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← Hero Guides · Weapon

By Amya · Updated 2026-10-26

Dual Blades weapon icon

Dual Blades

SLight ArmorStrength build: Full Strength

The ultimate high-skill weapon. Brutal learning curve, and no other class can cancel supply, flank with threat, or solo carry like it.

Hero Killing9/10
Units Killing7/10
Dueling10/10
Crowd Control9/10

Loadouts

Four spell slots, three ways to fill them, and the armour each one wants. Alchemical Vapor is in all three: it is your only cleanse of CC, it gives damage reduction, and invincibility with the epic shem. Not taking it is pure trolling.

pick one column

Bleed / Starter

Before your epic shem

Recommended starter build for those who don't have epic schematics yet. It can even be meta during times where DB is nerfed.

Spells
Alchemical VapoursQAlchemical VaporAlchemical VapoursIII16sCleanseEnhanceRolls backward and drops a smoke bomb to vanish from sight. Grants Stealth for 6 seconds.Control RemovalRemoves Dazed, Knockdown, and Concussed upon use.BuffWithin 6 s, landing a hit before taking damage grants brief immunity to control effects; taking damage before landing a hit grants a 40% decaying damage reduction for 4 s.Bo-ShurikensEShurikenBo-ShurikensIII4sRangedThrows darts in a frontal cone, dealing 189% base + 1971 Piercing Damage, then enters Stealth for 1.5 s.Effects on Enemies 1Darts poison enemies hit, dealing 200 damage every second for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 2The poison also slows enemies by 50% for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 3Enemies hit take 35% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 2 s.Great ThunderboltRBombGreat ThunderboltIII12sControlThrows a concussion grenade, dealing 200% base + 1047 Blunt Damage and inflicting Concussed. Enters stealth for 1.5 seconds.Effects on Enemies 1Heroes and units hit take 20% and 40% more damage respectively for 4 s.Effects on Enemies 2Enemies hit take 25% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s.SkylarkButterflyTSkylark / ButterflySkylarkIII6sDamageLeaps forward with an upward dagger thrust, spinning in mid-air to strike enemies 4 times. Each hit deals 154% Base + 762 Slashing Damage. This attack cannot be blocked.Effects on Enemies 1Deals 200 damage every 1 s for 3 s. Stacks up to 4 times.Effects on Enemies 2Enemies hit take 45% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s.Special EffectAttacks from behind deal 30% extra damage.ButterflyIII8sDamageSpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage.Second pressTurns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage.Effects on Enemies 1Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s.Effects on Enemies 2Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 3Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s.

T is Skylark or Butterfly in a meta where you can kill heroes, otherwise Mark of Death.

Wear
Warbreaker HoodWarbreaker HoodHelm · Light armourRefined Blue schematic3 pcAfter using an [Enhance] skill, Crit Rate is increased to 25% for 5 s.5 pcAttacks inflict Bleed for 9% of current HP; can trigger on the same target at most once every 3 s.Warbreaker GauntletsWarbreaker GauntletsBracers · Light armourRefined Blue schematic3 pcAfter using an [Enhance] skill, Crit Rate is increased to 25% for 5 s.5 pcAttacks inflict Bleed for 9% of current HP; can trigger on the same target at most once every 3 s.Warbreaker ArmorWarbreaker ArmorChest · Light armourRefined Blue schematic3 pcAfter using an [Enhance] skill, Crit Rate is increased to 25% for 5 s.5 pcAttacks inflict Bleed for 9% of current HP; can trigger on the same target at most once every 3 s.Warbreaker BootsWarbreaker BootsBoots · Light armourRefined Blue schematic3 pcAfter using an [Enhance] skill, Crit Rate is increased to 25% for 5 s.5 pcAttacks inflict Bleed for 9% of current HP; can trigger on the same target at most once every 3 s.Fading Moon (Dual Blades)Fading MoonRefined Blue schematicThe fifth piece of the Warbreaker set. That armour pays nothing until you carry it.WarbreakerFading MoonRefined Blue · LightWarbreaker before epic shem. Blue that still rolls to legendary.

Rogue's off the tutorial quests will do until Warbreaker, if you are brand new or just trying dual blades.

Attributes
Full Strength

Most Played

Commit to this

Commit to this build first. Wants the epic schematic to reach its full potential.

