Promotional Image for Way of the Sword Update in KR 10/20/2011

1.What is the Way of the Sword?

When playing Elsword, there will be an additional gauge below the skill hotkeys. This "Way of the Sword" gauge will enable you to activate "Aura of Vitality" or "Spirit of Destruction" for a period of time.

2.How do I use Way of the Sword?

Depending on the type of combo attack(e.g. Z and X key moves) or skill you use, the gauge will lean towards vitality or destruction. While in either "Aura of Vitality" or "Spirit of Destruction", you will receive special benefits.

Note that the system they use is not what what it may appear to be at first; vitality-based attacks take away vitality from the gauge, leaning the gauge towards destruction; destruction-based attacks take away destruction from the gauge, leaning the gauge towards vitality; this is why only attacks that use the gauge area affected in the respective aura.

Aura Chart

 

Legend:
파괴 (Orange Text) = Destruction-based
활력 (Blue Text) = Vitality-based

Skill Aura

Elsword/
Base

File:ElSkill4.png
Parry
:Destructive
File:ElSkill12.png
Kick
:Vitality
File:Rolling.png
Roll
:Vitality
File:ElSkill1.png Mega Slash
:Destructive
  Assault Slash
:Vitality
  Fatal Fury
:Vitality
File:ElSkill2.png Unlimited Blade
:Vitality
File:ElSkill13.png Flame Geyser
:Destructive
File:ElSkill6.png Triple Geyser
:Destructive

Sword Knight/
Lord Knight

File:ElSkill5i.png Armor Break
:Destructive
  Air Slash
:Destructive
File:ElSkill14.png Spiral Blast
Destructive
File:ElSkill9i.png Windmill
:Vitality
File:ElSkill3.png Armageddon Blade
:Vitality
File:ElSkill6i.png Double Slash
:Destructive
File:ElSkill3i.png Rolling Smash
:Vitality
File:ElSkill7i.png Sonic Blade
:Vitality
File:SI Sandstorm.png Sandstorm
:Destructive


Magic Knight/
Rune Slayer

  Fire Fist
:Destructive
  Wind Blade
:Destructive
  Rising Slash
:Destructive
  Sword Fire
:Vitality
  Storm Blade
:Destructive
  Phoenix Talon
:Vitality
  Sword Enchant
:Destructive
  Splash Explosion
:Vitality
  Luna Blade
:Destructive


Sheath Knight/
Infinity Sword

  Harsh Chaser
:Destructive
  Crescent Cut
:Destructive
  Sword Fall
:Destructive
  Maelstrom Rage
:Vitality
  Final Strike
:Destructive
  Phantom Sword
:Vitality
  Mirage Sting
:Vitality
  Sword Blasting
:Destructive
  Rage Cutter
:Vitality


3.What is the "Aura of Vitality"?

When the gauge is completely blue(by using vitality-type moves), the "Aura of Vitality" will be unleashed in the form of an azure aura. Destruction-type moves do not affect the gauge in this state

 

File:Vitality stance.PNG
Elsword's idle stance when in Aura of Vitality

While in this form you will receive the following benefits:

  • Increased action, movement, and jump speed.
  • Vitality-based skills cost 30% less mana for both mana usage and usage requirements.
  • Hits from vitality-based attacks and skills will have massive increase in mana regeneration per hit.


4.What is the "Spirit of Destruction"?

When the gauge is completely red(by using destruction-type moves), the "Spirit of Destruction" will be unleashed in the form of a crimson aura. Vitality-type moves do not affect the gauge in this state.

 

File:Destruction Stance.PNG
Elsword's idle stance when in Spirit of Destruction

While in this form you will receive the following benefits:

  • Destruction-based actives and skills will have a damage multiplier of "x1.5", mean they will do 50% more damage. x2 for combos that use destruction(This stacks with any other damage modifiers)
  • When attacked, Elsword will howl - and enemies within his immediate surrounding are damaged and knocked away; Elsword will also become stoic for a short period of time. This ability will not activate again until the stoic runs out.
    • This wears off roughly 1/5 of the gauge whenever activated from hits, and decreases slowly from combos that use destruction or (similar to being hit in this state) decreases rapidly from special actives.


Trivia

  • This is considered the strongest special system in the game so far.
  • While in the "Aura of Vitality" mode, Lord Knight can easily use several 200mp and 300mp skills in a single combo due them having the passive "Vitality".
    • In the same fashion, the "Concentrated Mana" passive guild skill and the Magician's Necklace cash shop item make it even easier for all Elswords to use skills more often during that state.
  • The sword icons that appear on the right side of the gauge are Lord Knight's sword and Rune Slayer's sword for "Spirit of Destruction" and "Aura of Vitality", respectively.


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