SNS / GS (PVP)
Focus:
CC, Tank, Small/Large Scale PvP
Stat Priority:
Strength, Perception
This build utilizes Greatsword and Sword weapons to form a melee tank or frontliner with high crowd control and durability. Its goal is to absorb as much damage from opponents as possible while offering crowd control and buffs to the party.
Focus on enhancing Strength first to maximize durability, followed by Perception to improve crowd control and buff effectiveness.
Skills and Specialization
The build's tanking skills include DaVinci's Courage, Counter Barrier, Stalwart Bastion, and Immortal Pride (Blessing of Immortality). These skills boost HP, health regeneration, shield block chance, and damage reduction, while also providing a substantial shield. DaVinci's Courage and Stalwart Bastion, in particular, also benefit allies.
Stunning Blow, Strategic Rush, and Chain Hook offer various crowd control options. These skills are primarily used to manage the battlefield and enable other party members to use their abilities effectively.
Valiant Brawl, Willbreaker, Shield Strike (Piercing Attack), and Guillotine Blade are the main damage-dealing skills in this build. Willbreaker and Shield Strike (Piercing Attack) are notable for inflicting Weaken on opponents, reducing their defenses and accuracy.
Prioritize leveling up DaVinci's Courage and Stalwart Bastion first, as they impact the entire party. The remaining skills can be upgraded based on personal preference.
Key passive skills for this build include Robust Constitution, Impenetrable, and Indomitable Armor, all of which enhance durability.
Vital Force contributes some damage and synergizes well with the build's high HP, as its effect scales with maximum health.
Skillful Evasion boosts magic and ranged evasion and is closely linked to Gerad's Patience and Resilient Mind, which activate upon evasion. Together, these skills make it even more challenging for opponents to inflict damage.
Focus on leveling up Vital Force and Robust Constitution first for a balanced increase in durability and damage, followed by Indomitable Armor and Impenetrable. The remaining skills can be prioritized according to preference.
Best Weapons
Duke Magna's Provoking Warblade
Duke Magna's Provoking Warblade enhances Strength and Max Health, making it an ideal fit for the build. Additionally, it features Duke Magna's Taunt, which provides a chance to apply Provoke to enemies struck by Valiant Brawl, thereby increasing the build's crowd control capabilities.
Both traits and resonance are centered on boosting durability through increased HP.
Karnix's Netherblade also provides Strength and Max Health for more HP.
Traits and resonance all focus on improving durability via HP.
Best Armors and Accessories
The chosen armors and accessories offer superior defenses against Melee, Range, and Magic attacks. Their traits and resonance are primarily geared towards maximizing HP and endurance to create a highly durable build.
Specifically, equipping both the Shock Commander Plate Armor and Shock Commander Greaves provides additional Damage Reduction, further enhancing the build's durability.
Best Weapon Mastery
For Greatsword, putting 9 points to Charge gives you durability, resistances, and a bit of cooldown speed and buff duration. Meanwhile, having 6 points to Incapacitate provides damage, stun duration, and mana regen.
For Sword, putting 9 points to Provoke & Counter provides more durability and survivability with a little buff duration. Meanwhile, having 6 points to Collision further adds durability.
Skill Rotations and Playstyle
Hook-Stun Setup
This combo is primarily focused on single-target crowd control and is effective for setting up kills for the party. The Chain Hook pulls an enemy into melee range, allowing Willbreaker to land a hit and Stunning Blow to incapacitate the target.
Following up with Guillotine Blade after Stunning Blow increases its damage due to the Additional Damage Boost specialization of Stunning Blow, resulting in significant damage, although it's optional. As alternatives, Curel Smite or Piercing Attack can also be used after Stunning Blow.
Party Sustain Skill Rotation
This skill rotation is designed to support the party. Beginning with DaVinci's Courage provides an instant heal to the party and boosts their health regeneration and attack speed. Next, Stalwart Bastion enhances the party's resilience by reducing incoming damage, while Blessing of Immortality creates a shield based on their maximum HP. Lastly, Devoted Sanctuary adds additional protection for the party.