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Shadowdancer - Spear + Dagger PvE Build

Overview
Weapons: Spear and Dagger
Designed for: PvE
Focused on: Melee and DPS
Difficulty:
Normal
Strengths
  • High Sustained DPS
  • Good Burst Damage
  • Versatility
Weaknesses
  • High Skill Ceiling
  • Gear Dependant
  • Limited Mobility
This build is up to date for the August 23, 2025 patch.

Overview

The Spear and Dagger PvE build focuses on delivering high single-target sustained DPS, making it ideal for dungeons and PvE events where maximizing damage against individual targets is crucial for a DPS role. Additionally, the build retains strong AoE potential with skills like Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webpCyclonic Fury, which excel at dealing significant damage to multiple mobs during AoE farming or the trash-clearing phases of dungeon runs.


Attributes

PRIMARY
Dexterity Dexterity
+
Strength Strength
SECONDARY
Wisdom Wisdom
+
Perception Perception
With the unique stats and attributes system in Throne and Liberty, it can be difficult to determine exactly where to invest your attribute points at each stage of the game. This is because gear pieces provide attributes just like leveling up does, meaning everyone will have a different number of attribute points depending on what gear they are wearing at the time.
Given this variation, it's best to reset your attributes regularly to adjust to the new gear you acquire. Aim to reach the achievement effects, which provide extra benefits at milestones like 30, 50, and 70 points.

To maximize damage, focus on Strength and Dexterity. Start by putting points into these stats and keep adding as you upgrade gear. This boosts crits, heavy attacks, and max HP. Go for 50 Strength and stack rest to Dexterity. Perception and Wisdom offer minor bonuses but are secondary and not nearly as important.


Skills

Gale RushUsed frame.webp
Gale Rush
Gale Rush - Initiative Blitz
Rising SlashUsed frame.webp
Rising Slash
Rising Slash - Explosive Damage
Culling ArcUsed frame.webp
Culling Arc
Culling Arc - Flaming Arc
Culling Arc - Cooldown ▼
Culling Arc - Damage Increase
Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webp
Abyssal Cleave
Abyssal Cleave - Critical Cleave
Vicious FuryUsed frame.webp
Vicious Fury
Vicious Fury - Explosive Fury
Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webp
Cyclonic Fury
Cyclonic Fury - Phoenix Barrage
Cyclonic Fury - Critical Aftermath
Fatal StigmaUsed frame.webp
Fatal Stigma
Fatal Stigma - Cooldown Reset
Javelin SurgeUsed frame.webp
Javelin Surge
Javelin Surge - Javelin Inferno
Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webp
Unyielding Sentinel
Unyielding Sentinel - Sentinel's Bastion
Inject VenomUsed frame.webp
Inject Venom
Inject Venom - Lightning Infusion
Inject Venom - Cooldown ▼
Cleaving MoonlightUsed frame.webp
Cleaving Moonlight
Brutal IncisionUsed frame.webp
Brutal Incision
Brutal Incision - Thundering Bomb
Brutal Incision - Cooldown ▼
Passives
Imposing FormActive frame.webp
Malice SurgeActive frame.webp
Retaliatory StrikeActive frame.webp
Death KnellActive frame.webp
Destructive FangActive frame.webp
Assassin's InstinctsActive frame.webp
Assassin's StepActive frame.webp
Wrathful EdgeActive frame.webp
Defense
Patient BlockUsed frame.webp
Guardian
Shade Revenant Stheno Guardian
Food
Quality Vegetable Stir-fry
Quality Wild Game Steak
Purification Stone
Precious Purification Vigor Stone
Depending on which Dungeon/Dimensional Trial you might run, consider using Rare Roaring SteakRare Roaring Steak, Rare Thrilling PapilloteRare Thrilling Papillote, and even Rare Scorpion Tail FrittersRare Scorpion Tail Fritters to make it easier and also deal a lot more damage.

The Spear & Dagger build is a great choice for newer players that are looking to perform well in all PVE scenarios, capable of performing well without much experience in the game as long you stick to build's simple rotation.

Your main damage skills are Culling ArcUsed frame.webpCulling Arc but also Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webpCyclonic Fury alongside Rising SlashUsed frame.webpRising Slash. These are the skills you should be upgrading first for early damage increases. Vicious FuryUsed frame.webpVicious Fury and Javelin SurgeUsed frame.webpJavelin Surge pair perfectly with eachother as one is building ember stacks while the other spends them.

Keep enhancing your skills with Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webpAbyssal Cleave and the dagger abilities Cleaving MoonlightUsed frame.webpCleaving Moonlight and Brutal IncisionUsed frame.webpBrutal Incision. Always start your rotation with Inject VenomUsed frame.webpInject Venom to apply poison, which reduces enemy resistances and boosts your damage output. This skill also activates the Destructive FangActive frame.webpDestructive Fang, increasing your critical rate when attacking poisoned enemies. As the stacks build up to 20, the effect becomes significantly stronger.

