Comprehensive Guide to MapleStory’s Dawn Warrior Class

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Dawn Warrior class in MapleStory. As a Cygnus Knight, the Dawn Warrior wields one-handed and two-handed swords to vanquish their adversaries. Originally introduced in 2009, the Dawn Warrior has evolved into a full-fledged class in MapleStory, boasting unique 5th job skills that enable them to conquer the toughest end-game bosses.

Overview

The Rise of the Dawn Warrior

In June 2009, MapleStory GMS launched the Cygnus Knight classes, including the Dawn Warrior. Initially limited to level 120, the Dawn Warrior played more of a supporting role rather than a primary character class. However, the class has since come into its own, now capable of reaching the maximum level of 300 (at the time of writing this guide).

Thriving in Battle

The Dawn Warrior excels in the early levels of MapleStory, thanks to its exceptional mobbing skills and high damage output. As you progress to the fifth job and beyond, training becomes immensely enjoyable as the class possesses superb mobbing abilities and a wide range of slash attacks. Playing as a Dawn Warrior is relatively straightforward, with minimal buffs to manage. Furthermore, they can effortlessly tackle both large and small maps, dominating the mobs before they even have a chance to respawn.

Bossing Strategies

Bossing with the Dawn Warrior requires expert control management. Certain bosses pose a challenge due to the forced jump-movement of the class’s main attack skill. However, seasoned Dawn Warrior players find the class easy to handle and immensely rewarding. While the Dawn Warrior’s DPS is slightly lower than that of the Hero Explorer class under ideal conditions, the class does possess a short i-frame in 5th job with Soul Eclipse, allowing you to dodge potentially lethal attacks.

Class Details

• Weapon: One-Handed / Two-Handed Sword
• Job: Warrior
• Class: Cygnus Knight
• Shared Cash Shop Inventory: Blaze Wizard, Wind Archer, Thunder Breaker, Dawn Warrior, Night Walker, Mihile
• Legion Block: + MAXHP (250/500/1000/2000/2500)
• Link Skill: Cygnus Blessing (Level 10: Attack Power: +25, Magic Attack Power: +25, Abnormal Status Resistance: +15, All Elemental Resistance: +15%)
• Primary Stat: STR
• Inner Ability: 20% Boss Damage

Skill Build

First Job – Mastering the Basics

You have the freedom to maximize all your skills in the first job. Follow this skill build:

• Triple Slash (MAX)
• Hand of Light (MAX)
• Soul Element (MAX)
• Inner Voice (MAX)

Triple Slash serves as your primary attacking skill, capable of hitting up to three targets simultaneously. Maximize Hand of Light next, as it provides an attack boost, followed by Soul Element.

Skill Description & Overview

Second Job – Advancing Forward

Maximize all your skills in the second job. Follow this skill build:

• Trace Cut (+1), Falling Moon (+1), Flicker (+1)
• Sword Mastery (5)
• Soul Speed (MAX)
• Trace Cut (MAX)
• Falling Moon (MAX)
• Sword Mastery (MAX)
• Divine Hand (MAX)
• Inner Harmony (MAX)
• Flicker (MAX)

In the second job, you are introduced to the Falling Moon skill, which must be active to utilize your new primary attacking skill, Trace Cut. As you progress further, you will unlock Rising Sun in the third job, which enhances your attacking skills’ strength. Maximize Soul Speed to increase your attack speed and then prioritize maxing out Trace Cut. It’s important to note that this skill attacks behind your character and can be used in conjunction with Flicker, a rush attack skill. The remaining skills provide passive damage boosts.

Skill Description & Overview

Third Job – Mastering the Stances

Maximize all your skills in the third job. Follow this skill build:

• Moon Shadow (+1), Rising Sun (+1), Moon Cross (+1)
• Moon Shadow (MAX)
• Moon Cross (MAX)
• Rising Sun (MAX)
• True Sight (MAX)
• Inner Voice (MAX)
• Will of Steel (MAX)
• Soul of the Guardian (MAX)

In the third job, you unlock two new attacking skills. Your primary attacking skill is Moon Shadow, which synergizes exceptionally well with the Falling Moon stance. Rising Sun, on the other hand, boosts damage and attack speed but is more effective when combined with Flicker. True Sight debuffs enemies, reducing their defense, while the remaining skills provide passive buffs.

Skill Description & Overview

Fourth Job – Unleashing Power

Maximize all your skills in the fourth job. Follow this skill build:

• Solar Pierce (MAX)
• Equinox Cycle (MAX)
• Soul Pledge (MAX)
• Student of the Blade (MAX)
• Unpredictable (MAX)
• Master of the Sword (MAX)
• Speeding Sunset (MAX)
• Equinox Slash (MAX)
• Impaling Rays (MAX)
• Call of Cygnus (MAX)

Solar Pierce becomes your new primary mobbing skill, while Speeding Sunset serves as your bossing skill. With the introduction of Equinox Cycle, you can automatically switch between modes, effectively incorporating the strengths of Rising Sun and Falling Moon into your attacks. This should be your primary active stance moving forward. Additionally, Impaling Rays grants you a bind, and the remaining skills provide passive damage buffs.

Skill Description & Overview

Hyper Skill – Unleashing Your Potential

Hyper skills become accessible once you reach level 140. As you level up towards 200, you will earn Hyper Skill Points. However, it is crucial to allocate these points wisely, as you won’t have enough to max out all the skills. The majority of these skills enhance the damage output of your current skills.

• True Sight – Enhance
• Divide and Pierce – Reinforce
• Careening Dance – Reinforce
• Careening Dance – Guardbreak
• Careening Dance – Boss Rush
• Styx Crossing
• Glory of the Guardians
• Soul Forge

Fifth Job – Ascending to New Heights

Upon reaching level 200, you will unlock the V Matrix, which grants access to your new fifth job skills. Each class receives unique skills and boosting nodes that amplify the damage of existing skills. Acquiring new skills involves obtaining Nodestones, which drop from every mob in the Arcane River. Since your V Matrix has limited slots, obtaining perfect nodes is crucial to maximize your character’s damage output.

Dawn Warrior’s essential Nodes include:

• Celestial Dance
• Rift of Damnation
• Soul Eclipse
• Flare Slash
• Trio: Styx Crossing, Moon Dancer, Crescent Divide

In addition to these skills, all 5th job classes should strive to acquire the following:

• Decent Holy Symbol
• Decent Sharp Eyes
• Decent Speed Infusion
• Erda Nova
• Rope Lift
• True Arachnid Reflection
• Weapon Aura
• Impenetrable Skin
• Empress Cygnus’s Blessing
• Phalanx Charge

Skill Description & Overview

Changelog

• 22/10/2021 – Initial update