Destiny: Hunter Class Guide – Bladedancer Subclass

The Hunter class focuses primarily on mobility and precision. In an intense battle, the Hunter is designed to pick a spot, fire off a few rounds, and move to a new location. This makes them very well mated with the Scout Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Rocket Launcher build. You never want to be caught in one place for very long as a Hunter.

Bladedancer Specifics

Each subclass has its own unique style, meaning that when you play different subclasses the feel of the character will change. This guide is set to focus on the Hunter’s Bladedancer subclass. The Bladedancer is a highly mobile melee fighter. You’d play this spec much like an assassin. Blink Strike and Arc Blade make a deadly combination for any situation. With the Fast Twitch modifier, Blink Strike’s cooldown is reduced to 5 seconds, allowing for almost non-stop melee killing.

Attribute Points

Like most RPGs, Destiny also has attribute points, but they work slightly different. Attribute points are only acquired through equipping gear that has points on it. Below are the attribute points and how they affect the Bladedancer.

• Intellect: Reduces the cooldown time of Arc Blade, allowing you to use it more often.
• Discipline: Reduces the cooldown of grenades, allowing you to use them more often.
• Strength: reduces the cooldown of Blink Strike, allowing you to use it more often.

Grenades

Here I’ll cover all three grenade tiers available to Bladedancer. To unlock higher tiers, you have to actively use your grenades. Whether it levels up based on kills with a grenade or just by use, I haven’t figured out yet. To use your grenades, push L1 or the left shoulder button depending on which system you’re using.

Flux Grenade

An explosive grenade that deals additional damage when attached to enemies. Flux grenades are good for the large targets in PvE, or for catching an opponent unaware from stealth in PvP.

Skip Grenade

A grenade that splits on impact, creating multiple projectiles that seek enemies. The grenade works similar to the Gunslinger’s Swarm Grenade. The only difference is the drone behavior. The Skip grenade drones are able to bounce off surfaces for positional advantages.

Arcbolt Grenade

A grenade that chains bolts of lightning to nearby enemies. This grenade is good for setting up for a melee engage. The Arcbolt will initially branch out to three nearby targets, and each bolt will then hit up to two more additional targets  nearby.

Jump

The Hunter’s Jump modifier is Double Jump. This is the same for both Gunslinger and Bladedancer, where they differentiate is the upgrades. To jump, push X or A depending on the system you use. Jump modifiers are really more about personal preference than anything else.

Double Jump

Jump a second time after leaving the ground.  Allows for higher/farther jumps.

Better Control

Upgrades Double Jump for better directional control while in the air. This upgrade allows for more mobility when using Double Jump as an evasive tactic.

Higher Jump

Upgrades Double Jump for even greater height. For those jumps that you can just almost make.

Blink

A short distance teleport that replaces Double Jump. Instead of jumping, you’re instantly teleported in the direction you were moving. Very useful for taking cover or getting the jump on somebody.

Super

The Bladedancer’s special is Arc Blade. The upgrades are preference based for this option. To use your special, press L1 and R1 or the Xbox equivalent at the same time. 

Arc Blade

Charge your blade with Arc Light, and consume your foes with lightning. Arc Blade is a timed melee super, useful for going in and cleaning up a group of enemies. This super generally lasts around 12 seconds, but duration decreases if you use your melee attack or activate an ability.

Showstopper

A lethal area-of-effect explosion with a 7 meter radius. To activate this explosion, press the fire button while Arc Blade is active. Performing this attack will place you in animation lock for a short time, so use it wisely.

Razor’s Edge

A powerful, ground-based, ranged energy wave. Activated by pressing the fire button with Arc Blade active. This is useful for surprising enemies, but can be avoided with a well-timed jump.

Vanish

Cloaking effect that allows user to disappear from sight. Activated by pressing the fire button while Arc Blade is active. Good for navigating between enemies near by but not clustered.

Melee Skill

The Bladedancer’s melee skill is Blink Strike. To use this skill, press R1 or the Xbox equivalent just like you would for a basic melee attack when the icon is full.

Blink Strike

A powerful melee attack with extended range. Blink strike is the longest ranged melee skill in the game. It utilizes the Blink teleport function in conjunction with a melee attack to take out an enemy.

Backstab

Doubles damage when hitting targets from behind. This is very useful in taking out the stronger enemies if you can get the jump on them.

Fast Twitch

Reduces the cooldown of Blink Strike. With this modifier, Blink Strike’s cooldown becomes 5 seconds. You’ll no longer need to stack Strength for a quick succession of Blink Strikes. Instead you can stack Intelligence for Arc Blade cooldown.

Escape Artist

Allows the user to cloak instantly after hitting a target with Blink Strike. This modifier makes it easy for you to get out after dealing a deadly blow to an enemy. With a full 7.5 second cloak duration, you’ll easily be able to reposition yourself for your next strike.

Passives

There are four bonus trees with different options for different playstyles. It seems you’re only allowed to have one bonus in each tree. Below I’ve listed the bonuses based on their tree.

Tree One

• Path Forgotten: Raises base Armor and Agility.
• Path Forbidden: Raises base Recovery and Agility.
• Path Unknown: Raises base Armor and Recover.

Tree Two

• Fleet Footed: Increases maximum sprint speed and extends slide distance. Also increases Agility.
  
• Quick Draw: Weapons ready immediately after dealing damage with any knife attack.
  
• Shadowjack: Increases the duration of invisibility effects.
  

Tree Three

• Way of the Drifter: Minor increases to Armor, Recovery, and Agility.
• Way of the Fearless: Massive increase to Armor.
• Way of the Nomad: Massive increase to Recovery, with a minor increase to Agility.

Tree Four

• Encore: Killing an enemy with Arc Blade extends its duration.
  
• Stalker: Gain invisibility after crouching in place for a short time.
• Hungering Blade: Kills with Arc Blade and Blink Strike immediately regenerate health.

That wraps up the Bladedancer specific details. Please check my class and subclass overview for basics on all classes and subclasses, with links to subclass in depth guides.