Way of the Sword

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

Basic Information


When playing Elsword, there will be an additional bar below the mana gauge called Way of the Sword. This bar has 10 segments that, by default, contain 5 red Destruction slots and 5 blue Vitality slots, and depending on your actions, the bar will lean towards one color or 'aura' (from right to left for Destruction, from left to right for Vitality), replacing the other aura's slots. As long as an aura has at least one slot in the bar filled, you will receive special benefits depending on which aura you currently have active. The "Aura of Destruction" is selected by default, and you can switch between it and the "Aura of Vitality" by using the special action key ([V] by default).

Depending on the type of skill you use, the bar will fill towards the right with blue Vitality slots or towards the left with red Destruction slots:

  • Flexibility/Tenacity skill: 1 slot
  • Strength skill: 2 slots
  • Bravery skill: 3 slots

Note that skills fill the slots contrary to their mode: Vitality-based skills fill the bars with Destruction slots; Destruction-based skills fill the bar with vitality slots.

If the bar is filled completely by either aura's slots, the aura for the other mode will deactivate and you will enter a neutral stance with no benefits when it is toggled on, until at least 1 slot is re-gained for that mode. As such, the bar acts as a balancing mechanic so over-using one mode's skills can prevent that mode's aura from being active.

Aura of Vitality

When Self BuffAura of VitalitySelf BuffAura of Vitality is toggled on, you will be surrounded by a blue aura and gain the following effects:

  • Action, Movement Speed increase: 20%
  • Vitality-based skills MP Cost decrease: 30% (PvP: 5%)
  • MP Gain when Attacked increase: 100% (PvP: 20%)
  • Vitality-based Command/Skill MP recovery per hit increase: 100% (PvP: 20%)

Aura of Destruction

When Self BuffAura of DestructionSelf BuffAura of Destruction is toggled on, you will be surrounded by a crimson aura and gain the following effects:

  • Damage increase when using Destruction-based Skill: 50% (PvP: 25%)
  • Damage increase when using Destruction-based Command: 100% (PvP: 20%)

Aura Chart

  • Elsword
  • Knight Emperor
  • Rune Master
  • Immortal
  • Genesis
Idle/Walking Vitality Vitality Vitality Vitality
Vitality Vitality Vitality Vitality
Destruction Destruction Destruction
Destruction Destruction Vitality
Running
Vitality Vitality Destruction
Destruction
Jump
Vitality
Destruction
Air Dash
Vitality Vitality Vitality
Destruction Destruction
Knocked Down Destruction
Vitality


Skill Auras

Class Skill Name Aura
Elsword Mega Slash Destruction
Elsword Roll Vitality
Elsword Flame Geyser Destruction
Elsword Unlimited Blade Vitality
Elsword Triple Geyser Destruction
Class Skill Name Aura
Sword Knight Kick Vitality
Sword Knight Spiral Blast Destruction
Sword Knight Mortal Blow (A) Vitality
Sword Knight Impact Smash Destruction
Sword Knight Armor Break (A) Destruction
Sword Knight Double Slash (A) Destruction
Lord Knight Armageddon Blade (A) Vitality
Lord Knight Rolling Smash Vitality
Lord Knight Shoulder Tackle Vitality
Lord Knight Sandstorm (A) Destruction
Lord Knight Windmill (A) Vitality
Lord Knight Counter Attack Destruction
Lord Knight Vertical Slash Vitality
Lord Knight Sonic Blade (A) Vitality
Transcendent Lord Knight Sonic Blade: Crescent Destruction
Transcendent Lord Knight Power Smash Vitality
Transcendent Lord Knight Imperial Crusher Destruction
Transcendent Lord Knight Grand Cross Destruction
Class Skill Name Aura
Magic Knight Explosive Fist Destruction
Magic Knight Rising Slash (A) Destruction
Magic Knight Wind Blade Destruction
Magic Knight Sword Fire (A) Vitality
Magic Knight Critical Sword (A) Vitality
Magic Knight Storm Blade Vitality
Rune Slayer Phoenix Talon (A) Vitality
Rune Slayer Fire Rune Destruction
Rune Slayer Enchant Dash Vitality
Rune Slayer Lodestar Vitality
Rune Slayer Luna Blade (A) Destruction
Rune Slayer Magic Counter Destruction
Rune Slayer Rune Field Vitality
Rune Slayer Splash Explosion (A) Vitality
Transcendent Rune Slayer Triple Saber Destruction
Transcendent Rune Slayer Enchant Breaker Vitality
Transcendent Rune Slayer Overs Geyser Destruction
Transcendent Rune Slayer Extreme Rune Buster (A) Destruction
Class Skill Name Aura
Sheath Knight Sword Shield Vitality
Sheath Knight Sword Fall (A) Destruction
Sheath Knight Crescent Cut (A) Vitality
Sheath Knight Harsh Chaser Destruction
Sheath Knight Mirage Sting Vitality
Sheath Knight Final Strike Destruction
Infinity Sword Phantom Sword Vitality
Infinity Sword Fatal Slap Destruction
Infinity Sword Assault Dash Vitality
Infinity Sword Rage Cutter (A) Vitality
Infinity Sword Maelstrom Rage Vitality
Infinity Sword Compact Counter Destruction
Infinity Sword Phantom Dance Vitality
Infinity Sword Sword Blasting (A) Destruction
Transcendent Infinity Sword Infinite Chaser (A) Vitality
Transcendent Infinity Sword Infinite: Flurry Destruction
Transcendent Infinity Sword Blade Circle (A) Destruction
Transcendent Infinity Sword Infinite Strike (A) Destruction
Class Skill Name Aura
Root Knight Extortion Vitality
Root Knight Sword Trace Destruction
Root Knight Persistent Rush Vitality
Root Knight Sword Explosion Vitality
Root Knight Pressure Destruction
Root Knight Resolution Destruction
Sacred Templar Divine Lift Vitality
Sacred Templar Reclaim Destruction
Sacred Templar Detention Vitality
Sacred Templar No Mercy Destruction
Sacred Templar Destination Destruction
Sacred Templar Predicted Counter Destruction
Sacred Templar Sin Cleaver (A) Vitality
Sacred Templar Dominion Destruction
Transcendent Sacred Templar Holy Sword Destruction
Transcendent Sacred Templar Intense Slam (A) Vitality
Transcendent Sacred Templar El Assimilation Vitality
Transcendent Sacred Templar Retribution (A) Destruction


