07. SKILLS

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CARDINAL
DATA
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Posts: 33
C-LEVEL: GOD

07. SKILLS Dec 3, 2012 10:13:36 GMT -5

Post by CARDINAL on Dec 3, 2012 10:13:36 GMT -5

>> the core skills.

Contains everything in the Offensive, Defensive, Crafting skills list. Skills which can be acquired simply upon character creation and by naturally leveling up. These skills are the basis of all character types and include the skills to use weapons, the skills to equip certain types of armor, and the skills to craft materials. They can be replaced by another Core Skill through the use of a Skill Reset in the marketplace.

You get 4 Core Skills when starting your character. You are required to have at least 1 Offensive Core Weapon Skill when creating your character. For every 10 points your character has in their Offensive Core Weapon Skill, they will receive a 1% passive damage boost with that weapon type. You are recommended to have at least 1 of the Defensive Armor Core Skills when creating your character, but this is not required. For every 10 points your character has in their Defensive Armor Core skill, their armor will passively grant 1% more protection.

Core+ skills are different from regular core skills in that you cannot choose these skills when starting a character. You must acquire them only by ranking up. Typically these skills are more advanced than regular core skills, therefore are not available from the start.

>> the offensive skills.

DAGGERS.
For use of small weapons like jambiyas, katars, dirks, tantos, or anything in between. These weapons are very quick, but don't do the most damage. Dagger users are ill-suited for raiding bosses, but if you want a quick attack or even a surprise attack, most dagger users are your player.

ONE-HANDED SWORDS.
For the use of bladed weapons that can be used practically in one or one and a half hands. Some examples of this include katanas, longswords, shortswords, scimitars, wakizashi, and chokutou. This weapon type is generally good for slashing and piercing with more speed then their two handed counterpart.

TWO-HANDED SWORDS.
For the use of bladed weapons that can only be used practically with one and a half to two hands. Some examples of this include katanas, longswords, zweihanders, greatswords and zhanmadao. This weapon type is generally good for slashing and piercing with more power then their one handed counterpart.

ONE-HANDED MACES.
For the use of blunt weapons like blacksmith hammers, maces, and cudgels. Good for weapon breaks and generally very heavy.

TWO-HANDED MACES.
For the use of massive blunt weapons like dire flails, heavy maces, and sledgehammers. Heaviest weapons, thus amazing for weapon breaks.

ONE-HANDED AXES.
For the use of smaller heavy headed bladed weapons like axes, tomahawks, and onos. Slightly faster than a one-handed sword and better at cutting through resistances, though they lack all thrusting ability and their raw damage is a little lower.

TWO-HANDED AXES.
For the use of large heavy headed bladed weapons like heavy axes, dane axes, and war axes. Lower damage than a two-handed sword, but it punches though shields and resistances alike with relative ease.

ONE-HANDED SPEARS.
For the use of long thrusting weapons like shortspears, hastas, and spontoons. Good thrusting but weak cutting.

TWO-HANDED SPEARS.
For the use of long, heavy thrusting weapons like tridents, ranseurs, and lances. Excellent thrusting ability but just as slow as other heavy two-handed weapons.

POLEARMS.
For the use of long hacking weapons like halberds, scythes, and poleaxes. The long reach is a disadvantage at short ranges where the deadly end of the weapon is too far away to be effective.

UNIQUE WEAPONS.
For the use of exotic weaponry such as knuckledusters, hand wrappings, and bo staffs. Unique Weapons is a diverse skill allowing the use of a variety of weapons. The mastery of these weapons rely heavily upon inner strength, vitality, and nimbleness.

CRITICAL HIT.
A skill that allows players to see weak points upon certain monsters as a vector that is overlayed upon the target's body which can be struck for greater damage. Areas where an attack would deal greater damage would appear as clear white spots, while weak points would appear as darker red points. This skill does not always activate especially in the earlier levels, so the higher the level, the more often it activates and the more likely it will activate when fighting a stronger monster.

GRIP FOCUS.
A skill that governs the use of a 1-handed weapon in two hands for extra damage. As long as they do not have anything equipped in Off-Hand, players with this skill are allowed to treat the weapon as if it were 2-handed, allowing for them to use Sword Arts which require the 2-handed equivalent. Naturally, there is also a slight passive boost in the user's grip of 1-handed weapons, making it more difficult for a player to have their weapon knocked away by a strong impact.

