Introduction
Welcome to our Staff Dagger DPS Build guide for Throne and Liberty. Learn everything you need to know about the ultimate magic damage nuke build.
Skills & Passives
Below are the Active, Passive, and Defensive Skills for the Staff Dagger DPS Build. For insight on which order to level these Skills up, Check our Skill Upgrade Progression Section below. It’s important to note that there is a few good options and paths you can take with the build. As a result, the freedom truly is yours to explore past our own recommendations.
Active Skills
 | Inferno Meteor |  | Chain Lightning |
 | Shadow Strike |  | Serial Fire Bombs |
 | Brutal Incision |  | Inferno Wave |
 | Camouflage |  | Judgment Lightning |
 | Icebound Tomb |  | Ice Spear |
 | Smokescreening Frost |  | High Locus |
Passives
 | Mana Amp |  | Wrathful Edge |
 | Flame Condensation |  | Shadow Walker |
 | Forbidden Sanctuary |  | Assassin’s Step |
 | Asceticism |  | Frost Master |
Defensive Skill
Block Blade provides not only the standard block each Defensive Skill possesses, but also the ability to dodge roll to move. Block Blade can activate various synergies in the Dagger archetype. For example, the Epic Daggers “Lequirus’s Thorny Edge” provide increased base damage after using a Dagger Mobility Skill. As a result, Block Blade acts as a free source of activate this passive, alongside other passives like Shadow Walker.
Skill Upgrade Progression
Next, Let’s look at the order to prioritize upgrading your skills. We’ve focused on the most important skills to help guide you through skill progression to help get you started. It’s important to note that you will upgrade all skills to max eventually and that some Skills start at Rare or Epic Quality. However, some Active and Passive Skill are far more vital to push.
ACTIVE SKILL UPGRADE ORDER
- Staff- Serial Fire Bombs (Uncommon to Rare)
- Dagger- Shadow Strike (Uncommon to Rare)
- Staff- Chain Lightning (Uncommon to Rare)
- Dagger- Ambush Stance (Defensive Skill (Uncommon to Rare)
- Staff- Smokescreening Frost (Uncommon to Rare)
- Staff- Serial Fire Bombs (Rare to Epic)
- Staff- Chain Lightning (Rare to Epic)
- Dagger- Brutal Incision (Rare to Epic)
- Dagger- Shadow Strike (Rare to Epic)
- Staff- Inferno Wave (Rare to Epic)
- Staff- Inner Peace (Rare to Epic)
- Dagger- Knife Throwing (Rare to Epic)
- Dagger- Ambush Stance (Defensive Skill (Rare to Epic)
PASSIVE SKILL UPGRADE ORDER
- Staff- Mana Amp (Rare to Epic)
- Staff- Asceticism (Uncommon to Epic)
- Staff- Flame Condensation (Rare to Epic)
- Dagger – Assassin’s Step (Uncommon to Epic)
- Dagger – Shadow Walker (Rare to Epic)
- Dagger – Assassin’s Instinct (Uncommon to Epic)
Attributes, Weapon Mastery, and Guardians
Attributes
In this section, we will go over recommended Attribute allocation, as well as the Weapon Mastery and Guardian usage for the build.
For this build, the main attribute is actually split between Wisdom and Dexterity. However, Perception can play a crucial role in the build too, if you have enough stat points from gear. Dexterity is important due to the increased Maximum damage threshold, Critical Hit Chance, Evasion and Attack Speed it provides. Wisdom similarly plays an important role, boosting Maximum damage dealt while providing Mana, Cooldown Reduction and more. Perception, while the least important of the 3 stats can prove powerful when stacked. High Perception allows you to hit targets with higher levels of Evasion. Most importantly, however, is the increased range bonus provided upon reaching 50 Perception.
Starting out, however, we recommend the following:
NOTE: This Information does not include gear Bonuses
- STRENGTH – 10
- DEXTERITY – 30
- WISDOM – 30
- PERCEPTION – 19
Weapon Mastery
You can level up your Weapon Mastery naturally by just playing the game and using the weapon(s). The Weapon Mastery Trees for each weapon are as follows:
NOTE – Your first Weapon Mastery Point will be used to select the opening Node in each weapon.
