Aether Strikers

The **Aether Strikers** are a blunt weapon type in Dauntless.

## Summary

Slayers will get access to the aether strikers fairly early in progression – right around the same time you get your first pair of repeaters. Once you’ve grabbed the Scarred Master’s quest, you’ll be able to talk to her for all of your striker crafting needs. And there will be quite a few! Just like with the sword and war pike, you’ll be able to craft a unique set of strikers for each Behemoth you slay.

### Lore

Aether Strikers was a weapon originally only used by the Adamant Fists, which was a group that lived in the Adamant Temple. The weapons were originally not used to kill behemoths but to defeat human foes that wanted to do harm to the Adamant Temple. It was not until Kat returned from the Temple to Ramsgate that she gave the Aethersmith the Gauntlets she was allowed to take with her, that the Aether Strikers became a weapon to hunt Behemoths.

Instead of acting as an extension of self, the strikers function as a catalyst, transforming the very Slayer who wields them into a weapon of flesh and deadly focus. But the aether strikers can only enhance what is already there. If you truly want to master the Way of the Fist – and prove your worth to the Scarred Master – you’ll need to do more than throw a quick punch. Combos. Chains. Mantras. Techniques. Each aspect of the aether strikers must be understood, practiced, and honed to perfection.

The strikers are pugilist’s weapons, but they also have a spiritual component. To truly master them, you’ll need to learn to charge up special energies called Mantras, and understand when to unleash their powers.

## Legendaries

Facing the Keystone Behemoth in a hard Escalation will unlock blueprints for all of its legendary weapons. These high-powered weapons aren't easy to craft, but the perks are worth the extra effort.

## Weapon Skins

The following weapon skins can be used with the Aether Strikers:

* Adamant Demons
* Alchemancer's Repercussions
* Archonic Tech-Disruptors
* Archonite Strikers
* Arcslayer Aethercasters
* Benson's Ramslammers
* Benson's Warslammers
* Bloodshot Sockets
* Broken Sockets
* Catspaws
* Champion's Aether Strikers
* Cold Archonite Strikers
* Dazzling Owls
* Defender's Decrees
* Deliberate Demons
* Emerald Steel Strikers
* EN-AC1 "Might Makes Rites"
* Forgotten Moments
* Frostfall Strikers
* Frostform Smaukurrin
* Frostwarden Klaw
* Grand Romantics
* Heartbreakers
* Heartfire's Sins
* Heartgem Strikers
* Infiltrator's Umbras
* Keeper's Applodo
* Krolach Kill-Fists
* Krolach Kill-Mitts
* Null Forces
* Pneumatic Fisticuffs
* Ranger's Rites
* Royal Steel Strikers
* Skarn Knuckles
* Skymetal Strikers
* SM-AS "Ramming Speed" Auto Strikers
* SM-IS7 "Fragtime" Impact Strikers
* Smiley and Smacker
* Stars Above
* Steel Strikers
* The Everdawns
* Thorns of Dusk
* Timeframes
* Treasured Gauntlets
* Twisted Serpents
* Unbidden Rebuke
* Victorious Aether Strikers
* Warlord's Howls
* Witch's Familiars

## Techniques

Perhaps the most important component of the Aether strikers system are techniques.

These are special moves that vary depending on how many Mantras you have charged up.

### Tempest Form

The **Tempest Form** is the simplest technique, requiring only one Mantra to use.

Activate it to focus your energy and increase your attack speed. This is a relatively long boost.

### Karma Breaker

The **Karma Breaker** requires two Mantras and unleashes a forward strike.

This strike damages the first target it hits and deals damage over time for an extended period.

### Adamant Bolt

The **Adamant Bolt** releases a focused, cannon-like blast of energy, dealing damage to the first enemy it hits.

It also deals bonus damage if either Tempest Form or Karma Breaker is active, and even more damage if they’re both active.

You’ll need to light up all three Mantras in order to use this one.

Adamant Bolt can be swapped for Titan’s Crash, a devastating close-range Attack that does more damage when both Tempest Form and Karma Breaker are active.

### Mantra

Once you’ve charged up a Mantra, you’ll see a timer and two special skills light up on your UI.

The first one is Surge: a skill you can use after gaining any Mantra or using any technique. Tap your special button to execute a dash attack that punches through enemies and – this part is important – refreshes your timer.

