Dragon Nest Sword Master - Level 40

Greetings to all,

Details for STR/AGI Crit build:
Crescent Cleave lvl 5
Luring Slice / Provoking Slam lvl 4 (30% more dmg from ultimates is a must for me)
Counter Exile (yes i have it in this build)
Parrying Stance ( Didn’t have previously)
Infinity Edge
*UPDATES FROM PATCH V42, Cyclone Slash no longer needs lvl 6 for reducing delay between 1st &2nd hit, so it is soley only for a bigger cyclone & dmg*
This is a guide continued from the 32 skill build thread that I’ve made in the past.
If you haven’t seen it before.
Okay, back to the point.
The 2 key issues with lvl 40 cap is this.
Firstly, GLADIATOR or MOONLORD?
Secondly, INFINITY EDGE or GREAT WAVE? (Which ultimate skill should I Choose?)
Note : As of now we do not know if we are going to get the duo ultimate patch, but just know that even if we do, the cooldowns are shared between the 2 ultimates.
This thread will thus aid you in answering those questions as well as provide a in-depth discussion on which skill build you should use and how it will affect you.
To answer the 2 above questions immediately,
Answer for question 1 : It doesnt really matter actually, since you going to get a skill reset at lvl 45 3rd job change. Hence this is a good opportunity for you to try out something else if you were bent on choosing one of them in the beginning.
For myself, I created a SM soley to become a Moonlord, but after seeing some videos of how amazing infinity edge is, I decided to get I.E for 40 cap and then moonlord for 50 cap SINCE moonlord is only awesome with moonlight dance
Answer for question 2 : The inherent difference between infinity edge and great wave is the UTILITY of it.
Infinity Edge (IE) is more inclined towards a single target dps skill.
Great Wave (GW) is a more AOE Based skill with an awesome finishing wave at the end.
Hence depending on your playstyle, PvE Wise choose based on this.
PvP wise, from what I’ve heard and seen, no one can survive a full blow of IE, however imagine the utility of Great Wave in a group PvP set up ^_^, we have 3 v 3 ladder now don’t we. That being said, people refer to no use of ultimates as an unspoken rule in PvP but let’s not get started on this one shall we? FOCUS
Like I said, it’s ultimately up to the play style,
First and foremost, what is Infinity Edge? Take a look at the video below.
Skip to 2mins17seconds to go straight to the fight. (the beginning of the video is as cut scene)
Just FYI: This character in the video is ONLY LVL 40 with around 4000Patk and critical built.
So what’s great wave? Check out the video below to find out more.
Skip to 58SECONDS into the video to see how great wave looks like.
Okay so now you have an idea of how infinity edge and great wave looks like.
Let’s get back to the question at hand. Skill Builds.
Similar to the previous skill build guide, this one will begin with the discussion of what you will include/exclude should you follow a particular skill build.
So what skills are good in lvl 40 cap that you might want to consider having?
First up : Crescent Cleave Lvl 5
At level 5, instead of the pitiful 3 waves you will be able to slash out 5 waves instead.
This skill is especially awesome if you have decent magic attack if used on big nest bosses like manticore and future high level nest.
The way crescent cleave works is (if you haven’t noticed by now) that the initial dmg is pretty low, however as the waves advances through the monster, the damage increases by almost 2-3 folds. Hence on nest bosses especially, this skill’s DPS is very high.
For eg. You will see the initial dmg being 500-700, then if the wave goes through the monster entirely, you will see around 1.4k-1.7k DMG tick for around 3-4 times depending on how large the monster is.
This is based on my observations on me using Crescent Cleave on Cerberus.
Next in line we have : Cyclone Slash Lvl 6
This effect can also be seen in the moonlord video shown above, the cyclone is much bigger
Also I’ve noticed that the damage ticks are faster as well (From observation not confirmed)
Last but not least : Luring Slice / Provoking Slam Lvl3 OR Lvl4
At lvl 4, you can do increase the damage taken by a monster by 30%
At lvl 3, you will get 5% less, 25% increase in damage taken by the monster.
At lvl 2, you will only get 20%
This difference is pretty huge as getting a 30% dmg boost into the damage your ultimates is game breaking (in my opinion)
The reason why this is discussed because it will affect whether you can get the abovementioned skills as well as how much it will impact a “IE” sided built vs a “GW” sided built.
Now let’s get to the skill builds shall we.
If you have chosen build 4 in the previous skill build thread like myself (due to various circumstances) please scroll to bottom and refer to the last section in this whole guide since it will only apply to small number of people.
I’ll split the skill build guide into IE skill builds then GW skill builds.
Infinity Edge Skill Builds
