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The adventurer's field guide

Find your calling

Master a blade, mend a companion, or make the equipment others carry into battle. Explore the skills of Valevire and the possibilities each one opens.

43 skills to exploreGrow through practiceBuild your own path
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Showing 43 of 43 skills

Weapons & combat11

Choose your weapon, find your opening, and develop your fighting style.

Dagger

Quick, precise strikes that reward flanking, evasion, and well-timed finishing blows.

15 combat styles for Dagger

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Quick PrickSkill 4
Anytime attack.
Rib NickSkill 8
Side style — high damage, bleeding.
Gut StabSkill 12
Follow-up from Quick Prick.
Shadow FeintSkill 18
Anytime attack — reduces enemy attention.
Kidney JabSkill 25
Rear style — high damage.
Flicker StepSkill 32
Counter after evading — high damage.
Deep CutSkill 39
Follow-up from Rib Nick — high damage, bleeding.
Throat CheckSkill 46
Rear style — high damage, brief silence.
Poisoned PointSkill 53
Side style — high damage, poison.
Viper’s TwistSkill 60
Follow-up from Kidney Jab — high damage.
HeartseekerSkill 60
Follow-up from Flicker Step — stun.
BlindsideSkill 67
Side style — high damage, reduced accuracy.
Serrated OpeningSkill 74
Counter after evading — high damage, bleeding.
Assassin’s LungeSkill 81
Rear style — high damage.
Nightfall RendSkill 88
Follow-up from Assassin’s Lunge — high damage, bleeding.

Longsword

Versatile swordplay with steady pressure, defensive counters, and attacks that draw an enemy's attention.

15 combat styles for Longsword

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Soldier’s CutSkill 4
Anytime attack.
Guiding EdgeSkill 10
Anytime attack — draws enemy attention.
Falling SliceSkill 12
Follow-up from Soldier’s Cut.
SidewinderSkill 18
Side style — high damage.
Pommel CheckSkill 25
Follow-up from Falling Slice — brief silence.
Riposte LineSkill 32
Counter after parrying — high damage.
CrosscutSkill 39
Follow-up from Sidewinder — high damage, bleeding.
GuardbreakerSkill 46
Frontal style — reduced blocking.
Measured ThrustSkill 53
Rear style — high damage.
Carving ArcSkill 60
Follow-up from Sidewinder — frontal cleave.
Captain’s FeintSkill 67
Follow-up from Riposte Line — high damage, reduced accuracy.
Shoulder LineSkill 74
Side style — high damage, slowing.
Steel ReversalSkill 81
Counter after blocking — high damage.
King’s SeverSkill 88
Follow-up from Guardbreaker — high damage, weakened armor.
Executioner’s CutSkill 95
Follow-up from Measured Thrust — high damage, bleeding.

Battleaxe

Aggressive axe fighting built around deep wounds, armor-breaking blows, and sweeping attacks.

15 combat styles for Battleaxe

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

WoodcutterSkill 4
Anytime attack.
Hewing StrokeSkill 10
Anytime attack — draws enemy attention.
Side SplitSkill 12
Side style — high damage.
Hook & YankSkill 18
Follow-up from Woodcutter — slowing.
Notched WoundSkill 25
Rear style — high damage, bleeding.
Axe Parry-ReturnSkill 32
Counter after parrying — high damage.
Shield-SplinterSkill 39
Frontal style — reduced blocking.
Sundering ChopSkill 46
Follow-up from Side Split — high damage, weakened armor.
Raging CleaveSkill 53
Follow-up from Side Split — high damage, frontal cleave.
Bone-RattleSkill 60
Follow-up from Axe Parry-Return — high damage, slower attacks.
Split HelmSkill 67
Follow-up from Shield-Splinter — high damage, reduced accuracy.
Butcher’s AngleSkill 74
Side style — high damage, bleeding.
Reaper’s GripSkill 81
Counter after parrying — high damage, slowing.
Headsman’s DropSkill 88
Rear style — high damage.
TimberfallSkill 95
Follow-up from Headsman’s Drop — high damage, bleeding.

