Stance

“

A Stance is a type of skill that affects the user in a beneficial way. Only one Stance can be active at any time, so if you are under the effects of a Stance, using a new Stance will replace the previous one.

— Isokeh, Expert Ranger

A Stance is a type of skill that has no activation time and benefits the user. Each character can only have one stance in effect at a time. A small number of stances also have a detrimental effect, e.g. Frenzy also causes one to take double damage.

Game mechanics

Characteristics

Typical effects for stances include:

• Blocking
• Speed boosts
• Increased attack rate
• Increased armor rating (usually for a specific type of damage)
• An end effect, such as Shadow stepping
• Improved skill recharge rate

Equipment that benefits from stances

Armor

• Sentry's Insignia

Weapon upgrades

• File:Staff Wrapping.png File:Shield Handle.png File:Focus Core.png Of Endurance

Inscriptions

• Weapon inscriptions
  • File:Inscription weapons.png "Dance with Death"
• Focus item or Shield inscriptions
  • File:Inscription focus items or shields.png "Run For Your Life!"

Stance canceling

Stance canceling refers to the practice of replacing the current stance with a new one, in order to speed-up application of an end effect or remove a harmful side-effect. For example, to end the double-damage of Frenzy, a warrior might use Rush and an assassin might use Dash to return more quickly to their original location after using Shadow Walk.

Mechanically, the original stance ends just before the new stance takes effect.

Related skills

Skills that counter or end stances

• File:Grapple.jpg Grapple: touch skill. Ends user's stance.
• File:Shove.jpg Shove: touch skill. Ends target foe's stance.
• File:Mark of Insecurity.jpg Mark of Insecurity: is a hex that reduces the duration of stances and enchantments by up to 73%.
• Some attack skills will end a stance after a successful hit. These attacks cannot be blocked and all but three include the keyword "Wild" in their name.
  • File:Forceful Blow.jpg Forceful Blow: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked. - Hammer attack, costs 5 adrenaline.
  • File:Whirling Axe.jpg Whirling Axe: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked. - Axe attack, costs 4 adrenaline
  • File:Wild Blow.jpg Wild Blow: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked. Always results in a critical hit. - You lose all adrenaline
  • Monster File:Wild Smash.jpg Wild Smash: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked - Mallyx the Unyielding
  • File:Wild Strike.jpg Wild Strike: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked. - Off hand attack, requires lead attack
  • File:Wild Throw.jpg Wild Throw: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked. - Costs 7 adrenaline and disables non-spear attack skills for 3 seconds
  • File:Irresistible Sweep.jpg Irresistible Sweep: ends a stance, and cannot be blocked. - Requires a Dervish enchantment

Skills with effects that trigger if user is in a stance

• File:Standing Slash.jpg Standing Slash: inflicts extra damage.

Skills with effects that trigger if user is not in a stance

• File:Barbarous Slice.jpg Barbarous Slice: inflicts Bleeding.
• Pure StrikeJaizhenju Strike Pure Strike/Jaizhenju Strike: unblockable.

Other

• File:"On Your Knees!".jpg "On Your Knees!": instantly recharges all of your stances if you are adjacent to a knocked down foe.
• File:Mirrored Stance.jpg Mirrored Stance: you enter the same stance the hexed foe enters.
• File:Shadow Walk.jpg Shadow Walk: your stances are disabled.
• File:Dwarven Stability.jpg Dwarven Stability: your stances last 55...100% longer.

