Hey slayers! Are you ready to dive into the world of Dauntless and dominate with the Chain Blades? This weapon is all about speed, agility, and relentless attacks. But with so many options, figuring out the best builds and which Chain Blades reign supreme can be a bit overwhelming. Fear not! This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know to become a Chain Blade master. We'll cover the Chain Blades tier list, discuss top-tier builds, and give you the insights you need to slay those behemoths with style.

    Understanding the Dauntless Chain Blades

    Before we jump into the tier list and specific builds, let's talk about what makes the Chain Blades unique. These dual weapons allow you to dance around behemoths, delivering quick strikes and maintaining constant pressure. Unlike some of the heavier, slower weapons in Dauntless, the Chain Blades emphasize mobility and adaptability. This makes them perfect for slayers who enjoy a fast-paced, dynamic playstyle. The Chain Blades have a couple of unique mechanics that set them apart:

    • Momentum: Many Chain Blade attacks build Momentum, which increases your attack speed and damage. Managing Momentum is key to maximizing your damage output.
    • Blade Spin: This is your bread-and-butter attack. It allows you to close the distance quickly, deal consistent damage, and build Momentum. Mastering the Blade Spin is crucial for any Chain Blade user.
    • Special Attacks: Chain Blades have a variety of special attacks that can be used for different situations. Whether you need to interrupt a behemoth, close the gap, or deal burst damage, understanding your special attacks is essential.

    Dauntless Chain Blades Tier List

    Alright, let's get to the main event: the Dauntless Chain Blades tier list. Keep in mind that this is based on the current meta, patch updates, and overall effectiveness in various combat scenarios. Things can change with updates, so stay tuned for future revisions! This tier list prioritizes damage output, utility, and overall versatility. Remember, personal preference also plays a big role, so experiment and find what works best for you!

    S-Tier: The Absolute Best

    These Chain Blades are the cream of the crop. They offer exceptional damage, useful perks, and are effective against a wide range of behemoths. If you're looking for the best possible performance, these are your go-to options.

    • Thrax Chainblades: These chain blades are very effective due to their unique ability. They have a unique perk that deals additional damage to Umbral-infused behemoths, making them essential for certain encounters. Thrax Chainblades also boast excellent base damage and a useful cell slot, enhancing their overall utility. With the right build, these can shred through behemoths with ease.

    A-Tier: Excellent Choices

    These Chain Blades are fantastic options, offering strong damage and useful abilities. While they might not be quite as dominant as the S-tier, they are still highly effective and can carry you through most content.

    • Hellion Chainblades: If you want to inflict burning damage while hitting, hellion chainblades have the ability for that. They are perfect for applying consistent damage over time. Their unique effect, which applies burning to behemoths, makes them incredibly valuable in prolonged fights. They also feature a solid perk and cell slot, allowing for versatile build options. Just watch out for behemoths resistant to fire!
    • Rezakiri Chainblades: For hitting behemoths that suffer from the shocked status, Rezakiri Chainblades provide a damage bonus. They are excellent for burst damage. Their ability to deal extra damage to shocked behemoths makes them a powerful choice for teams coordinating status effects. They also boast a high critical hit chance, further boosting their damage potential. Just be sure to pair them with a shock weapon or teammate to maximize their effectiveness.

    B-Tier: Solid and Reliable

    These Chain Blades are decent options that can still get the job done. They might not be the absolute best in any particular category, but they are reliable and can be effective with the right build and playstyle.

    • Pangar Chainblades: Slow behemoths with this chainblade. Pangar Chainblades are designed to inflict frostbite. They are useful for slowing down behemoths and disrupting their attacks. While their damage output might not be as high as some of the other options, their utility can be valuable in certain situations. They also have a decent perk and cell slot, allowing for some build customization.

    C-Tier: Situational

    These Chain Blades are more situational and might require specific builds or playstyles to be effective. They are not bad, but there are generally better options available.

    • Skarn Chainblades: Provides a shield. Skarn Chainblades focus on defense. They are useful for players who prefer a more survivable playstyle. Their ability to generate shields can help you withstand powerful attacks, but their damage output is generally lower than other options. They might be a good choice for beginners learning the ropes, but more experienced players will likely prefer other options.