GRIP PLUS.
A skill that governs the use of a 2-handed weapon in one hand for versatility, allowing them to hold a shield in Off-Hand. Players with this skill are allowed to treat the weapon as if it were 1-handed, allowing for them to use Sword Arts which require the 1-handed equivalent. Naturally, there is also a slight passive boost in the user's grip of 2-handed weapons, making it more difficult for a player to have their weapon knocked away by a strong impact.

>> the defensive skills.

LEATHER EQUIPMENT
For the use of pliable or molded leather armor. Generally offers a good range of movement with medium protection. Has the potential to offer amazing protection, depending on the strength of material used. Leather Equipment offers 0.8 x the protection that Light Metal Equipment of the same level offers. Also governs the ability to wear cloth garments.

LIGHT METAL EQUIPMENT
For the use of light metal armor, it is heavier than leather armor and lighter than heavy armor. It uses chain mail and lighter/weaker metals. The rest of the equipment can be made up of non-metal gear such as cloth. Some metal gear is specifically light metal only. Light Metal Equipment is the standard for protection in SAO. Also governs the ability to wear cloth garments.

HEAVY METAL EQUIPMENT
For the use of heavy metal armor, you are given heavy and more durable pieces of metals. It uses platemails instead of chain mail and is a bit harder to move in. Using lots of metal armor slows movement, but increases defenses. Heavy Metal Equipment offers 1.2 x the protection that Light Metal Equipment of the same level provides. Also governs the ability to wear cloth garments.

SHIELD EQUIPMENT
For using all kinds of offhand shields. They offer the ability to easily block and deflect powerful blows at the cost of lowering your weapon speed.

GUARDIAN.
A passive skill that activates whenever you perform a switch to fight a monster that is attacking an ally. By putting yourself in harm's way to protect an ally, your defense obtains a passive increase. The higher the skill level the higher the defense increase, great for tanks. Take care while using it however; while you are sturdier, you are not invincible.

NATURAL SHIELD.
The improved ability to passively defend against ranged attacks such as thrown weapons. Possessing this skill reduces the damage of enemy ranged attacks, although even at mastery, it is merely a small amount. Still, any defense is better than no defense if you didn't see the strike coming. By ranking this skill, there is an increased chance that any ranged attack striking your body will be deflected and deal far less damage than expected.

PARRYING
While the ability to parry enemy attacks doesn't require the use of this skill, the skill unlocks an action treated as an E-Rank Sword Art. This action can be used to block against enemy attacks more easily, but it is most effective for its ability to forcefully cancel an opponent's Sword Art if done right. Depending on the skill rank of this skill compared to the rank of an opponent's Sword Art, you may be able to deflect the blow and send the opponent staggering into a powerful recoil.

>> the support skills.

ALCHEMY
For crafting of various items from materials, typically potions, crystals, and other fancy trinkets that almost push the limit of SAO's no magic system. The variety is great, though the process is easy. More detailed gear crafting information can be found in the bazaar.

CARPENTRY
For crafting items made of wood, be it early level equipment, furniture, tools, or simply the ability to eventually build your own house. Crafted items can be sold in the marketplace.

COOKING
For making delicious food out of various collected ingredients. In general, this skill can be used to make tasty food of your own, without any real benefits other than satisfying your stomach. However, there are a few recipes that produce special food items, some of which have a variety of effects.

HARVESTING
Allows you to start up a farm, where you can then plant seeds and after a while, start to harvest crops that can then be sold to the NPC market or other players, for a somewhat decent level of income. Naturally, you can also keep your crops in case you want to simply eat them yourself.

ARMORSMITHING
For forging light metal and heavy metal equipment. Forged items can be sold in the marketplace.

WEAPONSMITHING
For forging the many unique weapons. Forged items can be sold in the marketplace.

TAILORING
For crafting garments and leather equipment. Crafted items can be sold in the marketplace.

>> the core+ skills.

ARMS BLAST.
A skill that is very effective when fighting against an opponent whose strong point lies in their equipment's strength and durability, such as a monster with a thick protective shell or a duelist with powerful armor. Obtaining this skill grants the user an action that is treated as an E-Rank Sword Art. If the weapon should make contact with an enemy's equipment, it will cause durability damage, seen as noticeable cracks. If used often enough at the same point, even a tough piece of armor can lose its might over time. A higher skill rank in this skill denotes the ability to dent stronger defenses. If this skill is used against a player, the damaged equipment will regenerate after the duel.

