This is a post that a friend of mine made, telling about Bladedancers, his name is Pedro Fausto, well, this is not 100% accurate, but helps a lot, and of course, it is opened to reply, helps and whatever.

I translate it from portuguese, so you can find many errors, just ignore it please
you can see the original post Here. And another Portugueses version here n PMFun, in the Portuguese section (btw the English version have a bit of new features that I made =p)

Here we go:

This guide does not intend to be definitive and may be amended as suggestions are given. The information below was obtained from searches on sites and forums where there were discussions about the class, as well as my own "experience" with the class. This is a guide rather extensive, but I hope to serve as an inspiration for other classes also create your guide and help the Bladedancers of the server.


A BladeDancer is formed from a Palus Knight, class of knights of the Dark Elfs. And that says a lot about this class. In Lineage many classes have their equivalents in each race, with differences to be noticed at higher levels. Thus, the "Knights" have the basic feature of "tank" (speaking simple: handle hits).

Until the moment when you perform your class transfer you are a tanker and will posses this certain characteristics until the end. Note that this does not make you a tanker (you will be a BladeDancer!) but will be very useful and makes this class much more fun.

A BladeDancer is known as Party Assistant (do not let others say that you are a buffer). His "mission" is to turn your team ( "party") more stronger with their dances, and while you can hit a lot (you have high strength and a attack speed also high), cast debuffs ("curses") on the opponents and can occasionally "tank" monsters ( "mobs").

One important thing to learn about the dances is:
1) They last for only 2 minutes, except for dances enchanted (only from the level 76 and above) that may last longer.
2) They can accumulate with other magic support carrying out the same function, adding further a certain status of their character ("char").
3) Each dance / song will perform additional penalty, which require more Magic Points (MP) from you.
4) You will only be able to perform their dances bearing a dual sword (or chrono maracas), after all you are the BladeDancer! There is no point in using something other than dual sword. You are the class which has more bonuses throughout the game by use of a sword.

Let’s go leveling!

Our start point will be precisely the 40 level. You've just become a BladeDancer (BD). At this level you have only one dance, but that will follow you always (and you will be required in certain parties): Dance of Fire. As it is your only dance until now, you must always use it. At higher levels it might not be so used, because you will have other dances, but it is essential in parties that have chars that depend on critical hit: DAGGERS (they carry daggers and are treacherous, attacking you from behind).

Until then you do not have much capacity to solo (kill mobs by yourself). This can be done but with care and well equipped. Pots of HP and alacrity (Atk. Speed) are more than welcome.
At this time the ideal armor you will be a Composite Armor or Full Plate. Preferably Composite because of the weight bonus which allows you to load more items, of course, if you can complete the set. You ALWAYS use heavy armor ("Heavy"). BD's only acquires bonus with this kind of armor.

As the weapon there is no real preference. Only seek the best sword of graduation ( "TOP GRADE" C). Recalling that only after being enchanted with +4 or more they will give you extra bonus. Tip: have a dual Stormbringer, or replace a Stormbringer by a katana (Mid C) with the mammon blacksmith (in exchange for Ancient Adena) and do a dual Katana*Katana (Top C, that gives Atk Spd at +4%. The C Grade Dual swords also have others Top Duals. Like Raid*Raid [+4% of Atk. Spd.]; Spirit Sword*Raid Sword [Critical increase by 40]; Spirit*Spirit [+25% of Max HP]; Katana*Raid [P. Atk. increases by 84 during a critical attack]; Katana*Spirit [Accuracy will increase by 2 lol]; Samshir*Raid [critical will increase by 40]; Samshir*Spirit [+25% of Max HP]; Samshir*Katana [P. Atk. will increase by 84 during a critical attack]; Samshir*Samshir [Accuracy will increase by 2].)

To gain experience and leveling look for areas with mobs which level equal to or lower than yours. If you're in a good party always look mobs of equal or higher level. Suggestions of places: Death Pass, The Ant Nest, 1st Floor Cruma Tower (with parties).

Always trust your debuffs. For now you will only use Hex, Power Break and Confusion. Hex is by far the best of them, so be sure to use it. Confusion is fun to cast into mobs, but serves only to give you a bit of time. If you’re in a party, Confusion (when successful) helps you to prepare all the stuffs while the mob is confusing killing other mobs (or players). Power Break(PB) is not a bad debuff but is less used because Hex is more appropriate in many situations but the same can not be said of PB.

