Dual Blades

Overview

Dual Blades is a standard power set that is a primary set for Brutes, Scrappers, and Stalkers, and a secondary set for Tankers.

"You are a master of fighting with a blade in each hand. Your precision and skill with the blades enable you to strike in numerous combinations, each of which has unique secondary effects on a target which withstands your onslaught."

Possible Dual Blades Weapon Customizations.

Power Tables

The Dual Blades power set is available as a primary set for Brutes, Scrappers, and Stalkers, and as a secondary set for Tankers. The following tables show the levels at which each power is available, as well as the combinations in which they are used:

Brute

Power	Level	Effect	Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def	Empower Self +Damage +ToHit	Attack Vitals Cone +DoT	Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown
Nimble Slash	1	Melee, Minor DMG(Lethal).	Begin	Begin
Power Slice	1	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal).				Continue
Ablating Strike	2	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -DEF.	Continue	Continue	Begin
Typhoon's Edge	6	PBAoE Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal).	Finish			Finish
Blinding Feint	8	Melee, Light DMG(Lethal), Self +DMG, +To-Hit.		Finish
Taunt	12	Ranged(Targeted AoE), Foe Taunt
Vengeful Slice	18	Melee, High DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockdown.			Continue
Sweeping Strike	26	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal).			Finish
One Thousand Cuts	32	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback.				Begin

Scrapper

Power	Level	Effect	Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def	Empower Self +Damage +ToHit	Attack Vitals Cone +DoT	Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown
Nimble Slash	1	Melee, Minor DMG(Lethal)	Begin	Begin
Power Slice	1	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal)				Continue
Ablating Strike	2	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -Defense	Continue	Continue	Begin
Typhoon's Edge	6	PBAoE Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal)	Finish			Finish
Blinding Feint	8	Melee, Light DMG(Lethal), Self +DMG +To-Hit		Finish
Confront	12	Ranged, Foe Taunt
Vengeful Slice	18	Melee, High DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockdown			Continue
Sweeping Strike	26	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal)			Finish
One Thousand Cuts	32	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback				Begin

Stalker

Power	Level	Effect	Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def	Empower Self +Damage +ToHit	Attack Vitals Cone +DoT	Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown
Nimble Slash	1	Melee, Minor DMG(Lethal)			Continue
Power Slice	1	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal)	Continue		Begin
Ablating Strike	2	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -DEF				Finish
Assassin's Blades	6	Melee, Special DMG(Lethal)		Continue		Continue
Build Up	8	Self +DMG, +To-Hit		Begin		Begin
Placate	12	Ranged, Foe Placate, Self Stealth/Hide		Finish
Vengeful Slice	18	Melee, High DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockdown			Finish
Sweeping Strike	26	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal)	Begin
One Thousand Cuts	32	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback	Finish

Tanker

Power	Level	Effect	Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def	Empower Self +Damage +ToHit	Attack Vitals Cone +DoT	Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown
Nimble Slash	1	Melee, Minor DMG(Lethal), -RES(All)	Begin	Begin
Power Slice	2	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal)				Continue
Ablating Strike	4	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Foe -DEF	Continue	Continue	Begin
Taunt	10	Ranged, Foe Taunt
Typhoon's Edge	16	PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Lethal)	Finish			Finish
Blinding Feint	20	Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal), Self +DMG, +To-Hit		Finish
Vengeful Slice	28	Melee, High DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockdown			Continue
Sweeping Strike	35	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal)			Finish
One Thousand Cuts	38	Melee (Cone), Superior DMG(Lethal), Foe Knockback				Begin

Combination Attacks

The highlight of the dual blades power set is its implementation of a "combo system." Most attacks lack a secondary effect, like Katana's -Def or Dark's -ToHit, but the set makes up for this by adding the ability to chain attacks together to create an additional effect at the end. Combo effects also gain the benefits of any relevant Enhancements in the move that finished the combo.