ARTS SHIELD.
Sword Arts, which traditionally used to control the body to perform offensive techniques beyond what one can physically do, can be performed defensively given the right mindset. By taking this skill, a player will be able to create Defensive Sword Arts. More details to be released as players become close enough to taking this skill.

Last Edit: Jul 13, 2013 0:01:18 GMT -5 by CARDINAL

Don't worry, the Cardinal will watch over you.

CARDINAL
DATA
SYSTEM

Posts: 33
C-LEVEL: GOD

07. SKILLS Dec 4, 2012 10:35:03 GMT -5

Post by CARDINAL on Dec 4, 2012 10:35:03 GMT -5

>> the supplemental skills.

A list of skills which do not require any pre-requisites. Characters who desire to learn some of these supplementary skills may simply decide to take certain quests that offer these skills as rewards. If you are training to take a supplementary skill, you should designate the skill you wish to attempt to train when posting the quest. Only 1 skill may be attempted per quest, and you will not receive any skill ups for any of your other skills in any Skill Training Quest. The quality of your thread will determine whether or not you receive the skill.

Most skills in the game fit under this category, allowing for players to branch off and specialize in what they deem suitable for themselves. These skills can only be removed, not replaced by a Skill Reset. If you then want to take another Supplementary Skill, you must do a Skill Training Quest. This applies even if the new skill you desire was a skill you previously had at some point.

You may only take a number of Supplementary Skills equal to the number of Core Skills you have.

ACROBATICS.
Allows the user improved abilities when preforming any sort of acrobatic feat. Tumbling, leaping, wallclimbing. Hardcore parkour. Like most other skills, it starts extremely weak and slowly grows in power.

AIR STEP.
A skill widely known in fiction as the ability to jump or simply change direction while in mid-air. Players who take this skill will often also favor the Acrobatics skill in order to improve their movements. While the physics of Sword Art Online are essentially the same as in real life, there are a few exceptions. With this skill, a player will be able to influence the air to some degree in order to perform stunts that would otherwise be impossible in real life. Note that the extent of this skill is very limited, however. Low ranks will barely be able to take an additional split-second step, much less a jump in mid-air, while mastery will only allow the player about five seconds of air time.

APPRAISAL.
The ability to analyze items and equipment in game, typically most effective for players who own shops. It will allow you to discover various bits of information about the item. Higher levels allow the player to analyze higher-leveled items. This is a particularly useful skill when you're trying to figure out who created a certain item, uncovering forgeries of famous players' weapons, or if you're suspicious that the food you're holding may have been poisoned.

ARTS STEALTH.
An ability favored by players who wish to hide their Sword Art activations, such as when dueling against another player. Learning this skill grants the user an action that counts as an E-Rank Sword Art. The effect will then last a duration equal to the 1 post plus additional posts for every 100 points the player has in this skill, and can be canceled at any time. Activation of this ability causes the glow effect of Sword Arts to gradually decline in visibility until it is essentially masked completely at mastery.

DIGGING.
Typically in the world of Aincrad, the environment is generally unaffected by actions that would potentially change the landscape. However, with this skill, you will be able to dig with your bare hands or with a tool like an shovel. This will allow you a variety of possible actions, be it digging a pitfall, excavating a cave, or simply finding buried items you may not have expected.

DISGUISE.
A skill that grants you an E-Rank action to change your physical and facial features for 1 post, plus 1 post for every 100 points in the skill. At low ranks, any changes in your appearance will be very obvious, but higher ranks will allow you to disguise yourself as, say, the most feminine character around, even if your true appearance is that of a manly man. Unfortunately, your voice pitch and clothes will not change, so you may need to couple this skill with the Ventriloquism skill for best results.

DIVING.
A skill that affects the range where a player may dive into watery areas before being stopped by the system interface. Typically the depths possible for a regular player is about 10 meters. With this skill, the diving length increases by 1 meter for every 10 points in the skill. It is not necessary to take this skill to proceed in the game, but in places like a watery floor, the extra diving ability will probably allow you to find extra shortcuts and hidden areas, as well as uncovering treasures that may lurk in the depths.