Staff
- Destroy – 7 points
- Attribute – 5 points
Dagger
- Disguise – 6 points
- Assassination – 6 points
Guardian – Lady Knight Kamarshea
Lady Knight Kamarshea is the perfect Guardian for a ranged DPS player. This is due to the huge shield and cooldown speed the Kamarshea provides. However, with a Staff, this effect becomes even more powerful as a result of the shield scaling with your Maximum Mana. Kamarshea gives you the opportunity to play more aggressively without worrying about assassins diving you. Alternatively, in PvE, Shade Revenant Stheno is a great choice too for raw damage output versus bosses.
Gear
NOTE – Most Elite Resistance gear ALSO has a chance to drop from Precious Blessing Pouches that can be purchased daily from your Contract Vendor and the completion of some level 50 Contracts.
Weapons
IMPORTANT – You will want to level up RARE gear to 9+ before transferring progress to EPIC quality Gear.
Level 1-50+
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Main Hand | Elite Resistance Staff | Heavy Attack Chance | Hit | Critical Hit | Crafted – Lithograph from Various Sources & MSQ Reward |
| Off-Hand | Elite Resistance Knife | Heavy Attack Chance | Hit | Critical HIt | Crafted – Lithograph from Various Sources & MSQ Reward |
End Game (BIS)
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Main Hand | Toublek’s Thunderous Soul | Heavy Attack Chance | Hit | Mana Cost Efficiency | Paola’s Dimension Chest (Drops in all 50+ Dungeons or can be purchased with Dimensional Crystals) |
| Off-Hand | Lequirus’s Thorny Edge | Heavy Attack Chance | Hit | Critical Hit | Paola’s Dimension Chest (Drops in all 50+ Dungeons or can be purchased with Dimensional Crystals) |
NOTE – you can also use Queen Bellandir’s Domination Wand in the Staff slot. The item is difficult to acquire/Trait, but due to the Weapon Skill it is far superior to Toublek’s Thunderous Soul. This drops from the World Boss Worm – Queen Bellandir.
Armor
IMPORTANT – You will want to level up RARE gear to 9+ before transferring progress to EPIC quality Gear.
Level 1-50+
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Helm | Elite Resistance Visor | Max Health | Ranged Evasion | Melee Evasion | Crafter – Lithograph drops from Various location |
| Cloak | Elite Assassin’s Cloak | Max Health | Skill Damage Resistance | Bind Resistance | Crafter – Lithograph drops from Orc Spearmaster and Executioners (Akidu Valley) |
| Chest | Elite Resistance Plate Armor | Max Health | Melee Evasion | Ranged Evasion | Crafted – Lithographs Drop from Ruins of Turayne Zone from Gallu Mobs |
| Gloves | Blessings of Mother Nature Cloth | Max Health | Melee Evasion | Magic Evasion | Crafted – Lithograph Drops from Cave of Destruction |
| Pants | Elite Resistance Leather Pants | Max Health | Ranged Evasion | Magic Evasion | Crafted – Lithograph drops from Mitran or Pirate King’s Chest Crab |
| Boots | Elite Resistance Plate Boots | Ranged Evasion | Melee Evasion | Move Speed | Crafted – Lithograph drops from Grayclaw Butcher |
End Game (BIS)
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Helm | Reaper’s Black Mask | Ranged Evasion | Magic Evasion | Cooldown Speed | World/Guild Raid Boss – Adentus |
| Cloak | Hermit’s Shroud | Max Health | Skill Damage Resistance | Enfeeble Resistance | Drops from Abyssal Specter & obtainable from Lithograph Book |
| Chest | Miracle of Mother Nature’s Clothing | Buff Duration | Melee Evasion | Magic Evasion | Drops from Saurodoma Island Reptilian Soldier’s |
| Gloves | Reaper’s Hand of Death | Magic Evasion | Ranged Evasion | Magic Endurance | World/Guild Raid Boss – Cornelius |
| Pants | Grim Judicator’s Pants | Magic Endurance | Ranged Evasion | Magic Evasion | Drops from Abyssal Specter |
| Boots | Heavenly Arbiter Shoes | Magic Evasion | Melee Evasion | Move Speed | World/Guild Raid Boss – Nirma |
Accessories
IMPORTANT – You will want to level up RARE gear to 9+ before transferring progress to EPIC quality Gear.