Brutal IncisionUsed frame.webpBrutal Incision synergizes well with poisoned targets, delivering extra damage and making it an excellent option for finishing off enemies. Fatal StigmaUsed frame.webpFatal Stigma is another important skill to keep in mind as it pairs with the poison stacks to deal very high damage.

For passives, you should focus on upgrading Malice SurgeActive frame.webpMalice Surge for that extra heavy attack chance. Imposing FormActive frame.webpImposing Form matches well with the many attacks of the spear, buffing you a great deal. Retaliatory StrikeActive frame.webpRetaliatory Strike is another important passive that increases your critical chance and is a very important skill for the build.

As far as dagger passives go, Assassin's InstinctsActive frame.webpAssassin's Instincts and Destructive FangActive frame.webpDestructive Fang add extra crit rate and lower defenses. Meanwhile, Wrathful EdgeActive frame.webpWrathful Edge helps the build deal even more critical damage whenever you hit critical hits, pairing well with the multiple critical hit incrasing sources of the build.


Equipment

Halberd of the Resistance
Halberd of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Daggers of the Resistance
Daggers of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Mask of the Resistance
Mask of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Deadeye's Cloak
Deadeye's Cloak
Mana Regen
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Heroic Armor of the Resistance
Heroic Armor of the Resistance
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Max Health
Gauntlets of the Resistance
Gauntlets of the Resistance
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Mana Regen
Trousers of the Resistance
Trousers of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Glade Stalker Boots
Glade Stalker Boots
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Necklace of Clarity
Necklace of Clarity
Skill Damage Boost
Mana Regen
Bracelet of Conquest
Bracelet of Conquest
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Violent Signet
Violent Signet
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Ring of Precision
Ring of Precision
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Belt of Deftness
Belt of Deftness
Skill Damage Resistance
Max Health

These are the first items you should strive for through the leveling period as they are very easy to get and upgrade or trait as needed. However, you shouldn't try to trait these items too much as you won't be spending too much time playing with this setup before you start changing pieces into the Midgame. The green accessories however are very easy to trait as you can craft many of them quickly in order to get the correct traits so you should consider traiting them until you change into purples. The same goes for the blue ring as you keep it for a long time.

Heroic Polearm of the Resistance
Heroic Polearm of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Darkslayer Daggers
Darkslayer Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Elusive Hexweaver Hat
Elusive Hexweaver Hat
Cooldown Speed
Magic Evasion
Melee Evasion
Supreme Devotion
Supreme Devotion
Mana Regen
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Heroic Armor of the Resistance
Heroic Armor of the Resistance
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Max Health
Gauntlets of the Field General
Gauntlets of the Field General
Ranged Evasion
Melee Evasion
Added Attack Speed
Ruthless Enforcer Leggings
Ruthless Enforcer Leggings
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Max Mana
Sabatons of the Field General
Sabatons of the Field General
Movement Speed
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Clasp of the Conqueror
Clasp of the Conqueror
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Bracers of the Primal King
Bracers of the Primal King
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Amber Dimensional Band
Amber Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Violent Signet
Violent Signet
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Butcher's Belt
Butcher's Belt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance

This is the gear you should transition to once you're leveled to 50 and start grinding gear. It is comprised of gear you can get either from dungeons or by completing Litographs, they are relatively easy to trait up and you will spend most of the time wearing this set before advancing into the late game so traiting these items is very important and should be your main focus.

Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Support
Attack
Defense
Primary
Darkslayer Daggers
Darkslayer Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Support
Attack
Defense
Shadow Harvester Mask
Shadow Harvester Mask
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Cooldown Speed
Supreme Devotion
Supreme Devotion
Mana Regen
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Swirling Essence Robe
Swirling Essence Robe
Buff Duration
Magic Evasion
Magic Endurance
Gauntlets of the Field General
Gauntlets of the Field General
Ranged Evasion
Melee Evasion
Added Attack Speed
Shadow Harvester Trousers
Shadow Harvester Trousers
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Magic Endurance
Sabatons of the Field General
Sabatons of the Field General
Movement Speed
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Slayer's Quicksilver Pendant
Slayer's Quicksilver Pendant
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Ancient Saurodoma Bracers
Ancient Saurodoma Bracers
Mana Regen
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Support
Defense
Attack
Amber Dimensional Band
Amber Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Band of Universal Power
Band of Universal Power
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Attack
Defense
Support
Belt of Bloodlust
Belt of Bloodlust
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack
Rune Information Attack runeDefense runeSupport rune
While runes can be applied to different types of gear, you should make sure that you invest into the gear pieces that you plan on using for a long time. However, if the build you are using uses the same items between Mid Game and End Game, you can invest into adding runes to them as early as you get the items.