Hammer

Crushing blows that disrupt opponents, weaken their defenses, and set up stunning combinations.

15 combat styles for Hammer

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Brick TapSkill 4
Anytime attack.
Ringing BlowSkill 10
Anytime attack — draws enemy attention.
Anvil SwingSkill 12
Side style — high damage.
Concussive JabSkill 18
Anytime attack.
Knee CrusherSkill 25
Rear style — high damage, slowing.
Hammer RebuffSkill 32
Counter after blocking — high damage.
Skull KnellSkill 39
Follow-up from Concussive Jab — stun.
BellringerSkill 46
Follow-up from Hammer Rebuff — brief silence.
ShatterarmSkill 53
Frontal style — reduced Strength.
StonewaveSkill 60
Follow-up from Anvil Swing — frontal cleave.
CrumpleSkill 67
Counter after parrying — high damage, reduced accuracy.
Iron LessonSkill 74
Follow-up from Anvil Swing — high damage, weakened armor.
Cathedral SlamSkill 81
Rear style — high damage.
Fracture LineSkill 88
Follow-up from Knee Crusher — high damage, slowing.
JudgmentSkill 95
Follow-up from Crumple — high damage, stun.

Lance

Thrusting attacks that combine flanking strikes with movement control and sweeping follow-ups.

15 combat styles for Lance

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Point ForwardSkill 4
Anytime attack.
SkewerSkill 8
Follow-up from Point Forward.
Passing ThrustSkill 12
Side style — high damage.
Set the LineSkill 18
Counter after parrying.
Driving TipSkill 25
Frontal style — slowing.
Counter-PikeSkill 32
Counter after parrying — high damage.
Hooked PullSkill 39
Follow-up from Counter-Pike — root.
Lance SweepSkill 45
Follow-up from Passing Thrust — high damage, frontal cleave.
Knight’s ChargeSkill 46
Rear style — high damage.
ImpaleSkill 53
Follow-up from Knight’s Charge — high damage, bleeding.
Ranged PunctureSkill 60
Side style — high damage.
Break FormationSkill 74
Follow-up from Ranged Puncture — high damage, frontal cleave, reduced defense.
BannerfallSkill 81
Counter after parrying — high damage, slowing.
Cruciform ThrustSkill 88
Follow-up from Impale — high damage, weakened armor.
Final JoustSkill 95
Follow-up from Driving Tip — high damage, root.

Staff

Defensive staff fighting that turns parries and evasions into counters, trips, and short stuns.

15 combat styles for Staff

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Simple StrikeSkill 4
Anytime attack.
Quarter TurnSkill 10
Anytime attack — reduces enemy attention.
Side SweepSkill 12
Side style.
Low TripSkill 18
Anytime attack — slowing.
Backfist ButtSkill 25
Follow-up from Side Sweep — high damage.
Whirling GuardSkill 32
Counter after parrying — high damage.
Rake & TapSkill 39
Rear style — high damage, reduced accuracy.
Disarming NudgeSkill 46
Follow-up from Side Sweep — high damage, reduced damage.
Long ArcSkill 53
Follow-up from Side Sweep — frontal cleave.
Temple CrackSkill 60
Follow-up from Whirling Guard — stun.
Vaulting StrikeSkill 67
Counter after evading — high damage.
Crook HookSkill 74
Follow-up from Low Trip — root.
StaffstormSkill 81
Follow-up from Long Arc — high damage, frontal cleave, slowing.
Headman’s TurnSkill 88
Rear style — high damage, reduced defense.
Monastery JudgmentSkill 95
Follow-up from Vaulting Strike — high damage, stun.

Two-Handed Sword

Committed, heavy sword strikes with broad cleaves, punishing rear attacks, and lasting wounds.