Specialization (Not Available Anymore)

Character Specialization A Specialization B
Destruction and Vitality gain amount +x% (Except when either Destruction and Vitality is activated) (Max: 40%) Destruction and Vitality consume amount -x% (Max: 50%)


Tips and Details

  • Commands do not affect the bar's slots in any way. As long as 1 slot of the respective aura is left, they will benefit from the aura they align to.
  • Destruction-based skills benefit from the 50% damage bonus in their entirety, as long as you consume a Destruction slot by using them, even if this makes your whole aura become Vitality.
  • Vitality's MP gain increase is very potent, allowing you to throw out many costly skills with little issues. Keeping at least 1 bar of Vitality left at all times to be able to gain the effect for your commands is exceptionally helpful.
  • Although Way of the Sword Mode Switching is a Special Move, it is still counted as a skill that cannot be used during some disabling debuffs like Silence.
  • Due to Way of the Sword effects being active as long as you have at least one bar of the respective type, there is no benefit from consuming more bars in the case of Strength and Bravery skills.


Trivia

  • The sword icons that appear at the ends of the gauge are Lord Knight's and Rune Slayer's swords for "Aura of Destruction" and "Aura of Vitality", respectively.


Old Version

  • In the past, the Way of the Sword system featured a non-segmented resource meter which could fill or deplete based on the amount of damage and number of hits dealt from skills and combos as opposed to purely skill category.
    • The ability to switch between "Aura of Destruction" and "Aura of Vitality" was not present. To enter a particular mode, Elsword must fill the meter with the using the opposing aura's attacks. When it was filled, Elsword would be in that mode until the meter was depleted via the respective aura's attacks. Once the meter was depleted, Elsword would be in a neutral state until he fills the meter back up with one of the auras.


Gallery


Updates

Date Changes
KR NA PvE PvP
10/20/2011 11/21/2012
  • Way of the Sword added.
04/21/2016 05/18/2016
  • The number of destruction roars when attacked in Aura of Destruction decreased.
06/15/2017 06/28/2017
  • None
  • Vitality Mode effectiveness decreased.
11/02/2017 11/15/2017
  • Destruction Howl and super armor removed.
  • Vitality Mode Skill MP Gain decreased.
  • Vitality Mode Command MP Gain decreased.
  • None
06/20/2019 07/17/2019
  • Can switch between Destruction and Vitality using V key.
  • System mechanics revamped.
08/14/2019 08/28/2019
  • None
  • Vitality Mode Skill MP Gain decreased.
09/11/2019 09/25/2019
  • Allows switching modes even during skill use.
  • System will remember the mode in effect on initial skill cast.
07/08/2021 08/04/2021
  • Fixed tooltip incorrectly stating that the Aura of Vitality increases Jump Speed.
  • Added detailed values to tooltip.
02/03/2022 03/02/2022
  • None
  • Vitality Skill MP Usage Decrease decreased.
07/04/2024 07/31/2024
  • None
  • Damage increase when using Destruction-based Commands decreased.



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