How to play Knight

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By Guff | Published: Jun 08, 2026 | Updated: Jul 04, 2026

Knights are the dedicated frontline of Sword x Staff, built around blocking incoming hits and converting them into reflected damage through Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. , while also capable of switching to a Glass Cannon setup for boss fights when someone else handles the tanking.

Knight strengths & weaknesses

  • Rebound is exceptionally good against multi-hit enemies and AoE packs
  • One of the safest classes for pushing large combat power gaps thanks to consistent blocking and multiple defensive layers
  • Glass Cannon option allows you to switch to a DPS build for content where someone is already tanking
  • Annoying stat priorities compared to pure DPS classes
  • Glass Cannon requires favorable conditions to use safely: either a dedicated tank present or low incoming pressure from monsters
Experiment with builds!

Remember these are just boilerplates to change based on your gear, playstyle, skills and Fantomons.

Best stats

Knights have two distinct stat priorities depending on which build you are running.

For the Reflect Tank, your damage scales through consistent blocking. Block % and Block Rate are required to function, and Physical Mastery drives the damage that Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. reflects back to our enemies.

After those, Defense %, Flat Defense, and elemental resistances extend your survivability even more.

For the Glass Cannon build, treat your stats the same as any physical DPS. Physical Mastery first, then Crit Rate and Crit Damage, followed by Attack % and Flat Attack.

A few notes that apply to both builds:

  • Damage Increase and Damage Reduction are strong stats but mostly come from systems outside gear, do not chase them on gear directly
  • Elemental Aegis is a strong defensive stat, but also largely comes from other systems, so it is not something you will target on gear
  • Effect Hit and Effect Resistance have limited value right now and are not worth prioritizing over the other core stats
  • Crit Resistance is unnecessary for the Reflect Tank. A blocked hit cannot critically strike, making Block a more efficient defensive investment

Fantomons

Nyxarchon is the best option for the Glass Cannon build thanks to the extra charm slot and higher base stats.

For actual tanks, Armopi becomes the default pet since the extra shield it provides (and the DEF buff) is really good on any defensive loadout. If you are unlucky with your pulls, Boaro can work until you get Armopi .

Companions

Companions give passive stats at specific levels, so we recommend focusing on a few until level 50 that benefit your class directly before you level up all of them.

ALL CLASSES benefit from DMG Boost and Reduction stats to both increase damage and survivability.

For the Reflect Tank, prioritize companions that provide Block Rate like Braulio , Darkness or Mayoi .

For the Glass Cannon, prioritize Attack and Physical Mastery to keep your damage output competitive. Akane , Hermes , Jiangwang and Ophelia are good picks here.

Gems

Gem tiers

I’m going to use T10 gems as a reference, but the higher the tier, the better the stats they provide. Gems go from T1 to T15.

T10 Obsidian T10 Obsidian T10 Obsidian Description Inlay gear with it to amplify your ATK and DMG Boost. is good on any class, since everyone benefits from more damage regardless of what playstyle they have.

T10 Moonstone T10 Moonstone T10 Moonstone Description Inlay gear with it to amplify your DEF and DMG RES. is also pretty popular for all classes to help increase their survivability.

For Knights, T10 Sapphire T10 Sapphire T10 Sapphire Description Inlay gear with it to amplify your DEF. is a great choice to increase your DEF and T10 Beryl T10 Beryl T10 Beryl Description Inlay gear with it to amplify your HP. can help with extra HP.

If you are going for the glass cannon build, simply focusing on offensive gems is the way to go with T10 Ruby T10 Ruby T10 Ruby Description Inlay gear with it to amplify your ATK. and T10 Amethyst T10 Amethyst T10 Amethyst Description Inlay gear with it to amplify your SPD and Crit Rate. .

Builds

Early on you are limited by the amount of techniques available, but Warriors have solid options for both AoE and single target right from the start.

Block Rate is surprisingly powerful here, investing in it early can make you feel nearly untouchable in a lot of content compared to Mages.