Also, Sting should be used occasionally. That skill at this level will not be able to do much damage (and will not able even at higher levels, but in third class, it can be enchanted in Chance or Cost, whatever the course you chose it will increase the Power Rating, but it still is not to good to use, you need to keep mana to dance and cast others debuffs), but can cause the mob to bleed (debuff called "bleed"). The same goes for Freezing Strike, which will turn the mob (or player) slower. Finally, Drain Health is not yet very strong, but can be used occasionally. Just pay attention to your MP, and not stop dancing when finishing up the dances and everything will be fine (or will hear something like: "Shake your ass!").


Now imagine you're at level 52. Much has changed: in addition to new dances, you have to decide which configuration ("setup" or "build") should have your BD, because now you can use GRADE B items. And that will depend much of what you want to try to be with your BD. In PvP 1x1 you will never be the best, know it. But with several players in PvP make sure you can make a difference.

If you want to be purely a party assistant, look for sets that give you ability to remain alive. Put CON Dye since DarkElfs (DE) has very low CON. Never take away DEX to increase CON; you need speed to dance (high Atk. speed, fast dance). Since you chose not cause so much damage and be a pure assistant reduce your STR. Use a Doom Heavy set which will give you more CON and HP. Use the Dual Sword of Nightmare*Long Sword (which gives you +25% of HP, Health SA).

But if you want to dance than fight a lot, I give you the following suggestion:
Try to have a BlueWolf (BW) set and add Dye's until have +5 STR/-5 CON. With that, you earn +8 STR. Note that DE's already have high STR by nature, the bonus you earn by increasing your strength will be greater than if it were increased 8 points of STR from a STR of 24 points. His bonus will be much higher.
Dual: you can do it well with a dual Delusion*Delusion, but try to have a dual Tsurugi*Samurai Long Sword (more critical), Sword of Delusion*Samurai Long Sword (Greater Power Atk.) or a dual TOP B Samurai Long Sword*Samurai Long Sword (gives you Atk. Speed bonus, and I assure you... you want it!).

Many BD's (mainly in the official server) use a dual Tsurugi*Long Samurai Sword enchanted +4, therefore guaranteeing that can replace very well the dual TOP B.
As for the dances, note that it will be necessary divide it by two basic types: fighters and Mages.

1) Fighters: Dance of Inspiration, Dance of Light, Dance of Fire. Dance of Light is not a dance widely used. Dance of Light is very useful against undead mobs (which can be found at places like Devastated Castle). So don’t forget to use Dance of Inspiration and Fire

2) Magi: Dance of Mystic and Dance of Concentration. You will not learn another dance for magicians until reach the 78 level, and believe me: you do not need other so early. In a party with good wizards (“nukers”) does not hesitate to give preference to those two dances. Only change your tactic if the fighters of the party are killing faster than your nukers, than dance to the fighters.

I may perform all dances but your MP will not last long. Balance your dances according to your party: for a party with only one nuker, it may be better to give two dances of fighter and a magician (strategically, Dance of Concentration).
For leveling, follows the suggestion: Catacomb of the Apostate, Devastated Castle, Patriots Necropolis and Valley of the Saints (with a good party you will quickly kill the mobs).
From here it will be very good if you have a bow. "Bow? On a BD? ", you might think. Yes, bow! He may well be useful in PvP's or PvE's. If you chose to build a more conservative (more CON), the bow won’t be much useful But still deemed to have one of those GRADE B bow from Giran.

Ah! Level 60. Now things start to get really interesting. You will be able to use the dances most coveted of a BD until 74 level. And you are still B GRADE!

These dances are: Dance of Fury and Dance of Warrior. With these dances you'll be able to level well alone. Two dances that can not lacking in any way. With Dance of Fury the Atk. Spd. of you party increase considerably. And Dance of Warrior increases the P. Atk. of the party members.

These dances are essential in parties of fighters, no matter what type they are: tankers, daggers, Archers or damage dealers. Always use "Fury" first. All other dances will be faster because the cast depend on Atk. Speed, rather than casting speed as it was to be expected.

In addition to the dances we have two skills that have the word "dance" in its name, but are not really dances, although they are very useful.

Demonic Blade Dance: Very useful when your party is surrounded by mobs of high power and magic attack, because it reduces status of these two enemies all around. The visual effect is quite nice, and the effect of game too! Some may consider BD's loss of time and the MP use this skill, but if used at the right time is quite valid. In Catacombs Necropolis and it shows very useful.

