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Crusader - Sword + Greatsword PvE Build

Overview
Class: Crusader
Weapons: Greatsword and Sword
Designed for: PvE
Focused on: Melee and Tank
Difficulty:
Easy
Strengths
  • High Defense
  • One of the best tanks
  • Easy to Play
Weaknesses
  • Low Damage
This build is up to date for the March 14, 2025 patch.

Overview

This Greatsword and Sword PvE build is specifically designed for tanking in PvE group dungeons. It excels at staying alive while effectively holding the aggro of both mobs and bosses and eing incredibly tanky with a high HP pool while also being capable of dishing out respectable damage thanks to the Greatsword skills. This makes the build a very capable tank for all PVE content including dungeons, open world dungeons and even open world or guild bosses.


Attributes

PRIMARY
Strength Strength
+
Dexterity Dexterity
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.

Your attributes priority with this build should be strength and dexterity, as it grants you high max HP and improves your defensive stats, providing ranged, magic, and melee defense, as well as health regen. Your secondary priority should be wisdom and perception as they increase your cooldown speed and damage.


Skills

Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webp
Guillotine Blade
Guillotine Blade - Charges Damage
Guillotine Blade - Cooldown Reduction
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Provoking Roar
Provoking Roar - Effect Duration ▲
Provoking Roar - Hastened Arc
Counter BarrierUsed frame.webp
Counter Barrier
Counter Barrier - Cooldown ▼
Counter Barrier - Damage Increased
Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webp
Stalwart Bastion
Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webp
Valiant Brawl
Valiant Brawl - Cruel Smite
Valiant Brawl - Damage Increased
Valiant Brawl - Aggro ▲
DaVinci's CourageUsed frame.webp
DaVinci's Courage
DaVinci's Courage - Duration Increased
DaVinci's Courage - Damage Reduction
DaVinci's Courage - Instant Healing
Blood DevotionUsed frame.webp
Blood Devotion
Blood Devotion - Devoted Sanctuary
Blood Devotion - Duration Increased
Blood Devotion - Damage Increased
Blood Devotion - Cooldown Reduction
Chain HookUsed frame.webp
Chain Hook
Strategic RushUsed frame.webp
Strategic Rush
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Shield Strike
Shield Strike - Piercing Strike
Shield Strike - Aggro ▲
Gaia CrashUsed frame.webp
Gaia Crash
Gaia Crash - Attack Speed ▲
Gaia Crash - Critical Hit Chance Increase
WillbreakerUsed frame.webp
Willbreaker
Willbreaker - Damage Area Change
Passives
Indomitable ArmorActive frame.webp
Vital ForceActive frame.webp
Robust ConstitutionActive frame.webp
Resilient MindActive frame.webp
Aegis ShieldActive frame.webp
Victor's MoraleActive frame.webp
Spectrum of AgonyActive frame.webp
ImpenetrableActive frame.webp
Defense
Shield Survival TechniqueUsed frame.webp
Guardian
Lady Knight Kamarshea Guardian
Food
Quality Vegetable Stir-fry
Quality Laslan-Style Fish Stew
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.

Since the build makes great use of the greatsword abilities, you should begin building your character by upgrading your damage so its easier to go through the leveling part of your journey in Throne and Liberty. Skills like Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webpGuillotine Blade and Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webpValiant Brawl while Gaia CrashUsed frame.webpGaia Crash is fantastic for both pulling mobs and also buffing yourself.

However, Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier and Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike are the most important skills for tanking and shouldn't be neglected. Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier greatly improves your Shield Block Chance, while Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike serves as your primary single-target aggro-holding ability. It ensures that mobs stay focused on attacking you rather than targeting the rest of your party.

You should prioritize ugprading Vital ForceActive frame.webpVital Force and Robust ConstitutionActive frame.webpRobust Constitution to boost both damage and health! Meanwhile, Aegis ShieldActive frame.webpAegis Shield offers great defense based on your Shield Block Chance, making the build very tanky while Spectrum of AgonyActive frame.webpSpectrum of Agony does damage to all mobs that are affected by your Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar.


Equipment

Blade of the Resistance
Blade of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Broadsword of the Resistance
Broadsword of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Duskblood Mask
Duskblood Mask
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Cooldown Speed
Warlord's Shroud
Warlord's Shroud
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Feathered Drakeskin Gloves
Feathered Drakeskin Gloves
Added Attack Speed
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Trousers of the Resistance
Trousers of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Feathered Drakeskin Boots
Feathered Drakeskin Boots
Ranged Evasion
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Necklace of Clarity
Necklace of Clarity
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Bracelet of Conquest
Bracelet of Conquest
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Sophia's Ring of Strength
Sophia's Ring of Strength
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.