Spells
Alchemical VapoursQAlchemical VaporAlchemical VapoursIII16sCleanseEnhanceRolls backward and drops a smoke bomb to vanish from sight. Grants Stealth for 6 seconds.Control RemovalRemoves Dazed, Knockdown, and Concussed upon use.BuffWithin 6 s, landing a hit before taking damage grants brief immunity to control effects; taking damage before landing a hit grants a 40% decaying damage reduction for 4 s.Bo-ShurikensEShurikenBo-ShurikensIII4sRangedThrows darts in a frontal cone, dealing 189% base + 1971 Piercing Damage, then enters Stealth for 1.5 s.Effects on Enemies 1Darts poison enemies hit, dealing 200 damage every second for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 2The poison also slows enemies by 50% for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 3Enemies hit take 35% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 2 s.ButterflySkylarkRButterfly / SkylarkButterflyIII8sDamageSpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage.Second pressTurns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage.Effects on Enemies 1Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s.Effects on Enemies 2Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 3Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s.SkylarkIII6sDamageLeaps forward with an upward dagger thrust, spinning in mid-air to strike enemies 4 times. Each hit deals 154% Base + 762 Slashing Damage. This attack cannot be blocked.Effects on Enemies 1Deals 200 damage every 1 s for 3 s. Stacks up to 4 times.Effects on Enemies 2Enemies hit take 45% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s.Special EffectAttacks from behind deal 30% extra damage.Marked for DeathTMark of DeathMarked for DeathIII32sControlUltimateDashes forward, unleashing a 7-hit combo on the first enemy encountered and inflicting Winded. Each hit deals 70% Base + 1374 Slashing Damage. Winded is unblockable.Effects on EnemiesEnemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 8 s.

Butterfly is less forgiving than Skylark if you miss, but it does a bit more damage overall and lets you make bigger movements to stagger the enemy more easily.

Wear
Skirmisher's HoodSkirmisher's HoodHelm · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Skirmisher's GlovesSkirmisher's GlovesBracers · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Skirmisher's TunicSkirmisher's TunicChest · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Skirmisher's BootsSkirmisher's BootsBoots · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Silent KnellSilent KnellThe new Epic schematicClick [Left Mouse Button] after an active skill or rolling to replace the basic attack with [Whirling Wind].Read the full moveset and its affixesSkirmisher'sSilent KnellEpic · LightHEAVILY recommended. Kills reset your spells, which is what makes Skylark / Butterfly a must-have for maximizing damage output.
Attributes
Full Strength

No Ult

More risk

Highest skill cap. Relies on snowballing kills, so it is good once you really understand the class and how to snowball. Go back to Most Played when the meta is not good for DB.

Spells
Alchemical VapoursQAlchemical VaporAlchemical VapoursIII16sCleanseEnhanceRolls backward and drops a smoke bomb to vanish from sight. Grants Stealth for 6 seconds.Control RemovalRemoves Dazed, Knockdown, and Concussed upon use.BuffWithin 6 s, landing a hit before taking damage grants brief immunity to control effects; taking damage before landing a hit grants a 40% decaying damage reduction for 4 s.Bo-ShurikensEShurikenBo-ShurikensIII4sRangedThrows darts in a frontal cone, dealing 189% base + 1971 Piercing Damage, then enters Stealth for 1.5 s.Effects on Enemies 1Darts poison enemies hit, dealing 200 damage every second for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 2The poison also slows enemies by 50% for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 3Enemies hit take 35% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 2 s.ButterflySkylarkRButterfly / SkylarkButterflyIII8sDamageSpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage.Second pressTurns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage.Effects on Enemies 1Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s.Effects on Enemies 2Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s.Effects on Enemies 3Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s.SkylarkIII6sDamageLeaps forward with an upward dagger thrust, spinning in mid-air to strike enemies 4 times. Each hit deals 154% Base + 762 Slashing Damage. This attack cannot be blocked.Effects on Enemies 1Deals 200 damage every 1 s for 3 s. Stacks up to 4 times.Effects on Enemies 2Enemies hit take 45% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s.Special EffectAttacks from behind deal 30% extra damage.Great ThunderboltTBombGreat ThunderboltIII12sControlThrows a concussion grenade, dealing 200% base + 1047 Blunt Damage and inflicting Concussed. Enters stealth for 1.5 seconds.Effects on Enemies 1Heroes and units hit take 20% and 40% more damage respectively for 4 s.Effects on Enemies 2Enemies hit take 25% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s.

20% damage buff vs heroes, 40% vs units, plus ranged CC, one more invis and a 4th kill reset. You lose 1v1 pressure and pre-combo rune activation.

Wear
Skirmisher's HoodSkirmisher's HoodHelm · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Skirmisher's GlovesSkirmisher's GlovesBracers · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Skirmisher's TunicSkirmisher's TunicChest · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Skirmisher's BootsSkirmisher's BootsBoots · Light armourEpic schematic2 pcAlchemical Vapours and Infiltrator grants invincibility for 0.4 seconds.3 pcIncreases Armour Penetration by 150 points.4 pcAfter killing a hero, all skill cooldowns except those of Ultimates are reset, and the cooldown of Infiltrator is reduced by 30 seconds.Silent KnellSilent KnellThe new Epic schematicClick [Left Mouse Button] after an active skill or rolling to replace the basic attack with [Whirling Wind].Read the full moveset and its affixesSkirmisher'sSilent KnellEpic · LightThe 4th reset comes from the set's kill resets, so this build wants the epic schematic.
Attributes
Full Strength

Good to know

End goal: slashing damage as high as you can get it (your main damage stat) and slashing pen 60%+ of max. Your first weapon has no minimum.