Poison Blade Dance: The power of poison (venom) it is substantial, may cause damage in 1000 before finishing this purpose. But its main feature is to be an area of attack. Despite his injury is not major, because the damage on multiple targets is very important. The visual effect is very beautiful and fun.

Hex, Power Break and Confusion are stronger. In addition to this comes from an excellent skill: Arrest. This is by far one of the best skills of a BD in PvP. If used in conjunction with Ultimate Defense(UD) could render an unfair advantage against mages and archers.

This skill relates to the ground (for 10 seconds only) mobs and players and makes them aggressive. Archers unconscious will be caught by that skill and can not run around you. United skill to Deflect Arrow (thanks to remember DewK AdleR) the archers must fear you. Do not hesitate to abuse of skill (Arrest) against mages and archers.

The chance to bear fruit Arrest increase depending on your INT and Magic Atk. Against nukers very strong use UD will make them run around you and attack from abroad. They have a greater chance to resist arrest, but not stop trying. A sorcerer stopped in front by 10 seconds is all you need. Should he achieve run, his team arc (you bought, remember?) And attack (use the skill Power Shot). You have more natural speed than an archer. Enjoy. Obviously you will not be a killer of sorcerers, but makes to defend yourself.


From the 61 level you can use items GRADE A. A new build will be sure to use the combination Sword of Damascus*Tallum Blade. The Tallum Heavy Set will give you 8% of Atk speed, and increase its weight limit. Because you do not have much CON (and accurately load SoulShots) that bonus will be excellent.

Already a dual Damascus*Tallum Blade you will give power to attack very high, and add 8% of Atk Speed. Will be 16% of Stk Speed! Added with "Dance of Fury", "Great Swift Attack Potion" and "Berserker Spirit" you can reach an incredible Atk. Spd. (the L2Calc indicates Atk. speed of 745). But this is dual TOP A and will be difficult to achieve, very expensive.
A good suggestion is to place a dual Keshanberk*Keshanberk, which has less power to attack, but also adds 8% of Atk. speed.

A more conservative setup would be a Nightmare Heavy Set or Dark Crystal Heavy, giving more HP, together with a dual Keshanberk*Damascus, which offers a 25% increase in HP. The logic for Dyes is the same used before.

Level 70! Until then you will have gained only dances of elemental protection. I highlight among them: Dance of Aqua Guard, which protects you against attacks such as "water", very useful against SpellSingers. If you see a white face of a Magician Elf preparing to attack you dance it!
Here again is time to change your setup. If you're solo, leveling will be very difficult because from that level will stun the mobs. To her surprise, the shorter CON greater the chance of "stun" work and stay longer. Hence, many BD's exchange their armor for Majestic Heavy and is remaining with it until they are able to use items S. GRADE
if you're in a good party, keep the setup that used so far and good luck!

In the 74 level you get finally Vampire Dance. It will be capable of drain HP from mobs and enemies to beat them. Another indispensable dance, solo or in groups.

Even if you are not a nice person, invitations to participate in parties will rain upon you. Only say that is vampiric. If someone is not interested, ask about the benefits of their dances. Players with common sense always want a BD with vampiric in his party. Having this skill you should be able to use the combination Fury+Warrior+Vampiric which replaces potions of HP and even healers in some cases.

At that point, his skill Drain Health is a little more respectable, so advice load some Blessed SpiritShots to maximize the damage (1000 of damage on average).

More 2 and take a question and you become a SpectralDancer(SD).

Without a doubt one of the best Set is the Imperial Crusader (IC). The bonus for the defense of a Draconic Leather Set does not apply to a BD, so I wear IC a lot of time, if you want to participate in PvP's or mass PvP's. You feel the lack of an anti-stun Majestic Heavy, but really Imperial is incomparable. For leveling or sieges, some BD's has used the Draconic Leather because it increases the Atk. Spd. (essential for dances) and also the power attack, in addition to speed and accuracy (not so much, but helps). That really depends on the player behind the dancer.

The dual TOP A will remain a good choice, but the dual Tallum Blade*Dark Legion's Edge (Talum*DLE) has a massive damage, plus bonus excellent. SD's the highest level (79 or 80) may prefer this dual, and may come with certain setups 6000 HP, which is too much for a DE.

