Umbral Blast

Overview

Umbral Blast is the primary power set for Warshades.

"Masters of the void, Warshades can manipulate dark energy, gravity and matter to blast and dominate their foes. The gravimetric nature of most Umbral Blast powers often slows the targets attack and movement speed."

Power Table

The Umbral Blast power set is the primary set for Warshades. Warshades have three forms, human, Dark Nova, and Black Dwarf. Powers may change or be disabled between forms, but only the base version of the power needs to be enhanced; the enhancement slotting will carry over to the version of the power in other forms. Toggle powers that are active but not available in a form will typically be suppressed, meaning that the power stops offering its benefit and costing endurance, but will immediately be active when switching back to a valid form. The following table shows the level and form at which each power is available:

	Power	Level	Nova	Dwarf	Effect
	Shadow Bolt	1	Dark Nova Bolt		Ranged, Minor Damage (Negative), Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
	Ebon Eye	1			Ranged, Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
	Gravimetric Snare	2		Black Dwarf Strike	Ranged, Moderate Damage over Time (Negative/Smash), Foe: Immobilize, -Recharge, -Speed
	Dark Nova	6	N/A		Toggle: Shapeshift, Special
	Dark Detonation	Free with Dark Nova	Dark Nova Detonation		Ranged (Targeted Area of Effect), Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe: Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
	Shadow Blast	8	Dark Nova Blast		Ranged, Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe: Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
	Gravitic Emanation	Free with Dark Nova, unlocks at 11	Dark Nova Emanation		Ranged (Cone), Minor Damage (Negative), Foe: Disorient, Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
	Starless Step	12			Ranged, Teleport Foe
	Gravity Well	18		Black Dwarf Smite	Melee, Superior Damage (Negative), Foe: Hold, -Recharge, -Speed
	Sunless Mire	Free with Black Dwarf		Black Dwarf Mire	Point Blank Area of Effect, Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe: -Recharge, -Speed; Self: +Damage, +To Hit
	Essence Drain	Free with Black Dwarf	Shadow Essence Drain	Black Dwarf Drain	Melee, Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe: -Recharge, -Speed; Self +Health
	Unchain Essence	26			Ranged (Targeted Area of Effect Special), Superior Damage (Negative), Foe: Disorient, Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
	Dark Extraction	32			Summon Essence: Ranged Moderate Damage (Negative)
	Quasar	32			Point Blank Area of Effect, Extreme Damage (Negative), Foe: -Recharge, -Speed, Knockback, Self: -Recovery

Powers

Dark Detonation

You hurl a blast of Dark Matter that violently explodes on impact, damaging all foes near the target. All affected targets' have their attack rate and movement speed slowed. Some foes may be knocked down. This power can be used while in Dark Nova form at an increased range and with higher damage.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	6 (Warshade) with Dark Nova
Effects	Ranged (Targeted Area of Effect)
	Foe: Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Knockback Distance
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Targeted AoE Damage
	Slow Movement
	Universal Debuff
	Knockback

Dark Extraction

Defeated foes are ripe for the picking. A Warshade can extract the essence from a defeated villain and infuse it with Nictus energy. The extracted energy is an echo of the target’s life force, and although it is not sentient, the infused Nictus energy does give it a rudimentary spark of life. Eventually, the extracted entity will fade away into nothingness.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Very Long
Minimum Level	32 (Warshade)
Effects	Summon Essence
Powers	Shadow Bolt (Ranged), Minor Damage (Negative), Foe -Recharge, -Speed
	Shadow Blast (Ranged), Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
	Gravitic Emanation (Ranged, Cone), Moderate Damage (Negative), Foe -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Pet Damage
	Recharge Intensive Pets

Dark Nova

Kheldians are masters of energy and matter. A Warshade can transform into a flying energy beast known as a Dark Nova. When you choose this power, you will gain access to very powerful ranged attacks while in this form. Additionally, 2 ranged attacks will be granted to your human and Nova form arsenals, Dark Detonation immediatley and Gravitic Emanation at level 12. You will only be able use your Kheldian ranged powers and specific Kheldian sustain powers while in Dark Nova form. Dark Nova can fly, has an increased chance to hit and improved Endurance Recovery but has no defense.

