Dual Blades / Willpower / Dark - Let's see what chop life has to offer.

[Soulsifter]

I've yet to give Dual Blades a go on any AT. It seems like an interesting set to play so here we are.

 

I over-baked the defenses a bit with the understanding I'll lose a bit of Stealths contribution when I am attacking. 

 

I chose not to take haste, which is always a tough choice for me, but I feel like I have enough in the way of attack options to cover that.

 

 And therein lies my question, am I trying to include too much? I'm not familiar with the combos, and finishers. I'm certain those with experience with this power set can enlighten me. I did peruse the forums a bit, as well as reddit. Still, I'm never one to rest on my laurels 🙂

 

Any knowledge is greatly appreciated.

 

Slingblade - Scrapper (Dual Blades - Willpower).mbd

 

 

 

|MBD;25743;1609;2148;BASE64;|
|G45kERWcUggtDnhzLuQFS4VoYHP+Ou7rqBSdHdHkyA+oyrBF9ItzKl99QhkqYDo08tg|
|sOl19wQ2GsQrM5y+13qrNaHo1XdLmrhlWerbJYtAA9j/j9y1rh3UgXO5G3QiLsfR0zR|
|ByUDHUblaw6qIlCZeyisKgUSIla7pI/YsYhOMcp3h4t3JtjJ9/63iJDhuZP6aHXJGTK|
|bpyK2CtliIzvwww4sIGxTdoOe92p+POhl9DxLSYxNsB78XGc6o4d2X395M5QkgD1l+e|
|Bt6e0Xp5WRpH8FqIxv9SxMy4lPkN8bNlJ6xmugnCG27vehlVbH8oTzT8kE1azAaT7PU|
|bla0zh42pQIEuDjiNcMQu2fSn1kU6MazU9tr8xI5y7cF4J+u8PIOX4X0XJoaVHTJprZ|
|tuyJLRmeNpyKTCWYi3NjJnkbuyNVfKSY3Y6MOEdCMDl2mS8V2iayL980rk1r1lb4zFp|
|dtqeku33ioNH13J1U4i7ZY63Cu0aiPYgYDVb2e5/G9iHnoarweZ856hON2cgFkhp5TP|
|jJSA+U9rXcwyOeFWBm+FSUkMJYPIzwcXQcMFT7RUNzSCz2DVXjYk+ajrXuSGNUTpaLa|
|3+R+rshbm7J1/N/s/gu02jJ4IFILdRmF0MLO5Zws/PQmlQHJNnB+3HfccyvXGpna/uB|
|gpi9HkipiY1F7EurHAM6yuo9hG+U7v0/Yz8zPvlKdweSRBnB67mCDZ8A4czoW4xS8n7|
|lw+S4P7SMoqV8kNkrT+VAgsOYKnGtJ6HKWjFPRzQPbChQOuoaeh5+PzKW2+ikibcn0I|
|r0uXrXGBnuAzqiwUDV6MJDtKLHoG/+o5jMBQ1whxNDRZ5c/WiKDqMkyCm5VtHBHLzld|
|TDYOwv8oSYBj2X1mBHjZr5RGK2KR2Iwh9vnl1uBcJMnzTZyuJcMT8dchdHHPZ6RbRui|
|JQGEl3SeICT8ZyFnmwFnkA12Y/13LDep1inKcmyG5WJGzgFkPoVpcAw7DfohQybBps+|
|inlW7ge3EUCG4bt9J60QvTa6H+AHJ8PRawjaLJhBPY3tECmRPn+cftYYK2Dj4GBsuAz|
|HvEECXds1LPbTpp9+HXIobmEcjI8/lvFpiWpUPp8EAUfmw6SoL9/8LmyIm7htUlQ2RV|
|RIGyUTt2NHb15PFKNXpNIURnbfroutLOLy2yOJ0VrQSGCJxsFkXwkiXiA/4bJRpoDxm|
|Rs6+osO5Ox1UOVLITYTuQ6I0u1px0GEUugMEGgjLzKFxoLJPENqQrAyHQEpKyTzrbIu|
|2WGHpOXP6hCnvAV44spYBDxAeUJKIyPj4PuAon80cFPuAPrkyl7pjVQLqJjFdAivlko|
|T1CeASOIbiFJkbivbTseVLu+9emfAl9+k7ZXhqHsFsR9xjHYrzGeOJydP90UPrMpfD2|
|huLjMKK6vhNk1+wtHAxuGnX7lSng5Agdy6YVB2Hw1CWoyUAQJUsEFw6WVVDxOV1TI9i|
|a2k+P3QBmwE+l0NNw7I6eo5DMNU4E3hmuWKE2xBazZpVCNybj+dWGcAwJOVpgNr4528|
|MF5WGn04KjJr/3YfLoI7YxmDFA0RIoNhhdwk9wpTTEMwm4UZdiS2ruwUVfwDWCgLWlI|
|+EbtsxSoEWacI4AXhncdzH9XvvZtuvqdiO2FUZVTjQxCvb4uuru4LpwngB86f/Zddpn|
|cX+eZ5b+yl9I2VSnBfSIGv6hSLPogavgRjR+VSXJThyzUXuV1Klk7b3O/hs7zXQekjQ|
|Ibhn12BitEXKu2/wjVK7/JjQv9P0H31eOLbKV06ncwXGaZ/Wh/xVRs0rBahBNVDZN58|
|X9WJHgoyKYmS1ft0Mwmfo5dZeMBJrX2Xui0YkuU+BJ8fZOkaRGi5L6JkMFXZaz8dF0N|
|ZMkOglKUjBCVSFeJ9U6gRYvLVJvasG00q2RMelt1OmTz/D2HqHJ5kCJ9UNoEuwwO40L|
|/c98MusjuQeRxNAfvziUoLS9SOdXzGNmiYmpZ62PRwFNYSZasg+2NeFEsfEv/9giZvW|
|2t/rCJnA+f4g1Jtcr/sDqNjPbpz7hhiH2t8osik4aThYHyJnJ4F7pJdhjDRUrod8a8J|
|+nByvZKzT2t5PMQxBi+yaz9T4o+nngj3jU5ZDy1wGMyNXxE0Ov4I3Rt2jmpYLKquB2n|
|7Q==|

