Massively continues its exclusive pre-NDA look into the Elves of Warhammer Online. This article focuses on the Swordmaster, the High Elf tanking career specializing in combo chains called the Blade Dance. Through the use of enchanted Great Swords and Shields as well as natural elven agility, Swordmasters not only endure the incoming attacks of their enemies, but also unlock powerful abilities as the battle progresses. Every Swordmaster has a Balance state. At the beginning of battle, their Balance state is Normal, but special attacks improve their Balance and unlocks a new set of attacks. When the Swordmaster reaches Perfect Balance they can unleash their most fearsome abilities, but at the cost of resetting their Balance back to Normal.
Being a tank class, most of their abilities are focused on taunting, debuffing and protection of their allies through attacks on the enemy. But through mastery trees, each player can customize the class in different ways. Through the Khaine (offense), Vaul (defense) and Hoeth (magic) mastery trees the Swordmaster will not only gain new abilities, but will buff core abilities that improve Balance in a way that works with the chosen playstyle. Plus, there are three different blade enchants the Swordmaster has access to, though only one can be active at any time, that will also get buffed by the corresponding mastery tree.
The Path of Khaine specializes in Offense and Great Swords. This path grants you, among other things, the tactic Balanced Accuracy which increases your critical strike chance each time you improve your Balance during a battle. Also, Ether Dance which requires Perfect Balance and a Great Sword, but will unleash 5 attacks in 3 seconds on your opponent. Though almost all of the Swordmaster's defensive abilities are damage based, this tree is good for players who want to push the DPS of this tank class even further.
The Path of Vaul focuses on Defense and Protection. This is the mastery tree for those that want to be the ultimate tank. It includes abilities like the Perfect Defenses tactic which increases your Parry and Block stats every time your Balance improves. And the Crushing Advance ability which uses your shield to not only damages opponents, but interrupts any spell casting. Also included are AE and knockback abilities.
The Path of Hoeth deals with magical attacks and effects. Through the Swordmasters enchanted blade, many new effects can be created. A good example is Volatile Enchantments. This tactic increases the proc rate of your blade enchantment by 50%. And Protection of Hoeth extends your weapon's enchantment to your armor, granting you a damage absorbtion shield.
One of the two tanks on the side of Order (the other being the Dwarf Ironbreaker), the High Elf Swordmaster is adept at dealing out the damage as well as taking it. With its enchanted Great Sword, Shield and natural dexterity, this is a great career for those who like a touch of magic in their warriors.
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