Until the level 77 you will have the opportunity to pick up two excellent dances:
Dance of Medusa: with it you can petrify enemies around. Very important in PvEs and Mass PvPs. In 1x1, you can save a certain defeat, just a few hits on the opponent to become flag, and then Dance of Medusa. It can also help you avoid a fight that's loss of time. Often you can be in a PVP, but not be interested in it. This also helps you dance on it.

Dance of Shadows: Lets all his party is invisible, avoiding aggressive attack by mobs. Much used in catacombs and necropolis to allow players to move certain areas of these scenarios with ease.

In the level 78 we have two skills available: Dance of Siren and Inner Rhythm (passive), which considerably increases the chance of critical attacks of magic and reduces the consumption of the MP dances/songs, respectively.

Without a doubt, a party magician will have this dance, together with the dances of magician already learned before.
Probably you will be limit to be only an Enchanter (as called by NCSoft), precisely by the fact that to act as DamageDealer the BladeDancer account with his other dances, as fighters.
Use all Dances consumes (TOO)much MP, even having learned Inner Rhythm, in addition to "expel" the other buffs of the party. You do not want this, believe me!

In future add more details.


Last Part. Withdraw the summary of MMOCentral, in a discussion between BD's.

Bladedancer

Good Points at PVE
• Dances are necessary in any party. The physical (Fury/Fire/Warrior/Inspiration), and the magic (Mystic/Concentration).
• Dance added to the existing buffs of PP and SE, becoming a major force for the party.
• With a build of damage can get the biggest STR of the game, being a very good DD with duals. (becoming not only a buffer of the party)
• Based on VR can tank calmly provided that the amount of mobs is not very large.
• Hex is a skill that you must cast. It makes an increase of +23% in physical damage in mobs (also players).

Weak Points at PVE
• Do not have hate-skills, with the exception of Aggression, not being one of the best tanks. His ability to handle the aggro is based on the damage that gives. (The damage is very good, but in general, a magician would steal the aggro). But in the Kamael update the power of Skill Aggression was increasing, making the BDs secondary tankers.
• You can not use bow in pve therefore must save the mp for the dances.
• You can not abuse their skills in pve (Hex, for example), then must save the mp for the dances.

Good Points at PVP
• Because of their very high STR, with a Bow is a considerable damage. Help much the party and come to take many PvP points. MP does not become a problem for PVP.
• Dances - See Good Point At PvE
• It is one of the last target, with a very high rate of survival. In general, dies only when the rest of the entire group died.
• Skills as Hex and Medusa Dance unbalance the PvP and can be used without fear of burn down your mp.
• UD saves the character. In general, to be achieved, simply use UD and burn some pots for the opponents change the target.
• At small PvPs, Freezing Strike can cause a good damage (also slow).

Weak Points at PVP
• You’re a DE (CON very low) without Armor Mastery. When the opponent wants to kill a BD, You’ll surely fall. No chance.
• There is a large char for 1x1. But in certain situations to face.
• Stun is a problem. (Majestic gives a fine virtue, however)
• Missing skills of damage in char... the char can make slow, reduce Power Def., reduce Power Atk., use dances... but has no skill with a good damage.

nice guide , next time i'll make a bd i will read it

Nice guide, indeed. Gj vawned.

Thanks for the share m8.

so nobody readed it ?

noob!

@vawned-thanx:)

say thanks after u read it sucker

Why should he? It's obvious it's a guide no need to read to thanks lol. I cant get your point >.>.
Vaw,thanks for the info btw.

Don't need to thanks.
^^

Read it and show mistakes and whatever, all information are welcome.

Too long, mr.Vawnded.How about singer? If you have the chance to choose, what will you chosse? Spectrel Dancer or Sword Muse?

Ah, and your link, what 's the language is using?

I would prefer SWS.
Nice guide, I readed it ^^

Thanks for your share!!very nice and helpfull guide!!!i think that it should be sticky...[/u]

Brazilian Portuguese

And I don't know so much about SwS, btw I started to play one on my server, 6x.
I'm learning, wonder write about it one day

GJ vawned, its pretty well translated and u did it in record time.


@waza: its a guide, and some of us dont need it, either cos we dont have/arent willing to make BD or we already know everything about BD (very unlikely ^^), and yeah, I read a bit, just to see how was the tran saltion, and about those "extra things" vawned said, although I didnt find any xD