Edited June 14 by Soulsifter
Cleaner jpeg

[Soulsifter]

Golden Edge - Excelsior

I started playing this morning. It's been a very fun build so far. I have made quite a few changes as I've leveled up ( made 19 solo, then joined a DFB for the badges 🙂 Made 20 with that fine team. )

 

The new build looks like this: 

 

Golden Edge - Scrapper (Dual Blades - Willpower - Dark).mbd

 

 I'm still in the air about Typhoon's Edge. I had a full set of Attuned Overwhelming Forces attuned in storage so am using that. I like the knock down so put it in, for now, as permanent. I lose out on a significant about of fire/cold res and def. The Def is not really an issue. The res is kinda a big deal. The Melee Def is a BIG deal. I just don't know. For now the choice is easy as I couldn't slot the superior avalanche set until 50 anyway. 

 

At 20 I look like this:

 

Final Build tentatively is this:

 

 

|MBD;25691;1662;2216;BASE64;|
|G1pkERWcThAtDmxjS5NNpI1SwRSuk0Ofn5xelpbMslJEkyM/oCrDFtGbqpVVe1B/brq|
|kzV8PuNZ4zSwtGiTl+5etlTr5TeMUdjrgpMTXZtHp6gtuuFgFp55YfrSWJk5GyArHu1|
|X/wtbY7u3shVEVSCHsQUDl3gV0SUgAEKa6SgA6lKI7amdUgGVd4/5V38vWZOkOLY71s|
|kMNGEZpSHG0hViREil6eivgPFt67fn0my4caBD8kpbz7nY67hyQQuptcYj2AnuM9TCl|
|ifNkdrmfwpFBqtx3eQZYu711776oa8h5Mhp/pYiOBJS+hvRZUCNJveZBDG8EvY6EV1U|
|UdMLzk132NN9P3+HHA/rCBrec8YeVrfNSXwU9jVx4igFNOrMZDc2MVPJYgTdW6Oe6xG|
|2xwURm6LaOcvqCHmDJY5mjEdt65Yacui4s8RjMRC9ZjLc2Osmidkdr7oSDPrGtx/oM0|
|i5P65C6RbSrAf9iidDfD++NWlJ/com6lOzt9PB1IATfRmJvQQg+sVUbNnbGYSf/Ma/8|
|l+zHyeq8Udn7TGSTbb9+p+UTha8F2sD0m7U3Zu0s8TpDtmJHq4OlK8iPmxSgEUM6WwY|
|fbJg//869bIj0wcAzyMXRkKmDV33DL9T0PNlfXUV8XV/olVuw+URQIYytxlJh5Jh6b3|