15 combat styles for Two-Handed Sword

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Heavy CutSkill 4
Anytime attack.
High GuardSkill 8
Counter after parrying.
Side CleaverSkill 12
Side style — high damage.
OverhandSkill 18
Follow-up from Heavy Cut — high damage.
Rending EdgeSkill 25
Rear style — high damage, bleeding.
Half-Sword ThrustSkill 32
Frontal style — reduced defense.
Broad ArcSkill 39
Follow-up from Side Cleaver — high damage, frontal cleave.
Guard SplitSkill 46
Follow-up from Half-Sword Thrust — high damage, reduced blocking.
Execution LineSkill 53
Rear style — high damage.
GreatwheelSkill 60
Follow-up from Broad Arc — high damage, frontal cleave.
Wound ThroughSkill 67
Follow-up from Rending Edge — high damage, bleeding.
Crushing FlatSkill 74
Follow-up from High Guard — high damage, reduced accuracy.
Falling StandardSkill 81
Counter after parrying — high damage, slowing.
Cleave the LineSkill 88
Follow-up from Broad Arc — high damage, frontal cleave, weakened armor.
KingbreakerSkill 95
Follow-up from Execution Line — high damage, bleeding.

Shield

Block incoming blows, protect an ally, and keep enemies focused on you with bashes and threat-building attacks.

7 combat styles for Shield

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Shield JabSkill 6
Anytime attack — draws enemy attention.
Wall RebuffSkill 18
Counter after blocking — draws enemy attention.
Buckler BashSkill 30
Anytime attack — stun.
Shield HookSkill 42
Side style.
Driving SlamSkill 54
Follow-up from Shield Hook — high damage.
Shield SweepSkill 70
Anytime attack — frontal cleave, draws enemy attention.
Fortress SlamSkill 90
Follow-up from Wall Rebuff — stun.

Archery

Fight at range with bows and crossbows, choosing shots for damage, bleeding, or movement control.

7 combat styles for Archery

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Aimed ShotSkill 1
An aimed shot with a small damage bonus.
Power ShotSkill 1
A slower, high-damage opening shot against an enemy out of combat.
Rapid FireSkill 2
A quicker shot with reduced damage.
Snare ShotSkill 3
Anytime attack — slowing.
Barbed ShotSkill 4
Anytime attack — bleeding.
Poison ShotSkill 6
Anytime attack — poison.
Pinning ShotSkill 8
Anytime attack — root.

Unarmed Combat

Fight without a weapon using punches, kicks, and defensive or restorative strikes.

4 combat styles for Unarmed Combat

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

PunchSkill 1
Anytime attack — draws enemy attention.
KickSkill 5
Anytime attack.
Dodge StanceSkill 10
A defensive strike that improves evasion.
Mending StrikesSkill 15
Anytime attack — healing over time.

Dual Wield

Combine two melee weapons for off-hand attacks and a separate set of flanking and reaction chains.

Requires two eligible melee weapons; complements your main weapon's styles.

8 combat styles for Dual Wield

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

Crossing BladesSkill 4
Anytime attack.
Twin FeintSkill 12
Follow-up from Crossing Blades — high damage.
Flanking BladesSkill 25
Side style — high damage.
Raking BladesSkill 39
Follow-up from Flanking Blades — high damage, bleeding.
Turning BladesSkill 53
Counter after evading — high damage.
Disarming RhythmSkill 67
Follow-up from Turning Blades — high damage, slower attacks.
Twin AssaultSkill 81
Rear style — high damage.
Final FlourishSkill 95
Follow-up from Twin Assault — high damage, bleeding.

Magic7

Destruction, restoration, control, and the freedom to travel beyond the ordinary.

Pyromancy

Destructive fire magic, from focused blasts and burning wounds to eruptions that engulf nearby enemies.

