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 Damage (Lethal).	Begin	Begin
	Power Slice	1	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal).				Continue
	Ablating Strike	2	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal), Foe -Defense.	Continue	Continue	Begin
	Typhoon's Edge	6	Point Blank Area of Effect Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal).	Finish			Finish
	Blinding Feint	8	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal) Self +Damage +To-Hit.		Finish
	Taunt	12	Ranged (AoE), Foe Taunt
	Vengeful Slice	18	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal), Foe Knockdown.			Continue
	Sweeping Strike	26	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).			Finish
	One Thousand Cuts	32	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).				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 Damage (Lethal).	Begin	Begin
	Power Slice	1	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal).				Continue
	Ablating Strike	2	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal), Foe -Defense.	Continue	Continue	Begin
	Typhoon's Edge	6	Point Blank Area of Effect Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal).	Finish			Finish
	Blinding Feint	8	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal) Self +Damage +To-Hit.		Finish
	Confront	12	Ranged, Foe Taunt
	Vengeful Slice	18	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal), Foe Knockdown.			Continue
	Sweeping Strike	26	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).			Finish
	One Thousand Cuts	32	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).				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 Damage (Lethal).			Continue
	Power Slice	1	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal).	Continue		Begin
	Ablating Strike	2	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal), Foe -Defense.				Finish
	Assassin's Blades	6	Melee, Moderate Damage +Special.		Continue		Continue
	Build Up	8	Self +Damage +To-Hit.		Begin		Begin
	Placate	12	Ranged, Foe Placate.		Finish
	Vengeful Slice	18	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal), Foe Knockdown.			Finish
	Sweeping Strike	26	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).	Begin
	One Thousand Cuts	32	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).	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 Damage (Lethal).	Begin	Begin
	Power Slice	2	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal).				Continue
	Ablating Strike	4	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal), Foe -Defense.	Continue	Continue	Begin
	Taunt	10	Ranged(Targeted AoE), Foe Taunt
	Typhoon's Edge	16	Point Blank Area of Effect Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal).	Finish			Finish
	Blinding Feint	20	Melee, Moderate Damage (Lethal) Self +Damage +To-Hit.		Finish
	Vengeful Slice	28	Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal), Foe Knockdown.			Continue
	Sweeping Strike	35	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).			Finish
	One Thousand Cuts	38	Melee (Cone), Superior Damage (Lethal).				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 for Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. This power is the finishing move of the Sweep combination attack for Stalkers.

Damage	Moderate (Lethal)
Recharge	Fast
Minimum Level	2 (Brute)
	2 (Scrapper)
	2 (Stalker)
	4 (Tanker)
Effects	Melee, Foe -DEF
	Foe Defense Debuff
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
	Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
	Accurate Defense Debuff
	Universal Debuff

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

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

Blinding Feint

You perform a feint attack that deals light damage. After this attack hits, it gives you a large bonus to Damage and To-hit 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
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)

Confront

Challenges a foe to attack you. Useful to pull a villain off an ally who finds himself in over his head. An 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, -Range
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 for Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. This attack is needed for the Attack Vitals combination attack for Stalkers.

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)

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 for Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. This power is the finishing move for the Weaken combination attack for Stalkers.

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

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
Set Categories	-

Power Slice

You perform a powerful deadly strike with your blade. This is a basic attack that deals a moderate amount of lethal damage. This power is needed for the Sweep combination attack for Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. This power begins the Attack Vitals combination attack and is needed for the Weaken combination attack for Stalkers.

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)

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 for Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. This power is the opening move for the Weaken combination attack for Stalkers.

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

Taunt

Taunts a foe, and some nearby foes, to attack you. Useful for pulling villains 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 (Brute)
	Slow (Tanker)
Minimum Level	10 (Brute)
	10 (Tanker)
Effects	Ranged(Targeted Area of Effect)
	Foe Taunt
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
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 (Brute/Tanker only)
Set Categories	PBAoE Damage
	Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)

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 for Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. This power is the finishing move for the Attack Vitals combination attack for Stalkers.

Damage	High(Lethal)
Recharge	Moderate
Minimum Level	18 (Brute)
	18 (Scrapper)
	18 (Stalker)
	28 (Tanker)
Effects	Melee
	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)

Historical

This section contains information about changes that took place in City of Heroes: Rebirth. The content provided may refer to City of Heroes Freedom. 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 Titan Network's RedTomax
• Dual Blades for Tankers at Titan Network's RedTomax
• Dual Blades for Brutes at Titan Network's RedTomax
• Dual Blades for Stalkers at Titan Network's RedTomax
• Guide to DB and Combos on the Official Forums