Best gender
Female (Animation Change depending on it)
Aiming
Hero: Assisted yes, Locked no · Units: Assisted no, Locked no

Crafting

Weapon

Must roll
Slashing DMG / Slashing PEN
Aim for
Slash DMGHighestyour main damage stat, as high as you can
Slash PEN60%+of max
Min Slash PEN2000-2100TW, ranked, tournaments. 1800+ for siege.
Also good
STR / Crit dmg / crit value / Agi / blunt dmg

Armour

Roll order
SLeadershipLeadership increases the number of units you can take into battle, making it the best value out of every stat you could wish to get.AAHP / Crit ValueAPiercing Def / Slash/Piercing dmg depending on your weaponBRest
Attributes
Full Strength
Rolls
Epic schematic 4-piece: Heal / Leadership god tier, Crit Value S+, Piercing Def S, Slashing and Blunt Def A, Crit Def trash. Leadership is a reforged armour stat you grind, not a flat set bonus. New to any of this? See crafting and honing.

Silent Knell affixes

SMoonchaser5 tiers
  1. Upon entering Sneak, stamina recovery speed increases by 48%.
  2. Upon entering Sneak, stamina recovery speed increases by 56%.
  3. Upon entering Sneak, stamina recovery speed increases by 64%.
  4. Upon entering Sneak, stamina recovery speed increases by 72%.
  5. Upon entering Sneak, stamina recovery speed increases by 80%.
AWeeping Moon5 tiers
  1. Whirling Wind inflicts bleeding on hit, causing the enemy to lose 80 health per second for 4 seconds.
  2. Whirling Wind inflicts bleeding on hit, causing the enemy to lose 120 health per second for 4 seconds.
  3. Whirling Wind inflicts bleeding on hit, causing the enemy to lose 160 health per second for 4 seconds.
  4. Whirling Wind inflicts bleeding on hit, causing the enemy to lose 160 health per second for 5 seconds.
  5. Whirling Wind inflicts bleeding on hit, causing the enemy to lose 160 health per second for 6 seconds.
BSoul Reaper5 tiers
  1. When Ambush hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (inflicted by Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), base critical hit rate increases to 20% for 1 second.
  2. When Ambush hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (inflicted by Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), base critical hit rate increases to 30% for 1 second.
  3. When Ambush hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (inflicted by Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), base critical hit rate increases to 40% for 1 second.
  4. When Ambush hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (inflicted by Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), base critical hit rate increases to 50% for 1 second.
  5. When Ambush hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (inflicted by Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), base critical hit rate increases to 60% for 1 second.
CFrostbite5 tiers
  1. When The Dance of Death hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (from Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), the first 2 hits of the skill will Concuss them for 0.6 seconds.
  2. When The Dance of Death hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (from Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), the first 4 hits of the skill will Concuss them for 0.6 seconds.
  3. When The Dance of Death hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (from Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), the first 6 hits of the skill will Concuss them for 0.6 seconds.
  4. When The Dance of Death hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (from Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), the first 8 hits of the skill will Concuss them for 0.6 seconds.
  5. When The Dance of Death hits an enemy suffering from continuous damage (from Bo-Shurikens, Skylark, Butterfly, or Whirling Wind), the first 10 hits of the skill will Concuss them for 0.6 seconds.
CExecutioner's Art5 tiers
  1. Killing a Hero with Marked for Death refunds 6 seconds of its cooldown.
  2. Killing a Hero with Marked for Death refunds 8 seconds of its cooldown.
  3. Killing a Hero with Marked for Death refunds 10 seconds of its cooldown.
  4. Killing a Hero with Marked for Death refunds 12 seconds of its cooldown.
  5. Killing a Hero with Marked for Death refunds 14 seconds of its cooldown.
FSilent Wind5 tiers
  1. Deity's Footsteps cooldown is reduced by 32%; damage taken while active is increased by 30%.
  2. Deity's Footsteps cooldown is reduced by 40%; damage taken while active is increased by 30%.
  3. Deity's Footsteps cooldown is reduced by 48%; damage taken while active is increased by 30%.
  4. Deity's Footsteps cooldown is reduced by 56%; damage taken while active is increased by 30%.
  5. Deity's Footsteps cooldown is reduced by 64%; damage taken while active is increased by 30%.

Every line here is the official wording, from Conqueror's Blade 7th Anniversary | Brand-New Epic Shortsword & Shield and Dual Blades Arrive! (2026-08-14). The S to F letter beside each name is Amya's own ranking.

Reforge your new epic weapon for 2 passives from S to B tier: get one, lock it, then reforge for the second. Do it on the right side weapon, the one that will inherit the stats from the other. Every weapon · Equipment Inheritance

Best runes this season When a slot says "Pick one", both runes are playable: take the one that fits how you play. Helm: both are playable, but I prefer Crown Soul's extra 10% unit damage reduction over Abyssal Rift's poison, unless you play a diving class. Armour: Flower War triggers on skills whose tooltip shows the DAMAGE tag without RANGED (here: Butterfly, The Dance of Death, Skylark), and its +25% defence does not count toward the defence caps on passives. Bracers: Diving Eagle is a must if you run lance cavalry in your warband. It costs 3, so drop Yang Fire VII for it. If you don't run Buckler or Poleaxe units, take Yang Fire VII and VIII on the armour instead.

