Frequently Asked Questions - Blademaster

Blademasters specialize in melee combat and physical damage and defense. They are considered a physical damage dealing class, making them useful in many Player versus Environment (PvE) as well as Player versus Player (PvP) situations.

What makes the blademasters unique among all the classes is their versatility. Blademasters can master up to four weapon types and switch between these weapons mid-battle. Blademasters also have the second highest HP in the game allowing them to perform as tanks in certain situations. Ultimately it is their status-inducing effects that make blademasters useful in many different situations. Stunning is a blademaster's most important status effect, and it gives them an upper hand in battles. Blademasters also use debuffs to manipulate damage, often amplifying their own and their teammates' damage. As a result of this, blademasters are valued members of squads, and are staples in PvP situations across the game.

This guide is a compilation of some of the most frequently asked questions from beginner to expert level blademasters. It encompasses topics about stats, weapons, armor, skills, leveling, demon/sage, and PvP. It does not answer everything about the class, but it reveals more about the nature of blademasters and their endgame than a simple abstract can.

Questions about Stats, Weapons, and Armor
Q: What's the best stat build for (X) weapon?

A: The best way to determine your stat build for any weapon is to look at the blacksmith for the weapons you want to use. Note that axes and hammers require the most Str and fists require the most Dex, so depending on your weapons your build will fall somewhere between the Str required for axes and the Dex required for fists. On a player versus player (PvP) server Vit becomes more and more important as you near level 90 as mages start to achieve high rates of damage with their magic spells. Instead of using the maximum stat points per level, this FAQ will leave it up to the player to decide what to do with their remaining 3 stat points after the minimum have been used after 2 levels:

Note that as you progress you obtain a significant amount of stat points from weapons, armor, and mystical tomes. Depending on the quality of this gear, you may choose to allocate your stats in different areas. Furthermore, you may wish to specialize in a certain weapon (such as axes) and focus more Str or Dex points into your build, or you may focus on Vit to increase your chances of survival. As you level, your build may depend less on your weapon and more on your needs: base damage, accuracy/critical%/evade, or health.

Q: Which weapon should I use?

A: The categories blademasters you will choose from are Axes and Hammers, Polearms, Swords, and Fists. Blademasters may also equip Bows if they meet the Dex requirements, but they are not given any skills to use these weapons efficiently. These categories vary in the base attack of the weapon, attack rate, range, and the amount of Str and Dex required to use them. Overall, the type of weapon that you use is not important until level 29 when you start to specialize. Until this point certain quests, including the first Call to Duty dungeon at 19, give players useful weapons that are more powerful than the type bought at blacksmiths. After level 29 players usually buy the best weapons they can find until level 60 when (usually) they acquire their first green legendary weapon from Twilight Temple. For further information on weapon paths after level 29 refer to the "Questions about Skills" section.

Q: Which armor should I use?

A: Heavy armor. While it is possible for many blademasters to use light armor, it is not recommended. The reason is that light armor is weak to physical attacks, and does not help much against magical attacks. Monsters that do use magical attacks can usually be stunned, and since the majority of damage that blademasters take in PvE is physical type, using light armor only encourages death. Another reason that heavy armor is recommended is the Alter Marrow skills. These skills may temporarily sacrifice physical defense for magical defense or vice versa. In many cases these skills can be used as a replacement for gear. A final reason for using heavy armor is the bonuses that the armor gives, which are mostly more useful than the bonuses light armor gives. However one bonus that does show up on light armor more often is -interval, and this would be useful for blademasters using normal attacks (fist users for example).

