Steel Tempest Build Guide (Longsword)
This guide details the Steel Tempest, a high-skill Longsword build centered around the Sword Counter Discipline. The build’s primary strategy involves using reactive parries and counter-attacks to break enemy poise, creating frequent opportunities for powerful Obliterate strikes. It covers the required stats, equipment, and Impetus Tree progression for this stagger-focused playstyle.
Steel Tempest Build
Excels at staggering enemies for constant Obliterate attacks.
Target Stats
Acupoints & Temperance
Recommended Items
Weapons
Armor
Jade Pendants
Spells
Benedictions
Playstyle and Core Mechanics
Section titled “Playstyle and Core Mechanics”The Steel Tempest is not about brute force; it’s about turning the enemy’s aggression into their downfall. The entire playstyle revolves around mastering the timing of the Sword Counter Discipline skill. Instead of dodging away from attacks, you will be stepping into them, meeting steel with steel to create openings.
Your goal is to stay in the enemy’s face, patiently waiting for a weapon-based attack to counter. A successful counter not only negates damage but also deals significant poise damage, quickly leading to a staggered state. This build rewards a reactive and precise playstyle, making you feel like an unstoppable sword master who dictates the flow of every battle.
Equipment and Skills Breakdown
Section titled “Equipment and Skills Breakdown”Weapon and Discipline
Section titled “Weapon and Discipline”| Weapon | Weapon Skill | Discipline Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Serpent Fang | Feathering Windstrike | Sword Counter |
The Serpent Fang is the ideal endgame weapon for this build due to its high damage, impressive range, and fast combo speed. Its unique Weapon Skill, Feathering Windstrike, is excellent for dealing damage and rapidly filling the stagger meter.
The most crucial skill, however, is Sword Counter, a Discipline found in the Longsword Impetus Tree. Its powerful follow-up attack is the primary tool for staggering enemies quickly.
| Slot | Armor Piece |
|---|---|
| Head | Palace Maid’s Hairpin |
| Chest | Avian Hunter’s Coat |
| Gloves | Palace Maid’s Bracelet |
| Pants | Lotus Gaiters |
This armor combination is primarily selected for its high Feathering damage resistance, which is vital for surviving in endgame areas. Since the armor pieces don’t directly boost this build’s damage output, you can flexibly swap them out for other pieces if you need different resistances for a specific fight.
Jade Pendants
Section titled “Jade Pendants”The selection of Pendants is critical for maximizing the build’s effectiveness:
- Eagle Pendant: This is the most important pendant for the build. It directly increases the damage of your follow-up attack after a successful Sword Counter.
- Tiger Pendant: Provides a significant raw increase to your overall physical damage.
- Twin Infant Pendant: Used for faster stamina recovery, allowing you to perform more combos and dodge more frequently.
Character Progression
Section titled “Character Progression”Impetus Tree (Skill Tree)
Section titled “Impetus Tree (Skill Tree)”Follow this progression path in the Impetus Repository to unlock the build’s core components efficiently:
-
Unlock
Sword CounterImmediately This is your number one priority. Locate it in the Longsword tree (second node to the left of Longsword Mastery) and unlock it as soon as possible. The build is not functional without it. -
Get
Steel ResolveandEnergeticThese early-game passive skills are essential for survivability and stamina management, which the build heavily relies on. -
Invest in
Skyborn Calland Manna Flask Upgrades Prioritize increasing your Skyborn Might stacks and Manna Flask charges. This will allow you to use your powerful skills more often and heal more effectively. -
Boost Your Damage Once your core skills and survivability are set, focus on increasing your damage. Unlock Weapon Mastery nodes and other Discipline nodes for your Longsword. Invest points into Strength, Agility, and Feathering nodes to scale your weapon’s damage.
Temperance and Acupoints
Section titled “Temperance and Acupoints”To maximize stagger potential, use the Bone Needle - Poise Break via Temperance at a shrine. For raw damage, your Acupoints should be filled with Shadow Stone Needles for Strength, Agility, and Feathering to match your weapon’s scaling.
Playstyle and Combat Rotation
Section titled “Playstyle and Combat Rotation”Recommended Combat Rotation
Section titled “Recommended Combat Rotation”This build follows a clear and effective combat loop:
-
Counter an Attack: Use Sword Counter to parry an incoming enemy weapon attack. This will open them up for your follow-up.
-
Unleash the Follow-Up: Immediately use the two powerful follow-up attacks from Sword Counter to deal a huge chunk of damage to both health and the stagger meter.
-
Apply Pressure: Cast Feathering Windstrike or use normal attacks to continue building stagger.
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Repeat: Continue this cycle of countering and attacking until the enemy’s poise breaks and they are staggered.
-
Obliterate: Use the Obliterate finisher for massive free damage.
General Tips
Section titled “General Tips”- Dodge Against Beasts: The Sword Counter is most effective against enemies using weapons. Against beasts or enemies with un-parryable attacks, rely on your high stamina from the Twin Infant Pendant to chain dodges and attack from their flanks.
- Camera Lock: For highly mobile beasts, it can sometimes be beneficial to turn off the camera lock to have more manual control over your dodges and camera positioning.