Skirmisher

Skirmisher
Role
Alternate Names	Duelist Korean: 듀얼리스트 Chinese: 決戰者
Base Job	Demonic Lancer
Job NPC	Leno
Specialized Weapon	Long Lance
Class Information	Skill Type: Physical Damage Type: Percent Subclass Difficulty: Expert
Inflict Element?	None
Inflict Status Effect?	Negative: None Positive: None
Awakening Highlander
Alternate Names	Korean: 하이랜더 Chinese: 無雙之魂
Second Awakening Durandal
Alternate Names	듀란달 Chinese: 聖武之魂
Neo: Awakening Neo: Skirmisher
Alternate Names	Korean: 진(眞) 듀얼리스트

I met him once during the short days of autumn at an arena near the western mountains. The man displayed the sharpness of Suju and the skills of an Imperial Knight.

He overwhelmed his opponents with his strong and swift spearmanship. The audience loved it and they cheered at every victory. However, instead of being joyous of his achievements, I noticed a faint sadness in his eyes, as if he were in pain even though his opponents barely left a scratch on him.

I learned of his secret from my master. About the accursed weapon known as the Demonic Lance and the horrendous burden it inflicted upon its users in return for its incredible power. It seems the man was suppressing it and would only use it occasionally.

But why?

When I finally got a chance to speak to the man, I was surprised at the lack of viciousness or hostility coming from a person who was supposed to be cursed. He even fancied my request to show me his spearmanship skills. Needless to say, he displayed power that could be described as the height of human ability. It was breathtaking.
He left the next day and we never saw each other again.

Afterwards, I began to hear rumours of a man known as the "Skirmisher" who challenged various martial arts schools and partook in almost every arena battle. I may have no proof of this but I knew this was the man I met not long ago..
I wondered if he really did enjoy fighting or there was something else that drove him? Out of curiosity, I asked my master on his thoughts on the rumours..

"There are many ways we find fulfilment in life, whether he finds it in duelling we will never know. However, remember what you learned that day, you first met"
said my master.

I remembered his impeccable spearmanship but most of all, I remembered the curse of the "Demonic Lance" and his struggle to suppress its power.
Could this be the reason why he fights? Does he want to overcome its torturous curse? I can only guess the answer and imagine his agony.
But what I am certain of is, that I have met a true warrior.

---

Ignoring the corrosive power of the Demonic Lance, the Skirmisher chooses to train heavily with the lance, engaging in lightning fast attacking and combos, leaving no openings for his enemies.

• At level 50, the Skirmisher awakens as a Highlander. At level 75, the Highlander awakens as a Durandal.

• His subclass cosmetic effect is a ghostly white mirage that appears whenever he stands idle.

• His 2nd Awakening cosmetic effect puts him into a crouching stance with the white mirage appearing behind him.

• His Neo Awakening cosmetic effect has the Skirmisher and the mirage perform various swings besides each other before the mirage fading away.

Becoming a Skirmisher

The Demonic Lancer must first reach level 15.

• Complete the quest Fighting to Protect the Forest Fighting to Protect the Forest from the Grand Flores Epic Quest line.

---

Awakening as a Highlander

The Highlanders have wandered through out Arad for almost an eternity. They have forgotten their past and do not carry anything of value.
Having been born without wealth. They have detached themselves from the material world and all its sensitivities. They bow to no one and prays to no god.

Some would say their life is meaningless but for the Highlanders, actions are more important than words or stature.

These are proud and fearless warriors who have honed their life for war and showcase their worth on the battlefield.

They are men who refuses to become a stepping stone for the glory of others and even when death is before them, they stuggle on until their very last breath.

This is the way of the Highlander.

---

The Skirmisher must first reach level 50.

• Complete the quest Unending Foreboding from the North Myre Epic Quest line.
  
  

Alternatively, if the player skips Unending Foreboding:
The Skirmisher must first reach level 50.

1. Talk to Leno in the Hendon Myre Back Alley.
   
2. Collect 1000  White Cube Fragments, 1000  Red Cube Fragments, 100  Superior Hardeners, and 100  Superior Irons.
3. Defeat Agram the Witch in the Abandoned Mine on Master or harder mode.
4. Collect 1  Formidable Essence from the Abandoned Mine on Master or harder mode.
5. Collect 10  Seals of Emperor Helm.

---

Awakening as a Durandal

“

The first time I met him was at a small village in the outskirts of Suju.

”

I heard about a man who is purchasing ancient documents at ridiculously high price regardless of it's value, so I started asking around for his whereabouts since I desperately needed the money. I met him within a few days. At that time, I didn’t have the any valuable documents nor the ability to determine the price of one, so I decided to steal a few documents that looked valuable from the library I recently began working at.