This skill build is perfect for hybrid, perfectly balanced.
You will get all the abovementioned perks : Cyclone slash LVl 6, and Crescent Cleave lvl 5, Luring Slice lvl 4
Disadvantages : Counter Exile (lvl35 skill), this skill is magic attack based, so if you’re going phy sided anyway you’re not missing out on much here. Aside of it looking pretty, it isn’t really a must have besides it being an extra “aerial evasion” skill, might be huge for PvPers here so take note.
Go for this build if you have very balanced patk/matk damage range.
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Disadvantages : No Cyclone Slash lvl 6
Well it isn’t much of a loss since you’re phy sided in terms of dmg, hence a high lvl cyclone slash will not benefit you much aside the perk which you get if it’s lvl 6, since you won’t be depending on it for DPS anyway, so its not much of a loss.
Advantages : Counter Exile (Extra Aerial Evasion) 
Go for this build if you feel that you’re not too good at dodging and will need an extra “Aerial Evasion” to get out of stick situations, it is also an extra perk for PvP. Also you are not depending too much on cyclone slash for your rotation in PvP match-ups.
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Disadvantages : Luring slice lvl 2 only (You’re PvPing anyway so it won’t affect you that much) Advantages:You will be able to get the additional Counter Exile. If you’re a avid PVPer, go for this build since Counter Exile works like an additional Aerial Evasion.
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Great Wave Skill Builds
This is just the same as above, except that you get Great Wave instead of Infinity Edge.
You will get all the abovementioned perks : Cyclone slash LVl 6, and Crescent Cleave lvl 5, Luring Slice lvl 4
Disadvantages : No Counter Exile (lvl35 skill), this skill is magic attack based, it has a 30 second cool down and only decent dmg (383% MATK @ lvl 1), aside of it looking pretty, it isn’t really a must have besides it being an extra “aerial evasion” skill, might be huge for PvPers here so take note.
Go for this build if you don’t think you will need an additional aerial evasion skill (you’re good at dodging boss skills).
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Disadvantages : No Cyclone Slash lvl 6
It’s only the special effect perk you’re losing as well as 5% magic dmg +300.
Advantages : Counter Exile (Extra Aerial Evasion)  and Luring Slice lvl 4
Go for this build if you feel that you’re not too good at dodging and will need an extra “Aerial Evasion” to get out of stick situations, it is also an extra perk for PvP. Also you are not depending too much on cyclone slash for your rotation in PvP match-ups.
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Skill Build 3 PvP Inclined
What you’re missing here : Luring slice lvl 4 (you have lvl 2 instead)
You will be able to get the additional Counter Exile. If you’re a avid PVPer, go for this build since Counter Exile works like an additional Aerial Evasion.
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->READ BELOW IF YOU’RE CONTINUING FROM SKILL BUILD 4 FROM PREVIOUS BUILD THREAD<-
Skill Build Compromise ^_^
Build 1 (Infinity Edge) PvE Based (Luring Slice lvl 4 IS huge dmg boost to how much IE Hits so it’s a must to have)
This skill build is based on the fact that you’ve added MLS to lvl 4 (accidentally like myself)
You will miss out on cyclone slash lvl 6 as well as counter exile.
Both are not that detrimental in terms of PvE wise, PvP wise it’s pretty huge @_@
Also if you’ve accidentally added triple slash instead of MLS to lvl 4 , then it’s pretty much the same. Just switch the points around.

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Builds based on  Great Wave
Build 1 ( Luring Slice lvl 6) - You will have crescent cleave lvl 5 but no cyclone slash 6 and counter exile.
MLS is lvl 5 since we got an extra SP now compared to the IE Variation and if you’re heading towards moonlord that extra SP in MLS won’t hurt since you need level 11 MLS for MLS EX.
You will miss out on cyclone slash lvl 6 as well as counter exile.
Both are not that detrimental in terms of PvE wise, PvP wise it’s pretty huge @_@

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After thoughts:
After looking through the builds I’ve mentioned here, I realized that counter exile is also useful in a PvE set-up as an extra Aerial Evasion is good to get out of tricky situations. PvP Wise, it can help you get out of an uplift situation, but you can still be disrupted while casting that skill mid air, also after you cast it, you will be vulnerable when you land ^_^
Also is cyclone slash lvl 6 really that important for phy-sided builds? I guess the answer is no since you won’t be benefitting much in terms of DPS.
Also looking at the compromising builds that I’ve made, I think I might just buy a skill reset myself, do consider that and buy it early because the prices will only increase as time comes.
As always good luck and all the best.