12 spells for Pyromancy
Cinder StrikeSkill 0
A quick single-target fire attack.
FireballSkill 10
A focused fire attack against a single enemy.
ImmolateSkill 15
Burns an enemy over time.
Flame WaveSkill 25
Fire damage to enemies around a target.
Fire BlastSkill 30
A powerful single-target fire attack.
Searing BrandSkill 35
A searing single-target fire attack.
Wall of FireSkill 50
Fire damage to enemies around a target.
Flame BoltSkill 50
A long-range fire bolt; shares a cooldown with other bolts.
MeteorSkill 65
A heavy single-target fire attack.
Flame EruptionSkill 70
An eruption of fire around the caster.
InfernoSkill 80
Fire damage to enemies around a target.
CindersurgeSkill 90
A single-target blast of embers.

Cryomancy

Cold magic that combines piercing damage with slowing frost, roots, and protective ice.

12 spells for Cryomancy
Flash FrostSkill 0
Cold damage with a slowing effect.
Frost StrikeSkill 10
Single-target cold damage.
Ice ShacklesSkill 20
Roots an enemy in place.
Ice ArmorSkill 20
A protective ward that makes weapon attacks less likely to hit.
Ice LanceSkill 30
A piercing single-target ice attack.
Chilled AirSkill 40
Cold damage and slowing around a target.
Frost NovaSkill 45
Cold damage around a target, with a chance to root.
Glacial BoltSkill 50
A long-range cold bolt; shares a cooldown with other bolts.
Glacial SpikeSkill 60
Heavy cold damage with a chance to root.
BlizzardSkill 70
Area cold damage that slows enemies around a target.
Rime BurstSkill 70
Cold damage and a brief slow around the caster.
Arctic BlastSkill 90
A powerful single-target cold attack.

Wayfaring

Practical travel and exploration magic, including light, marked runes, recall, and temporary gates.

10 spells for Wayfaring
DarknessSkill 0
Hinders sight and combat effectiveness with darkness.
NightsightSkill 0
Improves vision in dark surroundings.
LightSkill 0
Creates light to illuminate the surrounding area.
Mark RuneSkill 0
Stores your current location in a rune.
RecallSkill 0
Returns you to a location stored in a marked rune.
Gate TravelSkill 0
Opens a temporary gate to a marked rune's location.
TeleportSkill 0
Moves you instantly to a nearby location.
Projected VoiceSkill 0
Projects your words from a chosen location.
HasteSkill 10
Temporarily increases movement speed.
StoneskinSkill 20
Temporarily improves defense.

Theurgy

Restorative and protective magic that mends wounds, shields companions, and returns fallen allies to life.

18 spells for Theurgy
Minor MendSkill 0
A reliable single-target heal.
GraceSkill 0
Restores an ally's health over time.
PurifySkill 0
Attempts to cleanse poison from an ally.
SmiteSkill 0
Single-target holy damage.
Group MendSkill 15
Heals nearby members of your group.
MightSkill 20
Blesses an ally with increased Strength.
AgilitySkill 20
Blesses an ally with increased Dexterity.
FortitudeSkill 20
Blesses an ally with increased Constitution.
ClaritySkill 20
Blesses an ally with increased Intelligence.
Aegis of LightSkill 30
A protective ward that makes weapon attacks less likely to hit.
BladeturnSkill 35
Protects an ally against the next weapon blow.
Ablative ArmorSkill 40
Absorbs part of incoming direct damage until its protection is spent.
Clarifying LightSkill 40
Removes mesmerism from an ally.
Divine MendSkill 50
A powerful single-target heal.
ResurrectionSkill 50
Offers a fallen ally a return to life.
Group BladeturnSkill 60
Protects nearby group members against their next weapon blow.
SpreadhealSkill 65
Shares a pool of healing among injured group members.
Pulsing BladeturnSkill 75
Periodically renews weapon-blow protection on the group.