EAVESDROPPING.
A shady skill that increases the user’s hearing senses when actively focused on a source of sound. Like a unidirectional microphone, sounds from only one specified direction will be amplified to the user, while other sounds will remain the same. Decent leveling of this skill will allow the user to overhear conversations with greater ease, although its power is limited and not absolute.

FISHING.
Used to catch fish in the various pools of water around the world. Things other than just fish can be caught and even the fish themselves have more uses than just eating. Fishing is possibly the only real "gathering" skill in the game.

FALL DEFENSE.
A skill that cushions the impact damage if a player should fall from a high point, usually most effective when taken with the Acrobatics skill. It is typically ranked by, well, falling a lot. The greater the mastery of the skill, the greater the height that a player can fall from and sustain lesser damage. Keep in mind that even when this skill is mastered, you still probably won’t be able to survive a fall of several hundred feet.

HERBALISM.
A supplementary skill typically followed by players who have learned Alchemy. It allows players who have acquired this skill to identify beneficial herbs in the environment more easily so that they can be used as ingredients. The chances of making successful concoctions are increased. In certain cases, even the herbs can be imbibed for a greater chance of beneficial effects as well.

HIDING.
For avoiding detection, mostly to players as well as monsters which rely more on their sight to detect enemies. With higher levels of hiding, characters are less likely to draw monster aggro and can disappear from players' peripheral vision. Later levels the player can gain a slight transparency effect.

INFRARED VISION.
Allows the player to see in the infrared spectrum by actively turning on the skill. Not to be mistaken with Night Vision, it simply allows the player to visibly see sources of heat more easily. Therefore, if the player is in an environment with monsters that are not warm-blooded, it will not be very effective.

INTERFACE STEALTH.
A skill for particularly secretive people, in order to do particularly secretive things. Upon taking this skill, there will be an icon on the corner of the player's menu interface that will turn the skill on and off. Activation of this ability causes your interface and system messages in the eyes of other players to gradually decline in visibility until it is essentially masked completely at mastery.

LABELING.
An effective intelligence skill for scout-type characters, allowing a player to leave a small message upon a target, be it a monster, object, or even another player. These messages appear as post-it notes which will automatically open whenever a player gets within visual sight of the target. It has a variety of uses, such as warning other players that the labeled target may be dangerous, or notifying players about certain quests associated with the target. The higher ranked the level, the longer the player's message lasts when placed upon a labeled target.

LINGUISTICS.
By default, the NerveGear technology allows players to speak to other players by automatically translating speech in real time. However, this same system is typically inactive whenever attempting to communicate with monsters and animals. Those who have acquired this skill will gradually be able to understand monsters' speech and likewise communicate with them as well. It's a particularly useful skill for those aiming for the Beast Taming skill or for those who simply want to negotiate with normally hostile monsters. However, just because you're beginning to understand monster speech doesn't mean that the translated content is 100% correct. Especially at lower levels, "Nice to meet you" might somehow be a mistranslation of "Look! Fresh meat."

LOCKPICKING.
The ability to pick locks, be it locks on treasure chests or doors that require a lock. A greater skill level allows the player to pick more complicated locks, as well as speed up the process. Certain locks, such as those set by a player in an Inn or locks requiring a certain key item, cannot be cracked with this skill.

LURING.
The ability to lure monsters farther away from their natural habitat and possibly into an area where it would be more advantageous to the player. Players without this skill will simply be able to lure monsters within a certain point in the area before the monster will automatically drop aggro and return to its original location. This will not work in some cases, such as on monsters that are stationary, bosses that you're trying to lure out of the boss room, or when trying to lure monsters into safe zones like towns. Of course, this skill is an active one that can be switched on or off, in case one happens to be retreating and would not want monsters chasing them to the ends of the earth.

METALLURGY.
The ability to sift dirt or sand in particularly metal-rich areas like along the banks of a river or the coast of a beach. Taking this skill will allow you to salvage potentially useful ore materials for when you may need them for smithing.

MOUNTING.
A skill that aids your ability to ride and handle certain non-hostile animals such as horses and the occasional hijacked monster without falling off immediately. It is typically most effective when taken alongside the Beast Taming skill.

NAVIGATION.
A skill that allows the Player a larger mapping range, allowing them to acquire more data on the Area Map in the user interface simply by exploring the area. Generally, for every point the player has in this skill, their mapping range increases by 1 inch. It’s a decent skill for those players who spend lots of time in the dungeons.

