Sword and Shield / Dagger Leveling Build Guide

Stat Priorities

Use the following stat priorities when following the Sword and Shield / Dagger Leveling build:

• Level 1 - 21
  • 20 Wisdom
• Level 22 - 41
  • 20 Dexterity
• Level 42 - 50
  • 9 Perception

You have 49 Stat Points you can freely allocate to any of the 4 primary Stats. Once you put 20 points into an individual Stat, it takes 2 points to increase the Stat by 1. Do not put more than 20 points into a Stat unless necessary.

Early on, you have Mana issues so prioritize putting 20 points into Wisdom for the Mana Regen, Max Mana, and Cooldown Speed. Increasing Dexterity is your best method of increasing your damage output as it adds maximum Weapon Damage, Crit Chance, and Evasion.

Key Leveling Notes

• Focus on the Main Story Quest as you level to 50.
  • If you're unable to continue the MSQ, complete Exploration Codex Quests for EXP until you can.
• Before leaving Kastleton during Chapter 3, craft as much Green Gear as possible!
• When your story quests introduce you to Resistance Contracts, be sure to choose ones that give Quality Lithograph: Accessories first!
• Complete Rustic Mother Nature Rings Lithograph Book entry early for Lethal Fortune Ring.
• Be sure to use the Shield Survival Technique against Fury Attacks to regain Mana and Health while killing mobs and leveling.

Gear Progression

The Leveling process has been made easier since the launch of the Korean version. It doesn't matter what armor you craft if you upgrade it.

Towards Chapter 3, you start to get quests to craft items. Before heading to Urstella Fields, make sure to craft all the Green Items possible. You should have 2 Green Weapons, 3 Green Armors, and at least 2 Green Accessories. After Chapter 4, you have enough to craft the rest and have a full set of Green Gear. Here are the recommended Items to craft.

Codex Chapter Rewards

Most of the gear you get from Codex Chapter Rewards isn't that great. The only rewards that are decent are Royal Guard's Broadsword, Elite Resistance Sword, and Special Res. Tactical Armor. Stick with your +6 Green Gear until you reach level 50. Then transfer that gear into the recommended Blue Gear in the Gear Progression section of our PvE and PvP build guides.

Ch. 1 - Utility Daggers
Ch. 2 - Guaranteed Rewards
Ch. 3 - Guaranteed Rewards
Ch. 4 - Sophia's Ring
Ch. 5 - Elite Resistance Sword
Ch. 6 - Elite Resistance Mask
Ch. 7 - Gauntlets of the Resistance
Ch. 8 - Elite Resistance Leather Pants
Ch. 9 - Moonlight Grace Leather Boots
Ch. 10 - Special Res. Tactical Armor

Skill Slot Prioritization

Sword and Shield / Dagger Leveling Build

Skill Specialization Order

Once you hit Level 15, you acquire 10 Skill Specialization points to use, which modify your skills. Press "K" and access them in the 2nd tab. Every level after, you gain Skill Specialization points until you reach a maximum of 100. Spend your points in this order as you level.

Skill Rotation

Here are some examples of skills you should use when following the Sword and Shield / Dagger Leveling Build:

• Shadow Strikeinto Cleaving Moonlight into Annihilating Slash is a decent AoE combo.
• Piercing Attack is your spmmable DPS skill alongside Cleaving Moonlight. Add in Brutal Incision for single target burst.
• Whirling Shield and Witty Strike are other good AoE skills.
• Make use of Counter Barrier for more Shield Block as well as making Piercing Attack come off Cooldown faster.

Skill Priority Upgrade

Here are some skills to upgrade when following the Sword and Shield / Dagger Leveling Build:

• Use Quality Marind Ore to craft Quality Passive Skill Growth Book and Quality Active Skill Growth Book
• Use Rare Marind Ore to craft Rare Passive Skill Growth Book and Rare Active Skill Growth Book.
• Prioritize getting all these skills to blue first before getting them to purple. These are universal skills you always use.
• Upgrade the rest of your skills as you play the game.

Active Skills

Passive Skills

Summary

• Utilize skills such as Cleaving Moonlight, Brutal Incision Shield Strike and Counter Barrier for a smooth leveling experience.
• Pay attention to your Mana as you level. It's very easy to run out when spamming skills.
• As you progress through the game, make sure to craft green and blue gear using Quality Lithographs.
• Keep your Green Gear if you plan on PvPing later in the game. These items are easier to trait than Blue Gear early on.

Credits

Written by Grenton
Reviewed by Yaen