When asked his name, he just simply said ‘Durandal.’ He had a very unusual name and his appearance was that of an old person dressed in ragged clothing. There were many other things that made him looked strange but since the Great Metastasis, wierd or strange things have become more frequent. Besides the price of the book is more important to me.

“How about this? I think I can give you about this much for the 5 red books together.” He said "However, these blue books, you should put them back where you found them.”

Looks like a good start. These blue books were kept in a safe and I stole the key from my colleague while he was asleep . It was definitely worth it.

“No, no Sir. It took me 15 days to get here" I replied "There’s a reason why I’ve come all this way. Please take a look at it again.”

I exaggerated a little bit but I cannot take the books back any way. My heart was pounding from the curiosity of how much I could get from him.

“... These are extremely valuable. It would cost a tenfold of the price of the other books. I am not sure where you got these, but don't blame me for what happens afterwards,” he said.

I was elated to hear that and took the money right away . I was not concerned about the grim warning he gave me, I thought I finally caught a break. Well that break was definitely more than I bargained for.

“I... cannot run... anymore... father..”

My daughter and I was being chased by the pursuers hired by the empire. I think it’s been a week since we hid in the forest and kept on running without looking back. It’s been so long since we had any decent food or rest. I remembered the warning the buyer said to me but it’s too late now. Again, we heard the sounds of horses hoofs nearing. The Imperial Knights seems to be very uncomfortable moving around the forest. The problem was the two men in masks they hired. I've heard rumors about them, they are famous bounty hunters that have never once failed to complete their job. They either increase the people in custody or the dead in the morgue. People call them the Hounds.

By the time it was dawn, they have caught up to us. We were surrounded and had no chance of escape.

“The documents?”, demanded by one of the Hounds.

Maybe because of the mask but his voice filled the entire forest.

“I really needed money for my daughter. Please... don’t kill us..” I begged, my voice breaking in fear.

I thought of trying to talk my way out of it, but they drew out their knives and walked up to my daughter. I should have rushed in front of her to get between them but my feet wouldn't move, I was struck with fear. The eyes of my daughter was filled with terror as the Hounds prepared to kill her. I wanted to scream but couldn't, all I could do was cry in despair. Just as everything was about to end. The man I sold the documents to, suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I thought I was hallucinating until I heard him say;

“This is why I warned you...”

Instantly he attacked the Knights that were surrounding us, swiftly taking them out. They never knew what hit them. The Hounds on the otherhand reacted quickly and countered. They threw their knives at Durandal and charged at him. I took this opportunity to gather whatever strenghth or courage that I have left and grabbed my daughter to safety. I quickly turned around to see what was happening to the fight that was taking place. The Hounds were pushing Durandal back with their thrown knives and combination attacks but suddenly Durandal swung his lance creating a very powerful wind pressure that deflected all the attacks coming towards him. In an instant, the tables were turned and Durandal stood victorious in the end.

“The Empire will not stop until they get what they want, I suggest you disappear and forget about your former lives" said Durandal.

I nodded in agreement without saying a word. He handed us a note with instructions on where to go and who to meet. He strictly advised us to follow the instructions, if we wanted to survive and assured us that if we get there, we will be with friends who are against the Empire.

I never saw Durandal after that but I swore, if I ever meet him again, I will repay him for saving our lives and giving us a future that is safe from the Empire.

---

The Highlander must first reach level 75.

1. Talk to Siran in the City of Shonan.
2. Collect 25  Seal of Empress Skardi.
3. Clear EX: Gold Dragon Tournament.
4. Collect 40  Seal of Emperor Helm.
5. Clear EX: Silver Dragon Tournament.
6. Clear Tainted Time Gate.

---

Awakening as a Neo: Skirmisher

I used to wield my spear to ease my mind.
Against anything. I wanted to let go of the past somehow.
It was the one thing that I knew how do well, so I swung my spear hundreds of thousands of times.
I thought that if I did, I could forget the past, the present, the future and even them.
But the small ingrained seed manifested itself in my spearmanship.
It was a flimsy and light spear.

It was a spear so light that it couldn’t realize its weight.
I tried to ignore it; I hid my feelings of guilt in a box of atonement.
I ran and ran because I was afraid of facing my sins.
I swung my spear countless times in pursuit of the mirage of atonement.
But the weight of guilt would not disappear from my spear.

It was only after running away for a long time that I realized.
I must not forget them so easily.
Even if everyone else does, I must never forget them.
My job is to put their deaths in my spear.
And I shall withstand the weight of my spear until the moment I die.