Questions about Skills
'''Q: Which common tree skills should I get? '''

A: The common tree skills are skills that every blademaster, regardless of their preferred weapon, has access to. These skills may be used with any weapon. At least level 1 of everything on the common tree is necessary for prerequisite purposes or because of usefulness. The only common tree skill that is essential is Aura of the Golden bell, your physical defense buff. Cloud sprint is another essential skill but having it at level 10 is not important until level 59. Skills that you should continue keeping up with are Drake's Ray, Aeolian Blade, Roar of the Pride, and Alter Marrow Physical. You may opt to level Tiger Maw and Draw Blood, but these are comparably weaker than other single target skills (past level 29) until their Sage/Demon level is achieved.

Q: When do I start leveling the “cool” skills?

A: At level 29 you can start building your character from the skill trees available. At this point you should have enough spirit to get the skills you want, but soon the amount spirit you use to learn skills will increase exponentially, so it is a good idea to choose a single weapon tree (for now).

Q: Which is the best skill tree?

A: This is the most commonly asked as well as the most disputed question amongst blademasters. The most powerful (in terms of damage) and flexibility is the axe and hammer skill tree, and the second most powerful is the polearm skill tree. Both of these weapon paths on their own offer a player the ability to AoE grind (PvE) as well as successfully battle other players in most situations (PvP). However, each skill tree offers something useful for different situations that a blademaster will experience.


 * [[File:Axe and Hammer Mastery.png]] The axe and hammer tree offers the strongest base weapon attack with the slowest weapon speeds and has more stun, slow, and damage amplifiers, as well as more powerful radial AoE skills than other trees. This skill tree is best for spike damage (both single target and AoE).


 * [[File:Polearm Mastery.png]] The polearm tree offers the second strongest base weapon attack with the second slowest weapon speeds and has more bleed, range, monster pushback, defense debuff, as well as linear AoE skills than other trees.


 * [[File:Blade and Sword Mastery.png]] The blade and sword tree offers the second weakest base weapon attack with the second fastest weapon speeds and has stupefy (channeling reduction), range, single target monster pushback, and attack debuff. The blade and sword tree has the fewest AoE skills of all the trees, and therefore specializes in single target combat. The blade and sword tree is generally considered slightly faster but overall weaker than the polearm tree. To compensate for this, the blade and sword tree is given a powerful single target skill at level 100.


 * [[File:Fist Weapon Mastery.png]] The fist weapon tree offers the weakest base weapon attack with the fastest weapon speeds (up to 3+ normal attacks per. second with gear+skills) and includes single target slow, a cancel, a radial AoE with a weapon speed modifier, and a linear ultimate that imbues normal attacks with fire element damage. In addition, the fist tree is given an additional AoE at 79 that debuffs movement speed, attack speed, and channeling time. This skill tree is best for damage per second and chi building.

There are two factors which disrupt this mode of thinking:


 * 1) While a good axe (or polearm, blade, or fist) user knows how to effectively use all of his or her skills in every situation, an excellent blademaster knows how to use most skills from any tree, and the situations in which they are used. A blademaster which dabbles in the best skills from every tree is more versatile than the one which only uses skills from a single tree.
 * 2) A player can make any tree work well given that they put enough time and money into their character.

Q: Which skill tree should I pick?

A: Generally speaking, the axe/hammer tree is best for both new and experienced players. The polearm skill tree, while slightly more difficult than the axe and hammer tree, is also a good choice. The answer is that you should pick whichever weapon you feel most comfortable with, but also keep in the mind the information above. Keep in mind that every blademaster can potentially acquire all of the skills. It is possible to get through the game by playing with only one skill tree, but doing so is inhibiting your own potential.

Q: Can I pick more than one skill tree?

A: Yes, but it is not recommended that one does this unless they realize they made a mistake in choosing their main tree or the player knows that they have enough spirit and money to cover the skills from their main tree in addition to these new skills. Generally, the latter does not occur until at least level 70. Consider also the idea that you don't have to master every skill in the tree, just certain important skills and masteries. After level 90 it is definitely possible and recommended that blademasters pick up additional skill trees.

Q: What is the best level 59 ultimate skill?

