Blade

Blade is a profession mechanic of Virtuoso, an elite specialization of Mesmer, that partially replaces Mesmer's Illusion mechanic. It is a resource generated by Virtuoso's skills and traits and expended by using Virtuoso's Bladesong skills. Additionally, Mesmer's clone skills stock up blades instead of creating clones. Phantasms will still be summoned normally, but after completing their attack they add a blade charge instead of turning into a clone.

Up to 5 blade charges can be stored at a time, indicated by the icon , which replaces Mesmer's icon . Several Mesmer's and most Virtuoso's skills receive the skill property Blade. These skills "throw blades" but don't consume blade charges. Instead, "Blade" skills are granted additional effects by several Virtuoso's traits.

Blade.

Related skills

Skills that throw blades

Weapon skills that throw blades

•   Bladecall — Dagger
•   Mind Stab — Greatsword
•   Mirror Blade — Greatsword
•   Phantasmal Berserker — Greatsword
•   Bladecall — Dagger
•   Cutter Burst — Dagger
•   Flying Cutter — Dagger
•   Unstable Bladestorm — Dagger

Healing skills that throw blades

•   Twin Blade Restoration — Psionic

Utility skills that throw blades

•   Psychic Force — Psionic
•   Rain of Swords — Psionic
•   Sword of Decimation — Psionic

Elite skills that throw blades

•   Thousand Cuts — Psionic

Profession mechanic skills that throw blades

•   Bladesong Dissonance — Bladesong
•   Bladesong Harmony — Bladesong
•   Bladesong Sorrow — Bladesong
•   Bladeturn Requiem — Bladesong

Skills that stock blades

Weapon skills that stock blades

•   Ether Clone — Scepter
•   Illusionary Counter — Scepter
•   Illusionary Riposte — Sword
•   Mirror Blade — Greatsword
•   Phase Retreat — Staff
•   Feigned Surge — Spear
•   Imminent Voyage — Trident
•   Bladecall — Dagger
•   Blade Leap — Sword
•   Lingering Thoughts — Axe (requires Weaponmaster Training)

Utility skills that stock blades

•   Decoy — Clone
•   Mirror Images — Clone
•   Blade Renewal — Psionic

Downed skills that stock blades

•   Deception^{[verification requested]} — Psionic

Related traits

Trait skills that throw blades

•   Phantasmal Blade (Phantasmal Blades) — Shoots a blade at the phantasm's current target.

Traits that improves thrown blades

• Jagged Mind (Virtuoso) — Blade attacks inflict bleeding on critical hits. A percentage of your condition damage dealt heals you.
• Deadly Blades (Virtuoso) — Blades inflict vulnerability on critical hits. After successfully casting a Bladesong, increase all damage dealt for a short time. This does not stack.

Traits that stock blades

•  Psychic Blades (Virtuoso) — While out of combat, you will automatically stock a blade every 10 seconds.
• Psychic Riposte (Virtuoso) — Blocking or evading an attack stocks blades. Dodging stocks a blade and causes your next Bladesong to be unblockable.
• Infinite Forge (Virtuoso) — Automatically stock blades while in combat. When you use bladesong above the blade threshold, refund blades. Blade attacks deal more damage.
• Bloodsong (Virtuoso) — Bleeding you apply deals increased damage. Stock a blade after applying enough stacks of bleeding to foes.

Trait skills that stock blades

• Decoy — Gain stealth and summon an illusion to attack your foe.