Placing the weight of those I tried desperately to run away from upon my spear,
I wield it sharply.
Countless mirages unfold.
Is this who I am? Or is this what they are?
It didn’t matter anymore.
I’m the one who took their lives, deaths, names and everything.
The spear was heavier than ever.

---

The Durandal must first reach level 100.

• Complete the True Awakening 1 Quest line and obtain Ability Intensification.

Obtaining Ability Intensification

Upon completing Scroll of Enlightenment the following skills have decreased SP cost:

•  Mirage Stream: reduced to 30SP
•  Formless Lance Technique: reduced to 45SP
•  Lethal Flurry: SP reduced to 0 and auto learned like  Aura Javelin.

With  Scroll of Enlightenment learns the skill  Clues to Awakening and can reinforce either  Aura Javelin or  Lethal Flurry.

Learns new skills:

•  Subitism
•  One Step Closer

Skills

Skirmisher Skills

Active Skills  Mirage Stance  Swirling Spear  Aura Lance  Double Punto  Ground Seeker  Axial Vortex  Rising Lance  Chain Wave Lance  Sky Piercer  Mesocyclone  Vital Strike	Passive Skills  Long Lance Mastery  Mirage Boost	Skirmisher TP Skills  Sky Piercer Upgrade  Double Punto Upgrade  Vital Strike Upgrade  Axial Vortex Upgrade  Chain Wave Lance Upgrade  Mesocyclone Upgrade  Upgrade Mirage Attacks  Rolling Vulcan Upgrade  Crescent Strike Upgrade
Skirmisher Awakening Skills  Mirage Stream  Aura Javelin  Rolling Vulcan  Crescent Strike	Skirmisher 2nd Awakening Skills  Quadruple Drive  Formless Lance Technique  Mist Flare  Lethal Flurry	Skirmisher Neo: Awakening Skills  Resonating Impalement  Intrepid Spirit  Illusive Bombardment

Original Class Skills

Demonic Lancer Skills

Active Skills  Quick Punto  Helm Shot  Hook and Throw  Endure  Paratrooper  Partisan Suit  Side Slash  Ankle Cut (Demonic Lancer)  Surround Break  Double Throw (Demonic Lancer)	Demonic Lancer TP Skills  Surround Break Upgrade  Quick Punto Upgrade  Side Slash Upgrade  Helm Shot Upgrade  Ankle Cut Upgrade (Demonic Lancer)  Paratrooper Upgrade  Partisan Suit Upgrade  Hook and Throw Upgrade

General Skills

Active Skills  Quick Rebound  Backstep  Leap  Indomitable Spirit  Ancient Memory	Passive Skills  Latent Power  Armor Mastery  Basic Training  Backstep Upgrade  Conversion  Focus: Critical  Rear Attack	General TP Skills  Basic Training Upgrade
General Neo: Awakening Skills  One Step Closer  Subitism  Clues to Awakening	General Togglable Skills  Conversion

Trivia

• The theme and motif behind Skirmisher are based upon the light cavalry soldiers of Ancient Warfare.
• The Skirmisher's story and class shares parallels to the Blade Master in which both characters ignore their respective demonic entities and combats it with learning how to master their weapon(s) better.
  • In addition, both of the classes' first cosmetic effect involves a white illusion of some sort (I.E., Skirmisher's body mirage and Blade Master's white arm that creates afterimages whenever it moves)
• For his titles:
  • He's called a Duelist overseas which would be given to Vagabond's Global First Awakening that's spelt Dualist even though they share the same meaning as this is likely done to differentiate the two.
  • Highlander could likely reference the 1986 film of the same name.
  • Durandal is a reference to the sword (actually referred as Durendal) of Charlemagne's paladin Roland in the literary works, The Matter of France.
• For his skills:
  •  Crescent Strike Zero's Crescent Moon Slash from Mega Man X5.

Gallery

Artwork

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  Skirmisher Skill Cut-In

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  Mermaid Star Skirmisher Skill Cut-In

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  Skirmisher

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  Skirmisher CDnF Artwork

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  Durandal

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  Petite Durandal Portrait

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  Highlander Avatars

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  Durandal Avatars + Weapons

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  Durandal Bobblehead

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  Skirmisher Phone Wallpaper

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  Durandal Phone Wallpaper

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  Petite Durandal Phone Wallpaper

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  Neo: Skirmisher

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  Neo: Skirmisher Transparent

Animations

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  Skirmisher Motion Aura

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  Durandal Skill Cut-In

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  Petite Durandal

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  Neo: Skirmisher Awakening Sprite

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  Neo: Skirmisher Buff Animation

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  Neo: Skirmisher Skill Cut-In