Build:Bladesworn - Power DPS (2024)

This build was last updated on December 23, 2023 and is up to date for the March 19, 2024 patch.

Overview

Bladesworn trades its second weapon set for a Gunsaber that combines ranged explosions with melee slashes. Most importantly, it gains access to the unique Dragon Slash burst skills - incredibly powerful single strikes that take a long time to prepare. As the Bladesworn is immobile this preparation, it can be challenging to manage against targets that move a lot, or can disrupt you. With so much of its damage loaded into the Dragon Slash, Bladesworn is incredibly strong if the player can perform them off cooldown, but even one missed Slash is a significant damage loss.

With Tactics, the Bladesworn can also provide some passive Might generation for their subgroup, making them an excellent choice for filling in gaps in your boon uptime while still being top DPS.

Skill Bar

Skill Variants

Healing

• Depending on the encounter, you may find "To the Limit!" makes the opener more consistent, as it provides a bonus to flow generation for 15 seconds upon use. It is used in the same way as Mending.
  • In fractals, you can precast "To the Limit!" at a Mistlock then switch to Mending to gain the benefits of both.

Template Code

Specializations

• Martial Cadence could be used if the extra Stability uptime will be useful - just be wary on encounters that corrupt boons, as Stability gets corrupted into Fear!

Equipment

• You want to hit 2217 precision (with a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Accuracy).
• In strikes where the boss gets Exposed, or at Keep Construct, it would be more beneficial to swap the Sigil of Superior Sigil of Force for a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Impact.
• Relic of the Thief is the best relic for players that don't own Secrets of the Obscure.

Consumables

Food

• or ascended versions

Utility

• • for a cheaper alternative

Usage

There are two openers you can use for Bladesworn. The higher damage opener immediately starts with Dragon Slash - Force, but requires getting into combat at just the right time to avoid having to delay later parts of the rotation. The other opener has a slightly delayed Dragon Slash - Force which allows a bit more time for flow to build up and makes it easier to line up cooldowns.

If possible, you can pre-cast Blooming Fire, Artillery Slash and Break Step to build up stacks of Fierce as Fire. Pre-cast both charges of Flow Stabilizer, Tactical Reload, an additional charge of Flow Stabilizer, and your healing skill.

General Tips

• Both openers follow the same broad structure as the loop, so learning the loop first might be helpful.
• Outside of the opener, you always use Overcharged Cartridges as your last skill before exiting your Gunsaber.
• Flicker Step is not only used for positioning, but triggers Relic of Peitha.
• While charging Dragon Trigger, you can use Triggerguard to generate extra charges of Fierce as Fire, to ensure you are at 10 stacks for Dragon Slash - Force.
  • If there is any danger of you getting interrupted while in Dragon Trigger, you can forgo this step so they are available for defence.
• Dragon Slash - Force alone is over half your total damage, so it is essential not to delay Dragon Trigger. If necessary, you can skip some of the Sword skills in your rotation if it is already available.
• If you find yourself getting lost in the rotation, glance at the cooldowns on your F1 and F2 skills. This will tell you how long your next section will be - e.g. If you are charging Dragon Trigger and Gunsaber is still on a long cooldown, you know you need to do the long Gunsaber section next (Gunsaber 2').