Dual Blades
Overview
Dual Blades is a standard power set that is a primary set for Brutes, Scrappers, and Stalkers, and a secondary set for Tankers.
"You are a master of fighting with a blade in each hand. Your precision and skill with the blades enable you to strike in numerous combinations, each of which has unique secondary effects on a target which withstands your onslaught."
Possible Dual Blades Weapon Customizations.
Power Tables
The Dual Blades power set is available as a primary set for Brutes, Scrappers, and Stalkers, and as a secondary set for Tankers. The following tables show the levels at which each power is available, as well as the combinations in which they are used:
Brute
The Dual Blades power set is available as a primary set for Brutes. The following table shows the levels at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def |
Empower Self +Damage +ToHit |
Attack Vitals Cone +DoT |
Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nimble Slash
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Begin | Begin | ||
 Power Slice
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Continue | |||
 Ablating Strike
|
2 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe -DEF | Continue | Continue | Begin | |
 Typhoon's Edge
|
6 | PBAoE Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Finish | Finish | ||
 Blinding Feint
|
8 | Melee, DMG(Lethal), Self +DMG, +To-Hit | Finish | |||
 Taunt
|
12 | Ranged(Targeted AoE), Foe Taunt | ||||
 Vengeful Slice
|
18 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Continue | |||
 Sweeping Strike
|
22 | Melee (Cone), DMG(Lethal) | Finish | |||
 One Thousand Cuts
|
26 | Melee (Cone), DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Begin |
Scrapper
The Dual Blades power set is available as a primary set for Scrappers. The following table shows the levels at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def |
Empower Self +Damage +ToHit |
Attack Vitals Cone +DoT |
Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nimble Slash
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Begin | Begin | ||
| Power Slice
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Continue | |||
| Ablating Strike
|
2 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe -Defense | Continue | Continue | Begin | |
| Typhoon's Edge
|
6 | PBAoE Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Finish | Finish | ||
| Blinding Feint
|
8 | Melee, DMG(Lethal), Self +DMG +To-Hit | Finish | |||
| Confront
|
12 | Ranged, Foe Taunt | ||||
| Vengeful Slice
|
18 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Continue | |||
| Sweeping Strike
|
22 | Melee (Cone), DMG(Lethal) | Finish | |||
| One Thousand Cuts
|
26 | Melee (Cone), DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Begin |
Stalker
The Dual Blades power set is available as a primary set for Stalkers. The following table shows the levels at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def |
Empower Self +Damage +ToHit |
Attack Vitals Cone +DoT |
Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nimble Slash
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Continue | |||
| Power Slice
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Continue | Begin | ||
| Ablating Strike
|
2 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe -DEF | Finish | |||
 Assassin's Blades
|
6 | Melee, DMG(Lethal) | Continue | Continue | ||
 Build Up
|
8 | Self +DMG, +To-Hit | Begin | Begin | ||
 Placate
|
12 | Ranged, Foe Placate, Self Stealth/Hide | Finish | |||
| Vengeful Slice
|
18 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Finish | |||
| Sweeping Strike
|
22 | Melee (Cone), DMG(Lethal) | Begin | |||
| One Thousand Cuts
|
26 | Melee (Cone), DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Finish |
Tanker
The Dual Blades power set is available as a secondary set for Tankers. The following table shows the levels at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | Weaken Foe -ToHit -Def |
Empower Self +Damage +ToHit |
Attack Vitals Cone +DoT |
Sweep PBAoE +Knockdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nimble Slash
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Begin | Begin | ||
| Power Slice
|
1 | Melee, DoT(Lethal) | Continue | |||
| Ablating Strike
|
4 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe -DEF | Continue | Continue | Begin | |
| Taunt
|
10 | Ranged, Foe Taunt | ||||
| Typhoon's Edge
|
16 | PBAoE, DoT(Lethal) | Finish | Finish | ||
| Blinding Feint
|
20 | Melee, DMG(Lethal), Self +DMG, +To-Hit | Finish | |||
| Vengeful Slice
|
24 | Melee, DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Continue | |||
| Sweeping Strike
|
28 | Melee (Cone), DMG(Lethal) | Finish | |||
| One Thousand Cuts
|
30 | Melee (Cone), DoT(Lethal), Foe Knockdown | Begin |
Combination Attacks
The highlight of the dual blades power set is its implementation of a "combo system." Most attacks lack a secondary effect, like Katana's -Def or Dark's -ToHit, but the set makes up for this by adding the ability to chain attacks together to create an additional effect at the end. Combo effects also gain the benefits of any relevant Enhancements in the move that finished the combo.