Level 1-50+
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Necklace | Shock Trooper’s Resistance Necklace | Max Health | Skill Damage Boost | Buff Duration | Drops From Skeleton Lancer (Ruins of Turayne Zone) |
| Bracelet | Wild Resistance Bracelet | Max Health | Skill Damage Reduction | Stun Resistance | Dungeons – Roaring Temple and Cursed Wasteland |
| Ring | Lethal Fortune Ring | Max Health | Skill Damage Boost | Buff Duration | Crafted – Lithograph Recipe obtained from Lithograph Book |
| Ring | Crude Wind Band | Max Health | Skill Damage Boost | N/A | Uncommon Accessory Chest |
| Belt | Crude Vigor Belt | Bind Resistance | Skill Damage Resistance | N/A | Uncommon Accessory Chest |
End Game (BIS)
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Necklace | Shock Trooper’s Resistance Necklace | Max Health | Skill Damage Boost | Buff Duration | Lithograph Book and Drops from Skeleton Lancer |
| Bracelet | Wild Resistance Bracelet | Max Health | Skill Damage Reduction | Stun Resistance | Dungeons – Roaring Temple and Cursed Wasteland |
| Ring | Insightful Ring of Dimension | Max Health | Skill Damage Boost | Buff Duration | Crafted with Dimensional Crystals x 20 |
| Ring | Transcendent Magic Ring | Weaken Chance | Skill Damage Boost | Buff Duration | Crafted – Lithograph from Morokai (Raid Boss) |
| Belt | Skull’s Spectral Belt | Max Mana | Skill Damage Resistance | Stun Resistance | World/Guild Raid Boss – Malakar |
Tier 2 Gearing
Tier 2 Epic gear is a step up from the Tier 1 Epics you’ll find early on in Throne and Liberty. After obtaining your Tier 1 BIS gear, you’ll need to work towards your Tier 2 gear grind. Most Tier 2 gear comes as a reward from the new Tier 2 Dungeons, along with a Tier 2 specific upgrade material – Precious Growth Schema’s. There is a lot of powerful Tier 2 gear options, with powerful 2-set or 4-set bonuses. In terms of weapons, there is also game-changing options available to most weapon types. Below is our recommended Tier 2 pieces to target farm for the Staff and Dagger:
Weapons
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Main Hand | Black Gale Witch’s Frost Soul | Heavy Attack Chance | Hit | Critical Hit | Tier 2 Dungeons or Crafted via Soul Shards |
| Off-Hand | Silent Tracker | Heavy Attack Chance | Hit | Critical HIt | Tier 2 Dungeons or Crafted via Soul Shards |
Black Gale Witch’s Frost Soul is an interesting addition from the Tier 2 arsenal. Not only does the Black Gale provide higher base damage, it also provides an AoE root passive on your Smokescreening Frost. However, Toublek’s Thunderous Soul is still a fantastic weapon and highly recommended. Silent Tracker can provide an interesting change up with Fatal Stigma in small scale combat. However, Lequirus’s Thorny Edge is too good to pass up and we highly recommend sticking to it.