Weapon5/5
Smoking Mirror3Smoking Mirror3 Rune PowerStealth attacks stack critical value.
Atlatl2Atlatl2 Rune PowerReduces the cooldown of [Bo-Shurikens] by 1.5 seconds and increases its range by 25%.
Helm5/5
Pick one
Crown Soul3Crown Soul3 Rune PowerReduces unit damage taken by 20%. When health is below 50%, further reduces unit damage taken by 10%.
or
Abyssal Rift3Abyssal Rift3 Rune PowerReduces unit damage taken by 20%. Upon death, creates a poison area with a 5-meter radius. Enemy units within the area take [Poison] damage equal to 2% of their max health per second for 10 seconds.
Yang Fire VIII1Yang Fire VIII1 Rune PowerIncreases Agility and Armour by 2 points.
Yang Fire VII1Yang Fire VII1 Rune PowerIncreases Strength and Toughness by 2 points.
Armour5/5
Pick one
Flower War3Flower War3 Rune PowerUsing non-ranged [Damage] skills increases all defence types by 25% for 8 seconds.
or
Earth's Vessel3Earth's Vessel3 Rune PowerReduces damage taken by 10%. When in [Knockback], [Knockdown], [Knockup], or [Concussed] states, further reduces damage taken by 25%.
Pick one
Hidden Blade2Hidden Blade2 Rune PowerIncreases Slashing Damage of [Buckler] units by 6%.
or
Blood Copper2Blood Copper2 Rune PowerLifesteal from [Poleaxe] units converts 50% of the healing amount into damage to the target. Only effective for units.
Bracers5/5
Obsidian Saw2Obsidian Saw2 Rune PowerIncreases damage dealt to units by 6%.
Pick one
Captor's Glory2Captor's Glory2 Rune PowerIncreases damage dealt to heroes by 6%.
or
Diving Eagle3Diving Eagle3 Rune PowerEnters an uninterruptible state during a melee cavalry charge, which disappears after taking one attack. Lasts 10 seconds.
Yang Fire VII1Yang Fire VII1 Rune PowerIncreases Strength and Toughness by 2 points.
Boots5/5
Falling Talon3Falling Talon3 Rune PowerWhen health is below 25%, hero damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Healing Herbs2Healing Herbs2 Rune PowerReduces [Bandage] duration by 40% while keeping the total healing amount unchanged.

Guide

by Amya · 10 parts
The guide in 2 minutes

Core Philosophy

Dual Blades (DB) is the ultimate high-skill weapon. To master DB is to master the entire game.

  • Light armor survival: Requires perfect positioning, spacing, and hitbox knowledge
  • No unit-vs-unit tools: Forces you to learn unit matchups solo
  • Assassin role: Must know every hero matchup
  • Unique impact: No other class can cancel supply, flank with threat, or solo carry like DB

“You’ll have a brutal learning curve, but mastering DB means mastering the game.”

Your path to mastery: Die. Test limits. Learn matchups. Learn spacing. Learn how to bait spells. Press your map and ask, “Where should I be to be most useful?”

Key Spell Mechanics

  • Ambush (cross spell in invis), ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s. and SkylarkSkylarkLeaps forward with an upward dagger thrust, spinning in mid-air to strike enemies 4 times. Each hit deals 154% Base + 762 Slashing Damage. This attack cannot be blocked. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 200 damage every 1 s for 3 s. Stacks up to 4 times. Effects on Enemies 2: Enemies hit take 45% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s. Special Effect: Attacks from behind deal 30% extra damage. = ALWAYS back hits
  • Alchemical Vapor/Shuriken/Bomb: Invisibility + CC-i window (0.4-0.7s). Use it to dodge any CC: Bomb gives you the CC-i even if it hits nobody, or just use it for the movement speed
  • Horse: Free invis + 100% speed buff for 3s. Use it to engage AND disengage
  • Alchemical Vapor: Your only CC cleanse, plus a 40% damage reduction that decays over 4s if you get hit before you land a hit (and 0.4s of invincibility with the epic shem). If you are sure you are getting a kill soon, think about using it during the trade for the damage reduction. You can cancel it by spamming auto attacks after
  • Kick (E in invis): Hits at 100% pen rate, perfect against Shortsword and Glaive spamming their tank spells
  • The Q-spell from any invis (the running one, moves you fast with no stamina cost) should always be used at the end of the invis window (0.1-0.2s before it ends)

Combo Guide

Full Combo (All Spells)

  • Bomb/Dismount/Shuriken: Invisibility
  • E (Kick): AA x2
  • Bomb/Shuriken: AA x1/2 then Ult
  • Roll behind: ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s. or Shuriken (Roll animation cancel with block)

Enemy on Horse

  • Sprint after them with your horse, jump once you’re out of stam (they’ll also be out of stam)
  • Horse Q: E (Kick)
  • ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s. into AA
  • Ult IMMEDIATELY as the horse death animation starts to catch them mid-air

No Ult Chase Combo

  • Sprint: Shift attack (stagger)
  • Butterfly
  • Space (back off) and Shuriken/AA spam

These combos are just theory. In game you have to learn to adapt: understand the value, the cooldowns, and when and why to use each spell.

