Darkin Blade

**Darkin** **Blade**, abbreviated to **DB**, is an unlockable **Character**, found in the **Darkin** **Realm**. An alternative version of **Aatrox** with significant differences, one can consider this as a more faithful or 'true' version of **Aatrox** when compared to his *League* counterpart possessing similar animations and more accurate wings and eyes, especially during **Massacre. Darkin Blade** boasts a significantly higher amount of **Attack Speed** than his regular counterpart and acquires a variation of the 'mode' swapping, instead of changing weapons, **Darkin Blade** will transform into an **Ascended** instead.

Additionally, **Darkin Blade** possesses the ability to truly fly around the map, and this ability often leads to **Darkin Blade** being the most useful for exploring various areas. An interesting thing of note is that **Darkin Blade**'s model is flipped; the original *League* model featured him being left-handed and the armored features on the right, whereas in *Aatrox's Journey*, the features are reversed with the sword hand being on the right instead.

## Playstyle

Being a noticeably stronger version of **Aatrox**, **Darkin Blade** has harder hitting attacks and higher attack speed. His attacks are also readjusted to match his origin, while still maintaining the exact same **Stance** mechanic **Aatrox** uses, however **G** instead transforms **Darkin Blade** into an **Ascended** variation (not to be confused with the character **Justicar**) and can revert back by simply pressing the button again. Having all abilities unlocked regardless of **Player Level** and having generally better numbers, whatever **Aatrox** can do during **Blade** form, **Darkin Blade** can do better and more. **Darkin Blade's Flight** makes him the most mobile character in the game, with no one coming even close to him and also can be used in combat for covering large distances or screwing around.

**Darkin** **Blade** similarly utilizes the **Blood Well** but insteadfills up **4%** of the **Blood Well** per hit only needing **25** hits, half of the usual, for a full **Blood Well**. Outside of **Darkin Blade**'s unique **Light** and **Heavy** attacks, **Flight** and **Form Switching**, **Darkin Blade** is more or less an improved version of **Aatrox**. If the ability is not different, it is significantly *improved*. **Darkin Blade** has more damaging abilities even if they're functionally the same, the only exceptions being **Blades of Torment** which has the same damage value but a lower cost value from **5%** to only **1%**, and **Massacre**.

**Massacre**, depending on the **Mode Darkin Blade** is in upon activation, has two separate effects.

* As a **Darkin**, compared to **Aatrox's Massacre**, **Darkin Blade** receives additional **Attack Speed, Health Regen, reduces knockback effects, blinks replace dashes and Lunge becomes usable mid-air.**
* As an **Ascended**, compared to **Darkin's Massacre**, **Ascended receives less than half of the Attack Speed, but amplified Health Regen, Knockback Immunity and Damage Reduction**.

## Moves & Abilities

***Darkin** **Blade's** moves & abilities are unlocked from the start.*

**Passive Ability - Revive:**If you take lethal damage during **Massacre,**you will be revived.

**Q** or **Shift**: **Lock-on**. ***Lock-on****moves can be used without being locked on by holding **Shift**or**Q***.

**Light Attack:** A simple swing that alternates between left and right, dealing **160%** damage.

**Air Light Attack:** A simple swing that alternates between left and right, dealing **160%** damage.

**(Lock-on) Back->Light Attack - Sweeping Blade**: A knockup that can be followed up if **Light Attack** is held, dealing **150%** damage.

**(Lock-on) Forward->Light Attack - Lunge**: A lunge that ends with a stab, dealing **170%** damage.

**(Lock-on) Forward->Light Attack->Light Attack - Umbral Strike**: A move that teleports you behind the enemy for a swift strike, dealing **180%** damage.

**Heavy Attack**: A downward slash followed up by a stab, dealing **170%** damage.

**Air Heavy Attack:** A heavy hitting downward slash that sends you flying downwards, dealing **200%** damage.

**(Lock-on) Back->Heavy Attack - Blades of Torment**: Fires two converging blades that deal **120%** damage each. Costs **1%** **Blood Well** to use. Can be performed in the air.

**G:** Switch between **Darkin Form** and **Ascended Form**. Can't switch while **Massacre**is active. **Darkin Form** has a powerful offensive ultimate while **Ascended Form** is more defense focused.

**R - Massacre(Darkin):** Deal **150%** damage in a large radius, knocking up all enemies hit. Increases your **Attack Speed** to **4.0**, increases your **attack range**, reduces all knockback effects and regenerates **3% max hp/s**. All **dashes** become **blinks** and **Lunge** becomes usable in the air. Drains the **Blood Well** over time. Can be cancelled by pressing R again.

**R - Massacre(Ascended):** Deal **150%** damage in a large radius, knocking up all enemies hit. Increases your **Attack Speed** to **1.8**, increases your **attack range**, grants **20% damage reduction**, **nullifies** all knockback effects and regenerates **10% max hp/s**. Drains the **Blood Well** over time. Can be cancelled by pressing R again.

**F - Dark Flight:** Rise into the air and crash back down or dive to an enemy if locked on. Deals **100%** damage and knocks up all enemies in a large radius. If cast while **locked on** and above the target, **Dark Flight** will be cast much faster.

**(Hold in Dark Flight)** **F - True Flight:** Fly through the air unrestricted. Press **F** again to stop **True Flight** and dive down. Use either mouse buttons to speed up at the cost of **Blood Well**.

**(In Darkin Massacre)** **F->R - Demonflare**: Unleash all of your remaining **Blood Well** to create a massive explosion at the end of **Dark Flight**, knocking all enemies back and dealing **400%** damage.

**(In Ascended Massacre)** **F->R - Demonflare**: Unleash all of your remaining **Blood Well** to create a massive explosion at the end of **Dark Flight**, stunning all enemies and dealing **400%** damage.

**Tab - Toggle:** Switch between **Blood Thirst** and **Blood Price**. Has no cast time, functions identically to **Aatrox**.

**Space (tap) - Parry / Riposte:** **Parry** an incoming attack within the next **0.5** seconds (**0.15s** for a **Perfect** **Parry**). After a successful **Parry,** you can **Riposte**, dealing **300%** damage to your target, stunning them and healing yourself. If you fail to **Parry**, you will be vulnerable to attacks for **0.5** seconds.

**Space (tap while moving) - Dash:** Dash a short distance, becoming temporarily invulnerable.

**Space (hold) - Jump**: Jump. Jump height is based on how much you hold **Space.**

**Space (Tap mid-air) - Double Jump:**Channel demonic energy below you to propel yourself upwards. Knocks up all enemies in a small radius.

**Space** **(Hold mid-air) - Glide:** Glide slowly through the air. You will not descend while **Massacre** is active.

**T**: Dance.