Bladedancer Gear

The Bladedancer Gear is a collection of armor pieces which, when worn, significantly increases the close-quarters combat capabilities of its user through a number of unique benefits and interactions. 
==Acquiring==
[EARLY ACCESS OBTAINMENT]
Bladedancer Gear can be acquired through the Spectral Merchant during the Frosted Frights event, located in the center of the Train Station for 200 shards per piece, totalling to 600 shards for a full set. For more information about how to obtain shards, see Currency. 
==Set Bonuses==
Bladedancer Gear has access to a specialized jetpack which enables a double jump identical to Operator Gear's, but additionally enables a power slide unique to Bladedancer Gear. The power slide is activated whenever a Bladedancer slides across the ground, and will cause them to rapidly slide an extremely long distance for up to 5 seconds. The speed at which you travel is affected by movement speed modifiers like Photon Blades or Purple Inhalers. Like the double jump, the power slide has a short, linear cooldown when used. If attempting to power slide in short succession, the first slide will activate the jetpack, and the second will not. 
When reaching 50% maximum health, the helmet will activate a lifeline that applies a Lv. 1.5 Jet Drive status effect for 15 seconds and Lv. 20 Recovery status effect for seven ticks of healing. This creates an effective retreating procedure that can allow you to flee dangerous situations you may not be able to handle. Alternatively, this time can be used as an opportunity to press the attack. If you choose to go this route, be warned that a Bladedancer without a lifeline is criminally vulnerable. 
== Abilities ==
Successfully hitting an enemy with any Bladedancer Talons or Photon Blades attack (Excluding the Photon Blades heavy attack) will apply a photonic shift marker on enemies. Photonic shift markers allow bladedancers to use two unique abilities/attacks: The Talon Shift and Blade Dance (General name for mentioning either is "Photonic Shift"). Photonic shift attacks have a maximum range and require line-of-sight to function. 
The Talon Shift is used with Bladedancer Talons, and is activated by lunging at an enemy with an active marker. The Talon Shift causes a bladedancer to rapidly teleport to an enemy's location three times, striking them with the talons and applying minor stun effects. The Talon Shift will always strike the head, and bypasses block. This attack photonic shift markers, meaning that it can be spammed indefinitely. The talon shift will always attack only the closest marked player three times. 
The Blade Dance is used with Photon Blades, and is activated by using a heavy attack with Photon Blades equipped. The Blade Dance causes a bladedancer to rapidly teleport behind up to three enemies, strike them in the head with Photon Blades, and apply the electrified status effect to all enemies hit. The Blade Dance will always strike the head, and bypasses block. This attack will consume the photonic shift marker on enemies that are hit, and cannot hit the same person twice in the same attack. If a player would be downed by the damage that a Blade Dance would inflict, they will instead be instantly decapitated even if their head has full hitpoints. 
Bladedancer Gear empowers Photon Blades with the surge attachment, and raises the light swing and lunge damage to 55. When lunging at an enemy with empowered Photon Blades, a seeking projectile is spawned from the bladedancer towards the closest combatant which deals minor damage, applies a photonic shift marker, and shortly ragdolls the opponent. 
== Tips on Usage ==
Bladedancers live and die by their lifeline; without enhanced recovery, they are much more vulnerable to damage than Operators and Commanders. The only remedy to this decreased survivability is vastly increased mobility with a powered slide, but mobility can only offer so much protection. In general, one should not take fights in Bladedancer Gear unless their lifeline is off cooldown. Luckily, the lifeline can be regained instantly upon rejoining at any time. Otherwise, you will have to wait 120 seconds to regain the ability. As a consequence of this, Bladedancers can heal to full hitpoints without the use of a medkit by rejoining if they are not in combat and their current hp count is below 50%. 
Because Bladedancer Gear raises the damage of Photon Blades to 55 and the Blade Dance ability will always decapitate players that would otherwise be downed by the damage it would apply, it is possible to kill enemy bladedancers with one successful lunge/light attack and an immediate followup heavy attack. Using any other engagement order (Excluding two Photon Blades headshots) may cause the enemy bladedancer's lifeline to activate, making it significantly more difficult to kill them. 
==Bugs== 
*The ability to use photonic particles to teleport to a player and chop off his head may make you glitch through the map and fall to your death.
*If two bladedancers use a Blade Dance at the same time with line of sight to the same marked player, both attacks will land even though the photonic shift marker is consumed by the time the second bladedancer attacks. 
== Trivia==
*EARLY ACCESS Bladedancer Gear cannot be dropped, both literally, and on bodies. No items bought through "The Collector" Event NPC are droppable, Do not trade this item. Anyone claiming to be able to give another player this item is a member of staff, or a scammer
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*Photonic particles are not player-specific, meaning that a second Bladedancer can utilize the first Bladedancer's photonic particles when applied.
**You cannot use Photonic Shift on yourself if you are marked.
*Players in the same party of the Bladedancer are not safe from Photonic Shift attacks, and are susceptible to heavy casualties.
**Photonic Shift attacks will attack the nearest marked entity. Use this to avoid unnecessary injuries to party members
***
*Bladedancers have a unique activation SFX compared to other kits.
==Gallery==
Bladedancer0.png|Teaser image showcasing the Bladedancer.
Bladedancer1.png|Ditto, brightened.
File:Bladedancer Photon Blades 3.gif|Bladedancer with surge Photon Blades
File:Bladedancer Photon Blades 2.gif|Bladedancer using Photon Blades ability
File:Bladedancer Talons.gif|Bladedancer with Talons