NIGHT VISION.
Night vision increases the speed and the magnitude at which a character's eyes adjust to light. At low levels the difference is barely noticeable, however as it increases the character gains increasingly stronger sight to the point where, at maximum level, there really isn't much of a different between light and dark in terms of awareness. This ability cannot be turned off.

PERCEPTION.
Allows the user to hear and see more clearly as well as widening their field of view. Sounds around the character are amplified, although not in an earsplitting way. Think of it as a heightened awareness.

PERFORMING.
Allows the user to play instruments very well. So long as the character can think up the proper tune, the game will automatically control the character to play it. The more complex the tune, the higher the skill must be. It's not necessary to have the Performing skill in order to play an instrument, though certainly even expert musicians in real life will end up making a lot more mistakes than they normally would if they chose not to take this skill.

PHANTOM ENSEMBLE.
A quite noticeable ability that allows you to bring out a musical instrument and have it play automatically while it is summoned forward, as though the instrument were possessed. This skill is highly dependent on your own mastery of the Performing skill, and higher levels of the skill will allow you to control more instruments at once. However, if you don't possess Performing, then your instruments are simply going to play horrible music wherever you go. Great for starting your own band while you have no friends, or for spooking people and thinking that your band members are ghosts.

SLEIGHT.
The ability to perform tricks similar to stage magicians, allowing you to do certain things such as pulling out objects seemingly from thin air.But in reality, it's simply the ability to assign button macros to summon certain consumable items from your inventory without having to scroll through the list. The higher the skill level, the more macros you can assign within the space around you at one time.

SNEAKING.
One of the abilities of choice for players who wish to pass by players and monsters unnoticed. Using the Hiding skill, monsters which rely on sound to detect their targets are affected by this skill. It allows the user to deaden the sound of their footsteps, although noises made by the environment such as rustling leaves or splashing puddles the player should step in, will mostly be unaffected at lower levels.

SPRINT.
Grants the ability to gain short bursts of enhanced movement. This is really only useful for closing gaps or dodging extremely slow attacks. Low levels the increase is barely noticeable. Even at max rank, the speed increase isn't godly.

STABLE FOOTING.
A skill that simply improves upon a player’s natural abilities. As the skill is ranked, the player will passively be able to keep their footing upon slippery terrain or narrow pathways. One might even be able to ice skate with this skill. It also allows the player a greater chance of resisting enemy attacks and Sword Arts which would otherwise knock a player down.

STITCHWORK.
A supplementary skill typically followed by players who have learned Tailoring. It allows players to acquire a greater amount of precision when mending cloth. The overall effect is that the appearance and durability of mended equipment is maintained. It is also valuable in salvaging fabrics, allowing what would normally be unrecoverable cloth to be potential new materials in tailoring. If the player has the Tailoring skill, this skill will tend to passively increase at the same rate.

SWIMMING.
Although swimming in itself is something that the player has to naturally learn prior to taking this skill, obtaining this skill allows the user to maneuver through the water more easily. Higher levels will allow the player to move through the water as though they were born an aquatic creature and will lessen the weight of equipment while in the water. Of course, you’ll still need to be able to hold your breath.

THROWN WEAPONS.
Thrown Weapons are a special skill, different from all the others. Thrown Weapons is a sub-skill of all of the other offensive skills, and only a few of the other weapons can be modified by this skill. For example, if you have a One-Handed Spear, you can make a Sword Art where you throw it like a javelin. However, if you only have a One-Handed Sword, then you may not perform Sword Arts that involve throwing the sword. Associated skills with weapon throwing are the following:
Daggers
One-Handed Axes
One-Handed Hammers
One-Handed Spears
Inventory Weapons; if you should have items such as needles or chakrams for example, then you can pull them from the inventory and use them as throwing weapons. Note that you will have to retrieve the items afterward.
Improvised Weapons; please note with Improvised Weapons that these should be SMALL objects that you can pick up off the ground. We are not throwing people at other people (at least at low levels). You can pick up rocks, or sticks, or shells, or even money.

Follow the guidelines on each individual Skill to see what kind of damage these weapons do.

TRACKING.
The ability to home in onto escaping monsters through glowing footsteps they leave behind, seen only to the user. The more recent the trail and the higher-ranked this skill, the easier it is to see the footsteps. It can also be used to search for nearby players on the current floor as well as long as you know their IGN. The player searching range is twice as effective if you are on the player's friend list.