Armor
| Name | Trait 1 | Trait 2 | Trait 3 | How to Acquire | |
| Tier 2 Piece (Helmet) | World Tree’s Mysterious Wreath | Cooldown Speed | Magic Evasion | Melee Evasion | Tier 2 Dungeons or Crafted via Soul Shards |
| Tier 2 Piece (Boots) | World Tree’s Winged Boots | Move Speed | Magic Evasion | Melee Evasion | Tier 2 Dungeons or Crafted via Soul Shards |
World Tree’s 2-set bonus provides a boon to your mana pool and Wisdom which is always nice. However, the main allure of at least the Helmet is the additional Heavy Attack Chance. Although, depending on how you can set-up your Reaper 2-set bonus across your gear, it can also be worth running the World Tree’s Mysterious Wreath along with the Abyss Slayer’s Rake Gloves. Both of these pieces do not synergize in terms of 2-set bonus, however, the mix of increased Heavy Attack Chance, Range and Stats in general is well worth it.
How to Play the Staff Dagger DPS Build
This DPS build has Top Tier Damage capabilities making it a must-have in both PVE and PVP. Below, we’ll break down the basics of PvE and PvP gameplay approaches with the build.
PVE
This build is focused on dealing as much damage as possible throughout dungeons and the open world. The build excels in both single-target and multi-target combat. When dealing with multiple enemies, group them up with your party and follow a rotation similar to below:
- Serial Fire Bombs (x3)
- Inferno Wave
- Ice Spear
- Chain Lightning
- Judgment Lightning
- Inferno Meteor
The Ice Spear activates the Frost Master passive which modifies Chain Lightning and Judgment Lightning into AoE skills. The Serial Fire Bombs also increase most of your damage due to the Staff kit revolving around damage increases based on burn stacks.
For single-target fights, we recommend switching out Ice Spear, Camouflage and Inferno Meteor for Predatory Strike, Inject Venom and Fatal Stigma. This change is especially helpful against bosses because you can focus all of your skills into one target. Build up stacks of Poison with Inject Venom active, use Predatory Strike off-cooldown and finally pop Fatal Stigma when you reach maximum stacks.
For Survivability, you have Camouflage to drop aggro and the insane amounts of Evasion you can gain from the Dagger passive “Shadow Walker”. Just remember to stay at a decent range for the most part as you’ll likely have the quickest access to boss mechanics or new spawning mobs.
PVP
For PVP, this build is used to deal damage through bursting enemy backlines, melting frontlines and “nuking” clumps of enemies. You are the king of large-scale PVP in Throne and Liberty.
As a Staff Dagger DPS build, you have a couple of important roles to play. The first and foremost as expected, is to deal damage to the right targets constantly throughout a fight, launching Fire Bombs into clumps, landing Lightning skills on squishy targets while keeping a safe distance.
Meteor Nuking
Most large-scale compositions play with 1-2 “Bomb Squads” in Throne and Liberty. Your task as a Staff user is to time your Meteor cast with your other Staff players on an engage. The most important aspect here is to wait for your tank(s) to call their Green Ranger Guardian activation (which is an AoE Root) and then react to it immediately. As a Staff Dagger player, you can do the following for maximum nuke output:
- Camouflage
- Dodge Roll out of stealth (to activate your Lequirus’s Thorny Edge passive)
- Channel Meteor on the correct location
- Consume an Attack Remedy mid-channel
Following the above allows you and your other Staff players to land incredible army-wiping damage when timed well. Camouflage provides a guaranteed critical strike with your first cast out of stealth. As a result, the guaranteed critical strike paired with the Dagger damage passive and Attack Remedy – hitting 5000+ damage on multiple targets is not uncommon!
Ice Spear is a very flexible spell in PVP too. Using Ice Spear both offensively and defensively has its benefits. As a result of slowing in AoE, you can use Ice Spear to disengage AND engage into a clump. Additionally, Ice Spear triggers Frost Master in your Staff passives, allowing for Chain Lightning and Judgment Lightning to deal AoE damage.
Utility such as High Locus should be used before you cast any of your rotation to ensure your cooldowns are reduced. You can also prioritize freezing enemy tanks with Icebound Tomb to allow your team to safely move up and deal damage without tank disruption.
Conclusion
That Concludes our Staff Dagger DPS Build! For more Throne and Liberty content, news and guides, be sure to check out our Throne and Liberty Home Page