When you hit an enemy with the beginning move for a combo, you have 5 seconds to hit with the continuing move or the combo breaks and your attacks cause only their normal effects. Likewise, hitting with a continuing move gives you 5 seconds to hit with a finishing move before losing the combo. The combo also breaks if you hit with any Dual Blades power other than the next one in the combo. Taunt and Confront are exceptions to this rule -- they don't automatically break combos, although they may make you run out of time. Powers outside the Dual Blades power set don't break combos either.

Attacks in a combo don't all need to hit the same enemy, but they do all need to hit. Misses don't break the combo, but they don't advance it either, and only the fastest attacks cycle quickly enough to be tried again before the 5-second timer runs out.

If a move is both a beginner for one combo and a continuer for another, it will do only one of those two things, depending on when it is used.

Combo Name	Effect	Attacks
Empower	+Damage, +To-Hit	Nimble Slash	Build Up
		Ablating Strike	Assassin's Blades
		Blinding Feint	Placate
Weaken	Foe -ToHit, -Def	Nimble Slash	Sweeping Strike
		Ablating Strike	Power Slice
		Typhoon's Edge	One Thousand Cuts
Attack Vitals	Damage Over Time(Lethal)	Ablating Strike	Power Slice
		Vengeful Slice	Nimble Slice
		Sweeping Strike	Vengeful Slice
Sweep	PBAoE Minor Damage(Lethal), Knockdown	One Thousand Cuts	Build Up
		Power Slice	Assassin's Blades
		Typhoon's Edge	Ablating Strike

Weaken and Attack Vitals only affect enemies hit by the finisher move, so they have different AoE characteristics for Stalkers than for other ATs. Sweep is always a PBAoE.

Powers

Ablating Strike

You slash at your foes with your blades, dealing a good amount of lethal damage. This attack can reduce a target's defense, making him easier to hit. This power is needed for the Empower and Weaken combination attacks, and is the beginning of the Attack Vitals combination attack.

Damage Moderate(Lethal) Recharge Fast Minimum Level 2 (Brute) 2 (Scrapper) 2 (Stalker) 4 (Tanker) Effects Melee Foe -Defense Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Enhance Defense Debuff Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only) Set Categories Melee Damage Defense Debuff Accurate Defense Debuff Taunt (Brute/Tanker only) Universal Damage

Assassin's Blades

A signature Stalker attack. This attack does superior lethal damage on its own as a frontal attack and cannot be interrupted. However, if it is executed while you are Hidden, this attack will do tremendous lethal damage as you waylay your unsuspecting foe. This attack may be interrupted if you move or are attacked while executing this power and are hidden. Using this power while not hidden has a chance to critically hit equal to 33.3% times the number of stacks of Assassin's Focus. This power is needed for the Empower and Sweep combination attacks. Using Assassin's Blades when not hidden will remove all stacks of Assassin's Focus regardless if you critically hit or not.

Damage Special(Lethal) Recharge Slow Minimum Level 6 (Stalker) Effects Melee Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Set Categories Melee Damage Universal Damage

Blinding Feint

You perform a feint attack that deals light damage. After this attack hits, it gives you a large bonus to your chance to hit and damage for a brief time. This power is the finishing move in the Empower combination attack.

Damage Light(Lethal) Recharge Slow Minimum Level 8 (Brute) 8 (Scrapper) 20 (Tanker) Effects Melee Self +Damage, +To-Hit Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (except Scrapper) Enhance ToHit Buff Set Categories Melee Damage Taunt (except Scrapper) To Hit Buff Universal Damage

Build Up

Greatly increases the amount of damage you deal for a few seconds, as well as slightly increasing your chance to hit. This power begins both the Empower and Sweep combination attacks for Stalkers.

Recharge Long Minimum Level 8 (Stalker) Effects Self +Damage, +To-Hit Enhancements Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance ToHit Buff Set Categories To Hit Buff

Confront

Challenges a foe to attack you. Useful to pull a villain off an ally who finds themselves in over their head. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.

Recharge Fast Minimum Level 12 (Scrapper) Effects Ranged Foe Taunt Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Range Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness Set Categories Taunt

Nimble Slash

A quick swipe with your blades. Does minor lethal damage, but has a quick recharge rate. This attack begins both the Empower and Weaken combination attacks.

