So.. another Sword master question

Sorry if this has been answered before, but I read all the guides, threads, etc I could find and haven't found a satisfactory answer -

Obviously sword master can go into 3 build types - wave user, physical, or hybrid.

Question is specifically - which build is better for PVE specifically, like clearing dungeons asap.

Also, for whichever build, what stats/heraldys/skills would be recommended to be good at PVE with that specific build?

Thanks

Hybrid has long been the best build due to the availability of equipment that grants dark attributes. That, however, is no longer available, so go with a magic build, as it will eventually progress into the Moonlord profession which is very powerful.

You can find a build to guide you by searching for Heartless's build in the FREEDOM forum, I think he has updated it.

Reply 1#  Macchikins

Thanks, but i'm confused. What do you mean by dark attributes are no longer available?

I was planning to go heartless's build in the later levels for pvp, but for now wanted to concentrate on leveling which is why i was asking.

Are moonlords really better than gladiators? I've heard mixed things, such as, gladiators have an awesomely powerful final skill..

First of all, Dark attributes are no longer available because they can no longer be crafted in weaponry.

Secondly, comparing a Gladiator in terms of power to a Moonlord is like comparing a man wielding a knife to a man wielding a gun. There is a such a large casme of power between the two, that comparing then is almost fruitless. Finishing Strike is just for show by the way. It is useful, if, lets say you use it when a boss is on his last bar. Then the skill may get a good boost, but it doesn't matter because a Moonlord could easily make up that damage with one skill- any skill.

LOL not,
Imo phys swordmaster with magical skill is definitive best build for PVE,
the famous, highest burst dmg skill of DN classes is no doubt Infinity Edge, HUGE amount of dmg in short time, Infinity edge does more dmg than bowmasters phys 40ulti, elemental lords ulti, acrobats. One infinity edge doesnt more dmg than 2 or even 3 swordmaster mag ulti.
One infinity edge is enough to take out 60% apo normals 1bar of hp

as for marauder, dps output would be Crecent Cleave and lvl 45 flashy skill. and update made Crecent Cleave dark elemental, so yeah! dark elemental will benifit both phys and magical swordmaster skill.

So yeah.
If you want to be best at PVE, go Gladiator, with lvl5 Crecent Cleave(5 waves hits large monster as apo, 25hits+)
If you want to be best at PVP go Marauder, with phys hybrid.

Dark is still available, you can easily buy old Manti  weapon at AH - -

Haha thanks for the info guys.
I'm still conflicted though, since both of you guys have a different opinion...
Hope this is not rude, but can I ask what level you guys are/got up to? Might help me decide haha.

I usually going physical builds but magic skills look kind of cool.
I hate running around waiting for CD though.

Edit - I'm playing the Nexon version, so I wont have old weapons/sets available.

lvl 44 swordmaster, gones marauder soon for the PVP.

It's now depend on which class u gonna be; Gladiator or Moonlord.
If you love AOE skills, choose Wave style to combo with range skills.

but if u like malee combat, u should focus on close combat skills, and you can add some range skills also.

Hybird style is not focus on both side. but u will have many skills to combo. u could either close up to malee combat in front of the battle or hit and run style with range skills.

You should read this guide;
http://forum.mmosite.com/thread/2/217/20110204/Heartless_Dark_Swordmaster_build_compelete_sortakindamaybe-4dac375f950af6c13-1.html

this is very useful guide for someone who wants to be hybird. But first u must knows all swordmaster skills first to understand.
ps. Dark element is very very expensive.

Thanks, but i've already read that guide.. and from what's posted above, it seems that build won't work anymore due to the lack of dark element ?

I usually like melee skills and combos, which sounds like gladiator to me, but it seems as moonlord is just better in every aspect.

Also, can someone clarify for me -
Is it true physical skills are not worth leveling past 1, because the damage bonus they get sucks? Does this apply to magical skills as well?

If i'm going hybrid build, what stats/skills do I wanna go for and which do I wanna avoid? Should I go for crit, agi, str, vit, int, final damage??

Thanks again for the help so far guys!

Judge from your playstyle, Gladiator pbly would be best. And yes, the grown of each lvl of skill really sucks cept lvl 32 skills. You mostly lvl up a certian skill for the special effect once the skill reach certain lvl, such as Crecent Cleave, lvl 1-4 3waves, lvl 5, 5waves. Cyclone slash lvl 1-5 small, lvl 6 biggger.

By Nexon you mean the KR version?
from what i know, dark element gears are way cheaper than final dmg/crit in CH server, when it comes to high end gears. As for most effective other than dark% would be str/phys dmg/final dmg.