TRADE NEGOTIATION.
Through smooth talking, the player will be able to sell items at a greater price to NPCs. Also, the ability for a player to make clever deals and ultimately acquire items at a cheaper rate.This skill is independent of the player’s actual charisma and will typically only work on NPC shopkeepers. However, if you show another player your high level in this skill, maybe they might psychologically buy at a higher price from you. It’s worth a try. The skill ranks automatically every time you trade in the marketplace, with a maximum of 20 points obtainable per week. For every 100 acquired levels of this skill, the selling price of all Materials the player sells to NPCs is increased by 10% more Col, and the player pay 5% less Col when buying from NPC shops.

TRAPPING.
A skill utilizing items from the user’s inventory as an indirect form of offense against enemies.The user will be able to use items such as string or rope to trip, nets to capture, or even bear traps to hinder. Also allows the user to detect traps, whether part of the environment or set by another player, more easily. If the player should somehow activate the trap, then there will be a greater chance to deactivate it. As the level of the skill increases, so does the complexity of the traps the trapper is able to lay or disarm.

VENTRILOQUISM.
An active skill that grants a player the ability to change the pitch of their voice. A player with low ranks of the skill might be able to distort their voice, but the result would sound rather unnatural. In contrast, a character with a high level in this skill will be able to impersonate anyone nearly flawlessly. It’s a skill that would be most suitable for deceptive characters. Or simply players who want to perfect their Elvis impersonations. Whatever.

WATER BREATHING.
Despite the skill’s name, this skill does not actually allow you to breathe in water. Higher levels in this skill will allow you to stay submerged in the water for a longer period of time before you will need to resurface to take in air or risk having your HP quickly drop as a result. In addition to the average length of time a player can usually hold their breath which is about 30 seconds, each point in this skill equates to about half a second in the amount of time you can hold your breath.

Last Edit: Jul 13, 2013 0:14:48 GMT -5 by CARDINAL

Don't worry, the Cardinal will watch over you.

CARDINAL
DATA
SYSTEM

Posts: 33
C-LEVEL: GOD

07. SKILLS Dec 5, 2012 3:42:48 GMT -5

Post by CARDINAL on Dec 5, 2012 3:42:48 GMT -5

>> the extra skills.

A list of skills which require certain pre-requisites to be met before the player may learn the skill. In general, Extra Skills tend to be closely linked to other skills and are often elaborations or expansions of the original skill.

To receive an Extra Skill, you must have your character go on four quests. The first three quests are up the discretion of the player and should revolve around the character learning about or training for the desired skill. However, the fourth quest has a specific requirement that must be completed and is mentioned in every skill below. Despite the quest requirement, the description is basic and leaves room for creativity. With that in mind, have fun and be creative. If you follow the general guidelines, you will most likely receive the skill.

When you have completed your four quests, PM a moderator and include the links to the four quests so they begin reviewing your quests.

These skills can be removed with a Skill Reset. They can only be replaced in a Skill Reset with other Extra Skills, provided that the requirements of the new intended Extra Skill has already been met by the player.

You may only have a number of Extra Skills equal to the number of Core Skills you have, divided by 2 and rounded down.

ACUPUNCTURE.
Knowledge of anatomy allows the ability to use sharp pointed objects to target enemy weak points more efficiently. These points appear as small and clear blue circles juxtaposed upon the body. Although quite similar to the Critical Hit skill, the difference is that striking one of these points is more likely to stun or hinder the target, rather than deal extra damage. It is especially more effective when using items such as needles with the Weapon Throwing skill as it will allow the skill to be used at a distance. For your final quest, supposedly there's an NPC that can teach you this skill if you either possess Critical Hit or Weapon Throwing.

BATTLE HEALING.
A skill that allows the user to passively heal HP every few seconds. It starts off extremely weak and still only provides barely noticeable healing by the time a player would have mastered the skill. However, it’s a skill without any real disadvantages and may be invaluable to players on the frontline. Supposedly gained be fighting tough monsters for an extended period of time, often while in risk of danger. For your final quest, we hear there is a witch doctor that will teach players this skill if they undergo a series of trials involving various monsters and environmental obstacles.

