Knifeplay (skill)

Skill	Rank	Percent	Description
Knifecrafting	Inept	0 %	The art of the true Predators.
Stances	Inept	0 %	Smoothly shift between the knifeplay stances.
Ambidexterity	Apprentice	0 %	Focus on your offensive potential.
Series	Capable	0 %	Swiftly combine your attacks.
Twin	Capable	50 %	Combine two attacks at once.
Notching	Expert	50 %	A crafting skill to notch your knife.
Pommelwhip	Expert	75 %	They're easier to handle dazed.
Fleshbane	Virtuoso	50 %	Cause a wound to become infected.
Triplet	Virtuoso	75 %	Attack with three hits.
Spacing	Fabled	20 %	Keep yourself beyond arm's length.
Teardown	Fabled	40 %	Tear apart a helpless victim on the ground.
Trueparry	Mythical	0 %	Your blade makes you impervious.
Bloodscourge	Mythical	20 %	Your own essence is as good a poison as any.
Triad	Mythical	60 %	Dispatch thrice as many.
Bladesurge	Transcendent	0 %	The spirit of the fighter fully realised.
Lateral	Inept	0 %	The basic slash.
Vertical	Novice	0 %	A more powerful slash.
Swiftkick	Adept	0 %	A swift and accurate kick.
Trip	Adept	50 %	An effective method of bringing them down.
Jab	Skilled	0 %	A piercing blow to the arms.
Feint	Skilled	50 %	Fake out your opponent.
Pinprick	Gifted	0 %	Effectively aim for their nervous system.
Raze	Gifted	33 %	Attack the defences that would keep your sitara away.
Bleed	Gifted	66 %	Drain the blood of your foe.
Flashkick	Expert	0 %	A blow to leave them reeling.
Crescentcut	Expert	25 %	An attack of brute force.
Lowhook	Virtuoso	0 %	Spin low to render legs useless.
Veinrip	Virtuoso	25 %	Tear into the arteries of a victim.
Gouge	Fabled	0 %	A disfiguring slash.
Freefall	Fabled	60 %	The blade from above strikes true.
Spinslash	Fabled	80 %	A powerful double-cut.
Butterfly	Mythical	40 %	A whipping acrobatic attack.
Tidalslash	Mythical	80 %	Use your enemy's magic against them.

Knifecrafting
Syntax:	STRIP <corpse> CLEANUP <bone> CARVE SITARA FROM <bone>
Description:	The sitara is the primary tool of the powerful Predators and the most iconic weapon of their kit. Sitaras may be carved from the bones of almost any animal, although it is a long process that requires precision, time, and focus. You will also need a dagger on hand in order to do so. Once carved, the sitara is a unique weapon to keep in mind. Due to its smooth bone surface, only a single venom will adhere to it at any time and another one cannot be applied to it mid-attack. It is also rumoured that magnificent sitaras with unique properties of ice and fire have been carved in past times, and even more obscure rumours mention the existence of sitaras that cause damage against which there is no protection. Such rumours appear to hold no basis in reality, despite countless attempts to prove otherwise, and are often discredited as pure myth.

Stances
Syntax:	CHANGESTANCE <stance>
Description:	Your stance is an important aspect of Knifeplay, helping you strike and flow between each blow without hesitation. These stances will also provide you with a substantial benefit to your attacks as per the list below. Stances: None - No benefit. Gyanis - A stance which improves the trauma dealt by Knifeplay. Vae-Sant - A nimble stance that speeds up all balance recovery. Rizet - A powerful stance designed to increase sitara damage. Ein-Fasit - A stance designed to bolster blunt and cutting resistance. Laesan - An agile stance enabling an extra strike when it is last. Upon completion of an attack, a sitara wielder will flow from one stance to the next, dependent on their previous stance and the attack used. Not all attacks will be as efficient when used from certain stances.

Ambidexterity
Syntax:
Description:	This ability is passive. Should the hand holding your sitara become crippled, you will be able to switch it to a free hand in order to continue attacking providing you wield nothing else. Additionally if you are not wielding a shield, your sitara attacks (except Crescentcut) will do additional damage.

Series
Syntax:
Description:	Syntax: SERIES <[ab] [param]> <...> <[ab] [param]> <target> [venom] This ability allows you execute multiple Knifeplay attacks at once, within the same command. The attacks will be executed in the specified order against the chosen target, who can be a player or a denizen. If the attack can be targetted against a particular limb, it needs to be specified immediately after the attack name. The Pheromones skill is used in a series with the word 'pheromones' instead of its actual syntax. Optionally, the command can include a venom at the very end, which will be used for the first action within the combo that can deliver a venom. If no action can deliver a venom, then the venom will be ignored. Examples: SERIES LATERAL VERTICAL LATERAL target SERIES BLEED VERTICAL PHEROMONES target SERIES LATERAL VERTICAL LATERAL target ACONITE SERIES FEINT LEFT LEG CRESCENTCUT LOWHOOK RIGHT BLEED target SERIES FLASHKICK FLASHKICK FLASHKICK target

Twin
Syntax:
Description:	This ability is passive. Through careful training, you now have gained the ability to brace yourself and deliver two Knifeplay attacks in a single balance. When combining attacks, the balance recovery will be equal to the slowest attack that is used after modifiers, by adding them up and applying them after each move. You can also make use of the following attacks from Predation: Pheromones, Mindnumb, and Pindown.