This is the current endgame gear you should aim for, and while it isn't easy to acquire, it offers great power without the need of acquiring archboss gear pieces. However, items like Tevent's Fangs of FuryTevent's Fangs of Fury or other archboss weapons are superior but difficult to acquire for the majority of players. If you do manage to get the archboss weapons for your build, feel free to use them over the weapons shown here.

Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Support
Attack
Defense
Primary
Darkslayer Daggers
Darkslayer Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Support
Attack
Defense
Shadow Harvester Mask
Shadow Harvester Mask
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Cooldown Speed
Supreme Devotion
Supreme Devotion
Mana Regen
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Swirling Essence Robe
Swirling Essence Robe
Buff Duration
Magic Evasion
Magic Endurance
Gauntlets of the Field General
Gauntlets of the Field General
Ranged Evasion
Melee Evasion
Added Attack Speed
Shadow Harvester Trousers
Shadow Harvester Trousers
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Magic Endurance
Sabatons of the Field General
Sabatons of the Field General
Movement Speed
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Slayer's Quicksilver Pendant
Slayer's Quicksilver Pendant
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Ancient Saurodoma Bracers
Ancient Saurodoma Bracers
Mana Regen
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Support
Defense
Attack
Amber Dimensional Band
Amber Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Band of Universal Power
Band of Universal Power
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Attack
Defense
Support
Belt of Bloodlust
Belt of Bloodlust
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack
Crimson Hellskewer
Crimson Hellskewer
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Defense
Attack
Support
Primary
Bercant's Whispering Daggers
Bercant's Whispering Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Defense
Attack
Support
Oblivion's Wrath Barbute
Oblivion's Wrath Barbute
Max Health
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Wind Sound Field Cape
Wind Sound Field Cape
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Elite Resistance Fighting Spirit Armor
Elite Resistance Fighting Spirit Armor
Max Health
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Palace Guard's Plate Gauntlets
Palace Guard's Plate Gauntlets
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Added Attack Speed
Oblivion's Wrath Leggings
Oblivion's Wrath Leggings
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Max Health
Imperial Seeker's Boots
Imperial Seeker's Boots
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Movement Speed
Lord's Necklace
Lord's Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Red Demonic Eye Bracelet
Red Demonic Eye Bracelet
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Support
Defense
Attack
Pure Light Elemental Spirit Ring
Pure Light Elemental Spirit Ring
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Runed Band of the Black Anvil
Runed Band of the Black Anvil
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Max Health
Attack
Defense
Support
Earth Goddess' Fence
Earth Goddess' Fence
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack


