Swords

Swords are a one-handed weapon type in.

Characteristics
Swords damage scales primarily with strength but also benefits from dexterity. Swords can be used in combination with a shield. Light attacks deal 100% slashing weapon damage, and can build up combo points, dealing 105% slashing weapon damage in a 360 degree melee radius at the third attack. Heavy attacks deal 120% thrusting weapon damage, which can be charged up to 160%.

Damage Types

 * Slash
 * Thrust (on some abilities, like Reverse Stab)

Strengths

 * Swords excel in close-quarters combat.
 * Swords are the only weapon that can be wielded with a shield.
 * While equipped with a shield, a sword user can block enemy attacks more effectively.

Weaknesses

 * Swords lack range and reach.
 * Sword abilities have long cooldowns.

Mastery
Sword and Shield has two masteries. The Swordmaster tree focuses on attacks that hinder your target and dealing high amounts of damage with light and heavy attacks.

The Defender tree focuses on defensive abilities and attacking with a shield. For Defender tree abilities to work are required to wield a shield, while this is not the case for the Swordmaster tree where one is free to not use a shield.