Techniques
Leap Attack
Leap Attack
Mountain Collapse
Mountain Collapse
Gravity Pull
Gravity Pull
Whirlwind Slash
Whirlwind Slash
Charms
Blade of Lament
Blade of Lament
Insightful Eye
Insightful Eye
Block Awareness
Block Awareness
Blade Tempest
Blade Tempest

Strong AoE build that covers both damage and survivability.

Swap Blade Tempest Blade Tempest Blade Tempest WarriorCharmAttack Description Each time the caster's Technique deals DMG to an enemy, there's a 40% chance to trigger Sword Gale that deals additional Wind DMG once. for Strength Rules Strength Rules Strength Rules WarriorCharmProp Description Increases the caster's Physical Mastery. if you are fighting wind resistant enemies.

For easier content, remove Gravity Pull Gravity Pull Gravity Pull WarriorTechniqueAuxiliary Description Selects a grid within 7 grids of the caster. Deals Wind DMG once to all enemies within a 1-grid square area of the target grid and pulls them to the caster's location. and Blade of Lament Blade of Lament Blade of Lament WarriorCharmCure Description Each time a Technique deals DMG to an enemy, triggers a Lifesteal effect, up to 50% of the caster's max HP. , replacing them with more offensive options.

Important: only remove Blade of Lament Blade of Lament Blade of Lament WarriorCharmCure Description Each time a Technique deals DMG to an enemy, triggers a Lifesteal effect, up to 50% of the caster's max HP. if survivability is not an issue.

Block Rate is very strong, but if you are short on damage you can swap Block Awareness Block Awareness Block Awareness WarriorCharmProp Description Increases the caster's Block Rate. for Counter Blade Counter Blade Counter Blade WarriorCharmCounterstrike Description When damaged by an enemy's Technique within 2 grids of the caster, there is a 50% chance to counterattack, dealing Physical DMG once to the attacker. , especially in melee encounters.

Techniques
Leap Attack
Leap Attack
Lion Combo
Lion Combo
Quadrant Slash
Quadrant Slash
Heavy Impact
Heavy Impact
Charms
Blade of Lament
Blade of Lament
Insightful Eye
Insightful Eye
Block Awareness
Block Awareness
Blade Tempest
Blade Tempest

Single target setup that focuses on consistent damage output.

Uses the same charm setup as the AoE build, making it easy to swap between the two depending on the content you are running.

For easier content you can remove Blade of Lament Blade of Lament Blade of Lament WarriorCharmCure Description Each time a Technique deals DMG to an enemy, triggers a Lifesteal effect, up to 50% of the caster's max HP. , replacing it with more offensive options.

Important: only remove Blade of Lament Blade of Lament Blade of Lament WarriorCharmCure Description Each time a Technique deals DMG to an enemy, triggers a Lifesteal effect, up to 50% of the caster's max HP. if survivability is not an issue.

Block Rate is very strong, but if you are short on damage you can swap Block Awareness Block Awareness Block Awareness WarriorCharmProp Description Increases the caster's Block Rate. for Counter Blade Counter Blade Counter Blade WarriorCharmCounterstrike Description When damaged by an enemy's Technique within 2 grids of the caster, there is a 50% chance to counterattack, dealing Physical DMG once to the attacker. , especially in melee encounters.

The Knight introduces your new best friend Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. , which will convert blocks into reflected damage. This is when the class starts to function the way it was designed.

This will also be your go-to build for most content.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Group content: Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge KnightTechniqueAttackDebuff Description Deals Physical DMG once to all enemies within 3 grids of the caster, with an 85% chance to inflict Taunt for 1 turn. Has a 100% chance to inflict Taunt non-character units. (Casts once before battle starts.) is mandatory for the Reflect Tank in party play. Without it you lose control over what is hitting you and Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. triggers less reliably.

Block Rate is now critical: Your damage output depends on landing blocks consistently. Make sure you are investing in it on gear and charms.