List of stances

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
File:Auspicious Parry.jpg	Auspicious Parry	Elite Stance. (8 seconds.) Blocks one attack. End effect: you gain 1...3...4 strike[s] of adrenaline.	1	0	0	0022		warriora	TacticsZ	Factions
File:Balanced Stance.jpg	Balanced Stance	Stance. (8...18...20 seconds.) You cannot be knocked-down and do not take extra damage from critical hits.	0	055	0	03030		warriora	TacticsZ	Core
File:Battle Rage.jpg	Battle Rage	Elite Stance. (5...17...20 seconds.) You move 33% faster and gain double adrenaline from your attacks. Ends if you use any non-adrenal skills.	4	0	0	0		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
File:Berserker Stance.jpg	Berserker Stance	Stance. (8...13...14 seconds.) You attack 33% faster and gain 100% more adrenaline. Ends if you use a skill.	0	1010	0	01010		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
File:Bestial Fury.jpg	Bestial Fury	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 25% faster. Your non-attack skills are disabled (5 seconds).	0	1010	0	01010		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Factions
File:Bonetti's Defense.jpg	Bonetti's Defense	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You have 75% chance to block. Gain 5 Energy for each melee attack blocked. Ends if you use a skill.	8	0	0	0		warriora	TacticsZ	Prophecies
File:Bull's Charge.jpg	Bull's Charge	Elite Stance. (1...6...7 seconds.) You move 50% faster. Causes knock-down if you hit a moving foe in melee. Ends if you use a skill.	0	055	0	01212		warriora	StrengthZ	Prophecies
File:Burst of Aggression.jpg	Burst of Aggression	Stance. (2...8...10 seconds.) You attack 33% faster. End effect: lose all adrenaline.	0	055	0	01212		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
File:Charging Strike.jpg	Charging Strike	Elite Stance. (1...8...10 second[s].) You move 33% faster and deal +10...74...90 damage with your next melee hit. Ends when you hit or if you use a skill.	0	055	0	0055		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
File:Charging Strike (PvP).jpg	Charging Strike (PvP)	Elite Stance. (1...8...10 second[s].) You move 33% faster and deal +10...66...80 damage with your next melee hit. Ends when you hit or if you use a skill.	0	055	0	0055		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
File:Dark Escape.jpg	Dark Escape	Stance. (5...13...15 seconds.) You move 25% faster and take half damage. Ends if you hit with an attack.	0	055	0	03030		assassina	Shadow ArtsZ	Factions
File:Dash.jpg	Dash	Stance. (3 seconds.) You move 50% faster.	0	055	0	0088		assassina	Shadow ArtsZ	Factions
File:Dash (PvP).jpg	Dash (PvP)	Stance. (3 seconds.) You move 50% faster. Every 2 points in Shadow Arts lowers recharge by 1 second (max 6 seconds).	0	055	0	01212		assassina	Shadow ArtsZ	Factions
File:Deadly Paradox.jpg	Deadly Paradox	Stance. (5...13...15 seconds.) Your Assassin skills activate and recharge 33% faster. Disables your attack skills (10 seconds).	0	1515	0	01010		assassina	Deadly ArtsZ	Nightfall
File:Defensive Stance.jpg	Defensive Stance	Stance. (1...4...5 second[s].) You have 75% chance to block. End effect: gain one adrenaline for each melee attack skill you have (maximum 0...3...4).	5	0	0	0088		warriora	TacticsZ	Core
File:Deflect Arrows.jpg	Deflect Arrows	Stance. (1...5...6 second[s].) You have 75% chance to block attacks. Adjacent foes suffer Bleeding (5...13...15 seconds) when you block a projectile attack.	5	0	0	01212		warriora	TacticsZ	Prophecies
File:Defy Pain (PvP).jpg	Defy Pain (PvP)	Elite Stance. (20 seconds.) You have +90...258...300 maximum Health and +20 armor.	5	0	0	0		warriora	StrengthZ	Prophecies
File:Disciplined Stance.jpg	Disciplined Stance	Stance. (1...3...4 second[s].) You have 75% chance to block and +10 armor. Ends if you use an adrenal skill.	0	055	0	01515		warriora	TacticsZ	Prophecies
File:Distortion.jpg	Distortion	Stance. (1...4...5 second[s].) You have 75% chance to block. Block cost: you lose 2 Energy or Distortion ends.	0	055	0	0088		mesmera	Illusion MagicZ	Prophecies
File:Dodge.jpg	Dodge	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You move 33% faster and have 27...65...75% chance to block projectile attacks. Ends if you attack.	0	055	0	03030		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Prophecies
File:Drunken Master.jpg	Drunken Master	Stance. (72...90 seconds.) You move and attack 10...15% faster if you are not drunk. You move and attack 25...33% faster if you are drunk.	0	055	0	06060		a	Deldrimor rankZ	Eye of the North
File:Dryder's Defenses.jpg	Dryder's Defenses	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You have 75% chance to block and +34...55...60 armor against elemental damage.	0	055	0	06060		rangera	Wilderness SurvivalZ	Prophecies
File:Dwarven Battle Stance.jpg	Dwarven Battle Stance	Elite Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 33% faster, you gain +40 armor, and your attack skills interrupt actions. No effect unless you have a hammer equipped.	0	055	0	02020		warriora	StrengthZ	Prophecies
File:Elemental Resistance.jpg	Elemental Resistance	Stance. (30...78...90 seconds.) You have +40 armor against elemental damage. You have -24...14...12 armor against physical damage.	0	1010	0	02020		mesmera	Inspiration MagicZ	Prophecies
File:Enraging Charge.jpg	Enraging Charge	Stance. (5...13...15 seconds.) You move 25% faster. Gain +0...2...3 adrenaline on your next melee attack. Ends after your next hit.	0	055	0	02020		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
File:Escape.jpg	Escape	Elite Stance. (1...7...8 second[s].) You move 33% faster and have 75% chance to block.	0	055	0	01212		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Core
File:Escape (PvP).jpg	Escape (PvP)	Elite Stance. (1...7...8 second[s].) You move 33% faster and have 75% chance to block. Ends if you make a melee attack.	0	055	0	01212		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Core
File:Expert's Dexterity.jpg	Expert's Dexterity	Elite Stance. (1...16...20 second[s].) You attack 33% faster and you gain +2 to your Marksmanship attribute.	0	055	0	02020		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Nightfall
File:Expert's Dexterity (PvP).jpg	Expert's Dexterity (PvP)	Elite Stance. (1...16...20 second[s].) You attack 15% faster and you gain +1 to your Marksmanship attribute.	0	055	0	02020		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Nightfall
	Flail	Stance. (1...12...15 second[s].) You attack 33% faster. You move 33% slower.	4	0	0	0		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
File:Flail (PvP).jpg	Flail (PvP)	Stance. (1...12...15 second[s].) You attack 33% faster. Ends if you use a ranged attack skill. You move 33% slower.	4	0	0	0		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
File:Flashing Blades.jpg	Flashing Blades	Elite Stance. (5...25...30 seconds.) You have 75% chance to block while attacking. Block effect: 5...17...20 damage to your attacker.	0	1010	0	03030		assassina	Dagger MasteryZ	Factions
File:Flurry.jpg	Flurry	Stance. (5 seconds). You attack 33% faster. You do 25% less damage.	0	055	0	0055		warriora	Z	Prophecies
File:Frenzied Defense.jpg	Frenzied Defense	Stance. (8 seconds.) You have 75% chance to block. You take double damage.	0	055	0	01010		warriora	Z	Nightfall
File:Frenzy.jpg	Frenzy	Stance. (8 seconds.) You attack 33% faster. You take 175...135...125% damage.	0	055	0	0044		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
File:Frenzy (PvP).jpg	Frenzy (PvP)	Stance. (8 seconds.) You attack 33% faster. You take 200...160...150% damage.	0	055	0	0044		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
	Sprint	Stance. (8...13...14 seconds.) You move 25% faster.	0	055	0	01515		warriora	StrengthZ	Core