Movement & Awareness

  1. Learn enemy spell CDs, bait them, punish greed
  2. Know every map/object hitbox, use the environment to survive
  3. Movement is survival, every duel is winnable with good spacing
  4. Autoattacks matter, squeezing in AAs will be a huge difference in DPS
  5. Stay active. You should ALWAYS be looking to catch heroes, help DPS units…

Gear & Weapon Guide

The short version is up in Loadouts. This is the full ranking.

Armor (Epic Schematic 4-piece):

  • GOD TIER: Heal / Leadership
  • S+: Crit Value
  • S: Piercing Def
  • A: Slashing / Blunt Def
  • TRASH: Crit Def

Weapon:

  • First weapon: get one of your two main stats, lock it, then reroll for the other. You get a playable weapon ASAP, no minimum yet, do not care about the other rolls
  • End goal: Slash DMG as high as you can get it (your main damage stat) and Slash PEN 60%+ of max
  • End goal Slash PEN: 1800+ for Siege, 2000-2100 for TW / Ranked / Tournaments

Weapon Stats to Aim For:

  • Slash DMG
  • Slash PEN
  • Crit DMG Value
  • Bonus: Piercing DMG/PEN

Is Alchemical Vapor necessary?

Addition from Reddit commentary.

It is absolutely necessary, yes. While there can be debates about which build is better (No Ult build, Shuriken build, or Bomb build), all these builds include the escape skill because it’s your only cleanse of CC. In the current meta, where Poleaxe, Nodachi, and Shortsword are dominant, having your cleanse is non-negotiable. Honestly, in any meta, you’d always want it. The 0.4 seconds of CCI on Bomb or Shuriken is nice but will never replace a spell that can save your life multiple times in a single game.

As for your build, I see you prefer SkylarkSkylarkLeaps forward with an upward dagger thrust, spinning in mid-air to strike enemies 4 times. Each hit deals 154% Base + 762 Slashing Damage. This attack cannot be blocked. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 200 damage every 1 s for 3 s. Stacks up to 4 times. Effects on Enemies 2: Enemies hit take 45% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 4 s. Special Effect: Attacks from behind deal 30% extra damage. over ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s., likely for its lower cooldown, as many new players do. If I could give you some advice, it would be to start practicing with ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s. instead. While ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s. is less forgiving if you miss, it does a bit more damage overall and lets you make bigger movements to stagger the enemy more easily. This becomes especially important when you have your Epic Schematic set, allowing you to reset your spells on kills. At that point, ButterflyButterflySpins and slashes nearby enemies 2 times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Second press: Turns and slashes 2 more times. Each hit deals 158% Base + 990 Slashing Damage. Effects on Enemies 1: Deals 600 damage every 2 s for 4 s. Effects on Enemies 2: Slows enemies by 50% for 3 s. Effects on Enemies 3: Enemies hit take 40% less damage from subsequent uses of this skill for 5 s. becomes a must-have for maximizing damage output.

Where You Have the Most Value

  • Hero killing: put long respawn timers on people, kill them before a push, protect your allied units from divers.
  • Supply cancel: with all your CC-i, invis and movement speed, once you learn to dodge, space and time enemy spells, you are the best at stopping people from taking new units. On maps like Kurak Castle’s final attack this can be a game changer.

Most people get the supply cancel mechanic wrong: you only need to step on the supply point once, AFTER someone has started the swap. You do not need to stay on it the whole time, or come back when nobody has started a new swap since you cancelled the last one.

DB Field Battles/Conquest Win Conditions

DB Win Conditions are:

  • Final point cap
  • Point near the final point cap
  • Canceling supply on B fight reset/during the fight (delaying the resetup, canceling the 2 units strats is enough for your team to get B)
  • Cap supply and get units out of it (then either stay on it if you want to win by B, or go to one of the 2 points you are pressuring)
  • Pressure enough people for your team to have number advantages, don’t feel forced to fight if that’s the case.
  • Move a unit that can kill afk units in the map border (there are a lot), and start your plan JUST BEFORE YOUR TEAM ENGAGES ON B (then worst case you will bait people out of the B fight and make pressure), NOT DURING, AS PEOPLE WILL RESPAWN.

Just need to understand that the “golden diagonal” is 3 pressure points:

  • Final point
  • Point near final point
  • Supply

As a DB it’s IMPOSSIBLE to die if you don’t try to fight and just play safe. By playing around this golden diagonal, you have all the win conditions I quoted at the top. If you manage to execute any of them, you basically win alone. And if you don’t do any of them, by moving around this diagonal you force the enemy to have 1 afk unit on the final point, 1 afk unit on C/A, and 1 hero chasing you / afk on supply, which is already insane pressure, more than any other class could ever achieve. And yet even with that, you can still go for a supply cancel during the B fight.

Ranked & Tournament Value

As a DB, the kit of the class makes you able to often trade more than 1 person, which should be the primary rule: “Always try to have a value better than 1”, meaning that you aim, at any time, to take at least the value of 1 player, and your goal is obviously to have more.

Count it like this: you are worth 1. Every enemy player focusing on you adds 0.5, and every enemy unit doing nothing or stuck on you adds 1. It is only a picture: in game it changes with the situation.

