I think the most interesting thing about those new visual tells is how they actually make combat feel more rhythmic and predictable, once you know what to look for. When monsters are about to attack, you'll notice these beautiful rippling patterns showing up - think of them like warning lights that tell you exactly when to get ready. These patterns aren't just for show though, they're actually teaching you the monster's habits (which becomes super helpful later on).

The way it works is pretty clever actually. Each monster has its own unique style of patterns, like some might get this glowing spine effect before a big tail swing, while others show pulsing muscles before they leap. What's really neat is how the system rewards you for paying attention - if you time your counters just right when these patterns peak, you'll deal way more damage and might even knock the monster off balance (this is especially true with those offset attacks everyone's talking about).

Something worth noting is that the bigger and nastier the attack, the more obvious these patterns become, which gives you more time to prepare but also means you need to be extra precise with your timing. It's particularly useful when you're wielding something heavy like the greatsword because you can start charging your attacks the moment you see those telltale signs light up. Just remember that different weapons have different timing windows, so maybe spend some time in the training area getting a feel for your preferred weapon's rhythm first.