|t5eAK1CLnlndRub0cOaaOxliWZu8FFByY3xnNhHUXsrUXpqfYI5DvSB70p5EDw/MSjS|
|VcpjwTE4QFlEcevd7PjZFzqMyH5nJ6lvTLFgg8UV+7Ui5C6Tp94cATVJDXqSM5VKGF3|
|lbtNONI1GDX4jJ05KTuDUpBohGIIrVnX6ugCPgGf0/GZbo5GwuTg32KGTVgY+CueBG0|
|VVM0Rqc1Xh9p37uQrsz+aeUVQIXjQlgxDfpgV8KElK/29DjprUdHWiufovvyP4Nc2j2|
|USipaigzgl+masFZrdMWNuGTIM2cEkAF6NShYSxRZ5EC47yrXZf5iHDslzWRqXGJMjp|
|zEVWmSTIfiwYJdBRiD9cEnAD7bR/dCK4dRwOxYhbAx9CWeRyYMFKKnPpgllkCFBho1j|
|46UNLrvUoljt/EkYCOb/Wd2V1rGKGTSr1l4oRmPijJUsASaeZtdMVCSmdlFCVAvNSDb|
|frrv6RZw5C169VrbWhAqqmQOUfD2yaBJ/x38nlD3Z/j08c6EyBQRgmw+ecZUsJQHgEo|
|MHGtEaoejNXvJMuOwol7VlXuugqG4aMWbvsj+qMRFO0Gu7LMScxuTHlq4c2UbTZCOKO|
|w9E0yzGTilEdCjX4UuTzjKCCsEbQIbhy4KKYIpMAZPIEKojbI4jQRa1wkUW4SDj5jKU|
|qBX6YKTo3ziCeQQVgoeADMO7BwQjz/QGo2h07RPdhfQ1iqehI5TGv9vyjkDWxBtkTbx|
|B1sQbTJap6Zq/dST6Eo5knqevH3Lsp9aE0IfXL2T9o6IcNyu68UBUUxHkn3VzEYb1lc|
|oDg1tnwl36OLfdxcQpc7i6Fuj4zl8YmrAh2MHqXxwqEAByZTabCDYJZBgy4VLgXCqcr|
|CbjSxZnhW5vOu6I8p4mE5x5dDgJnpNRUk3zkW5xQWALCJa7FFEiyvz6BWrVZTYDODxX|
|Ibbt2nDnHpK7j3oPLpl83nc7fRGyQl5La1ZIf/OpMbaYYDIIuc0oQ5YMfwDbcqVcJAy|
|YZRZydsCUKECD0GyGIHwQfHuh/595V7cvaxnpuJ+yf0RTFvlYXRVeXdUAmyUIBzwntJ|
|lr03I3LCtfzklL3dVg6V0VMeTFtHLB+zCM71BdVWyJpKPjeT+QUS3ym3uBOP4cC7MUN|
|P3Gvljam9NGMWKe5Z1/CbeZ3/Wil8JfG3q1ri+6lcarlaDM4ZcldZrRjVal1CicdWUw|
|pE0xchmyUjQgClZ56jVkNUJnIpMjo5K65NAh++DZG7GSfHdmGrINve5naHVrHx2oVDf|
|c56d6MEvvBJSxdE2QLMpZojsBrLC4dq2nBdtGMktG49ungwnf7EeuaiblAWfuGgUHnL|
|RKDCkuv9zNmovePUAel0rI3ZmE2khbpCe6l5mNI4ZGsn4RinQVg5x67jLeaEfFvw9Pb|
|7fQvjSTVR8PkOPmXWMhtLbhb6RTyGxqfvtFN5ytJi/GTEyGC/+Erd3QAfSQXGBdXSAD|
|1v9yOnwXk/GKlpui8nakd4Vu/WrpicbXB99oV60HAZ1iYRtGEHVC3Z64/rNLomcXM/V|
|xat0B|

