double jump that reaches platforms too high for a single jump. Essential for exploration.
• Glide Boost — After jumping, hold the glider input to boost forward in a controlled descent. The Glide Boost does not lose altitude as quickly as Batman's glide cape, making it better for crossing gaps.
• Wall Run — Run along walls for short distances. This can be used to bypass ground-level enemies entirely, reach side passages, or set up aerial attacks.
• Acrobatic Dodge — Nightwing's dodge is a full front-flip or side-somersault with extended invincibility frames. Time it correctly and you can dodge through attacks that would hit other characters.

Combat Techniques

High-Damage Combos

Nightwing's damage output exceeds every other starting character. The key is chaining his acrobatic moves into Escrima attacks:

• Aerial Assault — Launch an enemy upward, jump after them, then perform a 3-hit aerial combo before slamming them back to the ground. This is Nightwing's highest-damage single-target combo.
• Wall Run → Drop Attack — Wall run toward a group of enemies and press the attack button to drop down with both Escrima sticks extended, hitting all enemies below.
• Electric Stun → Double Strike — Stun an enemy with an electric attack, then close in and hit them with both sticks simultaneously for massive damage while they are helpless.
• Dodge → Counter → Arc Discharge — Dodge through an enemy attack, counter immediately, then follow up with a charged Arc Discharge to hit the entire group.

Crowd Management

Nightwing is surprisingly effective against groups despite his single-target focus. Use Wing Dings to stagger approaching enemies while you finish off isolated targets. The Staff Throw (Escrima ranged attack) bounces between enemies, which is excellent for keeping pressure on multiple targets.

Tips and Strategies

• Stay in motion — Nightwing's acrobatic dodge is his best defensive tool. Never stop moving and you will rarely get hit.
• Use electric mode for groups, standard mode for single targets — Electric stuns help control crowds, while standard mode's rapid strikes melt single targets faster.
• Master the wall run — Practice wall running into aerial attacks. This technique turns any wall into an offensive tool.
• Invest in damage upgrades first — Nightwing's role is damage dealer. Prioritize Escrima Stick damage upgrades over utility upgrades.
• Pair with a support character in co-op — Nightwing and Jim Gordon make an excellent team. Gordon immobilizes, Nightwing destroys.

Best For

• Arena combat encounters with multiple waves of enemies
• Boss fights where burst damage is critical
• Speedrunning combat sections
• Players who enjoy aggressive, high-skill combat styles