BEAST TAMING. (2/10 slots, queue 0)
For taming and teaching wild creatures to accompany and fight with you. Only a single animal can be tamed at any given time. The creature being tamed must be at the same level as the Beast Taming (so in the case of the first creature, that would be level 1). The act of taming creatures requires physical contact, time, and concentration. No beast is ever automatically won over and even upon obtaining the skill, it may take more time for the beast to fully trust you. To acquire this skill, you may perform Beast Taming Training Quests, which will give you a chance of obtaining the skill. However, keep in mind that for your final training quest you will need to explicitly use a specific food item depending on the archetype of the beast you wish to tame (recipes are found in the cooking section of the in game manual) to successfully obtain this skill...

BLOODTHIRST.
A sinister skill that passively heals the player by a proportion of the damage dealt to the target. It is not an especially effective skill even at a high level, but like other skills such as Battle Healing, will allow the player to save a decent amount on healing supplies. Supposedly, it is acquired by repeatedly staining the weapon in blood, be it that of monsters or other players. For your final quest, you will need to team up with an NPC Hunter who is tracking down a vicious beast in the forest. If you show true bloodthirst, he may teach you this skill.

CRYSTALLIZATION.
The use of alchemy in a slightly more flexible manner on the battlefield. The user can spend an E-Rank action to crystallize an existing potion in your inventory, be it a healing potion or an explosive potion, into a fragile crystal. When the crystal is broken, it will release the effects of the item. For example, a crystal made from an explosive potion will act like a bomb. For strategic purposes, the alchemist may also designate a time limit after which a certain crystal will break. Higher ranks allow higher ranking potions to be crystallized, longer time limits, and will expedite the process. This skill is also naturally ranked alongside the Alchemy skill. For your final quest, we hear there is an elf NPC on the 3rd floor who is an alchemist. If you have the alchemy skill and vow to show support to his or her side of the elven war (player’s discretion on what side the elf is on), then the NPC may teach you the art of crystallization.

DISCORD.
A skill that unlocks an action can be activated as an E-Rank Sword Art. The player's mastery of performing allows them to use a playing instrument in a more tactical manner. With the action unlocked by this skill, the user can decrease enemy monsters' morale, which may have certain efforts. Monsters may become more cautious and refrain from engaging you or your party, and cowardly monsters in particular may decide to retreat rather than continue the fight. For your final quest, we here there is a bard that roams the woods on various floors. He fights monsters with song alone. He is stubborn and greedy, but if you can bribe or somehow convince him to teach you the skill…

EXTENDED WEIGHT LIMIT.
A passive skill that allows the player to equip heavier weapons and armor with more ease that a player without the skill, although not disproportionally. It also increases the player’s ability to lift and move heavy objects in the environment as well. We hear there's a certain infamous boulder on the 5th floor. If you can stop it somehow...NOTE: Skill not yet available.

FIGHTING SPIRIT.
A skill which allows the user to acquire an action that behaves like an E-Rank Sword Art. By pointing their weapon forward and clenching it, the player will release a visible red aura from their body for a few seconds. For the duration of the aura, as long as an enemy is currently aggroing you, you will gain small increases in your weapon and armor Equipment Level. The more enemies are targeting you, the stronger the effect. Supposedly, it is acquired by taking on several monsters at once. For your final quest, you must fight in an arena available on a later floor. NOTE: Skill not yet available.

FOCUS.
A skill that allows the user to shrug off the effects of a status ailment for a short time. This can create unexpected opportunities and allow the player to catch his enemies off guard. Initially, the player will ignore the effect of a status ailment for 1 post before feeling the effects. For every 100 levels put into this skill, the player is able to shrug off a status ailment for additional post. There is supposedly a monk on the 4th and 6th floor who can teach this ability to you.

FORESIGHT.
A particularly effective skill when fighting against enemies which use Sword Arts and learning to read their moves. It starts at a low chance of activation and gradually levels up until it almost always activates. If this skill is successful, the name of the opponent’s intended Sword Art will flash into the player’s vision as the Sword Art is being charged. At higher levels of the skill, the player will also see a faint animated hallucination of the target’s intended attack, as though they were seeing a few seconds into the future. This skill is supposedly acquired when learning from experience toward fighting against several Sword Art using enemies. For your final quest, there is an old blind woman (NPC) that requires your help in some way or form. She lives out in the woods but her home is frequently attacked by monsters. Despite her loss of sight, it is rumored she has had the foresight to hold them off all these years. If you can help her, she might teach you the skill.