Recharge	Instant
Minimum Level	6 (Warshade)
Effects	Toggle: Shapeshift, Special
Enhancements	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Endurance Modification
	Enhance Flight Speed
	Enhance ToHit Buff
Set Categories	Flight
	Endurance Modification
	To Hit Buff

Dark Nova Blast

A much more powerful, yet slower version of Dark Nova Bolt. Dark Nova Blast sends focused negative Nictus energy at a foe. This attack can knock down foes and will leave a target's attack and movement speed slowed. This power is only available while in Dark Nova Form.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Moderate
Minimum Level	8 (Warshade) with Dark Nova and Shadow Blast
Effects	Ranged, Foe Knockback, -Recharge, -SPD
Enhancements	Enhancements placed in Shadow Blast

Dark Nova Bolt

A very quick, but low damage attack that lowers your target's attack and movement speed. This power is only available while in Dark Nova Form.

Damage	Minor Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Very Fast
Minimum Level	6 (Warshade) with Dark Nova and Shadow Bolt
Effects	Ranged, Foe -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhancements placed in Shadow Bolt

Dark Nova Emanation

Sends bolts of Nictus dark energy to multiple targets at once within a cone area in front of the caster. Deals moderate negative energy damage to each affected foe and reduces their attack rate and movement speed. This power is only available in Dark Nova Form.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	11 (Warshade) with Dark Nova
Effects	Ranged (Cone), Foe -Recharge, -Speed, Knockback
Enhancements	Enhancements placed in Gravitic Emanation

Dark Nova Detonation

You hurl a blast of Dark Matter that violently explodes on impact, damaging all foes near the target. All affected targets' attack and movement speed are slowed. Some foes may be knocked down. This power is only available in Dark Nova Form.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	6 (Warshade) with Dark Nova
Effects	Ranged (Targeted AoE), Foe Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhancements placed in Dark Detonation

Shadow Essence Drain

You tap the primal forces of your Nictus power to create an Essence Draining conduit between a foe and yourself. This will transfer Hit Points from your enemy to you. Foes drained in this manner have their attack rate and movement speed reduced.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	20 (Warshade) with Dark Nova and Black Dwarf
Effects	Ranged
	Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
	Self: +Health
Enhancements	Enhancements place in Essence Drain

Ebon Eye

You can emit a beam of dark energy from your eyes, dealing moderate Negative Energy damage. Ebon Eye can also slow your target's attack rate and movement speed. This power can be used while in Dark Nova or Black Dwarf form. While in Dark Nova, this power has increased range and higher damage. While in Black Dwarf form, this power taunts its target but has shorter range and deals slightly more damage.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Fast
Minimum Level	1 (Warshade)
Effects	Ranged
	Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Ranged Damage
	Slow Movement
	Universal Debuff

Essence Drain

You tap the primal forces of your Nictus power to create an Essence Draining conduit between a foe and yourself. This will transfer Hit Points from your enemy to you. Foes drained in this manner have their attack rate and movement speed reduced. This power can be used while in Dark Nova or Black Dwarf form. While in Dark Nova, this power becomes a ranged attack with a quicker recharge and higher damage. While in Black Dwarf form, this power remains a melee attack, but taunts its target and deals lower damage.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	20 (Warshade) with Black Dwarf
Effects	Melee
	Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
	Self: +Health
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Heal
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Melee Damage
	Healing/Absorb
	Slow Movement
	Universal Debuff
	Accurate Healing
	Ranged Damage

Gravimetric Snare

You can hurl Gravimetric fibers to Snare your foes. Gravimetric Snare can Immobilize a single target and crush them. The target's attack rate and movement speed are also slowed, even if they resist the Immobilization effect. This power can be used while in Black Dwarf form and becomes a melee attack with at a quicker cast time and higher damage. While in Black Dwarf form, this power may Knock Down the foe rather than leave them immobilized, in addition to taunting its target.

Damage	Moderate (Damage over Time; Negative/Smash)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	2 (Warshade)
Effects	Ranged
	Foe: Immobilize, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Immobilization Duration
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Ranged Damage
	Immobilize
	Slow Movement
	Melee Damage

Gravitic Emanation

Gravitic Emanation sends bolts of dark Nictus energy to multiple targets within a cone area in front of the caster. Gravitic Emanation deals only minor Negative Energy damage to each affected foe, but knocks them back, leaving them Disoriented and with reduced attack rate and movement speed. This power can be used while in Dark Nova form at an increased range, higher damage and fast recharge.

