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MapleStory Dual Blade Skill Build Guide

March 2, 2023

Dual Blade belongs to the Thief Explorer job branch in MapleStory and is one of the most popular end-game bossing classes for Explorer Thieves. Unlike regular Explorer's, Dual Blades have an extra two job advancements in the early levels. Your starting town is Kerning City in the Secret Garden where you'll meet Lady Syl as your Job Advancement instructor.

Dual Blade Overview

The Dual Blade class was released in 2010 and has gone through a number of changes since it's initial release. Dual Blades wield two different weapons: a dagger and a katara as the sub-weapon. Dual Blades are a very popular class in end-game bossing due to the amount of damage they are able to inflict on single-target enemies. Their mobbing isn't as strong as Night Lord, but players who have a Job Advancement coin can jump jobs between the three thief classes.

One unique aspect to Dual Blades is that their first and second job advancements are split up into two job advancements, making them have two extra job advancements compared to other classes. They start as Rouge (level 10), Blade Recruit (level 20), Blade Acolyte (level 30), Blade Specialist (level 45), Blade Lord (level 60) and finally Blade Master as 4th job at level 100.

One of the best skills for Dual Blade is the Final Cut skill, which gives a massive 40% Final Damage boost. It also acts as an I-Frame skill, allowing you to dodge one-hit KO boss mechanics.

  • Weapon: Dagger & Katara
  • Job: Thief
  • Class: Explorer
  • Shared Cash Shop Inventory: Explorer Jobs
  • Legion Block: +Luk (10/20/40/80/100)
  • Link Skill: Thief's Cunning (+3-6% Damage upon debuffing enemies, 10 sec duration)
  • Primary Stat: Luk
  • Inner Ability: 20% Boss Damage

Rogue First Job Skill Build

The Rogue class for Dual Blades is different to the Rogue for Night Lord and Shadower. You will job advance again at level 20.

  • Bandit Slash (+1), Flash Jump (+2)
  • Flash Jump (MAX)
  • Bandit Slash (MAX)
  • Side Step (MAX)
  • Dark Sight (MAX)

Your main attacking skill for your Rogue is Bandit Slash. You should max Flash Jump early on for the mobility (it's only 5 SP) and then continue with maxing Bandit Slash. You won't use Dark Sight until end-game bossing really, so you can max that last.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Bandit Slash Bandit Slash Lashes out at a group of enemies with crossing blades. Main Attack Skill
Flash Jump Flash Jump Use while in the middle of a jump to jump twice in a row. The jump distance increases as the skill level increases. Can also be used with the Jump Key. Flash Jump
Side Step Side Step Permanently increases Avoidability. Passive Buff
Dark Sight Dark Sight Allows you to hide in the shadows for a short time. While Dark Sight is active, you cannot be hit by enemies, but attacking or using a skill will reveal you. The cooldown will change when Dark Sight is deactivated, depending on damage dodged. Cannot be used against some monsters that attack first.

Transform Skill

Blade Recruit First Job Skill Build

At level 20 you'll be able to job advance to Blade Recruit, where you get the second part of your first job skills.

  • Katara Mastery (MAX)
  • Bandit Slash Boost (MAX)
  • Self-Haste (MAX)
  • Tornado Spin (MAX)

Tornado Spin is a rush skill that doesn't really change much; Bandit Slash is still the preferred attacking move, however you can link Tornado Spin with Bandit Slash. Max Katara Mastery for that extra damage boost and then Self-Haste for speeding up your movement.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Katara Mastery Katara Mastery Increases Dagger and Katara Mastery. Passive Buff
Self Haste Self Haste Permanently increases your Jump, Speed, and Max Speed. Passive Buff
Tornado Spin Tornado Spin Quickly dashes forward to spin attack multiple enemies in your way. Secondary Attack Skill
Bandit Slash Boost Bandit Slash Boost Enhances Bandit Slash. Passive Buff

Blade Acolyte Second Job Skill Build

At level 30, you can job advance to Blade Acolyte. This is the first part of your second job advancement skills, with the other batch coming at level 45.

  • Slash Storm (+1), Katara Booster (+2)
  • Katara Booster (6)
  • Slash Storm (MAX)
  • Physical Training (MAX)
  • Channel Karma (MAX)
  • Katara Booster (MAX)
  • Fatal Blow (MAX)

Your new attacking skill is Slash Storm. It hits up to 6 enemies but can be quite slow to use, so make sure you have Katara Booster to boost your attack speed. Fata Blow is a single-target enemy skill, which you won't ever need to use, so max that last.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Slash Storm Slash Storm Attack multiple enemies in front. Main Attack Skill
Physical Training Physical Training Permanently increases LUK and DEX through sheer physical training. Passive Buff
Katara Booster Katara Booster Increases Attack Speed and Luck. Attack Speed Buff
Fatal Blow Fatal Blow Deals very quick consecutive attacks to a monster. Single-Target Attack Skill
Channel Karma Channel Karma Increase your Attack Power and your ability to resist knockback effects when struck.

