Post by Criswolf09 on Jul 9, 2022 13:03:19 GMT -5
Guide Overview
Hello guys and girls, today I bring you a new and updated guide for the Blade Archetype. So what does this hero do? The blade is a brawler swordsman who perform quick and deadly slashes causing them to Bleed. This is one of the twelve base free archetypes
Main Mechanics: Wound Effects
1. Bleed: This is a Slashing damage over time debuff that deals damage once every second for 16 seconds and can be applied by many powers of this archetype. Stacks up to 5 times.
2. Shredded: This is a Slashing damage resistance debuff that lowers the enemies' resistance to this type of damage by 18% for 15 seconds.
3. Open Wound: This debuff has a 25% chance to apply stacks of Bleed, dealing Slashing damage over time once every second for 16 seconds up to 5 stacks. It is present on multiple powers of many power sets.
4. Swallowtail Cut: This is a debuff that will deal 5% of the target's health as Slashing damage over time, and is available as one of the special advantages of the Scything Blade power of the Single Blade power set. However this debuff will be replaced with the regular Bleed effect if the target is a Super Villain or higher ranked foe such as bosses.
5. Deep Wound: This is a heavy Slashing damage over time debuff applied by the Eviscerate power of Bestial Supernatural. Deep Wound will deal damage based of the Bleed stacks purged by Eviscerate and will ignore a part of the target's resistance, dodge and shield effects.
6. Relentless: This is one the two shared energy unlocks for the Martial Arts power sets that will generate energy every time we land a Critical Hit on target affected by any of the previous described debuffs.
Special Note: You can customize the weapon(s) of this hero in the Tailors around the world to match your character designs.
Archetypes Super Stats
1. Primary Stat: Dexterity
2. Secondary Stats: Strength and Recovery
Specialization Trees
1. Level 10: Dexterity
2. Level 20: Brawler
3. Level 30: Warden
Archetype Power Progression
1. Reaper's Touch
1. Reaper's Caress
6. Thunderbolt Lunge OR Cut Down
8. Way of the Warrior
11. Scything Blade
14. Form of the Swordsman
17. Reaper's Embrace OR Dragon's Bite
21. Deflect
25. Relentless
30. Smoke Bomb OR Bountiful Chi Resurgence
35. Intensity OR Masterful Dodge
40. Shuriken Throw OR Chained Kunai
Power Explanation
Level 1 - Reaper's Touch: This is our energy builder power that doesn't need to be ranked up in order to generate energy for us so I recommend leaving it at rank 1. The special advantage of this power is called Three Edged Blade which will grant this power a chance to apply the Bleed debuff on the target. If we are affected by Focus buff this chance is doubled.
Level 1 - Reaper's Caress: This is our combo power that will deal damage to foes in a 240/240/360 degree cone within 10ft and has a 15% - 25% - 50% (based on combo hit) chance to apply the Bleed debuff to our targets and the chances for this to happen are doubled if we are affected by the Focus buff from any of the Martial Arts Form powers. The last hit of Reaper's Caress hits in a full circle and hits twice. The special advantages of this power are the following:
a. Cleaving Strikes: This advantage will cause the last hit of this power to apply the Shredded debuff to all targets.
b. Cleanse: Every strike made with this power will purge a stack of Deadly Poison or Bleed affecting our hero and heal us for a small amount of HP.
c. Fiery Blade: Replaces the Bleed effect with Clinging Flames, and now this power has a 30% - 30% - 100% chance (based on combo hit) to apply it. Clinging Flames is the signature debuff of the Fire power set and deals Fire damage over time every 2 seconds for 12 seconds and has a chance to leap to other targets dealing minor Fire damage over time via the Leaping Flames debuff. This effect is considered a Burning Effect.
Level 6 - Thunderbolt Lunge OR Cut Down: This is the first choice between two powers for this archetype.
1. Thunderbolt Lunge: This is a movement power that will close quarters with our target dealing Crushing damage with a flying kick, Snare them reducing their movement speed and Root them in place so they can't escape. The special advantage of this power is called Essence Assault which will attempt to Stun the target if they are not affected by a Crowd Control effect like a Hold or Paralyze.