Psionics

Shape the battle through mental attacks, interruption, and mesmerism that disables enemies until disturbed.

11 spells for Psionics
AmnesiaSkill 0
Briefly stuns a single enemy.
Mind BlastSkill 10
A focused burst of mental damage.
DelusionSkill 20
A single-target psychic attack.
Mind HushSkill 25
Interrupts casting and briefly silences an enemy.
ConfusionSkill 25
Reduces an enemy's accuracy.
Mind ShieldSkill 30
A protective ward that makes weapon attacks less likely to hit.
MesmerizeSkill 35
Disables an enemy's movement and actions until damaged.
Psychic LanceSkill 35
A piercing single-target psychic attack.
Awaken MindSkill 40
Removes mesmerism from an ally.
Mind ShatterSkill 60
A powerful single-target psychic attack.
Mass MesmerizeSkill 80
Disables enemies around a target; damage breaks the effect.

Malice

Dark curses that weaken enemies, hinder recovery, and turn stolen life into strength.

11 spells for Malice
Vampiric TouchSkill 0
Temporarily recover health from damage you deal.
Shadow StrikeSkill 10
Single-target shadow damage.
MireSkill 15
A curse that hinders movement and recovery.
Shadow SnareSkill 25
Slows an enemy and hinders recovery.
Life TransferSkill 25
Spend some of your own health to heal a living ally.
CurseSkill 30
A lingering hex that weakens an enemy.
PlagueSkill 30
An initial dark hit followed by a damaging plague.
EnfeebleSkill 35
Weakens an enemy's physical attributes.
Life SiphonSkill 45
Deals dark damage and restores some health to the caster.
Soul RendSkill 55
Spirit damage with a chance to weaken all attributes.
Doom BurstSkill 90
A powerful single-target dark attack.

Necromancy

Command undead servants and wield grave magic, poison, and lingering decay.

13 spells for Necromancy
Summon ZombieSkill 0
Summons a temporary undead melee servant.
Grave StrikeSkill 10
Single-target grave magic damage.
Toxic SplashSkill 15
Single-target damage with poison.
Grave StitchSkill 15
Heals one of your active undead summons.
ChokeSkill 25
Constricts an enemy with damage over time.
Bone ArmorSkill 30
A protective ward that makes weapon attacks less likely to hit.
Bone SpearSkill 35
A focused attack of bone and shadow.
Mind RotSkill 40
Makes an enemy more vulnerable to Necromancy damage.
Summon Bone MageSkill 40
Summons a fragile undead caster that attacks from range.
Life DrainSkill 50
Drains life from a single enemy.
Death CloudSkill 65
Lingering damage to enemies around a target.
Grave PulseSkill 70
Damage around the caster followed by lingering decay.
Grave BloomSkill 80
Area damage over time around a target.

Support & performance7

Strengthen your attacks, protect your companions, and keep your group going.

Parry

Deflect melee attacks with your weapon and create openings for reactive combat styles.

Tactics

Improve the damage of supported weapon attacks through practiced combat technique.

Anatomy

Knowledge of the body strengthens supported weapon attacks and improves bandage healing.

Resist Magic

Develop resistance to hostile magic, helping you withstand spell damage and harmful effects.

Evaluating Intelligence

Strengthen offensive spellwork, increasing direct spell damage and magical damage over time.

Healing

Treat wounds with bandages, drawing on Anatomy to improve your ability to restore health.

Resonance

Sustain your group with songs of recovery, travel, and protection, with a shout to disrupt nearby foes.

6 songs & abilities for Resonance
Stillwater RefrainSkill 20
A sustained song that improves group mana recovery.
Heartening MarchSkill 25
A sustained song that improves group endurance recovery.
Wayfarer's AirSkill 30
A travel song that speeds up the group outside combat.
Dissonant ShoutSkill 30
Instantly mesmerizes a nearby enemy; damage breaks the effect.
Mending HymnSkill 35
A sustained song that improves group health recovery.
Warding ChorusSkill 40
A sustained song that reduces magical damage to the group.

