Harmonics aren't exactly instant kills. Some guy's have lots of health so starting a harmonic combo on them with a support or magic style (like ice shard) won't always work right off the bat. Sometimes you have to beat them down a little. At the start most grunts will be easy enough to harmonic from the get go but later some require 'whittling'.
If you get the dashed yellow circle around the target's feet (in target mode, it wont show in free target mode) then the combo has begun. Then you just have to press X in your choice of martial attack. You don't have to hit them with any default attack and it doesn't matter what martial style you use to complete the combo. The support or magic style you use determines what 'powerup' drops as a result, so long as you don't have any gems equipped that reduce or completely remove the possibility of them appearing in combat. Heavenly Wave results in a health powerup (and a nice bloody explosion of the opponent), whereas Storm Dragon will net you a focus powerup and Ice Shard a Chi powerup.
The great thing about harmonics too is that they seem to heal your partner as well. If your companion is dying, pulling off a heavenly wave combo to yield a health combo can heal them some. Of course that's not a problem if you take Hou along for the ride and be a drunken master. You can't upgrade the style but it does the most damage of all martial styles anyway and looks hilarious.
With that in mind, certain opponents can never be harmonic combo'ed. Bosses can't be, and most 'Lieutenants' can't be (certain mob groups have one tough guy usually with different martial style to differentiate them). They also won't work in non fatal combat so never in the arena battles.
I found the sword overpowered too, but at max damage its quite easy to decapitate opponents which looks amazing. There needs to be more play balance for any sequel for sure, focus is king in this game, I'd love to see the roll reduce focus to the point where if its all gone, you can't dodge anymore, only block. If you're finding the combat dull you CAN improve it yourself rather than waiting for a sequel. Don't use weapons at all. I had a blast making a guy with two martial styles, two support styles and a transformation, and just stacking body and spirit.
If you really want a weapon though, and longer drawn out battles then pick the staff (its quite weak in damage) and moderate or completely avoid upgrading anything but its focus use.
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