What counts towards the value counter is:

  • Player trades (unit trade vs them, blocking them somewhere)
  • Supply blocking (add +1 to any player you block by not swapping units; when you cancel supply, always try to NOT kill the hero on it until the end of the push if you can, try to cancel it at the end of every 7s (swap timer) to take the least risk possible, and try to use your CDs smartly)
  • Cav flanking pressure (sometimes the best cav flank is simply to NOT do anything: make the enemy see you, make their vocal go crazy about a potential cav flank, make the anticav afk right next to it, and then flank mid-end fight)
  • Trouble you create in the enemy team: going for crazy kill pickups when you know you won’t even kill (but be safe) so they feel threatened, spamming their vocal with “be careful about this and this”

Often your best value will be by going for a supply cancel, but that you need to know how to do: useless to go for a supply cancel if the enemy will play around the respawn, useless to pre-afk near supply or to go at the same time as people are swapping… But you should not think “I absolutely need to cancel supply”: if you think it sucks, it probably does, and you should think about doing something else. Review your scrims: when you press your map, analyze what you could have done better, where the better value was, what you should change. When you die, ask why: could you have dodged that death, or, complete opposite, wasn’t it better to die early for a faster respawn? All these things have no “always right” rules, just big principles that you know and try to follow.

No Ult Playstyle (Bomb) or Ult Playstyle?

DatedTHIS IS A BIT OUTDATED as you should play the bomb+shuri playstyle, but it’s still good learning

Bomb is a 20% damage buff for heroes and a 40% buff for units. Opting for the bomb over the ultimate is particularly valuable in skirmishes due to its AOE CC, which boosts everyone’s damage. And it provides Ranged CC / 1 More invis / 4 Reset > 3 Reset.

However, sacrificing the ultimate comes with significant drawbacks, especially in specific scenarios like choke-point fights, 1v1 duels, and against CCi-Divers classes like Nodachi or Poleaxe. The ult provides strong 1v1 pressure, enables pre-combo rune activation, and secures kills more reliably. The build choice should also consider factors such as the number of enemy light armor (since playing without an ult can make you vulnerable if the opponent has theirs and knows how to play around it) and the frequency of skirmishes, as one build might prove more advantageous than the other depending on the context.

There are many additional factors to consider, especially when playing Duo DB like I do with GRK. In this setup, having one player without an ult and the other with an ult can be more effective than both using the ultimate. Situationally, both players might play no-ult, or one might swap out the shuriken for the bomb while keeping both ults in games with a low amount of fights. These decisions depend on the dynamics of every match and change a lot.

Ultimately, the key thing to remember for most is that having a bad game with a no-ult build is much riskier than an ult-focused player having an off game. A no-ult player might end up being relatively ineffective and farmed by the enemy lights, whereas a player with the ult still retains potential opportunities, even during pushes.

TLDRBomb is More Risk, More Snowball but More Potential Rewards, while also having more Flop Potential; you need to know when you should play it, always be able to adapt, and swap spells depending on the game mode/dynamics of the current lobby…

It also heavily depends on the current meta: a slow meta full of shield and brace units like right now will heavily favour a no bomb due to the low amount of skirmishes happening.

Learn from the best Tournament players to watch for this weapon. Watch their POV and understand why they do what they do.