**Timing is Everything**

Before we go further into techniques and combo chains, let’s explain the Mantra timer. This glowing meter lets you see how much time you have left before your current Mantra(s) expire. You can refresh it by either (a) activating Surge or (b) landing another successful combo before it times out. If it expires, you’ll lose all of your current Mantra charges and have to start over with another combo.

## Controls

* PC Controls
* Xbox One Controller
* PlayStation 4 Controller
* Nintendo Switch

### Moves

*Rapid Strikes*

*Heavy Strikes*

*Surge*
 (Usable after gaining any Mantra or using any Technique)

*Techniques*
(Hold) (Requires at least one Mantra active - Mantra times out after a short time)

* *Tempest Form*
 (Hold) (Requires 1 Mantra)
* *Karma Breaker*
 (Hold) (Requires 2 Mantras)
* *Adamant Bolt/Titan's Crash*
 (Hold) (Requires 3 Mantras)

#### Combos

*Focused Assault*

Three quick hits. Generate Focus Mantra

 >  >

*Spirit Barrage*

A flurry of hits. Generates the Spirit Mantra

 >  >

*Mighty Squall*

Three powerfull strikes. Generates the Might Mantra.

 >  >

### Moves

*Rapid Strikes*

*Heavy Strikes*

*Surge*
 (Usable after gaining any Mantra or using any Technique)

*Techniques*
(Hold) (Requires at least one Mantra active - Mantra times out after a short time)

* *Tempest Form*
 (Hold) (Requires 1 Mantra)
* *Karma Breaker*
 (Hold) (Requires 2 Mantras)
* *Adamant Bolt/Titan's Crash*
 (Hold) (Requires 3 Mantras)

#### Combos

*Focused Assault*

Three quick hits. Generate Focus Mantra

*Spirit Barrage*

A flurry of hits. Generates the Spirit Mantra

(Consumes stamina)

*Mighty Squall*

Three powerfull strikes. Generates the Might Mantra.

### Moves

*Rapid Strikes*

*Heavy Strikes*

*Surge*
 (Usable after gaining any Mantra or using any Technique)

*Techniques*
(Hold) (Requires at least one Mantra active - Mantra times out after a short time)

* *Tempest Form*
 (Hold) (Requires 1 Mantra)
* *Karma Breaker*
 (Hold) (Requires 2 Mantras)
* *Adamant Bolt/Titan's Crash*
 (Hold) (Requires 3 Mantras)

#### Combos

*Focused Assault*

Three quick hits. Generate Focus Mantra

*Spirit Barrage*

A flurry of hits. Generates the Spirit Mantra

*Mighty Squall*

Three powerfull strikes. Generates the Might Mantra.

### Moves

*Rapid Strikes*

*Heavy Strikes*

*Surge*
 (Usable after gaining any Mantra or using any Technique)

*Techniques*
(Hold) (Requires at least one Mantra active - Mantra times out after a short time)

* *Tempest Form*
 (Hold) (Requires 1 Mantra)
* *Karma Breaker*
 (Hold) (Requires 2 Mantras)
* *Adamant Bolt/Titan's Crash*
 (Hold) (Requires 3 Mantras)

#### Combos

*Focused Assault*

Three quick hits. Generate Focus Mantra

*Spirit Barrage*

A flurry of hits. Generates the Spirit Mantra

(Consumes stamina)

*Mighty Squall*

Three powerfull strikes. Generates the Might Mantra.

## Trivia

* The Aether Strikers first revealed on Nintendo Direct September 4. 2019. .

## Gallery

* Screencap via Nintendo Direct announcement.
* Aether Strikers preview.
* Aether Strikers Concept art
* Designs for the Drask Strikers.
* Designs for the Embermane strikers.
* Initial designs for the strikers.
* Designs for the Skarn strikers.
* Designs for the behemoth strikers.
* Designs for the Quillshot strikers.
* Refined concept design of the strikers.
* Designs for the Nayzaga strikers.
* Cover for the Aether Strikers

## References

1. ↑ Power within - Lore page
2. ↑ Aether Strikers - Page
3. ↑ Twitter post of the Nintendo Direct
4. ↑ Aether Strikers Behind the Scenes