Physical Mastery: The primary way Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. scales its reflected damage. Do not neglect it on gear even in the tank build.


Techniques
Luminous Shield
Luminous Shield
Valor Surge
Valor Surge
Leap Attack
Leap Attack
Guardian Ring
Guardian Ring
Charms
Block Awareness
Block Awareness
Counter Blade
Counter Blade
Rebound
Rebound
Iron Fortress
Iron Fortress

Survive incoming hits through consistent blocking and let Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. reflect that damage back.

Each block triggers Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. once, so the build is especially strong against multi-hit attacks, AoE packs, and enemies that attack rapidly in sequences.

A single skill that hits 5 times will trigger Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. 5 separate times.

Situational swaps:

  • Valor Surge Valor Surge Valor Surge KnightTechniqueFriendBuffDisperseStatus Description Grants a DMG Boost to all allied characters within 5 grids of the caster for 2 turns and dispels 1 random status ailment or debuff. (Casts once before battle starts.) : Buff and cleanse. Strong in both solo and group play but optional
  • Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge KnightTechniqueAttackDebuff Description Deals Physical DMG once to all enemies within 3 grids of the caster, with an 85% chance to inflict Taunt for 1 turn. Has a 100% chance to inflict Taunt non-character units. (Casts once before battle starts.) : AoE taunt, required in group play, unless you’re playing glass cannon build
  • Heavy Impact Heavy Impact Heavy Impact WarriorTechniqueAttack Description Attacks 1 enemy within 1 grid of the caster, dealing Physical DMG once and knocking them airborne (Prioritizes large targets) : Burst damage for bosses and PvP
  • Whirlwind Slash Whirlwind Slash Whirlwind Slash WarriorTechniqueAttack Description Deals Physical DMG 4 times to all enemies within a 1-grid square area of the caster. : Extra AoE DPS
  • Boiling Bloodlust Boiling Bloodlust Boiling Bloodlust WarriorTechniqueSelfBuff Description Increases the caster's Crit Rate and Crit DMG for 4 turns. (Zero Initial CD) : Optional DPS amplifier

The Palading class upgrade expands your toolkit significantly and introduces the Glass Cannon build as a viable alternative for boss content.

The Reflect Tank remains your strongest general setup, but now you have the flexibility to pivot depending on what the fight demands.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Group content: Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge KnightTechniqueAttackDebuff Description Deals Physical DMG once to all enemies within 3 grids of the caster, with an 85% chance to inflict Taunt for 1 turn. Has a 100% chance to inflict Taunt non-character units. (Casts once before battle starts.) is mandatory for the Reflect Tank in party play. Without it you lose control over what is hitting you and Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. triggers less reliably.

Glass Cannon conditions: Only switch to this build when a dedicated tank is already present, or when incoming damage is low enough that surviving is not a concern.


Techniques
Luminous Shield
Luminous Shield
Valor Surge
Valor Surge
Leap Attack
Leap Attack
Guardian Ring
Guardian Ring
Charms
Block Awareness
Block Awareness
Block Mastery
Block Mastery
Rebound
Rebound
Iron Fortress
Iron Fortress

Situational swaps:

  • Valor Surge Valor Surge Valor Surge KnightTechniqueFriendBuffDisperseStatus Description Grants a DMG Boost to all allied characters within 5 grids of the caster for 2 turns and dispels 1 random status ailment or debuff. (Casts once before battle starts.) : Buff and cleanse. Strong in both solo and group play but optional
  • Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge Heart of Challenge KnightTechniqueAttackDebuff Description Deals Physical DMG once to all enemies within 3 grids of the caster, with an 85% chance to inflict Taunt for 1 turn. Has a 100% chance to inflict Taunt non-character units. (Casts once before battle starts.) : AoE taunt, required in group play, replace either leap or shield with this skill
  • Desperate Protection Desperate Protection Desperate Protection PaladinTechniqueFriendShield Description Grants a shield based on the caster's DEF to the ally with the lowest HP within 3 grids of the caster, lasting for 3 turns. : Emergency shield alternative to Guardian Ring Guardian Ring Guardian Ring KnightTechniqueSelfShield Description Grants a shield based on DEF to the caster for 2 turns. (Zero Initial CD)
  • Lunarwater Threads Lunarwater Threads Lunarwater Threads PaladinTechniqueAuxiliaryDebuff Description Deals Water DMG once to all enemies within 5 grids of the caster, with a 50% base chance to inflict 1 stack of Cold for 2 turns and pulls them to the caster's location. : Pull tool for ranged enemies
  • Star Shattering Slash Star Shattering Slash Star Shattering Slash PaladinTechniqueAttack Description Deals Physical DMG once to 1 enemy within 1 grid of the caster. (Prioritizes large targets) / Heavy Impact Heavy Impact Heavy Impact WarriorTechniqueAttack Description Attacks 1 enemy within 1 grid of the caster, dealing Physical DMG once and knocking them airborne (Prioritizes large targets) : Burst damage for bosses and PvP
  • Whirlwind Slash Whirlwind Slash Whirlwind Slash WarriorTechniqueAttack Description Deals Physical DMG 4 times to all enemies within a 1-grid square area of the caster. : Extra AoE DPS
  • Boiling Bloodlust Boiling Bloodlust Boiling Bloodlust WarriorTechniqueSelfBuff Description Increases the caster's Crit Rate and Crit DMG for 4 turns. (Zero Initial CD) : Optional DPS amplifier
  • Counter Blade Counter Blade Counter Blade WarriorCharmCounterstrike Description When damaged by an enemy's Technique within 2 grids of the caster, there is a 50% chance to counterattack, dealing Physical DMG once to the attacker. : Early Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. alternative that scales with Attack. Can still run alongside Rebound Rebound Rebound KnightCharmCounterstrike Description Each time the caster blocks an enemy's Technique attack, deals Physical DMG once to the attacker based on the caster's DEF. in tanky setups
Techniques
Valor Surge
Valor Surge
Leap Attack
Leap Attack
Heavy Impact
Heavy Impact
Star Shattering Slash
Star Shattering Slash
Charms
Strength Rules
Strength Rules
Insightful Eye
Insightful Eye
Pursuit of Victory
Pursuit of Victory
Warrior's Essence
Warrior's Essence

Boss damage build when survivability is not required. Use this when a dedicated tank is already present or incoming damage is low enough that tanking is not needed.

Focus entirely on maximizing total damage output through buffs and debuffs. In boss fights where damage is measured over a fixed number of turns, this build will outperform the Reflect Tank significantly.

Situational swaps:

  • Boiling Bloodlust Boiling Bloodlust Boiling Bloodlust WarriorTechniqueSelfBuff Description Increases the caster's Crit Rate and Crit DMG for 4 turns. (Zero Initial CD) : Optional DPS amplifier, stronger at this tier as your base stats are higher
  • Guardian Ring Guardian Ring Guardian Ring KnightTechniqueSelfShield Description Grants a shield based on DEF to the caster for 2 turns. (Zero Initial CD) : Only worth including if you are already running Defensive Assault Defensive Assault Defensive Assault KnightCharmBuff Description Grants an ATK boost when the caster is shielded.
  • Defensive Assault Defensive Assault Defensive Assault KnightCharmBuff Description Grants an ATK boost when the caster is shielded. : Enables synergy with Guardian Ring Guardian Ring Guardian Ring KnightTechniqueSelfShield Description Grants a shield based on DEF to the caster for 2 turns. (Zero Initial CD)
  • Feline Dance Feline Dance Feline Dance WarriorCharmProp Description Increases the caster's SPD. : Speed for extra turns
  • Blade of Lament Blade of Lament Blade of Lament WarriorCharmCure Description Each time a Technique deals DMG to an enemy, triggers a Lifesteal effect, up to 50% of the caster's max HP. : Lifesteal if you need a small survivability safety net

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