HOWL.
A skill which allows the user to acquire an action that behaves like an E-Rank Sword Art. By standing still for a few seconds and clenching the equipped weapon, a loud sound wave will be emanated from the user. Actually howling is optional. When used in the vicinity of a monster which is fighting a party member, this skill allows a greater chance to divert aggro onto themselves. To acquire this skill, it helps repeatedly diverting monsters’ attention so that a party member can finish it off. For your final quest, there is supposedly a ‘wolf man’ that lives out in the woods. Technically a Beast Tamer, if you manage to help or convince him/her (whether through force or words is up to the player’s discretion), you might be taught the skill. But be warned, he has let the wilderness get to him and acts like more of a beast than a man.

MARTIAL ARTS.
This skill allows the player to fight unarmed. This skill also enables the player to use Sword Arts that require no weapons. This includes bare fists, kicks, and grapples. Players can not use any other weapon during unarmed combat. It is treated as an extra offensive skill and can not be merged with any other form of combat. It is said there is a wandering Pugilist on floor 2 that is willing to take on pupils if one wishes to acquire this skill.

MINING.
A more specialized form of the Digging skill, allowing for the player to make greater progress whenever mining for ore compared to someone without the Mining or even the Digging skill. If the player is in a quest that takes place in a mine, they will always acquire 1 random ore as a quest reward. Naturally, in order to obtain this skill, you will have to be fairly skilled at digging. For your final quest, you must venture into one of the available mines. It is rumored there is an NPC trapped within the rocky walls after a section of the cave collapsed. You must find him and help him, digging your way to or from the collapsed tunnel may be necessary. Who knows, you may find ore in the process.

SALVAGING.
By reforging old equipment into metal, tearing apart clothes into cloth material, or simply recycling potions and crystals into raw components, this skill can be used to decompose existing items into materials to be used to make other items. Depending on your rank in this skill, you will have a variable amount of success in obtaining items. Naturally, in order to acquire this skill, you need a good amount of knowledge in how to create the item and how the materials themselves work. For your final quest, there is supposedly an infamous salvager NPC. Once wealthy, this salvager now acts more like a scavenger. If you can find her missing heirloom and salvage it into the raw materials so it can be created into something of greater wealth, she will teach you the salvaging skill.

SHADE.
A skill which allows the user to acquire an action that behaves like an E-Rank Sword Art. By crouching down and holding the stance for a few moments, the player will release a visible purple aura from their body for a few seconds. For the duration of the aura, the player will be able to attack a monster while keeping the monster’s aggro level upon the player low. This skill is effective in a party for when one wishes to perform attacks without attracting the attention of the user. Supposedly, it can be learned by repeatedly performing the finishing blow on several monsters while in a party. For your final quest, if you have the supplementary skills Hiding and/or Sneaking, there is an NPC who will teach you this skill.

SPIKE.
The ability to passively deal damage to an enemy simply by direct contact. It activates only on monsters and players you are dueling by default unless you turn the safety setting off. The damage dealt by this ability is scaled similarly to the Battle Healing ability, where even mastery will only deal a small amount of damage. However, this skill benefits by activating for each hit, so an enemy who should attack you with a technique that involves multiple strikes may pay a larger price. Some monsters have this skill in the game. Perhaps if you hunt a bunch of them within a short time interval, you may be able to learn it from them. For your final quest, you must duel a player and win. (The player can be controlled by another member or it can be a player that you made up yourself.)

VICTORY CRY.
If Performing is the sound that reaches into the soul of players to grant them strength, Victory Cry is the soul of the sound itself. This skill will allow a player to use an E-Rank action to strengthen allies' stats by a small amount, merely by a motivational speech, by playing the instrument, or even by singing. Supposedly obtained through a good mastery of performing abilities. For your final quest, you must win one of the various performing competitions between other players that are occasionally held on various floors. The dancehall on Floor 2 or the kabuki theatre on Floor 4 is an ideal location to master your performing abilities.

WEAPON SPECIALIZATION.
This skill is gained upon using the same type of weapon many, many times. This will give a bonus damage when you begin to level up this skill. This will usually level up along with your normal weapon skill. Each weapon type is given one skill slot, so if you are specializing in rapiers, you cannot gain the bonus while using longswords or katanas. This skill can be supposedly acquired by continuous use of the desired weapon specialization. For your final quest, there is an NPC Weapons Master that can be found on any floor. If you prove to him that you have earned this skill, then so shall he give it to you.