There are 7 Essences you can gather in Deathbound over the course of the game, and each one has a playstyle completely unique to them. However, there are still core systems that each Essence relies on. For example, both Therone and Mamdile utilize the Parry system, while Therone, Iulia, and Agharos utilize the Perfect Blocking system. And lastly, there's the Heat system, which is what Tehkri Haodai, Mamdile Ogate, and Olivia Heinz all rely on for their spellcasting or core damage.