Passive Buff

Blade Specialist Second Job Skill Build

At level 45, you'll unlock the final second-job skills.

  • Slash Storm Boost (+2), Venom (+1)
  • Slash Storm Boost (MAX)
  • Flying Assaulter (MAX)
  • Venom (MAX)
  • Flashbang (MAX)

Upgrade Slash Storm with the new Slash Storm Boost skill, or use Flying Assaulter + Tornado Spin combination. I prefer Slash Storm as it's simpler to use when training as with Flying Assaulter you need to be jumping all over the map. Venom will give you some damage over time and Flashbang isn't all that useful but you can add it into your rotation if you like.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Flashbang Flashbang Throw a flash dagger to temporarily blind multiple monsters, with a chance to decrease Accuracy and deal extra damage. Also works on bosses for half the duration. Secondary Attack Skill
Upper Stab Slash Storm Boost Enhances Slash Storm. Passive
Flying Assaulter Flying Assaulter Fly down from the sky to slash nearby enemies, with a chance to stun.\nLinks to Tornado Spin and Bloody Storm. Link Attack Skill
Venom Venom Permanently coats your dagger and katara with venom, giving all your attacks the chance to Poison enemies. The Poison is not stackable, and the enemy's HP cannot drop below 1. DOT Passive Buff

Blade Lord Third Job Skill Build

At level 60, you will finally advance to the third job advancement. Your job advancements will now follow the same path as other Explorer classes.

  • Bloody Storm (+1), Mirror Image (+2)
  • Mirror Image (MAX)
  • Bloody Storm (MAX)
  • Blade Ascension (MAX)
  • Shadow Meld (MAX)
  • Life Drain (MAX)
  • Chains Of Hell (MAX)
  • Advanced Dark Sight (MAX)
  • Enveloping Darkness (MAX)

For third job you can combine both Bloody Storm, Blade Ascension and Flying Assaulter into a combined mobbing rotation. There is some skill delay between the skills, so finding the perfect combination for you will be key to your enjoyment up to 4th job. I personally found Blade Ascension + Flying Assaulter to be the easiest to manage, however some maps it was harder to use due to map platforms messing up my jumping.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Blade Ascension Blade Ascension The Secret Garden Ascension's secret technique. Rise up into the sky and slash enemies ahead of you. By using this skill with the Up key, you can ascend slightly higher, once per jump. If you ascended from the ground with this command skill, you cannot use it again in the air until after you land. Links to Flying Assaulter. Main Attack Skill
Bloody Storm Bloody Storm Attack enemies on both sides with swift, elaborate movements. Provides passive damage increases for Tornado Spin and Flying Assaulter. Main Attack Skill
Shadow Meld Shadow Meld Increases your chance to dodge incoming attacks. A successful dodge will also put you into a 7-second frenzy, where your attack power increases and every hit becomes a Critical. Passive Buff
Mirror Image Mirror Image Summon a doppelganger of yourself to assist with attacks for a short time. Does not work with certain skills, and disappears when it is hit with an attack that changes its appearance or restricts movement. It cannot mimic summoning skills, 5th Job Common Skills, or certain other skills. Buff
Life Drain Life Drain Grants a chance to recover HP when attacking. Passive Buff
Enveloping Darkness Enveloping Darkness Cloaks yourself in darkness, increasing Max HP, Abnormal Status Resistance and Elemental Resistance permanently. Passive Buff
Chains Of Hell Chains Of Hell Chains of Hell pulls an enemy close and deals consecutive Critical strikes with a chance to stun. You will be invincible during and for 3 seconds after the attack, and this skill can be used while other skills are being used. Stationary monsters must be in range. Secondary Attack Skill
Advanced Dark SIght Advanced Dark SIght Hones your stealth technique, giving you a chance of not breaking Dark Sight when you attack or use skills in Dark Sight. Has a chance to automatically trigger Dark Sight on attack, and attacking from Dark Sight will increase Final Damage. However, if you dodge an attack that deals damage proportional to Max HP, using the Dark Sight that activates when you are hit, the cooldown will not apply, and Dark Sight's duration will decrease. Transform Skill

Blade Master Fourth Job Skill Build

At fourth job you will be able to forget about all the chaining skills and instead just use one attack skill for mobbing.