2. Cut Down: This is a movement power that will close quarters with our target dealing Slashing damage performing a slash with our weapon. The special advantage of this power is called Delayed Attack which will apply the curse effect called Jinx to the foe reducing their damage for 10% as well their movement speed for 15% for 8 seconds. After Jinx expires, the target will be Knocked down.
Level 8 - Way of the Warrior: This is our Slotted Passive power that will increase all our melee and Bleed damage by a large amount and all other damage by a lesser amount. Way of the Warrior will generate energy whenever an enemy dodges on of our attacks, this energy return scales with our Strength and Recovery stats, as well this power grants us a boost to our dodge chance.
Level 11 - Scything Blade: This power will deal Slashing damage to all foes around our hero in a 10ft sphere and apply a stack the Bleed debuff if they are not already affected by it. This power has following special advantages:
a. Swallowtail Cut: This advantage will apply the eponymous debuff to all targets and its effects vary depending of the rank of the enemy, lower rank enemies (henchmen, villains, master villains and enforcers) will have the special debuff applied to them and higher rank enemies (super villains, legendary villains and cosmic monsters) will have the regular stack of Bleed applied to them.
b. Heavy Blade: This advantage will cause to Knock down all targets hit on a full charge.
c. Messy: Adds 10 seconds onto the duration of the Shredded debuff. This cannot exceed the original duration of this debuff.
d. Weak Points: This advantage will refresh the duration of all the Bleeds effects on the targets.
Level 14 - Form of the Swordsman: This is our toggle form that will grant us stacks of Focus which increases the melee damage of our hero by a large amount and ranged damage for a lesser amount everytime we apply, refresh or rupture Bleed effects. We can gain a stack of this form once every 4 seconds, stacks up to 8 times and the damage bonus of this form scales with our Dexterity stat. Also increases our energy costs by 10%.
Level 17 - Reaper's Embrace OR Dragon's Bite: This is the second choice between two powers for this archetype.
1. Reaper's Embrace: This power can be charged to deal a huge amount of Slashing to the target performing a jumping vertical slash to the foe. Reaper's Embrace will purge the stacks of the Bleed debuff on the target to deal bonus damage and if the target is affected by the Shredded debuff, this power will apply the Open Wound debuff and has 1 second cooldown. The special advantage of this power is called No Mercy which will cause this power to now purge all types of Wounds on the target aside from the Bleed effect. The Rupture of this advantage deals an initial amount of damage, then be followed by two hits over 4 seconds that deal 50% of the original hit's damage. This damage over time effect cannot be Dodged and cannot be reapplied or refreshed.
2. Dragon's Bite: This power can be charged to hit the enemy twice and will refresh the duration of our Bleeds present on the target. The special advantages of this power are the following:
a. Cull the Weak: This advantage will deal bonus damage to foes below 20% health, increasing its base damage by 30% if the target is another player or a boss. Henchmen and Villains are defeated outright.
b. Heavy Blade: This advantage will cause this power to Knock down the target.
c. Dragon Rush: This advantage will grant us energy over time depending of the amount of stacks of Focus from our Form power and charge time, this energy return scales with our Dexterity stat. Additionally Dragon Rush will reduce the energy cost of all melee attacks by 15%. Costs 3 advantage points.
Level 21 - Deflect: This is our block replacer power that can be maintained to reduce incoming damage from foes' attacks. This power will also apply a stack of Bleed to attackers in melee range (25ft) if we block within 2 seconds. Deflect will generate energy based on the damage taken and our Recovery stat, but given the Blade is locked in Melee Damage Role, this energy return works at 50% of its capacity. This power has a special advantage called The Elussive Swordsman that will grant our hero a small Dodge and Avoidance bonus scaling with our Dexterity stat when Parry is slotted, as well 33% Knock resistance for 2 seconds every time we make a melee attack. This advantage is useful for this archetype given all its attacks are melee, and costs 3 advantage points.
