This build is up to date for the August 23, 2025 patch.
Overview
Staff and Dagger build for small-scale PvP with an almost assassin-like approach, emphasizing dagger skills for mobility while leveraging the staff's potent burst damage to complement the dagger's mobility. This build can be used perfectly in small scale PVP like night time open world dungeon fights, dominion events or even arena!
Attributes
PRIMARY
Dexterity
+
Perception
SECONDARY
Strength
+
Wisdom
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.
Maximizing damage output is crucial for this build, making Dexterity and Perception the primary attributes to focus on. By allocating points into these stats, you can significantly enhance your DPS, ensuring that you can deal good damage throughout each fight. Additionally, investing in Wisdom for extra mana regeneration can be good to sustain yourself, although the primary focus should remain on maximizing damage through Dexterity and Perception. Do not neglect 30 points into Strength though as it offers a good amount of extra health.
Skills
The Staff & Dagger is an excellent choice for solo players who prefer not to rely on guilds or for those who enjoy engaging in small group pvp against larger groups or groups of similar size.
In terms of skills, your main damage will be coming from your 
Judgment Lightning, fully charged 
Serial Fire Bombs, 
Chain Lightning and even your 
Brutal Incision and 
Frenzied Sword Dance combo is capable of doing great quick bursts of damage. And so you should prioritize these skills when leveling them up, aiming to push them to purple as soon as possible to have an easier time leveling as well.
Icebound Tomb freezes enemies in place and also lowers their resistances and allows you to control enemies by freezing them up to how long you wish as you can use the ability again to free them and set up the kill on the enemy. 
Ice Spear is a great follow-up as it binds the target and allows you to deal damage without them being able to close the distance to you. However, you shouldn't prioritize upgrading this skill past level 3 as the damage increase is very low.
As far as passives go, you should focus on upgrading 
Flame Condensation for additional damage. 
Assassin's Instincts for extra crit rate and 
Shadow Walker as a defensive skill that can be triggered at any time by simply using your 
Block Blade (you don't have to actually roll to the side to activate this, just pressing your block is enough). It also activates whenever you use 
Shadow Strike or Frenzied Sword Dance.
Equipment
Staff of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Daggers of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Mask of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Deadeye's Cloak
Mana Regen
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Heroic Tunic of the Resistance
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Mana Regen
Gauntlets of the Resistance
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Mana Regen
Trousers of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Glade Stalker Boots
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Necklace of Clarity
Skill Damage Boost
Mana Regen
Bracelet of Conquest
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Violent Signet
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Ring of Precision
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
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.
Staff of the Umbramancer
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Darkslayer Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Elusive Hexweaver Hat
Cooldown Speed
Magic Evasion
Melee Evasion
Ancient Tapestry Mantle
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Heroic Tunic of the Resistance
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Magic Endurance
Nature's End Gloves
Max Health
Melee Evasion
Added Attack Speed
Ruthless Enforcer Leggings
Melee Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Max Mana
Glade Stalker Boots
Max Health
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Clasp of the Conqueror
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Bracers of the Primal King
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Amber Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Violent Signet
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
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.
Talus's Crystalline Staff
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Darkslayer Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Heroic Hood of the Resistance
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Max Health
Ancient Tapestry Mantle
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Swirling Essence Robe
Buff Duration
Magic Evasion
Magic Endurance
Phantom Wolf Gloves
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Added Attack Speed
Shadow Harvester Trousers
Magic Evasion
Ranged Evasion
Magic Endurance
Shadow Harvester Boots
Ranged Evasion
Magic Evasion
Move Speed
Clasp of the Conqueror
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Bracers of the Primal King
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Amber Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Band of Universal Power
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Belt of Bloodlust
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
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 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.