When you hit an enemy with the beginning move for a combo, you have 5 seconds to hit with the continuing move or the combo breaks and your attacks cause only their normal effects. Likewise, hitting with a continuing move gives you 5 seconds to hit with a finishing move before losing the combo. The combo also breaks if you hit with any Dual Blades power other than the next one in the combo. Taunt and Confront are exceptions to this rule -- they don't automatically break combos, although they may make you run out of time. Powers outside the Dual Blades power set don't break combos either.
Attacks in a combo don't all need to hit the same enemy, but they do all need to hit. Misses don't break the combo, but they don't advance it either, and only the fastest attacks cycle quickly enough to be tried again before the 5-second timer runs out.
If a move is both a beginner for one combo and a continuer for another, it will continue combos, when possible, without starting a new one. If it can't continue a combo, it'll begin a combo.
| Combo |    Attacks |
 Attacks |
|---|---|---|
| Empower +Damage, +To-Hit |
||
| Weaken Foe -ToHit, -Def |
||
| Attack Vitals Damage Over Time(Lethal) |
||
| Sweep PBAoE Knockdown, Damage(Lethal) |
Weaken and Attack Vitals only affect enemies hit by the finisher move, so they have different AoE characteristics for Stalkers than for other ATs. Sweep is always a PBAoE.
Powers
Ablating Strike
You slash at your foes with your blades, dealing a good amount of lethal damage. This attack can reduce a target's defense, making him easier to hit. This power is needed for the Empower and Weaken combination attacks, and is the beginning of the Attack Vitals combination attack.
Stalkers only: You Slash at your foe with your blades, dealing a good amount of lethal damage. This attack can reduce a target's Defense, making them easier to hit. This power is the finishing move of the Sweep combination attack.
- Damage
- 1.32 Lethal Damage over Time + 0.57 Lethal if Stalker finishing Sweep
- Recharge
- 6 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
2 (Brute) 2 (Scrapper) 2 (Stalker) 4 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee
Foe -Defense - Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy 
Enhance Damage
Enhance Defense Debuff
Reduce Endurance Cost
Enhance Recharge Speed
Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Assassin's Blades
A signature Stalker attack. This attack does superior lethal damage on its own as a frontal attack and cannot be interrupted. However, if it is executed while you are Hidden, this attack will do tremendous lethal damage as you impale your unsuspecting foe. This attack may be interrupted if you move or are attacked while executing this power and are hidden. Using this power while not hidden has a chance to critically hit equal to 33.3% times the number of stacks of Assassin's Focus. This power is needed for the Empower and Sweep combination attacks. Using Assassin's Blades when not hidden will remove all stacks of Assassin's Focus regardless if you critically hit or not.
- Damage
- Not Hidden: 2.76 Lethal
Hidden: 7 Lethal - Recharge
- 15 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
6 (Stalker)
- Effects
- Melee
- Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed
- Set Categories
Blinding Feint
You perform a feint attack that deals light damage. After this attack hits, it gives you a large bonus to your chance to hit and damage for a brief time. This power is the finishing move in the Empower combination attack.
- Damage
- 0.8 Lethal
- Recharge
- 12 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
8 (Brute) 8 (Scrapper) 20 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee
Self +Damage, +To-Hit - Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Enhance ToHit Buffs - Set Categories
-
Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Build Up
Greatly increases the amount of damage you deal for a few seconds, as well as slightly increasing your chance to hit.
- Recharge
- 90 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
8 (Stalker)
- Effects
- Self +Damage, +To-Hit
- Enhancements
-
Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance ToHit Buffs
- Set Categories
Confront
Challenges a foe to attack you. Useful to pull a villain off an ally who finds themselves in over their head. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.
- Recharge
- 3 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
12 (Scrapper)
- Effects
- Ranged
Foe Taunt - Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy
Enhance Range Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration - Set Categories
Nimble Slash
A quick swipe with your blades. Does minor lethal damage, but has a quick recharge rate. This attack begins both the Empower and Weaken combination attacks.
Stalkers only: A quick swipe with your blades. Does minor lethal damage, but has a quick recharge rate. This attack is needed for the Attack Vitals combination attack.
- Damage
- 0.84 Lethal Damage over Time
- Recharge
- 3 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
1 (Brute) 1 (Scrapper) 1 (Stalker) 1 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee
- Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
One Thousand Cuts
Unleashes a flurry of attacks on all foes in a cone in front of you, dealing moderate lethal damage to each foe hit. This power is the opening move for the Sweep combination attack.