[Story Archer]

I can offer a little bit of insight, though I prefer my Dual Blades to be Ninjitsu-flavored... I'll post the build of my main first and then talk to you about some things you might want to consider.

[Veil of Blades] new.mbd

 

 

As far as attack combos, for most of the build's life, I incorporated into my single-target and AoE attack chains what I consider to be the two most effective and easy to get off combos:

 

Single Target attack chain: 

Empower Combo [Nimble Slash -> Ablating Strike -> Blinding Feint] ->Sweeping Strike

 

AoE attack chain:

Blinding Feint ->Sweeping Strike -> Weaken Combo [Nimble Slash -> Ablating Strike -> Typhoon's Edge]

 

This worked superbly well for me. I only respec'ed out of it once I had gotten my girl all sorted out with IO's, Patron Pool Powers and Incarnates. I personally like the Power Slice animation better and I get a very smooth attack chain with the four attack powers that I have (especially once I toss in Moonbeam from time to time).  I also don't think that you need Hasten either. I respec'ed out of it and haven't missed it once.

 

I feel like leaning so heavily on Kinetic Combat IO's ultimately gimps the effectiveness and efficiency of all of your melee attacks. The S/L defensive buffs are great but you're losing a lot there and, as a Scrapper, the best defense you have is dead enemies. Also keep in mind that the Weaken combo results in a significant 10% ToHit DeBuff to everyone within melee range (this will stack with your Rise to the Challenge debuff), so definitely some potential overkill if you're using that. I'd also like to suggest that you consider splitting Superior Scrapper's Strike into two different AoE attacks, putting three into each along with three from eradication. That'll net you +10% S/L defense as well as +6.25% E/N defense. The only reason I don't do that here is because I'm not chasing positional defenses (which I generally try to avoid anyway). Additionally, you can get a LOT out of temporary defensive buffs from Rune of Protection and Shadow Meld (Soul Mastery EPP) and eventually the Barrier Core Incarnate - between them WAY more than enough to handle any defensive concerns you might have, so keep that in mind when it comes to how you're slotting your attacks.

 

If those are damage procs you're putting in there with Mako's Bite, I suggest subbing in Touch of Death procs instead, just because Negative damage is less heavily resisted.

 

Don't neglect ranged attacks whenever you can find them - not to use, necessarily, but because you can mule an extra 6% F/C res from each of them with minimal investment.

 

If any specific questions come to mind, feel free to hit me up here or DM.

 

Edited June 19 by Story Archer

[Soulsifter]

10 hours ago, Story Archer said:

I can offer a little bit of insight, though I prefer my Dual Blades Ninjitsu-style... I'll post the build of my main first and then talk to you about some things you can do.

