Melee

No image yet
CategoryCombat
Max Level100
Start Level1
XP to Max25,000,000
Skill Points20
Tree Nodes92
Skill Trees3
Equipment Items13

Melee

Close-range physical combat — swords, axes, maces, and more

Melee is the foundational combat skill for close-range physical damage. Using Dragon Nest style action combat, players chain together attacks using mouse button combinations and directional inputs. The full moveset is available from level 1 — progression comes from better equipment and the skill tree. The skill tree offers three distinct paths: Brutality for raw physical power and bleed effects, Finesse for speed, crits, and dual wielding, and Arcane Edge for magic-hybrid builds with rune synergy.

Equipment Progression

LevelNameDescription
1Copper
10Bronze
18Iron
26Steel
34Cobalt
42Alloy 4140
50Tungsten Carbide
58Damascus
66Titanium
74Astralite
82Draconic
88Aetherium
95Voidstone

Combat Unlocks

LevelNameInputDescription
1Basic AttackLMBStandard attack with equipped weapon
12-Hit ComboLMB -> LMBChain two attacks together
5Heavy AttackRMB (hold)Charged heavy strike. +35% more damage.
103-Hit ComboLMB -> LMB -> LMBThree attack chain, third hit has bonus damage
15Dodge AttackDodge -> LMBQuick strike out of a dodge. Bonus crit chance.
204-Hit Combo (Max)LMB -> LMB -> LMB -> LMBFull combo chain. Fourth hit is a finisher.
25Running AttackSprint -> LMBMomentum strike. Distance traveled increases damage.
30Jump AttackJump -> LMBAerial strike. Good for initiating.
35ThrustW + RMBForward thrust attack. Extended reach.
40Retreat StrikeS + RMBAttack while stepping backward. Creates distance.
45Savage BlowLMB + RMB (simultaneous)Both mouse buttons together. High stamina, high damage.
50SweepA/D + RMBSide step with sweeping attack. Hits multiple targets.
60Combo BreakerLMB -> LMB -> RMBBranch combo into heavy finisher mid-chain.
70Perfect TimingAny attack with precise timingAttacks with perfect timing deal 15% more damage.
80Combo CancelDodge during comboCancel combo recovery with a dodge. Enables new chains.
90Weapon MasteryUnlock weapon-specific special moves.

Unlocks

Earn 1 skill tree point every 5 levels (20 total at max level).

LevelTypeNameDescription
12PassiveBattle Hardened I+5% melee damage
28PassiveWeapon Reach I+10% melee range
44PassiveBattle Hardened II+10% melee damage (total)
56PassiveWeapon Reach II+20% melee range (total)
72PassiveBattle Hardened III+15% melee damage (total)
86PassiveWeapon Reach III+30% melee range (total)

Skill Trees

92 total nodes across 3 trees. 20 points available at max level.

Brutality

Raw physical damage — hit harder, bleed deeper, finish wounded targets

Brutality is for players who want pure physical destruction. No magic, no tricks — just overwhelming force and blood. Gateway locks out magic damage for maximum physical impact and exclusive access to enhanced Bleed effects.

Finesse

Speed, crits, dual wielding — precision IS your power

Finesse rewards precise, sustained engagement and critical strikes. Dual wielding, positioning bonuses, and combo mastery. Gateway grants crit mastery but locks out two-handed weapons.

Arcane Edge

Magic-infused melee, hybrid damage, rune synergy — every strike carries arcane power

Arcane Edge blends physical and magical damage through weapon runes. Converts physical damage to magic, amplifies rune effects. Gateway commits to hybrid damage but reduces pure physical output.