  • Blade Fury (+1), Katara Expert (+1), Sharpness (+1)
  • Blade Fury (10)
  • Final Cut (10)
  • Katara Expert (10)
  • Sharpness (10)
  • Blade Fury (MAX)
  • Final Cut (MAX)
  • Katara Expert (MAX)
  • Sharpness (MAX)
  • Thorns (MAX)
  • Toxic Venom (MAX)
  • Phantom Blow (MAX)
  • Maple Warrior (MAX)
  • Sudden Raid (MAX)
  • Mirrored Target (MAX)
  • Hero's Will (MAX)

Blade Fury becomes your new mobbing attack and you also get lots of damage boosting skills in fourth job. Final Cut adds 40% Final Damage to all your attacks (and 3 seconds of invincibility). It has a 90 second cooldown and 60 second duration, however you can use various Buff Duration boosts to get 100% Final Cut uptime. Phantom Blow is your main boss attacking skill and Sudden Raid can help clear hard to get to parts of maps for training.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Blade Fury Blade Fury The secret behind Secret Garden's tornado. Spin furiously with your two blades to damage nearby enemies. Ignores a portion of the enemy's defense. Main Attack Skill
Final Cut Final Cut Sacrifices a significant amount of HP to deal heavy damage to multiple enemies. Does greater damage for a short time. Buff
Toxic Venom Toxic Venom Increases Venom's poison chance and permanently increases poison damage. Passive Buff
Thorns Thorns Increases your ATT and allows you to resist knock-back effects when struck Passive Buff
Sudden Raid Sudden Raid Calls in a horde of friends to set the stage on fire. Unaffected by attack reflection. Final Cut's cooldown is reduced by a set ratio. AOE Skill
Sharpness Sharpness Increases your Critical Rate and Critical Damage. Passive Buff
Phantom Blow Phantom Blow The secret technique of raging Secret Garden. Deals a flurry of piercing attacks against one enemy. A portion of an enemy's defense will be ignored. Single-Target Attack Skill
Mirrored Target Mirrored Target Turns your Mirror Image into a dummy that draws enemy attacks and absorbs damage. Shadow Meld activates when the dummy is attacked. This skill can only be used when Mirror Image is active. Permanently increases Blade Master's DEF and Avoidability Summon
Maple Warrior Maple Warrior Temporarily increases the stats of all party members. Does not stack with Maple Warrior, Call of Cygnus, Nova Warrior, Hero of the Flora, President's Orders, Anima Warrior, or Rhinne's Protection. Buff
Katara Expert Katara Expert Increases Weapon Mastery, Attack Power, and Final Damage of daggers and kataras Passive Buff
Heros Will Heros Will Hones your resolve to ignore certain abnormal status effects. Immune to Abnormal Status for 3 sec after use. Debuff

Dual Blade Hyper Skill Build

Hyper skills are available at level 140. You get Hyper Skill Points as you level towards 200, but not enough to max all the skills, so choose wisely. These skills mostly help increase the damage of your current skills.

  • Phantom Blow - Reinforce
  • Phantom Blow - Extra Strike
  • Blade Fury - Reinforce
  • Blade Fury - Guard Break
  • Blade Fury - Spread
  • Blade Clone
  • Asura's Anger
  • Epic Adventure

Dual Blade Fifth Job Skill Build

Upon reaching level 200, you will now have access to the V Matrix, which acts as your new fifth job skills. Each class gets their own skills to use, along with boosting nodes to increase the damage of existing skills. To obtain new skills, you open up items called Nodestones, which drop from every mob in Arcane River. You have limited number of slots in your V Matrix, so you want to obtain perfect nodes for maximize your character's damage.

Dual Blade's Nodes should include:

  • Blade Tornado
  • Blades Of Destiny
  • Blade Tempest
  • Haunted Edge
  • Trinode: Blade Fury, Final Cut, Phantom Blow
  • Trinode: Asura's Anger, Blade Clone, Blade Ascension

All 5th Job classes should try to also obtain these:

  • Decent Holy Symbol
  • Decent Sharp Eyes
  • Decent Speed Infusion
  • Erda Nova

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Blade Tornado Blade Tornado Spin as fast as a tornado and create a black typhoon that shoots forward to damage your enemies. The typhoon is unaffected by attack reflection. Cooldown Attack
Blades Of Destiny Blades Of Destiny Decide the fate of your opponents with a blinding flurry of blades. Cooldown Attack
Blade Tempest Blade Tempest Storm forward, slashing enemies with techniques honed at the Secret Garden. You can move while attacking. Burst Attack
Haunted Edge Haunted Edge The malevolent spirit imbued in the blade attacks the enemy on its own. Activates automatically upon using Blade Fury or Phantom Blow. Using Blade Fury in conjunction with this effect will activate Haunted Edge-Asura, which creates a sharp stabbing wind. Using Phantom Blow in conjunction with this effect will activate Haunted Edge-Yaksa, which deals countless consecutive attacks in anger. Skill is unaffected by attack reflection. The sharp wind created by Haunted Edge-Asura is unaffected by Mirror Image. Max Level 25. Cooldown Attack

Changelog

26/11/2020 - Added new 5th Job Skill from the Awake update.

28/09/2020 - First update

Discussion

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i play dualblade how i get the second job at level30 ?? now my level 35 already … i dont know how to get second job pls teach me … should i done all explore quest? or ?
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Still stuck?
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