Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling Build Guide
Last Updated:October 13, 2024|Changelog
Welcome to the Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling Build Guide! The highlight of this weapon combination for the leveling process is its incredible AoE potential once unlocking Skill Specializations at Level 15, these are basically like Tripods in Lost Ark. Sword and Shield skills like Shield Strike can be turned into an AoE skill called Piercing Attack.
Sword and Shield / Greatsword gives you a ton of sustain while leveling. Skills like DaVinci's Courage, for example, are your most important skill to use to limit the amount of downtime you have while leveling.
Post 50 Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling Build
If you're looking for End Game guides, check out our Sword and Shield / Greatsword PvE Guide and our Sword and Shield / Greatsword PvP Guide.
- Great AoE Pulls
- Little Downtime
- Extremely Durable
- Melee Range
- High Cooldowns
- Struggles in Dynamic Events
Stat Priorities
Use the following stat priorities when following the Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling build:
- Level 1 - 21
- 20 Dexterity
- Level 22 - 41
- 20 Strength
- Level 42 - 50
- 9 Wisdom
You have 49 Stat Points you can freely allocate to any of the 4 primary Stats. Once you put 20 points into an individual Stat, it takes 2 points to increase the Stat by 1. Do not put more than 20 points into a Stat unless necessary.
Dexterity not only adds maximum Weapon Damage but also increases your Crit Chance, Evasion, and Attack Speed. Increasing Dexterity is your best method of increasing your damage output. If you find you are missing on mobs, you can opt to swap points from Strength to Perception in either of the leveling brackets instead. Wisdom provides Mana Regen, Max Mana, and Cooldown Speed.
Key Leveling Notes
- Focus on the Main Story Quest as you level to 50.
- If you're unable to continue the MSQ, complete Exploration Codex Quests for EXP until you can.
- Before leaving Kastleton during Chapter 3, craft as much Green Gear as possible!
- When your story quests introduce you to Resistance Contracts, choose ones that give Quality Lithograph: Accessories first!
- Complete Rustic Mother Nature Rings Lithograph Book entry early for Lethal Fortune Ring.
- Be sure to use the Shield Survival Technique against Fury Attacks to regain Mana and Health while killing mobs and leveling.
Gear Progression
The Leveling process has been made easier since the launch of the Korean version. It doesn't really matter what armor you craft as long as you upgrade it.
Towards Chapter 3, you start to get quests to craft items. Before heading to Urstella Fields, make sure to craft all the Green Items possible. You should have 2 Green Weapons, 3 Green Armors, and at least 2 Green Accessories. After Chapter 4, you have enough to craft the rest and have a full set of Green Gear. Here are the recommended Items to craft.
Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling Build
Weapon Crafting Priority
- Gladiator's Sword
- You get Royal Guard's Broadsword from completing the Chapter 1 story codex.
Armor Crafting Priority
- Shaman's Cloak
- Overwatcher's Resistance Armor
- Overwatcher's Resistance Pants
- Avenger's Hat
- Supplicant's Ritual Boots
- Prophet's Magic Gloves
Accessory Crafting Priority
- Crude Wind Necklace
- Crude Meditation Belt
- Crude Conquest Bracelet
- Crude Stone Band
- Crude Wind Band
Codex Chapter Rewards
Most of the gear you get from Codex Chapter Rewards isn't that great. The only rewards that are decent are Royal Guard's Broadsword, Elite Resistance Sword, and Special Res. Tactical Armor. Stick with your +6 Green Gear until you reach level 50. Then transfer that gear into the recommended Blue Gear in the Gear Progression section of our PvE and PvP build guides.
Ch. 1 - Royal Guard's Broadsword
Ch. 2 - Guaranteed Rewards
Ch. 3 - Guaranteed Rewards
Ch. 4 - Sophia's Ring
Ch. 5 - Elite Resistance Sword
Ch. 6 - Elite Resistance Mask
Ch. 7 - Gauntlets of the Resistance
Ch. 8 - Elite Resistance Leather Pants
Ch. 9 - Moonlight Grace Leather Boots
Ch. 10 - Heroic Armor of the Resistance
Skill Slot Prioritization
Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling Build
Active Skills
Levels 1-15: Take everything as you unlock it. Use Shield Survival Technique as your Block.
Level 18: Replace Strategic Rush with Stalwart Bastion
Level 24: Replace Devastating Tornado with Willbreaker
Passive Skills
Level 3: Slot in Robust Constitution and Skillful Evasion.
Level 6: Add Resilient Mind. Replace Skillful Evasion with Vital Force.
Level 20: Add Cold Warrior.
Level 25: Add Victor's Morale.
Level 30: Add Spectrum of Agony.
Level 35: Skip this for now. Slot your last 2 at level 40.
Level 40: Add Morale Boost and Indomitable Armor.
Skill Specialization Order
Once you hit Level 15, you acquire 10 Skill Specialization points to use, which modify your skills. Press "K" and access them in the 2nd tab. Every level after, you gain Skill Specialization points until you reach a maximum of 100. Spend your points in this order as you level.
- Piercing Attack
- Piercing Attack
- Stunning Blow
- Cooldown ▼
- Additional Damage Boost
- Effect Duration ▲
- Frost Cleaving
- Frost Cleaving
- Attack Speed ▲
- Critical Hit ▲
- Death Blow
- Cooldown ▼
- Damage ▲
- DaVinci's Courage
- Duration ▲
- Damage Reduction
- Instant Healing
- Counter Barrier
- Cooldown ▼
- Provoking Roar
- Effect Duration ▲
- Cooldown ▼
- Stalwart Bastion
- Focus on effect target
- Willbreaker
- Damage Area Change
- Chain Hook
- Range ▲
Skill Rotation
Here are some examples of skills you should use when following the Sword and Shield / Greatsword Leveling Build:
- Chain Hook
- Cruel Smite
- Stunning Blow
- Death Blow
- Piercing Attack
Skill Priority Upgrade
- Use Quality Marind Ore to craft Quality Passive Skill Growth Book and Quality Active Skill Growth Book
- Use Rare Marind Ore to craft Rare Passive Skill Growth Book and Rare Active Skill Growth Book.
- Prioritize getting all these skills to blue first before getting them to purple. These are universal skills you always use.
- Upgrade the rest of your skills as you play the game.
Active Skills
Passive Skills
Summary
- Greatsword skills give you access to decent AoE abilities while leveling.
- Focus on Wisdom and Dexterity for stats.
- As you progress through the game, make sure to craft green and blue gear using Quality Lithographs.
- Keep your Green Gear if you plan on PvPing later in the game. They are easier to trait than Blue Gear early on.
Credits
Written by Grenton
Reviewed by Yaen