Balance history

38 changes
  1. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed an issue where the [Revenant] attire effects were visible to other players while in stealth.
  2. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed an issue where the [Moonchaser] effect on the [Silent Knell] ([Dual Blades]) did not properly increase [Stamina] recovery speed.
  3. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed an issue where evading/rolling with the [Dual Blades] epic weapon [Silent Knell] had a chance of not consuming stamina.
  4. NerfSource ↗
    • Bo-Shurikens: [Sneak] duration after skill ends: 2.5s → 1.5s.
    • Bo-Shurikens: The bleeding effect from this skill no longer refreshes its duration when the target is hit by additional [Bo-Shurikens] during the bleeding period; bleeding damage: 300/s for 3s → 200/s for 3s.
    • Great Thunderbolt: Base cooldown: 8s → 12s.
    • Great Thunderbolt: [Sneak] duration after skill ends: 2.5s → 1.5s.
    • Great Thunderbolt: Gruesome Wounds effect from Thunderbolt Bomb hits reduced by 10%.
  5. FixSource ↗
    • Dual Blades [Bo-Shurikens] skill tag adjusted to [Ranged Damage].
    • Fixed an issue where some entries in the Dual Blades [Marked for Death] skill descriptions were displayed in English.
  6. RebalanceSource ↗
    • Optimized the animation transitions, damage detection, and engagement logic to improve operation feel.
    • Butterfly: Basic Damage coefficient: 105% → 158%; basic Cooldown: 14 seconds → 8 seconds; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Skylark: Basic Damage coefficient: 77% → 154%; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Bo-Shurikens: [Sneak] duration available after the skill ends: 1.7 seconds → 2.5 seconds; optimized the wind-up duration when triggering [Sneak]; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Great Thunderbolt: Basic Damage coefficient: 153% → 200%; basic Cooldown: 18 seconds → 8 seconds; [Sneak] duration available after the skill ends: 1.7 seconds → 2.5 seconds; stun duration: 1.5 seconds → 1 second; increased the detection radius by 0.5m; Gruesome Wounds effect upon hitting with the concussion bomb: against Heroes 20% → 30%, against Units 30% → 50%; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Alchemical Vapours: [Sneak] duration when activating the skill: 3 seconds → 6 seconds; added effects during [Sneak]: if not hit before hitting the target, gains brief crowd-control immunity upon hitting the target; if hit by the target's attack first, gains a 40% Damage Reduction effect that gradually decays over 4 seconds; basic Cooldown: 24 seconds → 16 seconds.
    • Infiltrator: Basic Cooldown: 39 seconds → 30 seconds.
    • Deity's Footsteps: Optimized activation conditions; [Dusken Pall] and [Ambush] can now be used at any time during the dash.
    • Dusken Pall: Basic Damage coefficient: 210% → 273%; basic Cooldown: 15 seconds → 7 seconds; can now be used during [Deity's Footsteps]; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Ambush: Basic Damage coefficient: 200% → 275%; can now be used during [Deity's Footsteps]; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Marked for Death: Basic Cooldown: 45 seconds → 32 seconds.
    • The Dance of Death: Basic Damage coefficient: 81% → 130%; basic Cooldown: 46 seconds → 24 seconds; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
    • Normal Attack: Basic Damage coefficient: first attack 94% → 100%, second attack 70% → 108%, third attack 94% → 104%, fourth attack 50% → 112%, fifth attack 94% → 188%; damage falloff starting target count: 2 → 3, falloff coefficient: 0.7 → 0.75, minimum falloff ratio: 0.25 → 0.35.
  7. Source ↗
    • Butterfly I: Adds an effect when pressed twice.
    • Skylark I/II: Attacks cannot be Blocked.
  8. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed an issue where the Rune [Troy's Tragedy] for Dual Blades was also applied to heroes.
  9. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the issue where Dual Blades hero using Deity's Footsteps near the end of invisibility, would experience stiffness when attacked after exiting Deity's Footsteps and using normal attacks in the non-stealth state.
  10. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the issue where the skills [Chain Dart & Scimitar] - Scorpion's Snare, [Dual Blades] - Marked for Death, [Poleaxe] - Rough Justice, [Maul] - Strike and Grapple, and [Pike] - Sky Dragon (used after Ultimate) would occasionally cause an abnormal reduction in skill cooldown.
  11. BuffSource ↗
    • The stealth duration after using [Great Thunderbolt] and [Bo-Shurikens] has been increased from 1.3 seconds to 1.7 seconds.
  12. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the skill transition issue of [Dual Blades] between using [Bo-Shurikens] and [Great Thunderbolt].
  13. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the issue of the effect of Bo-Shurikens of [Dual Blades].
  14. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the issue of [Mithras' Scorn] Runes for Dual Blades Heroes did not activate when entering stealth mode using the dismount skill.
  15. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the random issue where Dual Blades may not trigger rear attacks when using [Marked for Death] behind the enemy's back.
  16. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed the issue where dual blades heroes were unable to enter stealth status after using [Great Thunderbolt].
  17. BuffSource ↗
    • Skill's armor penetration increases by 5%.
    • For the Bo-Shurikens III, the cooldown time is reduced to 4 seconds, the range is increased by 25%, and the damage against Units is increased by 20%.
    • Heroes and Units affected by Great Thunderbolt III will receive an additional 20% and 30% damage, respectively.
  18. RebalanceSource ↗
    • [Basic Attacks]: Is no longer affected by global cooldown, enabling you to immediately chain skills.
    • [Rush Attack]: Damage increased by 20%.
    • [Skylark]: Take a quick step upon using the skill, followed up by a fierce strike. Slashing damage increased by 22%. Bleed now deals 200 damage per second for 3 seconds, stacking up to 4 times.