Notching
Syntax:	NOTCH SITARA
Description:	Carve a notch into the blade of your sitara to acknowledge your skill with the knife. The first notch on your knife can always be carved. Once carved, you can SHOWOFF the knife to others and they will be able to see it. Apex bonus: You can continue to carve notches up to your current apex streak, allowing you to keep a permanent reminder of your skill and intimidate others.

Pommelwhip
Syntax:	SITARA POMMELWHIP <target>
Description:	While hiding in the shadows, you can leap out and strike with the pommel of your sitara at your target, causing a moderate blackout. This will then remove you from hiding. This weapon attack will bypass the aura of rebounding.

Fleshbane
Syntax:	FLESHBANE <target> [venom]
Description:	This ability will use your spit to infect the target's flesh, causing wounds from your sitara to heal poorly. As such, each time you deal an instance of cutting damage to your opponent with your sitara and rip open their skin, the wounds will periodically fester and reduce the potency of a restoration poultice applied to a limb. Additionally, any health gain or recovery by non-natural means will be reduced for the duration of this effect. You may use this ability while off equilibrium and can also deliver a venom with it. This weapon attack will bypass the aura of rebounding.

Triplet
Syntax:
Description:	This ability is passive. Your abilities with the sitara have increased such that you are now able to perform three Knifeplay attacks in a single balance. Please see AB KNIFEPLAY TWIN for more detailed information.

Spacing
Syntax:	SPACING [OFF]
Description:	This ability will cause you to constantly attempt to keep your distance from a foe, allowing you be more resistant to blunt and cutting damage, and granting a small bonus to your chance to dodge.

Teardown
Syntax:
Description:	This ability is passive. Little chance does a fallen opponent have against deflecting a small, nimble weapon like your sitara. While they remain on the ground with a broken leg, you will be able to bypass any attempt at parrying your knife.

Trueparry
Syntax:	TRUEPARRY [OFF]
Description:	With a careful eye and a wary pose, this ability will allow you to parry all of your limbs at once. Be warned however, that this defensive stance requires your full concentration. Should you act or become unconscious, you will cease to parry all your limbs. This powerful defensive stance comes with a hefty drain to your endurance, and will be difficult to maintain for long stretches of time. Apex bonus: For each kill you have achieved, it will reduce the endurance upkeep cost of the skill by 5.

Bloodscourge
Syntax:	BLOODSCOURGE <target> [venom]
Description:	Years of constant exposure to deadly venoms have tainted your blood to the point that it is toxic to other people. With this ability, you will coat your sitara with your own blood before plunging it into your target. Your target will then suffer from the recurring effects of your toxic blood, afflicting them periodically with random venoms, before the natural antidotes in their own bloodstream are enough to purge their body. Having a high skillrank in Antidotes will grant a higher chance of finally purifying the blood of this effect. You may use this ability while off equilibrium and can also deliver a venom with it. This weapon attack will bypass the aura of rebounding.

Triad
Syntax:	PERFORM TRIAD
Description:	This ability will allow you to perform two random sitara attacks upon three random enemies within your location. If any of them are protected by the aura of rebounding or a magical shield, then you will attempt to destroy those defences first. Triad can select from the following Knifeplay attacks: Lateral, Vertical, Jab, Lowhook, Crescentcut, Spinslash, Gouge, Flashkick, and Trip.

Bladesurge
Syntax:	BLADESURGE
Description:	If you receive a substantial amount of damage while this ability is active, an extra boost of adrenaline will heal you for a large amount of health and will grant you the benefits of all Knifeplay stances for a short period. Cooldown (when triggered): 195 seconds

Lateral
Syntax:	SITARA LATERAL <target>
Description:	AFFECTS: Both players and NPCs A basic sitara slash, attacking the opponent and causing trauma to the target's torso.

Vertical
Syntax:	SITARA VERTICAL <target> [venom]
Description:	AFFECTS: Both players and NPCs A slower, more damaging attack than the lateral. It does not target a body part, but it can deliver a venom.

Swiftkick
Syntax:	SWIFTKICK <target>
Description:	AFFECTS: Both players and NPCs This swift kick will do a small amount of blunt damage to your target and can strike through magical shields.