Weapon Masteries

Spear_Hero_Tactic_04
Spear_Hero_Defense_03
Spear_Hero_Util_02
Spear_Hero_Attack_01
Spear_Rare_Tac_Skill
Spear_Rare_Def_Skill
Spear_Rare_Util_Skill
Spear_Rare_Attack_Skill
Spear_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Spear_Rare_Tactic_11
Spear_Rare_Tactic_10
Spear_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Spear_Rare_Defense_07
Spear_Rare_Defense_08
Spear_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Spear_Rare_Util_05
Spear_Rare_Util_04
Spear_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Spear_Rare_Attack_01
Spear_Rare_Attack_02
Spear_High_Tac_Skill
Spear_High_Def_Skill
Spear_High_Util_Skill
Spear_High_Attack_Skill
Spear_High_TacticAttack_12
Spear_High_Tactic_11
Spear_High_Tactic_10
Spear_High_DefenseTactic_09
Spear_High_Defense_07
Spear_High_Defense_08
Spear_High_UtilDefense_06
Spear_High_Util_05
Spear_High_Util_04
Spear_High_AttackUtil_03
Spear_High_Attack_01
Spear_High_Attack_02
Spear_Normal_Tac_Skill
Spear_Normal_Def_Skill
Spear_Normal_Util_Skill
Spear_Normal_Attack_Skill
Spear_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Spear_Normal_Tactic_11
Spear_Normal_Tactic_10
Spear_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Spear_Normal_Defense_07
Spear_Normal_Defense_08
Spear_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Spear_Normal_Util_05
Spear_Normal_Util_04
Spear_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Spear_Normal_Attack_01
Spear_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Spear
Overcome CrisisUsed frame.webp
Destruction SpearUsed frame.webp
Dragon AscentUsed frame.webp
Falling FlowerUsed frame.webp
Dagger_Hero_Tactic_04
Dagger_Hero_Defense_03
Dagger_Hero_Util_02
Dagger_Hero_Attack_01
Dagger_Rare_Tac_Skill
Dagger_Rare_Def_Skill
Dagger_Rare_Util_Skill
Dagger_Rare_Attack_Skill
Dagger_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Dagger_Rare_Tactic_10
Dagger_Rare_Tactic_11
Dagger_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Dagger_Rare_Defense_07
Dagger_Rare_Defense_08
Dagger_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Dagger_Rare_Util_04
Dagger_Rare_Util_05
Dagger_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Dagger_Rare_Attack_01
Dagger_Rare_Attack_02
Dagger_High_Tac_Skill
Dagger_High_Def_Skill
Dagger_High_Util_Skill
Dagger_High_Attack_Skill
Dagger_High_TacticAttack_12
Dagger_High_Tactic_10
Dagger_High_Tactic_11
Dagger_High_DefenseTactic_09
Dagger_High_Defense_07
Dagger_High_Defense_08
Dagger_High_UtilDefense_06
Dagger_High_Util_04
Dagger_High_Util_05
Dagger_High_AttackUtil_03
Dagger_High_Attack_01
Dagger_High_Attack_02
Dagger_Normal_Tac_Skill
Dagger_Normal_Def_Skill
Dagger_Normal_Util_Skill
Dagger_Normal_Attack_Skill
Dagger_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Dagger_Normal_Tactic_10
Dagger_Normal_Tactic_11
Dagger_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Dagger_Normal_Defense_07
Dagger_Normal_Defense_08
Dagger_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Dagger_Normal_Util_04
Dagger_Normal_Util_05
Dagger_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Dagger_Normal_Attack_01
Dagger_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Dagger
Overcome CrisisUsed frame.webp
Destruction SpearUsed frame.webp
Dragon AscentUsed frame.webp
Falling FlowerUsed frame.webp
You should be aiming to reach and unlock masteries (the corner nodes) as soon as possible as they usually make the largest impact in the build. While minor nodes shouldn't be forgotten, make sure to unlock masteries as fast as possible before spreading out and spending into less important nodes.


Artifacts

Abyssal Beast Talistone I
Damage: 10
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Bonus Damage
Abyssal Beast Solarstone
Weaken Chance
Bind Chance
Weaken Chance
CC Chance
Chaos Harbinger Talistone III
Max Health: 1750
Max Stamina
Stamina Regen
Amitoi Healing
Abyssal Beast Talistone I
Abyssal Beast Solarstone
Chaos Harbinger Talistone III
Abyssal Beast Talistone I
Chaos Harbinger Talistone II
Chaos Harbinger Talistone III
Chaos Harbinger Talistone IV
Chaos Harbinger Talistone II
Chaos Harbinger Lunarstone
Chaos Harbinger Talistone IV
Chaos Harbinger Talistone II
Defense: 200
Ranged Endurance
Magic Endurance
Heavy Attack Evasion
Chaos Harbinger Lunarstone
Weaken Resistance
Bind Resistance
Weaken Resistance
CC Resistances
Chaos Harbinger Talistone IV
Max Health: 1750
Heavy Attack Evasion
Heavy Attack Chance
Ranged Endurance


Rotations

Main DPS Rotation ↴
Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Inject VenomUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Gale RushUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Fatal StigmaUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Cleaving MoonlightUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Brutal IncisionUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Culling ArcUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Rising SlashUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Vicious FuryUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Javelin SurgeUsed frame.webp
  • Prebuff yourself with Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webpUnyielding Sentinel & Inject VenomUsed frame.webpInject Venom so all your follow-up attacks will also apply poison. Use Gale RushUsed frame.webpGale Rush to dash to the target and increase your attack speed. Put Fatal StigmaUsed frame.webpFatal Stigma on the target/boss before using Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webpCyclonic Fury to start stacking up poison on the target. Continue with Cleaving MoonlightUsed frame.webpCleaving Moonlight to max out the poison stacks.
  • Use Brutal IncisionUsed frame.webpBrutal Incision to maximize the damage done and lower its cooldown based on poison stacks before using Culling ArcUsed frame.webpCulling Arc. Use Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webpAbyssal Cleave to stun (or shock) the target and also increase damage done by Rising SlashUsed frame.webpRising Slash.
  • Finally, finish the rotation with Vicious FuryUsed frame.webpVicious Fury to build Ember stacks before spamming Javelin SurgeUsed frame.webpJavelin Surge.


Useful Information

  • An alternative is to select Lady Knight Kamarshea as your guardian; it provides essential protection with its shield, which absorbs damage equal to 50% of your mana. While the shield is active, you also gain a 40% Cooldown Speed boost. Although the shield is valuable, ensure to maintain it for as long as possible to maximize the duration of the increased cooldown speed. Remember, the guardian will be lost if the shield is depleted, so be mindful of that!


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