    • New feature [Rear Attack]: Attacks from the rear deal 30% extra damage. Improved animations and the rush distance by 41%. Damage pops up about 29% faster and the last strike reaches farther.
    • [Dusken Pall] (skill available while in stealth): Time to draw back reduced by 24% after stunning an enemy, enabling you to chain other skills quicker.
    • Removed the [Mithras' Flames] rune. New rune [Mithras' Scorn]: Gain greatly increased critical value every 3 seconds while in [stealth] (increases more the more critical value you have). Slowly decays after leaving [stealth] (the short bursts of [stealth] from Bo-Shurikens and Great Thunderbolt also affect this buff).
  19. Source ↗
    • You no longer enter stealth after the [Skylark] and [Butterfly] skills end. You still enter stealth for 1.2 seconds after the [Bo-Shurikens] and [Great Thunderbolt] skills end.
  20. RebalanceSource ↗
    • Common Skills [Skylark], [Butterfly], [Great Thunderbolt], [Bo-Shurikens]: Enters Stealth for 1.2 seconds after finishing casting the skill. Attacking or being attacked cancels stealth.
    • Stealth Skill [Deity's Footsteps]: Cooldown reduced to 7 seconds (was 12).
    • Stealth Skill [Ambush]: Cooldown increased to 3 seconds (was 1). Bonus slashing armor penetration reduced to 120% (was 200%). Now deals 200% base slashing damage + 720 slashing damage (previously dealt 300% base).
  21. FixSource ↗
    • [Marked for Death I]: Adjusted the slashing damage to 420% + 5,856 (was 525% + 4,434 points). [Marked for Death II]: Adjusted the slashing damage to 420% + 6,924 (was 525% + 5,208 points). [Marked for Death III]: Adjusted the slashing damage to 420% + 8,244 (was 525% + 5,981 points). The poison from [Bo-Shurikens], [Skylark], and [Butterfly] now trigger [Hodur's Suffering]. Fixed an issue where, when having the [Asgard's Call] helmet rune equipped, using [Marked for Death] at close distances wouldn't trigger [Warcry].
  22. NerfSource ↗
    • You can now use [Sprint Attack] even if you don't have enough stamina, but doing so expands all remaining stamina. [Sprint Attack]'s stamina cost increased to 250 (was 185) for all weapons.
  23. BuffSource ↗
    • [Bo-Shurikens] I: piercing damage to 169% + 1,590 (was 169% + 1,490); II: to 179% + 1,642 (was 179% + 1,542); III: to 189% + 1,971 (was 189% + 1,596).
  24. RebalanceSource ↗
    • Changed the time to use other skills and basic attacks for Dual Blades and Poleaxe heroes after using the [Marked for Death] and [Rough Justice] skills.
  25. Source ↗
    • When choke-type skills are interrupting mid-cast, the recipient will be knocked down and then rise again, and will no longer play the complete animation. (Choke skills include: Dual Blades' [Marked for Death], Poleaxe's [Rough Justice], and Pike's [Sky Dragon] final phases)
  26. FixSource ↗
    • Resolved an issue with the area of the poison from the dual blades rune [Widen Poison] and that it could pass through walls.
  27. Source ↗
    • The dual blades rune [Widen Poison]'s poison cloud effect may now only trigger 1 time every 10 seconds.
  28. NerfSource ↗
    • When casting [Great Thunderbolt], you now have to hold down the button while moving, with the skill being used as you release the button. Previously you had to hold down while moving and use the left mouse button to use it.
    • Each basic attack phase has had its damage multiplier reduced by 20%.
  29. NerfSource ↗
    • Dual Blades are currently performing well. [Ambush] used from stealth does however have a bit too high armour penetration.
    • [Ambush]: Reduce the armour penetration by 30%.
  30. RebalanceSource ↗
    • Bo-Shurikens: 189% Base Damage + 1,142 Piercing Damage, 8 seconds cooldown changed to 169% Base Damage + 1,490 Piercing Damage, 7 seconds cooldown.
    • Bo-Shurikens II: 189% Base Damage + 1,364 Piercing Damage, 7 seconds cooldown changed to 179% Base Damage + 1,542 Piercing Damage, 6 seconds cooldown.
    • Skylark I: 9 second cooldown changed to 8 second cooldown.
    • Skylark II: 8 second cooldown changed to 7 second cooldown.
    • New Dual Blades characters will start with the skill 'Great Thunderbolt' instead of 'Butterfly'.
  31. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed an error of the text descriptions regarding DoT effects on the Dual Blade heroes' Butterfly and Skylark skills.
  32. FixSource ↗
    • Resolved an issue where the skills which caused damage overtime would proc one time less than expected; Dual Blade skills affected: Butterfly, Skylark and Bo-Shurikens.
    • Fixed an error with the descriptions of the Dual Blade 'Butterfly' and 'Skylark' skills.
  33. Source ↗
    • The "Dance of Death" skill will now display the right buff name.
  34. NerfSource ↗
    • Marked for Death: Duration reduced by 1/3, which leads to a reduction in attack time. Dual Blades can now gain control of themselves earlier once casting the skill, making it easier to use other skills. Total Damage dealt remains the same.
    • The Dance of Death: the timer of the skill now starts when the skill is cast. I: Increased cooldown from 60s to 65s, II: from 55s to 58s, III: from 45s to 46s.
    • Fixed a bug which caused the "Marked for Death" skill to be interrupted.
  35. FixSource ↗
    • Fixed a bug that caused Dual Blades to become invincible for a short time after using "Alchemical Vapours" and "Infiltrator" in some situations. Now Invisibility will not be cancelled if the Dual Blades take damage in the first 2 seconds it enters Invisibility.
  36. Source ↗
    • Multi-step skill cooldowns now start every time a step of the skill is cast.
    • Butterfly I/II/III: Changed from 15 seconds to 14 seconds.
  37. BuffSource ↗
    • Marked for Death III: Increased slashing armour penetration by 5%
    • Fixed a bug that Dual Blade heroes couldn't use the "Alchemical Vapours" and "Infiltrator" while blocking.
  38. NewSource ↗
    • Added a stealth effect when dismount ability used for 3 seconds.
    • Fixed issue where Dual Blades couldn't break stealth after dismount.

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