Unsheathing the Truth: Do Blade Perks Affect Mantis Blades in Cyberpunk 2077?

Yes, absolutely! Blade perks in Cyberpunk 2077 significantly affect Mantis Blades. These perks, found within the Reflexes skill tree, directly enhance the damage output, attack speed, critical hit chance, bleed chance, and other crucial aspects of your Mantis Blades, making them a far more formidable weapon. Let’s dive into the gritty details.

The Synergy Between Blade Perks and Mantis Blades

Many players initially underestimate the power of Mantis Blades, sometimes dismissing them as a novelty item. However, when coupled with the appropriate Blade perks, these cybernetic appendages transform into instruments of swift and brutal efficiency. The key is understanding how these perks synergize with the inherent strengths of Mantis Blades.

• Damage Amplification: Several Blade perks provide flat damage increases or percentage-based damage multipliers. These directly boost the base damage of the Mantis Blades, resulting in significantly higher damage per hit. Perks like “Judge, Jury, and Executioner” (increases damage to enemies above 80% health) or “Blessed Blade” (increases damage with blades) are especially potent.

• Attack Speed Enhancement: Mantis Blades are already known for their rapid attack speed. Certain Blade perks amplify this advantage even further. Perks that grant bonuses to attack speed after a kill, or during specific combat scenarios, allow you to unleash a flurry of deadly strikes. The perk “Flash and Thunderclap” is a prime example, increasing attack speed after neutralizing an enemy.

• Critical Hit and Bleed Synergy: Investing in perks that increase critical hit chance and bleed chance is crucial for maximizing the Mantis Blades’ effectiveness. Critical hits deal significantly higher damage, while bleed damage provides consistent damage over time, weakening enemies and disrupting their actions. Perks like “Crimson Bloom” (increased bleed chance) and perks that improve critical hit damage amplify these advantages.

• Mobility and Evasion: Blade perks aren’t solely about damage. Many perks enhance mobility, evasion, and overall survivability, which are essential for a close-quarters combatant relying on Mantis Blades. Perks that grant bonuses to dodging, dashing, or sliding increase your agility and allow you to maneuver effectively around enemies. For example, perks boosting movement speed can enhance your ability to close the gap and deliver a devastating Mantis Blade attack.

Building the Ultimate Mantis Blades Build

To truly unleash the potential of Mantis Blades, you need to carefully curate your perk selection. Here’s a breakdown of key perk categories to focus on:

• Core Damage Perks: Prioritize perks that directly increase damage output with blades. These form the foundation of your build and ensure that your Mantis Blades deal significant damage with each strike.

• Attack Speed Perks: Invest in perks that enhance attack speed to unleash a flurry of strikes and overwhelm your opponents. A rapid attack speed also synergizes well with critical hit and bleed effects, maximizing your damage output.

• Critical Hit and Bleed Perks: Maximize your critical hit chance and bleed chance to inflict devastating damage and weaken your enemies. These perks are especially effective against heavily armored opponents.

• Mobility and Evasion Perks: Don’t neglect your survivability. Invest in perks that enhance your mobility and evasion to dodge attacks, close the gap, and maintain a tactical advantage.

• Finisher Perks: Consider perks that enable powerful finishing moves. These can instantly eliminate weakened enemies and provide a satisfying and cinematic conclusion to combat encounters.

Beyond the Perks: Cyberware Synergies

While Blade perks are crucial, remember that Mantis Blades also benefit from other cyberware enhancements. Consider investing in cyberware mods that increase your critical hit chance, armor penetration, or overall damage output. The right cyberware can elevate your Mantis Blades build from powerful to unstoppable.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mantis Blades and Perks

1. Are Mantis Blades considered Blades in Cyberpunk 2077?

Yes! Mantis Blades are categorized as Blades in Cyberpunk 2077. This means that all Blade perks in the Reflexes skill tree will affect them.

2. Does the “Blades” skill affect Mantis Blades?

Absolutely. Leveling up your Blades skill directly improves the effectiveness of Mantis Blades, increasing damage, attack speed, and other combat attributes.

3. Which attribute is most important for a Mantis Blades build?

Reflexes is the most important attribute for a Mantis Blades build. It governs the Blades skill tree and unlocks powerful perks that enhance your Mantis Blades.

4. What are the best perks for a Mantis Blades build?

Some of the best perks include Judge, Jury, and Executioner, Blessed Blade, Flash and Thunderclap, and Crimson Bloom. Prioritize perks that increase damage, attack speed, critical hit chance, and bleed chance.

5. Do Mantis Blades scale with character level?

Yes, Mantis Blades scale with character level. As you level up, your Mantis Blades will become more powerful, dealing increased damage and becoming more effective in combat.

6. Can I upgrade Mantis Blades?

Yes, you can upgrade Mantis Blades by visiting a Ripperdoc. Ripperdocs can install mods that enhance your Mantis Blades’ damage, critical hit chance, and other attributes.

7. Are there different tiers of Mantis Blades?

Yes, Mantis Blades come in different tiers, ranging from Common to Legendary. Higher-tier Mantis Blades have better stats and more mod slots.

8. Where can I find Mantis Blades?

Mantis Blades can be purchased from Ripperdocs throughout Night City. You can also find them as loot from enemies or in containers.

9. Are Mantis Blades effective against all enemy types?

Mantis Blades are effective against most enemy types, but they are particularly strong against enemies with low armor. Consider using other weapons against heavily armored opponents.

10. Do any cyberware mods specifically enhance Mantis Blades?

Yes, some cyberware mods specifically enhance Mantis Blades. Look for mods that increase critical hit chance, armor penetration, or overall damage output.

11. How do I perform the Mantis Blades charge attack?

To perform the Mantis Blades charge attack, hold down the attack button. This will charge up a powerful attack that deals significantly more damage than a normal strike.

12. Can I use Mantis Blades while driving?

No, you cannot use Mantis Blades while driving. You must exit your vehicle to use your Mantis Blades.

13. Do Mantis Blades have any special animations?

Yes, Mantis Blades have several special animations, including unique finishers and charge attacks. These animations add to the overall visceral and satisfying combat experience.

14. Can I customize the appearance of my Mantis Blades?

While you can’t drastically change the appearance, some mods alter the visual effects of the Mantis Blades, like adding elemental damage effects. Look for these at Ripperdocs.

15. Are there any downsides to using Mantis Blades?

One potential downside is the short range compared to firearms. You need to be up close and personal, which can put you at risk. Also, some enemies are resistant to blade damage.

By understanding the synergy between Blade perks and Mantis Blades, and carefully curating your build, you can transform these cybernetic appendages into instruments of swift and deadly precision. So, get out there, V, and start slicing!