Damage Minor(Lethal) Recharge Very Fast Minimum Level 1 (Brute) 1 (Scrapper) 1 (Stalker) 1 (Tanker) Effects Melee Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only) Set Categories Melee Damage Taunt (Brute/Tanker only) Universal Damage

One Thousand Cuts

Unleashes a flurry of attacks on all foes in a cone in front of you, dealing moderate lethal damage to each foe hit. This power is the opening move for the Sweep combination attack.

Damage Superior(Lethal) Recharge Slow Minimum Level 32 (Brute) 32 (Scrapper) 32 (Stalker) 38 (Tanker) Effects Melee (Cone) Foe Knockback Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Knockback Distance Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only) Set Categories Melee AoE Damage Knockback Taunt (Brute/Tanker only) Universal Damage

Placate

Allows you to trick a foe into no longer attacking you. A successful Placate will also Hide you. This Hide is very brief, and offers no defense bonus, but it will allow you to deliver a Critical Hit or Assassination. However, if you attack a Placated foe, he will be able to attack you back. This power is the finishing move in the Empower combination attack for Stalkers.

Recharge Long Minimum Level 12 (Stalker) Effects Ranged Foe Placate Self Stealth/Hide Enhancements Enhance Range Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness Set Categories Taunt

Power Slice

You perform a deadly strike with your blades. This is a basic attack that deals a moderate amount of lethal damage. This power is needed for the Sweep combination attack.

Damage Moderate(Lethal) Recharge Fast Minimum Level 1 (Brute) 1 (Scrapper) 1 (Stalker) 2 (Tanker) Effects Melee Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only) Set Categories Melee Damage Taunt (Brute/Tanker only) Universal Damage

Sweeping Strike

You make a sweeping strike with your blades, hitting all foes in a cone in front of you and dealing moderate lethal damage to each. This power is the finishing move for the Attack Vitals combination attack.

Damage Superior(Lethal) Recharge Moderate Minimum Level 26 (Brute) 26 (Scrapper) 26 (Stalker) 35 (Tanker) Effects Melee (Cone) Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only) Set Categories Melee AoE Damage Taunt (Brute/Tanker only) Universal Damage

Taunt

Taunt foes to attack you. Useful to pull enemies off allies and keep them attacking you to raise your Fury. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.

Recharge Fast Minimum Level 12 (Brute) 10 (Tanker) Effects Ranged(Targeted Area of Effect) Foe Taunt Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Range Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness Set Categories Taunt

Typhoon's Edge

You spin around in a circle, attacking everyone within melee range with a striking attack. This attack is the finishing move in both the Weaken and Sweep combination attacks.

Damage Moderate(Lethal) Recharge Slow Minimum Level 6 (Brute) 6 (Scrapper) 16 (Tanker) Effects Point Blank Area of Effect Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (except Scrapper) Set Categories Melee AoE Damage Taunt (except Scrapper) Universal Damage

Vengeful Slice

Unleashes a series of strong attacks on your foe, dealing high lethal damage and knocking them down. This power is needed for the Attack Vitals combination attack.

Damage High(Lethal) Recharge Moderate Minimum Level 18 (Brute) 18 (Scrapper) 18 (Stalker) 28 (Tanker) Effects Melee Foe Knockdown Enhancements Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Knockback Distance Increase Attack Rate Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only) Set Categories Melee Damage Knockback Taunt (Brute/Tanker only) Universal Damage

Historical

This section contains information about changes that took place in City of Heroes/Villains. It is provided for historical purposes.

• This set was added to the game for Brutes, Scrappers, Stalkers, and Tankers in Issue 11.
  • At the time of its implementation, Back Alley Brawler and other development team members stated they designed Dual Blades to be "insanely quick".

External Links

• Dual Blades for Scrappers at City of Data v2.0
• Dual Blades for Tankers at City of Data v2.0
• Dual Blades for Brutes at City of Data v2.0
• Dual Blades for Stalkers at City of Data v2.0
• Guide to DB and Combos on the Official Forums