Ragnarok Online/Swordsman

The swordsman 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). Swordsmen 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 Swordsman 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
 * Level-Selectable
 * Mastered at Lv 10

This skill is usable with any weapon (using bare fists) and strikes the selected target in weapon range. When using this skill, you receive a hit rate bonus and, if the Fatal Blow skill is mastered, have the chance to stun the target. Damage dealt, hit rate bonus, and stun chance increase with skill level. Also, SP consumption is 8 for levels 1-5 and 15 for 6-10. As such, don't use Lv 6 or higher until you have more SP (preferrably 100 or more).

Endure

 * Requirements: Provoke Lv 5
 * Active
 * Mastered at Lv 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.

Increase HP Recovery

 * Passive
 * Mastered at Lv 10

This is the skill EVERY swordsman should have maxed at Lv 10, no questions asked. This skill allows you to recover HP whenever you stand (or sit) still for ten consecutive seconds. The amount of HP recovered is 5 * Skill Level + Your Maximum HP * 0.2% * Skill Level. HP healing items' effectivity also increases by 10% * Skill Level. So, for example, if you have 10000 HP, 50 VIT and Increase HP Recovery Lv 10, you would heal 50 + 200 HP (250 HP) every ten still seconds, and a Red Potion (base HP recovery value of 45) would heal you for 90 + 50 * 2% HP (180 HP)! In a nutshell, it gives Swordsmen the edge in melee combat.

Magnum Break

 * Requirements: Bash Lv 5
 * Active
 * Mastered at Lv 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
 * Mastered at Lv 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.

Sword Mastery

 * Passive
 * Mastered at Lv 10

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

Two-Handed Sword Mastery

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

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

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