Stalkers only: Unleashes a flurry of attacks on all foes in a cone in front of you, dealing moderate lethal damage to each foe hit. This power is the finishing move for the Weaken combination attack.
- Damage
- 2.361 Lethal Damage over Time
- Recharge
- 15 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
26 (Brute) 26 (Scrapper) 26 (Stalker) 30 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee (Cone)
Foe Knockdown - Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost
Enhance Knockback Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Placate
Allows you to trick a foe into no longer attacking you. A successful Placate will also Hide you. This Hide is very brief, and offers no defense bonus, but it will allow you to deliver a Critical Hit or Assassination. However, if you attack a Placated foe, he will be able to attack you back. This power is the finishing move in the Empower combination attack.
- Recharge
- 60 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
12 (Stalker)
- Effects
- Ranged
Foe Placate
Self Stealth/Hide - Enhancements
-
Enhance Range Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration
- Set Categories
Power Slice
You perform a deadly strike with your blades. This is a basic attack that deals a moderate amount of lethal damage. This power is needed for the Sweep combination attack.
Stalkers only: You perform a deadly Strike with your blades. This is a basic attack that deals a moderate amount of lethal damage. This power begins the Attack Vitals combination attack and is needed for the Weaken combination attack.
- Damage
- 1.16 Lethal Damage over Time
- Recharge
- 5 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
1 (Brute) 1 (Scrapper) 1 (Stalker) 1 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee
- Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Sweeping Strike
You make a sweeping strike with your blades, hitting all foes in a cone in front of you and dealing superior lethal damage to each. This power is the finishing move for the Attack Vitals combination attack.
Stalkers only: You make a sweeping strike with your blades, hitting all foes in a cone in front of you and dealing moderate lethal damage to each. This power is the opening move for the Weaken combination attack.
- Damage
- 1.7 Lethal Damage + 0.45 Lethal Damage over Time if Brute, Scrapper, or Tanker finishing Attack Vitals
- Recharge
- 11 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
22 (Brute) 22 (Scrapper) 22 (Stalker) 28 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee (Cone)
- Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Taunt
Taunt foes to attack you. Useful to pull enemies off allies and keep them attacking you to raise your Fury. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.
Tanker: Taunts a foe, and some nearby foes, to attack you. Useful for pulling villains off an ally who find themselves in over their head. Taunted foes tend to ignore other Heroes and focus on you for quite a while, so use this power cautiously. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.
- Recharge
- 10 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
12 (Brute) 10 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Ranged(Targeted Area of Effect)
Foe Taunt - Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Range Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration
- Set Categories
Typhoon's Edge
You spin around in a circle, attacking everyone within melee range with a striking attack. This attack is the finishing move in both the Weaken and Sweep combination attacks.
- Damage
- 1.14 Lethal Damage over Time + 0.57 Lethal if Brute, Scrapper, or Tanker finishing Sweep
- Recharge
- 12 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
6 (Brute) 6 (Scrapper) 16 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Point Blank Area of Effect
- Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Vengeful Slice
Unleashes a series of strong attacks on your foe, dealing high lethal damage and knocking them down. This power is the finishing move for the Attack Vitals combination attack.
- Damage
- 1.64 Lethal Damage over Time + 1 Lethal Damage over Time if Stalker finishing Attack Vitals
- Recharge
- 8 seconds
- Minimum Level
-
18 (Brute) 18 (Scrapper) 18 (Stalker) 24 (Tanker)
- Effects
- Melee
Foe Knockdown - Enhancements
-
Enhance Accuracy Enhance Damage Reduce Endurance Cost Enhance Knockback Enhance Recharge Speed Enhance Threat Duration (Brute, Tanker)
Historical
This section contains information about changes that took place in Homecoming: City of Heroes/Villains. It is provided for historical purposes.
- This set was added to the game for Brutes, Scrappers, Stalkers, and Tankers in Issue 11.
- At the time of its implementation, Back Alley Brawler and other development team members stated they designed Dual Blades to be "insanely quick".
External Links
- Dual Blades for Scrappers at City of Data v2.0
- Dual Blades for Tankers at City of Data v2.0
- Dual Blades for Brutes at City of Data v2.0
- Dual Blades for Stalkers at City of Data v2.0
- Guide to DB and Combos on the Official Forums