Karnix's Netherblade
Karnix's Netherblade
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Primary
Duke Magna's Provoking Warblade
Duke Magna's Provoking Warblade
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Visage of the Executioner
Visage of the Executioner
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Mana Regen
Blessed Templar Cloak
Blessed Templar Cloak
Debuff Duration
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Resolute Crusader Gauntlets
Resolute Crusader Gauntlets
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Trousers of the Resistance
Trousers of the Resistance
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Heroic Shoes of the Resistance
Heroic Shoes of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Melee Endurance
Guardian Torque
Guardian Torque
Skill Damage Boost
Mana Regen
Buff Duration
Ruby Bangle
Ruby Bangle
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Imperial Ring
Imperial Ring
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Flamewrought Bindings
Flamewrought Bindings
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.

Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Adentus's Gargantuan Greatsword
Adentus's Gargantuan Greatsword
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Shock Commander Visor
Shock Commander Visor
Mana Regen
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Forsaken Embrace
Forsaken Embrace
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Added Attack Speed
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Sabatons
Shock Commander Sabatons
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Thunderstorm Necklace
Thunderstorm Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Attack
Support
Defense
Bracers of Unrelenting
Bracers of Unrelenting
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Etched Alabaster Band
Etched Alabaster Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Flamewrought Bindings
Flamewrought Bindings
Max Health
Collision Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Attack
Support
Defense
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.

T2 gear is work in progress and will be added soon.
Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Adentus's Gargantuan Greatsword
Adentus's Gargantuan Greatsword
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Shock Commander Visor
Shock Commander Visor
Mana Regen
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Forsaken Embrace
Forsaken Embrace
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Added Attack Speed
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Sabatons
Shock Commander Sabatons
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Thunderstorm Necklace
Thunderstorm Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Attack
Support
Defense
Bracers of Unrelenting
Bracers of Unrelenting
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Etched Alabaster Band
Etched Alabaster Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Flamewrought Bindings
Flamewrought Bindings
Max Health
Collision Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Attack
Support
Defense
T2 gear is work in progress and will be added soon.
Bulwark of Invulnerability
Bulwark of Invulnerability
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Immortal Titanic Quakeblade
Immortal Titanic Quakeblade
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Auric Vanguard's Barbute
Auric Vanguard's Barbute
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Max Health
Weaken Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Auric Vanguard's Gauntlets
Auric Vanguard's Gauntlets
Hit Chance
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Royal Praetor's Sabatons
Royal Praetor's Sabatons
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Max Health
Noble Birthright Brooch
Noble Birthright Brooch
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Max Mana
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Defense
Defense
Defense
Solitare of Purity
Solitare of Purity
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Defense
Attack
Support
Honor's Promise Signet
Honor's Promise Signet
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Max Health
Defense
Attack
Support
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Defense
Defense
Defense