Damage	Minor Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	11 (Warshade) with Dark Nova
Effects	Ranged (Cone)
	Foe: Disorient, Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Knockback Distance
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
	Enhance Disorient Duration
Set Categories	Targeted AoE Damage
	Stuns
	Slow Movement
	Knockback

Gravity Well

Mastery over the forces of gravity and dark matter allows you to capture a single foe and crush them in a Gravity Well. The target is Held helpless, while he is crushed by the massive gravimetric forces. The target's attack rate and movement speed are also slowed, even if they resists the Hold effect. This power can be used while in Black Dwarf form at a quicker cast time and a faster recharge rate but lower damage. While in Black Dwarf form, this power may stun the foe rather than leave them held, in addition to taunting its target.

Damage	Superior (Damage over Time, Negative)
Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	18 (Warshade)
Effects	Melee
	Foe: Hold, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Hold Duration
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Melee Damage
	Holds
	Slow Movement

Quasar

You can explode in a tremendous blast of Negative Energy, sending nearby foes flying. The Quasar deals massive damage to all nearby foes. Affected foes will be knocked down and their attack rate and movement speed will be slowed. This power can be used while in Dark Nova form and deals higher damage.

Damage	Extreme Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Very Long
Minimum Level	32 (Warshade)
Effects	Point Blank Area of Effect
	Foe: -Recharge, -Speed, Knockback
	Self: - Recovery
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Knockback Distance
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	PBAoE Damage
	Slow Movement
	Knockback

Shadow Blast

A much more powerful, yet slower version of Shadow Bolt. Shadow Blast sends focused negative Nictus energy at a foe. This attack can knock down foes and will leave the target's attack rate and movement speed slowed. This power can be used while in Dark Nova form at an increased range and with higher damage.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Moderate
Minimum Level	8 (Warshade)
Effects	Ranged
	Foe: Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Knockback Distance
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Ranged Damage
	Slow Movement
	Knockback

Shadow Bolt

A very quick, but low damage attack that can lower your target's attack rate and movement speed. This power can be used while in Dark Nova or Black Dwarf form. While in Dark Nova, this power has increased range and higher damage. While in Black Dwarf form, this power taunts its target but has shorter range and deals slightly more damage.

Damage	Minor Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Very Fast
Minimum Level	1 (Warshade)
Effects	Ranged
	Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	Ranged Damage
	Slow Movement

Starless Step

You can Teleport a single foe though a dark matter wormhole directly next to yourself. A successful hit must be made in order to Teleport the target, and some powerful foes cannot be Teleported. This power can be interrupted.

Recharge	Slow
Minimum Level	12 (Warshade)
Effects	Ranged, Teleport Foe
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Reduce Interrupt Time
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
Set Categories	Teleport
	Universal Travel

Sunless Mire

Sunless Mire can drain the essence of all nearby foes, thus increasing your own strength. Each affected foe will lose some Hit Points and add to your Damage and chance to hit. This power can be used while in Dark Nova or Black Dwarf form.

Damage	Moderate Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Very Long
Minimum Level	20 (Warshade) with Black Dwarf
Effects	Point Blank Area of Effect
	Foe: -Recharge, -Speed
	Self: +Damage, +To Hit
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Slow
Set Categories	PBAoE Damage
	Slow Movement

Unchain Essence

The Warshade can release the energy of a defeated foe and cause a massive Negative Energy explosion that can devastate any remaining foes. This power can only be activated by targeting a defeated foe.

Damage	Superior Damage (Negative)
Recharge	Very Long
Minimum Level	26 (Warshade)
Effects	Ranged (Targeted Area of Effect Special)
	Foe: Disorient, Knockback, -Recharge, -Speed
Enhancements	Enhance Accuracy
	Enhance Damage
	Reduce Endurance Cost
	Enhance Knockback Distance
	Enhance Range
	Increase Attack Rate
	Enhance Disorient Duration
Set Categories	Targeted AoE Damage
	Stuns
	Knockback

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 with the original release of Warshades in Issue 3.
• Initially, Auto Powers (like those from Fitness) did not function in Dark Nova form. This was changed in Issue 19.
• Warshades were reworked in Rebirth Issue 4 expanding the powers available in Nova and Dwarf forms and consolidating power enhancing.

External Links

• Umbral Blast for Warshades at Titan Network's RedTomax