Talus's Crystalline Staff
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Darkslayer Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Crowned Skull of Victory
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Mana Cost Efficiency
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Transcendent Tempest's Armor
Debuff Duration
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Spectral Overseer's Handguards
Hit Chance
Ranged Endurance
Range
Spectral Overseer's Trousers
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Transcendent Tempest's Boots
Ranged Endurance
Magic Endurance
Movement Speed
Earrings of Forlorn Elegance
Front Heavy Attack Chance
Side Heavy Attack Chance
Front Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Death Knell Gorget
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Primal Golden Cuffs
Mana Regen
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Ring of Eternal Flames
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Runed Band of the Black Anvil
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Max Health
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Daigon's Charred Emberstaff
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Hit Chance
Primary
Bercant's Whispering Daggers
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Hit Chance
Crowned Skull of Victory
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Melee Endurance
Resonance Effect: Melee Endurance
Starlight Fur Cloak
Max Mana
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Resonance Effect: Melee Endurance
Spectral Overseer's Handguards
Hit Chance
Ranged Endurance
Range
Resonance Effect: Melee Endurance
Spectral Overseer's Trousers
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Melee Endurance
Auric Vanguards Plate Boots
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Melee Endurance
Earrings of Forlorn Elegance
Front Heavy Attack Chance
Side Heavy Attack Chance
Front Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Collar of Nature's Wrath
Skill Damage Boost
Max Mana
Buff Duration
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Max Mana
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Band of Ancestor's Blood
Skill Damage Boost
Max Mana
Buff Duration
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Solitare of Purity
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Undisputed Champion's Belt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Weapon Masteries
Staff
Dagger
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
Ancestral Armor Talistone I
Damage: 10
Hit Chance
Magic Hit Chance
Magic Heavy Attack Chance
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
Weaken Chance
Silence Chance
Weaken Chance
CC Chance
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Max Health: 1750
CC Resistance
Weaken Resistance
Amitoi Healing
Chaos Harbinger Talistone II
Defense: 200
Ranged Endurance
Endurance
Heavy Attack Evasion
Chaos Harbinger Lunarstone
Weaken Resistance
Collision Resistance
Weaken Resistance
CC Resistances
Abyssal Beast Talistone IV
Max Health: 1750
Endurance
Magic Heavy Attack Chance
Ranged Endurance
Rotations
- This rotation is focused on delivering the highest possible damage to a single target while maintaining them CC'd during the duration. Start with
High Locus to buff yourself before using Serial Fire Bombs to apply damage and burn stacks. Continue with Ice Spear to bind your target before channeling a full cast of Judgment Lightning followed by a second hit.
- Finish off the rotation with Chain Lightning before transitioning into melee rotation or going for another target. Keep in mind that you can start this rotation out of stealth too, using
Camouflage Cloak.
- This is your melee kill rotation, usually used as follow up to the Single Target Burst rotation but it can also be used on its own to do damage up close while maintaining high endurance rate.
- Begin with Shadow Strike to boost endurance rate thanks to Shadow Walker. Use
Ankle Strike to lock down the enemy and keep them prone so you can do a full double cast of Frenzied Sword Dance with Ice Spear between them to lock down the enemy. Finish off the rotation with Brutal Incision to maximize the damage done. You can then safely retreat by using Shadow Strike again to teleport back to where you were initially when you first used Shadow Strike.
Frost Smokescreen: This is a good mobility skill to compliment Shadow Strike without having to go in on the offense and risking it against an enemy by teleporting to them. You can also use this to kite as it slows down enemies that walk through the frost AOE left behind when you use Frost Smokescreen.
High Locus: You should use this ability regularly to increase your hit rate and also improve your evasion!
Camouflage Cloak: This ability remains one of your most valuable tools for turning the tide of a fight in your favor or making a swift escape. The stealth provided by Camouflage Cloak offers versatility for both initiating and evading engagements, allowing for creative tactical movement.
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 in order to let you heal more often. However, you can also use Shade Revenant Stheno or Geen Ranger Elowen if you are looking to deal extra damage or root enemies if you are in a party that has to burst down enemies quickly or lock down groups.
Other Spellblade Builds
PvPHardDPSRanged
PvEModerateDPSRangedAoE