Level 25 - Relentless: This power is our energy unlock that will generate energy over time if we land a Critical Hit on a foe affected by a Wound effect. The energy return of this power scales with our Recovery and Endurance stats.
Level 30 - Smoke Bomb OR Bountiful Chi Resurgence: This is the third choice between two powers for this archetype.
1. Smoke Bomb: This power is an area of effect threat wipe that will erase all the threat generated by our attacks within 50ft and place our hero in Stealth for a brief moment. This power has a recharge of 2 minutes and the special advantage of this power is called Concussive Escape which will cause this power to Knock back all enemies within 15ft.
2. Bountiful Chi Resurgence: This power is a self heal over time ability, considered a Chi Energy effect for interactions with the Unarmed Martial Arts powers, which will heal us once every 2 seconds for 16 seconds and lowers our damage by 10% while active. The special advantages of this power are the following:
a. Resurgent Reiki: This advantage will grant us more healing ticks everytime we dodge an attack while this power is active. This effect can happen once every 0.5 seconds.
b. Gifts of the Storm: Grants 20% of any non-minor or over-time heal to nearby allies while this power is active even if your health is full. This effect can occur once every 2 seconds. Costs 3 advantage points.
Level 35 - Intensity OR Masterful Dodge: This is the fourth choice between two powers for this archetype.
1. Intensity: This power is an Active Offense which will increase all the damage of our attacks as well grant us bonus Strength and Dexterity. Additionally this power will deal Break Free damage to any Holds, Roots or Disable affecting us and has a 15 seconds duration as well a recharge of 90 seconds. Places on cooldown other Active Offense powers if we happen to have more than one. This power has the following special advantages:
a. Fists of Righteous Flame: For the next 12 seconds, we have a 50% chance for every hit to apply the Chi Flame to the enemies. This chance can change based on the activation time of the attack. Chi Flame deals Dimensional damage over time every 2 seconds and will reduce the foes' resistance versus our Chi Power attacks.
b. Rage of the Beast: This advantage will deal bonus Break Free damage to any holds, roots or disables affecting our hero when this power is activated as well apply 5 stacks of the Charged Up buff. Charged Up increases our travel speeds for a short time.
2. Masterful Dodge: This power is an Active Defense which will increase our Dodge and Avoidance ratings as well increase our resistance versus damage over time effects for 15 seconds. Will place on cooldown any other Active Defense power if we happen to have more than one. The special advantage of this power is called Unchained which will apply a large amount of Break Free damage to any holds or disable affecting our hero, a stack of hold resistance and a stack of knock resistance.
Level 40 - Shuriken Throw OR Chained Kunai: This is the final choice between two powers for this archetype.
1. Shuriken Throw: This power will throw a shuriken to a single foe dealing Slashing damage and Knock them down once every 2 seconds. This power has the following special advantages:
a. Serrated Edges: This advantage will give this power a 10% chance to apply a stack of the Bleed debuff to the target.
b. Poisoned Shuriken: This advantage will give this power a 10% chance to apply a stack of the Deadly Poison debuff to the target. Deadly Poison deals Toxic damage over time to the foe once every second for 16 seconds and can stack up to 5 times. This debuff is considered a Poison effect.
2. Chained Kunai: This is a power that will throw a chained kunai to the foe and yank the foe to us as well having a scaling chance to apply a stack of Bleed. The special advantages of this power are the following:
a. Open Wound: Which will apply the same named debuff to the target. Open Wound has a 25% chance to apply stacks of Bleed, dealing Slashing damage over time once every second for 16 seconds up to 5 stacks. This advantage is a type of Wound effect.
b. Fang of the Dragon: Fully charging this power will refresh the duration of the Shredded debuff.
c. Weak Points: Fully charging this power will refresh the duration of the Bleed debuff.
d. Inner Peace: Which will apply the Restoration self heal over time that will heal us for a small amount every 2 seconds for 6 seconds. If our health is below 20% this heal effect will be stronger on the first pulse as well the following heal pulses. Activates a shared cooldown with similar advantages of 4 seconds.