Weapon Masteries

Sword_Hero_Tactic_04
Sword_Hero_Defense_03
Sword_Hero_Util_02
Sword_Hero_Attack_01
Sword_Rare_Tac_Skill
Sword_Rare_Def_Skill
Sword_Rare_Util_Skill
Sword_Rare_Attack_Skill
Sword_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Sword_Rare_Tactic_11
Sword_Rare_Tactic_10
Sword_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Sword_Rare_Defense_07
Sword_Rare_Defense_08
Sword_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Sword_Rare_Util_05
Sword_Rare_Util_04
Sword_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Sword_Rare_Attack_01
Sword_Rare_Attack_02
Sword_High_Tac_Skill
Sword_High_Def_Skill
Sword_High_Util_Skill
Sword_High_Attack_Skill
Sword_High_TacticAttack_12
Sword_High_Tactic_11
Sword_High_Tactic_10
Sword_High_DefenseTactic_09
Sword_High_Defense_07
Sword_High_Defense_08
Sword_High_UtilDefense_06
Sword_High_Util_05
Sword_High_Util_04
Sword_High_AttackUtil_03
Sword_High_Attack_01
Sword_High_Attack_02
Sword_Normal_Tac_Skill
Sword_Normal_Def_Skill
Sword_Normal_Util_Skill
Sword_Normal_Attack_Skill
Sword_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Sword_Normal_Tactic_11
Sword_Normal_Tactic_10
Sword_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Sword_Normal_Defense_07
Sword_Normal_Defense_08
Sword_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Sword_Normal_Util_05
Sword_Normal_Util_04
Sword_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Sword_Normal_Attack_01
Sword_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Sword
Overcome CrisisUsed frame.webp
Deadly Survival InstinctUsed frame.webp
Indomitable StanceUsed frame.webp
Falling FlowerUsed frame.webp
Sword2h_Hero_Tactic_04
Sword2h_Hero_Defense_03
Sword2h_Hero_Util_02
Sword2h_Hero_Attack_01
Sword2h_Rare_Tac_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_Def_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_Util_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_Attack_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Sword2h_Rare_Tactic_10
Sword2h_Rare_Tactic_11
Sword2h_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Sword2h_Rare_Defense_07
Sword2h_Rare_Defense_08
Sword2h_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Sword2h_Rare_Util_04
Sword2h_Rare_Util_05
Sword2h_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Sword2h_Rare_Attack_01
Sword2h_Rare_Attack_02
Sword2h_High_Tac_Skill
Sword2h_High_Def_Skill
Sword2h_High_Util_Skill
Sword2h_High_Attack_Skill
Sword2h_High_TacticAttack_12
Sword2h_High_Tactic_10
Sword2h_High_Tactic_11
Sword2h_High_DefenseTactic_09
Sword2h_High_Defense_07
Sword2h_High_Defense_08
Sword2h_High_UtilDefense_06
Sword2h_High_Util_04
Sword2h_High_Util_05
Sword2h_High_AttackUtil_03
Sword2h_High_Attack_01
Sword2h_High_Attack_02
Sword2h_Normal_Tac_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_Def_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_Util_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_Attack_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Sword2h_Normal_Tactic_10
Sword2h_Normal_Tactic_11
Sword2h_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Sword2h_Normal_Defense_07
Sword2h_Normal_Defense_08
Sword2h_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Sword2h_Normal_Util_04
Sword2h_Normal_Util_05
Sword2h_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Sword2h_Normal_Attack_01
Sword2h_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Greatsword
Overcome CrisisUsed frame.webp
Deadly Survival InstinctUsed frame.webp
Indomitable StanceUsed frame.webp
Falling FlowerUsed frame.webp
With the constant sudden changes in Korea and Global release, Weapon Masteries are currently still being reviewed. However, the current Masteries are a great starting point.


Artifacts

Greedseeker Talistone I
Damage: 10
Hit Chance
Heavy Attack Chance
Melee Heavy Attack Chance
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
CC Chance
Stun Chance
Bind Chance
CC Chance
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Max Health: 1750
Max Stamina
CC Resistances
Healing Received
Greedseeker Talistone I
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Greedseeker Talistone I
Abyssal Beast Talistone II
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Ancestral Armor Talistone IV
Abyssal Beast Talistone II
Greedseeker Lunarstone
Ancestral Armor Talistone IV
Abyssal Beast Talistone II
Defense: 200
Endurance
Magic Endurance
Magic Heavy Attack Evasion
Greedseeker Lunarstone
CC Resistance
Collision Resistance
Weaken Resistance
CC Resistances
Ancestral Armor Talistone IV
Max Health: 1750
Endurance
Magic Heavy Attack Evasion
Melee Hit Chance


Rotations

Aggro Holding ↴
DaVinci's CourageUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Blood DevotionUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Gaia CrashUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
WillbreakerUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webp
  • You want to buff yourself with DaVinci's CourageUsed frame.webpDaVinci's Courage first, granting yourself and the other party members some extra HP to work with before engaging the boss with your first Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike and using Blood DevotionUsed frame.webpBlood Devotion to increase party damage. Follow up with Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar and Gaia CrashUsed frame.webpGaia Crash to maintain aggro while also buffing yourself further with extra attack speed. Finish the initial rotation with WillbreakerUsed frame.webpWillbreaker and Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webpGuillotine Blade before beginning to weave between Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike and Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webpValiant Brawl to maintain your aggro on the boss.

Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webpStalwart Bastion: This ability functions as your panic button when you're taking excessive damage and your passive skills aren't enough to sustain you. It's also the ability you use when the boss casts a high-damage spell, and it's recommended that your party members gather close to benefit from its protective effect.

Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar: Your main AOE taunt ability, you should reserve this for drawing the attention of multiple smaller enemies, typically appearing as ads during boss encounters or as trash mobs before reaching bosses.

Immortal PrideUsed frame.webpImmortal Pride: Another ability that can serve as a panic button or boost your health to survive boss damage that would otherwise be fatal.

Blood DevotionUsed frame.webpBlood Devotion: This spell enables you to redirect damage intended for another party member toward yourself, while also reducing the overall damage you take. However, Blood DevotionUsed frame.webpBlood Devotion also greatly increases the damage your party members do.


Useful Information

  • Select Lady Knight Kamarshea as your guardian; it provides essential protection with its shield, capable of absorbing damage equal to 50% of your mana. This not only aids in mitigating damage but also increases your cooldown speed, assisting in holding aggro and ensuring your survival.


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