Revision 1

A Swordmaster build uses the shared weapon tree as its foundation for both day and night. It combines timed defense with attacks and abilities that exploit the opening after a successful block.

Build priorities

Getting the counterattack loop working

Perfect Block helps restore stamina and charges, while Perfect Riposte adds a critical-direction response. Counterattack improves the attack after the block. These complement each other, but they still depend on recognizing the incoming attack and timing the defense.

Use Dirty Trick to interrupt a dangerous opponent or hold a second enemy out of the exchange. Its stun is limited by hits as well as duration, so attacking the stunned enemy repeatedly consumes the protection. Charge supplies another damaging interruption.

Moving into ability damage

Artery Strike becomes the burst tool once its manual and training are available. It can decapitate eligible targets, with improved chances at higher ranks and against bleeding enemies. Swiftness rewards Perfect Blocks with attack speed; Adrenaline Rush rewards active ability use with attack damage. These abilities work passively after being equipped in the ability panel.

Develop Sustained Focus for charge capacity, Master Fencer for ability slots and Restless Blade for cooldown support. Sword Sage resets active cooldowns on a kill, making it useful against groups; it has fewer triggers against a lone boss. Tactical Mastery is an alternative that reduces active ability charge costs.

Gear and the day-night split

Pieter's Garb, The Contender, Ring of Quick Strikes, Mercenary's Boots and Ancient Hero's Vambraces are equipment options. Early on, compare actual bonuses rather than delaying the build for every named piece. A larger Perfect Block Window can help while learning timing.

Burning Blood adds daytime pressure while Coen fights with the sword. Voracious Bite and Shadowstep provide recovery and repositioning at night. The shared Swordmastery tools remain the foundation in either form.