[Veil of Blades] new.mbd 44.91 kB · 1 download

 

 

As far as attack combos, for most of the build's life, I incorporated into my single-target and AoE attack chains what I consider to be the two most effective and easy to get off combos:

 

Single Target attack chain: 

Empower Combo [Nimble Slash -> Ablating Strike -> Blinding Feint] ->Sweeping Strike

 

AoE attack chain:

Blinding Feint -> Weaken Combo [Nimble Slash -> Ablating Strike -> Typhoon's Edge]

 

This worked superbly well for me. I only respec'ed out of it once I had gotten my girl all sorted out with IO's, Patron Pool Powers and Incarnates. I personally like the Power Slice animation better and I get a very smooth attack chain with the four attack powers that I have (especially once I toss in Moonbeam from time to time).  I also don't think that you need Hasten either. I respec'ed out of it and haven't missed it once.

 

I feel like leaning so heavily on Kinetic Combat IO's ultimately gimps the effectiveness and efficiency of all of your melee attacks. The S/L defensive buffs are great but you're losing a lot there and, as a Scrapper, the best defense you have is dead enemies. Also keep in mind that the Weaken combo results in a significant 10% ToHit DeBuff to everyone within melee range (this will stack with your Rise to the Challenge debuff), so definitely some potential overkill if you're using that. I'd also like to suggest that you consider splitting Superior Scrapper's Strike into two different AoE attacks, putting three into each along with three from eradication. That'll net you +10% S/L defense as well as +6.25% E/N defense. The only reason I don't do that here is because I'm not chasing positional defenses (which I generally try to avoid anyway). Additionally, you can get a LOT out of temporary defensive buffs from Rune of Protection and Shadow Meld (Soul Mastery EPP) and eventually the Barrier Core Incarnate - between them WAY more than enough to handle any defensive concerns you might have, so keep that in mind when it comes to how you're slotting your attacks.

 

If those are damage procs you're putting in there with Mako's Bite, I suggest subbing in Touch of Death procs instead, just because Negative damage is less heavily resisted.

 

Don't neglect ranged attacks whenever you can find them - not to use, necessarily, but because you can mule an extra 6% F/C res from each of them with minimal investment.

 

If any specific questions come to mind, feel free to hit me up here or DM.

 

 

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The Maco's are not procs, I'm generally not much with proc bombing. They are there to get my baked in accuracy, damage, end rdx and recharge at or near max.

 

I'll echo your sentiment in regards to Hasten. It seems unnecessary, and frankly having more global would likely make the endurance managing a real bummer 🙂

 

I'm liking weaken a lot.

 

I haven't been able to play today as my schedule can be chaotic, at times. Hope to see you on Excel some time, I would love to pick your brains. Looking at your heroes, we have absolutely grouped before. 🙂 

 

 

[Story Archer]

11 hours ago, Soulsifter said:

 

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The Maco's are not procs, I'm generally not much with proc bombing. They are there to get my baked in accuracy, damage, end rdx and recharge at or near max.

 

I'll echo your sentiment in regards to Hasten. It seems unnecessary, and frankly having more global would likely make the endurance managing a real bummer 🙂

 

I'm liking weaken a lot.

 

I haven't been able to play today as my schedule can be chaotic, at times. Hope to see you on Excel some time, I would love to pick your brains. Looking at your heroes, we have absolutely grouped before. 🙂 

 

 

 

Since the nature of your defensive bonuses don't grant any real DDR to speak of, you're going to want a way to get your non S/L resistances up when you hit that cascading failure. Rune of Protection via the Sorcery pool is one way to do it (and will get you a ranged attack that you can mine for F/C Resistance) and Melee Core Embodiment is another. In the build above, between the two, I can pretty much run capped resistances to everything except E/N 75% of the time. Melee Core Embodiment will give your already strong regen another bump as well.

[Story Archer]

On 6/17/2025 at 1:24 AM, Soulsifter said:

I haven't been able to play today as my schedule can be chaotic, at times. Hope to see you on Excel some time, I would love to pick your brains. Looking at your heroes, we have absolutely grouped before. 🙂 

 

 

Always looking for someone to run with and love to discuss builds. One thing I've learned over the years is that no matter how perfectly you think you've gotten a build, there is always something new to learn. Feel free to hit me up @Story Archer any time.