Shield Build

Legendary - Mercenary (Sword and Shield): Shield Build [Survivability] icon
SurvivabilityMercenarySword and ShieldLegendary tier
A recommended survivability Mercenary loadout built around the Sword and Shield. Slot the skills and talents below, then gear toward the listed equipment.

Talent picks

Shield Buildup icon

Shield Buildup

Sword Tip stacks gained from normal attacks and Impalement are replaced by Shield Pressure. Upon reaching 6 stacks of Shield Pressure, you gain 1 stack of Momentum. Momentum can accumulate up to 2 stacks. Shield attacks from skills also grant 2 stacks of Shield Pressure on hit. When you have Momentum, you can press and to consume 1 stack of Momentum and unleash Shockwave Strike.

Perfect Defense icon

Perfect Defense

After Block, there is a very brief window to trigger Perfect Block, but using Block consumes Energy. After a successful Perfect Block, you can immediately enter the Momentum status. Block has a lower base Energy cost in trio mode. Additionally, a special Block skill can be cast during the Breakaway window. This skill can only be used to trigger Perfect Block and cannot maintain the shield for long.

Foresight icon

Foresight

The Whirling Cut (Bounce) skill becomes available on Sword and Shield. Whirling Cut (Block): Raise the shield for an omnidirectional Perfect Block, then perform a fierce slash dealing Physical Damage. Use this skill again to cast Whirling Cut. Whirling Cut (Block) has a shorter base cooldown in trio mode.

Block Damage Boost icon

Block Damage Boost

All Perfect Blocks grant you a shield and briefly increase damage dealt to players and your Movement Speed.

Equipment set

Want to allocate the talent points yourself? Open the build planner to spend points across Mercenary's talent trees.

Other Mercenary builds

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