Build Examples
1. Blademaster Recommended for PVE
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Cleaving Strikes)
Level 6: Cut Down (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Scything Blade (Swallowtail Cut, Heavy Blade)
Level 14: Form of the Swordsman
Level 17: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, No Mercy)
Level 21: Deflect (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 25: Relentless
Level 30: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 40: Chained Kunai (Open Wound, Inner Peace)
2. Ninja Warrior Recomended for PVE
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Cleaving Strikes)
Level 6: Thunderbolt Lunge (Essence Assault, Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Scything Blade (Swallowtail Cut, Heavy Blade)
Level 14: Form of the Swordsman
Level 17: Dragon's Bite (Rank 2, Cull the Weak)
Level 21: Deflect (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 25: Relentless
Level 30: Smoke Bomb (Concussive Escape)
Level 35: Intensity (Rank 2, Rage of the Beast)
Level 40: Shuriken Throw (Rank 2, Serrated Edges)
3. Robot Assassin Recomended for PVP
Level 1: Reaper's Touch
Level 1: Reaper's Caress (Rank 2, Cleaving Strikes)
Level 6: Thunderbolt Lunge (Nailed to the Ground, Break Through)
Level 8: Way of the Warrior (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Scything Blade (Swallowtail Cut, Heavy Blade)
Level 14: Form of the Swordsman
Level 17: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, No Mercy)
Level 21: Deflect (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 25: Relentless
Level 30: Smoke Bomb (Concussive Escape)
Level 35: Intensity (Rank 2, Rage of the Beast)
Level 40: Chained Kunai (Inner Peace)
Specializations for all Builds
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Brawler: No Escape (1/3)
Brawler: Penetrating Strikes (2/2)
Brawler: Ruthless (2/2)
Brawler: Finishing Blow (3/3)
Brawler: Setup (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)
Talents for all builds
Level 7: Martial Focus (Str: 5, Dex: 5)
Level 12: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 20: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 25: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 30: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
For gearing this Archetype I suggest the following gear:
1. Baseline:
Primary Gear:
Heroic Gloves of Precision + Dexterity Enhancement x2 + Gambler's Lucky Gem
Heroic Breastplate of Agility + Constitution Armoring x2 + Gambler's Lucky Gem
Heroic Helmet of Efficiency + Recovery Enhancement x1 + Endurance Armoring x1 + Gambler's Lucky Gem
Secondary Gear:
Armadillo's Goggles
Armadillo's Ring
Armadillo's Boots
The Armadillo secondaries can be obtained in the Questionite store for 75000 points of refined questionite. You can obtain this currency by doing Adventure Packs, Comic Series, Serials and daily alert missions from the Alerts Coordinator in Renaissance Center near Defender.
2. Endgame
Primary Gear:
Distinguished Gloves of Offense + Dexterity Enhancement x2 + Gambler's Lucky Gem x2
Distinguished Armor of Agility + Constitution Armoring x2 + Gambler's Lucky Gem x2
Distinguished Helmet of Efficiency + Recovery Enhancement x1 + Endurance Armoring x1 + Gambler's Lucky Gem x2
Secondary Gear:
Cosmic Strike + Special mod of your choice rank 5 max (Cosmic Strike drops from Teleiosaurus)
Cosmic Talons of Rage + Special mod of your choice rank 5 max
Cosmic Vision of Rage + Special mod of your choice rank 5 max
The Endgame Gear refers to the items that can be unlocked by defeating Cosmic Threats (Teleiosaurus, Qwyjibo, Kigatilik and the Eidolon of Destruction) at level 40, who award Silver and Gold Champions Recognition tokens as well have a rare chance to drop cosmic secondary gear. The cosmic secondary gear can also be bought at the Champions Recognition vendors around the different maps with the respective perks. Be aware that you can only beat 3 cosmic monsters per day plus one fight against the Eidolon of Destruction and each fight will provide diminishing rewards.
Conclusion:
Well this is the guide, I hope it is helpful for you guys and have fun. If you have a question or suggestion on how to improve the guide, the feedback is always welcome!