Skill Tree Nodes

Brutality(37 nodes)

rootWarrior's Training(free)

+2% increased physical damage

minorBrutal Force I

+3% increased physical damage

minorInner Strength

+2% increased physical damage

minorBrutal Force II

+3% increased physical damage

minor_keystoneCrushing Blows

+5% increased physical damage. +2 flat physical attack.

minorBloodletter I

+8% bleed chance on hit

minorSharpened Edge

+5% increased bleed damage

minorBloodletter II

+10% increased bleed damage

minor_keystoneDeep Wounds

+8% bleed chance. +10% increased bleed damage.

minorHeavy Handed I

+5% increased stagger damage

minorStaggering Blow

+3% increased stagger damage

minorHeavy Handed II

+5% increased stagger damage

minorConcussive Force

Stuns last 10% longer

minor_keystoneBone Breaker

+8% increased stagger damage. Staggered targets lose 3 armor for 4s.

gatewayPrimal Fury

+3% more physical damage. +3% armor penetration. Cannot deal magic damage or use magic enhancements. Exclusive access to enhanced Bleed effects.

Exclusive with: fn_gateway, ae_gateway

minorSavage Strikes I

+4% increased physical damage

minorSavage Strikes II

+4% increased physical damage

minorClose Quarters

+3% increased damage to targets within 5m

minorBroad Power

+2 flat physical attack. +2% increased physical damage.

notableRuthless Might

+3% physical damage. +2% armor penetration.

notablePulverize

+3% increased physical damage. +2 flat physical attack.

keystoneOverwhelming Force

+3% more physical damage. Targets hit have -3 armor for 4s.

minorFinishing Blow I

+4% increased damage to targets below 50% HP

minorFinishing Blow II

+4% increased damage to targets below 50% HP

minorKilling Momentum

Kills restore 8 stamina

minorScent of Blood

+3% increased damage to targets below 60% HP

notableBloodlust

+5% increased damage for 4s after a kill.

notableExecutioner

+6% increased damage to targets below 25% HP

keystoneCulling Strike

Targets below 8% HP are instantly killed by your attacks (does not apply to bosses or players). +3% more damage to targets below 25% HP.

minorSerrated Edge I

+15% increased bleed damage

minorSerrated Edge II

+15% increased bleed damage

minorEnduring Bleeds

Bleed duration +2s

minorHemorrhage

+10% bleed chance

minorPersistent Bleeding

+5% bleed chance

notableCrimson Tide

+10% bleed damage. +5% bleed chance.

notableButcher

Bleeds can stack up to 3 times on a single target

keystoneSanguine Fury

+100% more bleed damage. Bleed ticks can critically strike.

Finesse(37 nodes)

rootDuelist's Training(free)

+2% increased crit chance

minorKeen Strikes I

+2% increased crit chance

minorPrecision

+2% increased crit damage

minorKeen Strikes II

+4% increased crit damage

minor_keystoneSurgical Precision

+2% increased crit chance. +4% increased crit damage.

minorFleet Foot I

+3% movement speed with weapon drawn

minorNimble Strikes

+2% increased dodge chance

minorQuick Hands

+3% increased dodge chance

minor_keystoneBlade Dancer

+3% increased dodge chance. +4% dodge distance.

minorEvasive I

+4% increased damage for 2s after dodging

minorReactive Momentum

+3% increased damage after dodge

minorEvasive II

+4% increased damage for 2s after dodging

minorQuick Recovery

Dodge stamina cost -10%

minor_keystoneSlippery

Dodge i-frames extended 30ms. +5% increased damage for 2s after dodging.

gatewayWay of the Blade

+5% increased crit chance. +3% more crit damage. Unlocks dual wielding of one-handed weapons. Cannot use two-handed weapons.

Exclusive with: br_gateway, ae_gateway

minorTwin Strikes I

+4% increased damage while dual wielding

minorTwin Strikes II

+4% increased damage while dual wielding

minorOff-hand Mastery

Off-hand damage penalty reduced by 15%

minorRapid Strikes

+4% increased crit chance while dual wielding

notableRazor's Edge

+3% crit chance. Critical strikes restore 3 stamina.

notableFlurry

+3% increased damage and +3% increased crit chance while dual wielding.

keystoneWhirlwind of Steel

+3% more damage while dual wielding. Off-hand hits count toward combo progression.

minorCombo Flow I

Combo finishers deal +4% increased damage

minorCombo Flow II

Abilities during active combo deal +3% increased damage

minorChain Extension

Combo chain window +100ms

minorEfficient Combos

Combo finishers cost 5 less stamina

notableFluid Motion

+3% damage on kill. +4% dodge distance.