Phys swordmaster skill have a really long cooldown time, you might spam 123456789, and all skills might still at cooldown, you either run away or use LMB, wich i hate. so hybrid is neccessary if you dont want to w8 for cd.

This gladiator build i made awhile ago, before i decide to be marauder (yes, i only care for pvp).


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

By Nexon, I mean the US version haha. I have no idea what the status about dark stuff is gonna be in that, since its starting from scratch but not sure which patch theyll be using.

In general, if i'm going hybrid sword master, like you said phys attributes with magical skills. This means I stay away from any int and stuff and just do str/crit for potentials & hearldys/plates right?

ihave no idea from wich episode Nexon will start at, they will most likely  start at lvl 32 cap or even 24 cap. Dont worry, you will have to w8 LOOOOONG time before reaching the same episode as CH or KR version. From wat i saw on Nexons home page http://dragonnest.nexon.net/
there was only 4 classes introduced, which means not even first job change will be released(?) So yeah, making a lvl 50 build for Nexon is WAAAAY too ahead. But then again, you would gain some experience for what will happen in future of Nexon DN, once lvl 40 and manti nest released, get dark weapon asap.

as for hearldies.
phys/mag atk, int/str, critical. hp/vit/agi. these are what matters for swordmaster. can just scrapp everything else, such as resist and def.

as for potentials
Armor part as long as you have 6,5%Hp then its fine, doubt you will have enough time and money to spend on changing for perfect potential.
Weapon part, go for phys/mag atk 5,8% and 17%crit, (alternative 8%dark, if you going dark build)

if its nexon version, they pbly didnt nerf gears in PVP, wich means you will feel a certain loonnnngggg time of dark element domination, till they balance everything in PVP(fixed hp, fixed dmg, fixed status).

I think they're starting with T2, whatever that is (i think lvl 40 cap).
Theyre usually pretty fast with updates and its highly possible itll catch up quick to the k/cn ver.

So just to clarify - you'd recommend Phys everything + magic skills (hybrid build) + dark stuff for pre patch.
Then after the latest patch with lvl 50 and 3rd jobs, Moonlord with the same hybrid build?

recommend Phys everything + magic skills (hybrid build) + dark stuff for pre patch.

Then after the latest patch with lvl 50 and 3rd jobs, Moonlord with the same hybrid build if you focus on PVP
Gladiator with the same hybrid build if you focus on PVE.

one question, if i'm gonna play PVE with phy build(actually hybird but focus on phy). Should i have a parrying skill? bcuz i'm now playing SM and i think parrying skill is not gonna help me that much.

i'm gonna reset my skills soon to prepare for my Gladiator. Thks

Parry is mostly for PVP and SDN party, this skill havnt been useful during lvl 40nest because of the difficulty of these nests way too easy. Try Sea Dragon Nest and see how far you can get without parry. im not sure about the comming nest lvl 50bishop.

i guess you can sacrifice this skill if you only gonna do abyss and lvl 40 nests, its ur own build.
Afterall i only care how it works in PVP, NO PARRY?!?!GEEGEE!

heartless, I got a question about equips -
What's best to use for lvling until 40? Is it better to go for green swords and just try to +7/+8 them and get a diff weapon every 5 lvls, or is it better to get an expensive blue/orange swd with a low upgrade and use it for a bunch of levels?
Same for armor.. what's best to use for leveling?

@HeartlessOne

Thanks for that.
I have some questions, i'm so confuse about a new class bcuz there are two difference name. So what is excactly 2 classes for SM? (i think they r Gladiator and Moonlord right?)
if i'm correct, y moonlord is suitable for PVP than gladiator class? just wonder y.

Thanks again !!!

PS. i really love your skill build, but it also cost me tons of gold T~T

Let me answer u with my opinion.

i recommend u to change ur weapon every time when u reach certain lvl; lv.16, lv.24, lv.32 and lv.40; depends on how much gold u have. u should change weapon to B grade at least. (lv.16~lv.31 better use B Grade weapons. after 32+ better use A Grade weapon.)

Grade A weapon for lvl32 is not that expensive. i recommend u to use lvl32 A grade but not a Cerberus Set(too expensive for lvl.32). it's effective more lv16 or lv24 B grade. I also used lvl32 weapon b4 i change it into Maticore set after i'm lvl40. Save your money for Maticore set. U'll need tons of gold for this set.
but if u have golds, it should b fine if u wanna change weapon often. i'm used to use lvl16(Minotuar B grade(+6)), then used lvl24 B grade(+6). After that i change to lvl32 A grade sword(Dire sword(+6)). Finally, i'm now using Maticore.

These are very suffering me bcuz i'm lacking of golds (as always). T~T