Subterfuge3

Conceal your movements and turn preparation into an advantage.

Stealth

Slip out of sight and move unseen to evade detection or prepare an attack from concealment.

Poisoning

Apply venom to suitable weapons and ammunition to leave enemies suffering after a hit.

Assassination

Strike from concealment with devastating openings, then follow through with disabling attacks and deep wounds.

Requires an eligible one-handed dagger or longsword in your main hand. Stealth openers require concealment and the indicated position.

10 combat styles for Assassination

Side and rear styles need the right position. Follow-ups require the preceding style to land on the same target; counters need a successful defensive reaction.

BackstabSkill 5
Rear style from stealth — high damage, stun.
Twist the BladeSkill 12
Follow-up from Backstab — high damage, slower attacks.
Open WoundSkill 20
Follow-up from Twist the Blade — high damage, bleeding.
Crippling CutSkill 28
Anytime attack — high damage, slowing.
Artery StrikeSkill 35
Frontal style from stealth — high damage, bleeding.
Slipping FangSkill 45
Counter after evading — high damage.
Creeping DeathSkill 55
Follow-up from Artery Strike — high damage, stun.
Tendon RendSkill 65
Follow-up from Crippling Cut — high damage, slower attacks.
Deepening WoundSkill 75
Follow-up from Slipping Fang — high damage, bleeding.
Final RuptureSkill 90
Follow-up from Creeping Death — high damage, bleeding.

Gathering & animal care7

Work with the land, gather useful materials, and care for animal companions.

Animal Taming

Befriend tamable wildlife and bring animal companions with you on your travels.

Animal Lore

Assess creatures and your chances of taming them; also supports Veterinary treatment.

Veterinary

Tend animal companions with bandages, using Animal Lore to improve their treatment.

Lumberjacking

Fell trees and gather timber for woodworking, construction, and trade.

Farming

Plant, tend, and harvest crops to supply your kitchen and other crafting pursuits.

Skinning

Recover hides from suitable creatures to supply leatherworking and the wider crafting economy.

Mining

Extract ore from mineral deposits and supply the metals used by smiths.

Crafting8

Turn raw materials into the equipment and supplies that keep adventurers moving.

Thaumaturgy

Store spellwork in crafted runic objects, preparing magical effects for later use.

What you can make

  • Sigils
  • Imbued runic sticks
  • Imbued runic foci
Explore Thaumaturgy

Alchemy

Brew restorative mixtures, temporary enhancements, protective draughts, and poisons.

What you can make

  • Health, mana, and endurance potions
  • Attribute elixirs
  • Protective wards and antidotes
  • Venoms and blessed water

Blacksmithing

Refine ore and forge durable metal equipment for adventurers and artisans.

What you can make

  • Plate and chain armor
  • Metal weapons and shields
  • Ingots
  • Metal tools and arrowheads

Tailoring

Work wool and cloth into clothing, practical supplies, and garments for adventuring.

What you can make

  • Cloth clothing and armor
  • Bandages
  • Cloth and bowstrings

Leatherworking

Turn hides into supple leather and protective equipment for lightly armored adventurers.

What you can make

  • Leather armor
  • Studded leather armor
  • Tanned leather

Woodcraft

Shape timber into ranged weapons, ammunition, and sturdy wooden equipment.

What you can make

  • Bows and crossbows
  • Arrows
  • Staves and clubs
  • Enchanting rods

Cooking

Prepare gathered ingredients and meat into meals that support recovery and adventure.

What you can make

  • Roasted meats
  • Stews and broths
  • Pies, salads, and other meals

Enchanting

Create magical gems and runes, then bind their bonuses and triggered effects to equipment.

What you can make

  • Attribute and resource gems
  • Attack and casting speed gems
  • Offensive and protective runes