notableCombo Payoff

Completing a full combo: +5% increased damage for 3s

keystonePerfect Chains

+3% more combo finisher damage. Full combo completion restores 8 stamina.

minorExploit Opening I

+4% increased damage when attacking from behind

minorExploit Opening II

+4% increased damage when attacking from behind

minorFlanking Expert

+3% crit chance when attacking from behind

minorField Advantage

+2% movement speed while weapon drawn

minorShadow Dance

+3% increased damage after dodge

notablePhantom Step

+8% increased damage after dodge. Dodge cooldown -0.3s.

notableBackstab

+5% increased damage from behind. +3% crit chance from behind.

keystoneDeath by a Thousand Cuts

Each consecutive hit on same target: +1% more damage. Stacks up to 10 times (+10%). Resets on miss.

Arcane Edge(37 nodes)

rootRunic Training(free)

+3% increased magic damage from melee attacks

minorArcane Affinity I

5% of physical damage is converted to magic damage

minorMystic Touch

+2% increased magic damage from melee

minorArcane Affinity II

Additional 5% physical to magic conversion (10% total)

minor_keystoneElemental Weapon

+5% physical to magic conversion (15% total). +3% increased magic damage from melee.

minorRune Attunement I

+8% increased weapon rune effect potency

minorRune Resonance

+5% rune effect potency

minorRune Attunement II

+8% increased weapon rune effect potency

minor_keystoneRuneweaver

+10% increased rune effect potency. +1 maximum weapon rune capacity.

minorArcane Strike I

+2 flat magic damage added to melee attacks

minorSpark

+1 flat magic damage on hit

minorArcane Strike II

+2 flat magic damage added to melee attacks

minorConduit

Melee attacks deal additional magic damage equal to 5% of weapon damage

minor_keystoneArcane Resonance

+5% bonus magic damage on hit (10% total). +5% magic penetration.

gatewayArcane Convergence

35% of physical damage is converted to magic damage (stacks with pre-gateway conversion for up to 50% total). -15% less physical damage (before conversion). +5% magic penetration.

Exclusive with: br_gateway, fn_gateway

minorArcane Force I

+4% increased magic damage from melee attacks

minorArcane Force II

+4% increased magic damage from melee attacks

minorArcane Penetration

+3% magic penetration

minorHybrid Power

+2% increased physical damage. +2% increased magic damage from melee.

notableArcane Infusion

+4% magic damage from melee. +3% magic penetration.

notableSpell Blade

+3% increased magic damage from melee. Hits reduce target magic resistance by 2 for 4s.

keystoneArcane Supremacy

+3% more magic damage from melee. Hits reduce target magic resistance by 3 for 4s.

minorRune Power I

+10% increased weapon rune ability damage

minorRune Power II

+10% increased weapon rune ability damage

minorRune Refresh

Weapon rune ability cooldowns -10%

minorRune Efficiency

Weapon rune abilities cost 10% less stamina

notableRune Cascade

+15% rune ability damage. Rune casts reduce next rune cooldown by 1s.

notableRune Surge

Weapon rune cooldowns -15%. +10% increased rune ability damage.

keystoneGrand Runemaster

+3% more rune ability damage. Rune abilities have 15% chance to echo at 40% damage.

minorArcane Conditioning I

+3% increased physical damage. +2% increased magic damage from melee.

minorArcane Conditioning II

+3% increased physical damage. +2% increased magic damage from melee.

minorMana Siphon

Magic damage from melee restores 2 stamina on hit

minorBalanced Power

+3% increased physical damage

minorResonant Strikes

+2% increased physical damage. +2% magic damage from melee.

notableEquilibrium

+3% increased physical damage. Converted damage efficiency +5%.

notableArcane Overcharge

Converted damage is 10% more efficient (deals 110% instead of 100%). +3% increased magic damage from melee.

keystoneUnity of Steel and Spell

+3% more damage when an attack deals both physical and magic damage.

Capstone(4 nodes)

autoHoned Edge

Auto-unlocks when any keystone is allocated. +2% increased physical damage.

minorMartial Mastery

+2% increased physical damage. Melee abilities cost 3% less stamina.

minor_capstoneWarrior's Discipline

+3% increased physical damage. Melee abilities cost 5% less stamina.

capstoneApex Warrior

After killing an enemy, deal +8% more damage for 4s.