A: The answer to this question is consistently Heaven's Flame (a.k.a. Dragons). Nevertheless, each ultimate is useful in certain situations:


 * [[File:Heaven's Flame.png]]The axe and hammer tree skill Heaven's Flame is the best in terms of its debuff effect and versatility. This skill is a radial AoE (12 meters with an extra 8m range modifier) that has a 100% damage amplifier at level 10 (x2 damage). The amplifier debuff lasts 6 seconds normally and 9 seconds for the demon version at level 99. This skill speeds up AoE grinding, drastically decreases the amount of time it takes to kill dungeon bosses, and is invaluable for extra spike damage in PvP and TW. However, the base damage output from the skill itself is the lowest of all the ultimates, and therefore using the skill is not recommended if you want to kill something with your 2 sparks.


 * [[File:Glacial Spike.png]] The polearm tree skill Glacial Spike is the best in terms of spike damage combined with debuff power. This is also a radial AoE skill (12 meters) that has a 50% physical and magical defense reducer at level 10. The debuff lasts 10 seconds normally and the demon version has a 50% chance to make all hits critical for 5 seconds. In most cases the defense reducer is not as good as dragons, but it is useful in PvP when an another person has a lot of physical or magical defense, and the debuff may actually cause more damage to be dealt than dragons. Furthermore, physical defense debuffs may cause more bleed damage to be dealt from draw blood and piercing winds.


 * [[File:Myriad Sword Stance.png]] The blade and sword tree skill Myriad Sword Stance has the highest base damage out of all the ultimates. This is another radial AoE skill (12 meters with an extra 8m range modifier) and has a 50% base physical and magical attack reducer at level 10. The debuff lasts for 15 seconds normally and the demon version gives the skill a 50% chance to stun for 3 seconds (unknown whether this means a 50% chance for everything under the AoE to be stunned or a 50% chance applied to every individual target). This skill may be useful in PvE when battling mobs and bosses that have a chance of inflicting much damage on a squad, but this makes the skill more situational than other ultimates, and therefore the debuff is less useful. However, the base damage output from the skill is good for dealing lots of damage.


 * [[File:Drake's Breath Bash.png]] The fist weapon tree skill Drake's Breath Bash ties with Glacial Spike for base damage. This is a linear AoE skill (12 meters) and gives a 80% element buff for normal hits at level 10. The buff lasts for 15 seconds normally and the demon version gives the skill a 135% bonus to fire damage. This skill is probably the worst of all the ultimates because it may only be used in a situation where something will be taking many hits constantly (a dungeon boss for example). Also the buff only applies to normal hits implying that the skill is only useful when fists are used. This skill is not helpful to all people in a party which makes it much less useful than other ultimates.

Questions about Leveling and PvE
Q: How do I level my blademaster?

A: It depends on your level:

Q: How do I AoE grind?

A: You can AoE grind using any of the weapons, but certain weapons are better than others. The following table shows all of the skills involves in AoE grinding. Not all of them are necessary, but it's easy to see which weapons are best for AoE.

The major weapon that is used in AoE grinding is Axe and Hammer, but Polearm and fist may also be used. Normally a blademaster can AoE alone by equipping a charm and pulling physical attack (no magical attack) mobs using cloud sprint. The mobs crowd around, and the blademaster uses his or her radial or linear AoE skills until the crowd is finished. The blademaster then loots and continues.


 * [[File:Axe and Hammer Mastery.png]] An axe and hammer blademaster may AoE using Fan of Flames, Drake Sweep, Highland Cleave, and Fissure (and occasionally Heaven's Flame).


 * [[File:Polearm Mastery.png]] A polearm blademaster may AoE using Fan of Flames, Drake Sweep, and Meteor Rush (and occasionally Piercing Winds and Glacial Spike). This is accomplished by continuously pushing the monsters back using Meteor Rush so that the other AoE skills can cooldown. It takes a bit longer to finish mobs using this method but it is also less expensive than AoE grinding with axes and hammers.


