Runic Bulwark

Use a Perfect Block to roll for a random Hex

Runic Bulwark checks for a Perfect Block and gives that event a 15% chance to apply a random Hex to the opponent. An ordinary held block is not the named trigger. The chance also means a successful Perfect Block can produce no Hex; the perk does not promise an application every fixed number of blocks.

Because the Hex is random, this Ultimate cannot replace a plan that needs one specific status on a particular enemy. It makes more sense as an additional reward for a human-form build already relying on block timing.

The Perfect Block skill improves the resources restored by the same defensive action: ranks 1 and 3 increase Stamina restoration, while ranks 2 and 4 improve Activation Charge restoration. Counterattack separately improves the attack after a Perfect Block. Those are different rewards from Runic Bulwark’s Hex roll, with their own ranks and manuals.

Sharp Eye, Swiftness and Walking Fortress also belong to a defensive build’s options. Swiftness and Walking Fortress are equipped abilities, so their passive effects still need space in the Active Abilities panel. Runic Bulwark’s human-form restriction keeps its Hex effect on the daytime side of that build.

Runic Bulwark occupies the Witchcraft Ultimate choice even though its trigger is defensive. Spending ordinary Swordmastery points on Perfect Block can support that play style, but those points do not count toward the 35 ordinary Witchcraft points needed to unlock this Ultimate.

Rank effects and learning costs

Costs are shown for each rank. Totals include this skill’s ranks only.

You can learn only one Ultimate Perk in the Witchcraft skill tree. Learning Runic Bulwark makes the other Ultimates in this tree unavailable.

More Witchcraft skills

Aether Cascade

Aether Flow

Amalgam

Bewitching Influence