Related Items

Training Methods

Level RangeMethodXP/hr
1-15Kill low level creatures, practice basic combos and dodge timing5,000-10,000
15-30Zone-appropriate monsters, learn heavy attack timing and directional moves15,000-30,000
30-50Dungeons with party, focus on combo completion and positional play40,000-60,000
50-70Mid-tier dungeon grinding, skill tree optimization70,000-100,000
70-90High-level dungeons, master perfect timing and combo cancel mechanics120,000-180,000
90-100End-game content, boss farming for max XP200,000-300,000

Tips

  • Start with basic LMB combos before adding complexity
  • Heavy attacks (RMB hold) are worth the stamina for big damage
  • Dodge attacks at level 15 have bonus crit chance — abuse this
  • Brutality is simpler but powerful — great for new players
  • Finesse rewards precise play and combo focus
  • Arcane Edge scales with Magic level for hybrid damage
  • You can spread skill tree points across all 3 trees without ever taking a gateway
  • Gateways are powerful but restrictive — choose carefully
  • Perfect timing attacks at level 70+ add significant damage
  • Match weapon speed to your playstyle — DPS is roughly equal across weapon types

XP Sources

Deal Melee Damage

XP granted for damage dealt with melee weapons

Formula: floor(damage_dealt / 10) * 2

This is the only source of Melee XP. Higher damage per hit = more XP per hit. AoE attacks that hit multiple targets grant XP per target hit.

Mastery Reward

Melee Master's Regalia

Glowing warrior armor with dynamic weapon trail effects. Attacks leave visible slash trails in the air. The color of trails matches equipped weapon's tier. Armor override: visible only in non-combat areas (cities, safe zones). Mount override: visible anywhere.

Lore
The art of melee combat is as old as civilization itself. From the first bronze swords to the legendary Voidstone blades, warriors have always sought to master the dance of steel. The three paths of mastery — Brutality, Finesse, and Arcane Edge — represent fundamental philosophies of combat that have evolved over millennia. Those who walk the path of Brutality believe that overwhelming force is the purest form of combat. They eschew magical enhancement, seeing it as a crutch for the weak. Their blades run red with the blood of their enemies, and their enhanced Bleed techniques — exclusive to those who have taken the Primal Fury gateway — can reduce even the sturdiest foe to a hemorrhaging wreck. The Finesse school teaches that precision triumphs over power. Their adherents move like dancers, striking vital points with surgical accuracy. They favor light, quick weapons and often dual-wield for devastating combination attacks. The Way of the Blade gateway grants them unmatched critical strike power at the cost of heavy two-handed weapons — a trade most Finesse practitioners consider no trade at all. The Arcane Edge represents the fusion of physical and magical arts. These warrior-mages channel magical energy through their weapons via weapon runes, creating hybrid attacks that confound traditional defenses. The Arcane Convergence gateway converts a significant portion of their physical damage to magic, bypassing armor entirely but reducing their raw physical output. They are neither fully martial nor magical, but something uniquely powerful. The legendary Apex Warriors — those who have transcended mortal limitations — channel the momentum of each kill into devastating power. Whether this is adrenaline, battle-trance, or something more supernatural, the greatest warriors seem to grow stronger with every foe they fell.

See Also

Skill Nodebr_startSkill Nodebr_c1_sideSkill Nodebr_p2_side_notableSkill Nodeae_p1_side_notableSkill Nodefn_p3dSkill Nodebr_p2aSkill Nodefn_p1b_s2Skill Nodeae_p2b_s2Skill Nodefn_a1Skill Nodefn_p3bSkill Nodeae_b1Skill Nodefn_p1b_s1Skill Nodebr_a1Skill Nodefn_c3Skill Nodefn_p3cSkill Nodeae_p1dSkill Nodeae_p1bSkill Nodeae_c4Skill Nodefn_p3aSkill Nodeae_p1b_s2

Related Skills

SkillDefenseSkillAgilitySkillMagicSkillSmithing