Trip
Syntax:	TRIP <target>
Description:	With a hook of the leg and a quick elbow, this ability will allow you to throw an opponent to the ground. If their head is broken, then the jarring impact of hitting the ground will deal blunt damage and leave them dazed.

Jab
Syntax:	SITARA JAB <target> [LEFT/RIGHT]
Description:	This hooking attack will deal high trauma to the target's arm. If no side is selected, then one will be chosen at random.

Feint
Syntax:	SITARA FEINT <target> <limb>
Description:	This attack will cause your target to shift their parry to the targeted limb and will briefly upset their balance. Cooldown: 10 seconds

Pinprick
Syntax:	SITARA PINPRICK <target>
Description:	This attack, aimed at a target's nerves, will cut them with your sitara and cause them to become epileptic.

Raze
Syntax:	SITARA RAZE <target>
Description:	AFFECTS: Both players and NPCs This ability will use your sitara to tear down defensive auras and abilities that protect your target. It will raze the following in order: Reflections Magical shields Rebounding aura Speed defence

Bleed
Syntax:	SITARA BLEED <target>
Description:	This quick, multiple lashing attack with your sitara will cause your target to begin to bleed for a light amount. This will cause two instances of damage and bleeding.

Flashkick
Syntax:	FLASHKICK <target>
Description:	This quick kick to the face of your target will cause a random hidden affliction to the opponent, as well as dealing trauma to their head. If they are affected by all afflictions it can give, then it will cause a blackout of the senses. This attack can give the following afflictions: Confusion, dementia, weariness, stupidity, or dizziness.

Crescentcut
Syntax:	SITARA CRESCENTCUT <target> [venom]
Description:	AFFECTS: Both players and NPCs A slow, looping attack, this sitara attack is well known for its deadly potency and heavy damage when the opponent is hindered upon the floor. It can also deliver a venom if you so choose. The following afflictions will boost its damage: * (+10%) Each crippled leg * (+15%) A writhe-based affliction * (+15%) Paresis / paralysis * (+25%) Fallen * (+30%) Each broken torso/head * (+35%) Each broken arm/leg * (+40%) Shock * (+50%) Each mangled torso/head The afflictions are listed in order of what causes the least damage boost to the greatest, with each one stacking. Limb-based afflictions will stack for each individual one the target has. This attack cannot be dodged or diverted through Avoidance.

Lowhook
Syntax:	SITARA LOWHOOK <target> [LEFT/RIGHT]
Description:	This low, swooping attack will cause trauma to a target's legs with your sitara. If no side is selected, then one will be chosen at random.

Veinrip
Syntax:	SITARA VEINRIP <target>
Description:	This vicious attack will aim at your opponent's throat, using the tip of the knife to rip apart an artery within. They will begin to bleed periodically, and once it finally stops flowing with blood it will leave them both weary and dizzy.

Gouge
Syntax:	SITARA GOUGE <target>
Description:	The wound caused by this swift cut across the face will disfigure them, turning any loyal minions against them. It will cause two instances of damage and trauma for one attack.

Freefall
Syntax:	FREEFALL <target> [venom]
Description:	If your target is either in the skies or trees, and you are above them or next to them, you can dive upon them with your sitara, dragging them down to the ground. Once upon the ground, they will be thrown to the floor and stunned while you stab them multiple times. This will cause three instances of damage, the first of such delivering a venom. While this ability can be combined with Knifeplay attacks, it can only be done at the beginning of a combo. This weapon attack will bypass the aura of rebounding.

Spinslash
Syntax:	SITARA SPINSLASH <target>
Description:	This confusing strike will randomly attack one of the arms or legs that your target is not parrying with your sitara, dealing trauma to that limb. It will cause two instances of damage and trauma for one attack.

Butterfly
Syntax:	SITARA BUTTERFLY <target> [venom]
Description:	This acrobatic and graceful attack will dismount you and let you move from an adjacent location to attack your target with your sitara, delivering a venom upon its blade. This weapon attack will bypass the aura of rebounding.

Tidalslash
Syntax:	ABSORPTION [OFF] TIDALSLASH <target>
Description:	This ability will allow you to absorb the harmful energies of magic-typed or arcane- sourced damage directed at you and store them in your sitara. Once your sitara has absorbed enough energy and begins to glow, you may attack your enemy with the deadly tidalslash, dealing a large amount of cutting damage and a small amount of unblockable damage. Death by this ability will not leave a corpse behind. You may check to see how much magical energy your sitara has absorbed by checking it with WEAPONPROBE. Please see AB WEAPONRY WEAPONPROBE for more information on this skill. Apex bonus: For each kill you have racked up, the damage will be split more in favour of unblockable damage over cutting damage. It cannot be divided any further than 90% unblockable, 10% cutting.