List of form-specific stances

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
File:Distortion (Gwen).jpg	Distortion (Gwen)	Stance. (4 seconds.) You have 75% chance to block. Block effect: you lose 2 Energy or Distortion ends.	0	055	0	0055		mesmera	Illusion MagicZ	Bonus Mission Pack
File:Flee.jpg	Flee	Stance. (10 seconds.) You move 33% faster.	0	0	0	03030		a	Z	Bonus Mission Pack‎

List of monster skill stances

Icon	Name	Description						Campaign
File:Battle Scars.jpg	Battle Scars	Stance. (7 seconds.) Shiro's attacks gain life stealing equal to the highest damage he takes while in this stance.	0	0	0	01111		Factions
File:Charging Spirit.jpg	Charging Spirit	Stance. (5 seconds.) You move 25% faster. Your next attack deals +50 damage and causes knock-down to all adjacent foes. Ends when you hit with an attack.	0	0	0	02020		Eye of the North
File:Corrupted Strength.jpg	Corrupted Strength	Stance. (10 seconds.) All corrupted plants in the area are invulnerable to physical and elemental damage.	3	0	0	0		Nightfall
File:Drunken Stumbling.jpg	Drunken Stumbling	Stance. (10 seconds.) You attack 33% faster and cannot be knocked down. If hit with a knockdown, you gain 1 adrenaline and adjacent foes take 50 damage.	4	0	0	0		Prophecies
File:Fingers of Chaos.jpg	Fingers of Chaos	Stance. (monster only) (5 seconds.) Your attacks cannot miss Rangers, remove enchantments from Monks, cause conditions on Warriors, interrupt Elementalists, and remove a hex when attacking Necromancers.	0	055	0	01515		Core