 * [[File:Fist Weapon Mastery.png]] A fist blademaster may AoE using Fan of Flames, Drake Sweep, and Cyclone Heel (and occasionally Bolt of Tyreseus and Drake's Breath Bash). However because each of these skills has a long cooldown the fist user may have to use normal attacks to continuously AoE.

Q: Where can I go to AoE?

A: The best time to start AoE is in the mid level 40's when you have access to Conquesting Dustwraith. In the 50's you can try Feligar Generals. There are no physical attack only mobs during the 60's(There are level 60 Kraufis Scouts by Dreamweaver port, and they are physical attack only mobs. However, only about 6 of them are present, and it is possible to AoE grind as 3 of the six spawn very close together. Doing a pattern of AoEing the three, then single killing one, then going back to AoE the three as they respawn works very well.), but in the late 60's try Seaweed Thieves. In the mid 70's go to Nightscream Island (southern island) and try Pirate Minions. In the late 70's you can try the northern side of the island, Chief Assassins. In the low 80's try Rockenwolves in burning heart, and in the late 80's you can try Araneid Cruelheart and Decaying Cleavehand near camp of the intrepid.

Questions about Sage and Demon
Q: Should I choose Sage or Demon?

A: The only people that should be answering this question are those who are at level 89. The reason being is that both sage and demon benefit different playing styles, and a person should carefully examine their needs before choosing:


 * Sage is more defensive based, and gives boosts to physical defense, gives tons of extra chi, and often modifies skills so that they will cost less chi. In this way a player is given the opportunity to use more of his or her chi skills more often. Sage is considered to be better in PvE conditions, but in certain situations (such as a player that only uses axes) the extra chi can be helpful in PvP.


 * Demon is more offensive based, and gives boosts to critical rate, speed (damage per second), stun, and extra skill modifiers (such as those on the ultimates). In this way a player is allowed to do more damage, and make every hit count. Demon is considered to be better in PvP conditions, but the extra speed may be useful for boss fights.

Questions about PvP
Q: What is a blademaster's role in PvP and TW?

A: The biggest role that a blademaster plays is stunning and tanking damage so that enemies are easier to kill. The secondary function that a bm plays is damage dealing against light and arcane classes (wizards, clerics, venos, archers). In TW, blademaster is the class that is always in the middle of battle, and at the front of the line stunning, dropping AoEs and quickly dashing away. In this way, ranged classes are allowed to attack while blademasters absorb damage. Because many blademaster skills require chi, some may argue that sage is the better choice for blademasters that go to TW.

Q: How does a blademaster fight against (X) class?

A: PvP experience depends on personal style, and does not develop as a result of reading, but instead as a result of experiencing the game as it develops. Because many classes tend to run away while hitting you (also known as kiting), it is important to acquire the skills which will halt their movements. Many of the basic skills that blademasters use involve slowing but these have been shown to be ineffective against opponents in the air (where 90% of PvP exists). Therefore it may be necessary to learn how to stunlock an opponent in order to advance as an experienced fighter. Otherwise, keep skills leveled and weapons and armors refined, acquire the genie skills you need to survive and win battles, and use apothecary pots to your advantage (many people do not). Also use your leaps to navigate in and out of battles quickly.

Q: How do I stunlock?

A: In order to stunlock you must be adept at timing Roar of the Pride, Drake's Bash (axe and hammer), and Aeolian Blade. You must make sure to build enough chi in between these skills so that you can continue to stun (use quick skills such as tiger maw and oceans edge to build chi). In addition you must have a fast Internet connection and a computer with no lag, and a bit of luck to keep the stun going.

Q: Which genie skills should I consider for my blademaster?

A: Tree of Protection, extreme poison, thunderstorm, occult ice, and balance are all important PvP genie skills at the time in which this is written.

Q: Where do I go if I have further questions?

A: The blademaster section on the official PWI forum is always a good place to start.