Ragnarok Online/Swordsman

The Swordman is the master of melee, having the skills to receive minimal damage and restore HP while dishing out lots of damage. The preferred weapon of choice is, obviously, a sword (one-handed or two-handed). Swordmen can also use spears; however, it is recommended for them to wait until they reach their second job before using spears. Upon reaching Job Lv 40, a Swordman can become a Knight, using spears or two-handed swords for a more offensive approach, or a Crusader, the more defensive path that uses shields or two-handed spears effectively.

Bash

 * Active
 * Requirements: None
 * Mastered at Level 10

This skill is usable with any weapon (including bare fists) and strikes a selected target within your weapon range. This skill, in addition to doing additional damage, contains a bonus to your HIT rate and may also stun the target if the Fatal Blow skill has been learned. Damage dealt, HIT rate bonus, and stun chance increase with skill level. SP consumption is 8 for levels 1-5 and 15 for 6-10. If you plan to rely on Bash, it would be wise to not use Bash 6, 7 or 8 as the Additional Damage per SP ratio is less than it was at Bash 5. Bash 9's efficiency however is equal to that of Bash 5 and Bash 10 is the most efficient.

Endure

 * Active
 * Requirements: Provoke Lv 5
 * Mastered at Level 10

This skill cancels the flinching that occurs when you're hit by an attack for a limited period of time. The duration increases with skill level, and there is also a +X MDEF bonus, where X is equal to the skill level. This skill is useful for running away from mobs or for gathering them. Note that during War of Emperium (guild wars), the flinch-cancelling effect is disabled.

Magnum Break

 * Active
 * Requirements: Bash Lv 5
 * Mastered at Level 10

This skill consumes 30 SP and some HP as well to cause a Fire property explosion outwards from you. You do not select a target for this skill. Damage dealt increases with skill level while HP consumed decreases. Your weapon is also endowed with a 20% Fire property bonus for ten seconds after skill use.

Provoke

 * Active
 * Requirements: None
 * Mastered at Level 10

This skill, which lasts for 30 seconds, taunts the selected target into attacking you. The selected target's ATK is increased and its DEF is decreased during the skill duration (DEF decrease is greater than ATK increase). Success chance, ATK increase, DEF decrease, and SP consumption increase with skill level. Boss and Undead monsters cannot be targeted by this skill. The main use for this skill is to "tank" lower-level characters by attracting the wrath of a monster and having the lower-level character kill it.

Berserk

 * Passive
 * Requirements: Job Lv 30
 * Quest Skill

When your current HP is reduced to less than 25% of your maximum HP, your character will automatically enter a state identical to if Provoke Level 10 were used on your character. Your ATK will increase by 32%, but your DEF will decrease by 55%. This status lasts until your current HP rises above 25% of your maximum HP or it is nullified by some other means, such as a skill or an item.

Acquiring this skill requires completing a special quest, which is described in detail on the Skill Quests: Swordman page.

Fatal Blow

 * Passive
 * Requirements: Job Lv 30
 * Quest Skill

This skill adds the additional effect of potentially stunning an enemy when you use Bash Levels 6 and up. The higher level of Bash used, the higher the stun chance.

Acquiring this skill requires completing a special quest, which is described in detail on the Skill Quests: Swordman page.

Increase HP Recovery

 * Passive
 * Requirements: None
 * Mastered at Level 10
 * Formula: HP Recovery = Base Recovery + (Maximum HP * Additional Recovery)

This skill allows you to recover HP whenever you stand (or sit) still for ten consecutive seconds. The effectiveness of HP recovery items, such as potions, also increases by 10% per skill level. In a nutshell, it gives Swordmen a strong edge in melee combat due to increased abilityto heal from what would otherwise be debilitating damage.

HP Recovery While Moving

 * Passive
 * Requirements: Job Lv 36
 * Quest Skill

This skill allows you to recover HP while you are moving rather than only when you are standing still. The HP recovery rate is 25% of what your character would naturally recover while standing still.

Acquiring this skill requires completing a special quest, which is described in detail on the Skill Quests: Swordman page.

Sword Mastery

 * Passive
 * Requirements: None
 * Mastered at Level 10

This skill increases the damage you deal when equipped with a One-Handed Sword by +4 per skill level.

Two-Handed Sword Mastery

 * Passive
 * Requirements: Sword Mastery Lv 1
 * Mastered at Level 10

This skill increases the damage you deal when equipped with a Two-Handed Sword by +4 per skill level.

Job Change Quest
To change from a Novice to a Swordman, you must go to the west building in Izlude and undergo several tests.