    D-Tier: Niche or Outclassed

    These Chain Blades are generally outclassed by other options. They might have some niche uses, but they are not recommended for general use.

    • Embermane Chainblades: If you prefer to hit and run, Embermane Chainblades provide that. Their perk is useful for increasing movement speed, but their overall damage and utility are lacking compared to other options. They might be fun for experimenting with different playstyles, but they are not a top-tier choice for serious slayers.

    Top-Tier Chain Blade Builds

    Now that we've covered the tier list, let's dive into some top-tier Chain Blade builds. These builds are designed to maximize your damage output, survivability, and overall effectiveness in combat. Keep in mind that these are just starting points, and you can adjust them to fit your personal playstyle and preferences.

    The Momentum Master Build

    This build focuses on maximizing your Momentum to unleash a flurry of attacks. It's all about maintaining constant pressure and overwhelming behemoths with your speed.

    • Weapon: Thrax Chainblades (for their excellent damage and perk)
    • Armor: Focus on armor pieces that provide attack speed, critical hit chance, and stamina regeneration.
    • Cells: Use cells that boost attack speed, critical hit damage, and stamina efficiency.
    • Key Perks: Overpower, Ragehunter, and Aetheric Attunement.
    • Playstyle: Use Blade Spin to build Momentum quickly, then unleash your special attacks and combos to deal massive damage. Keep moving and dodging to maintain your Momentum and avoid taking damage.

    The Burning Fury Build

    This build focuses on applying burning damage to behemoths and maximizing your damage against burning targets. It's perfect for prolonged fights where you can take advantage of the damage over time.

    • Weapon: Hellion Chainblades (for their burning effect)
    • Armor: Focus on armor pieces that provide fire damage, critical hit chance, and attack speed.
    • Cells: Use cells that boost fire damage, critical hit damage, and attack speed.
    • Key Perks: Embermane's Lantern, Savagery, and Cunning.
    • Playstyle: Use your attacks to apply burning to behemoths, then unleash your special attacks and combos to deal extra damage against the burning targets. Keep moving and dodging to avoid taking damage and maintain the burning effect.

    The Shock and Awe Build

    This build focuses on inflicting shock status on behemoths and maximizing your damage against shocked targets. It's perfect for team play where you can coordinate with your teammates to keep behemoths shocked.

    • Weapon: Rezakiri Chainblades (for their damage bonus against shocked targets)
    • Armor: Focus on armor pieces that provide shock damage, critical hit chance, and attack speed.
    • Cells: Use cells that boost shock damage, critical hit damage, and attack speed.
    • Key Perks: Volcanic, Pulse, and Aethercharged.
    • Playstyle: Coordinate with your teammates to keep behemoths shocked, then unleash your special attacks and combos to deal massive damage. Use your mobility to stay safe and avoid taking damage.

    Tips and Tricks for Mastering Chain Blades

    Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you become a true Chain Blade master:

    • Master the Blade Spin: This is your most important attack. Practice using it to close the distance, deal damage, and build Momentum.
    • Manage Your Momentum: Keep an eye on your Momentum meter and try to maintain it as high as possible for maximum damage output.
    • Use Your Special Attacks Wisely: Each special attack has its own unique purpose. Learn when to use each one to maximize its effectiveness.
    • Dodge and Weave: Chain Blades are all about mobility. Use your dodges and special attacks to stay safe and avoid taking damage.
    • Experiment with Different Builds: Don't be afraid to try out different builds and find what works best for you. The Dauntless meta is constantly evolving, so stay open to new ideas.
    • Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play with Chain Blades, the better you'll become. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. Keep practicing, and you'll eventually master the weapon.

    Final Thoughts

    The Dauntless Chain Blades are a versatile and rewarding weapon that can be incredibly effective in the hands of a skilled slayer. By understanding the tier list, experimenting with different builds, and mastering the weapon's mechanics, you can become a true force to be reckoned with on the Shattered Isles. So grab your Chain Blades, hone your skills, and go out there and slay those behemoths! Happy hunting, slayers!