Introduced to provide massive roster-wide stats alongside the Comic Card system, Swords of the Unknown is an account-level progression mechanic centered around elemental rune enchantments and the Memory of the Sword. When fully optimized, your equipped swords grant over +35% All Basic Attacks, huge defensive thresholds, and crucial Instinct stats for Tier-4 combat.
However, the sword system involves RNG-heavy awakening steps that can drain your gold and runes if not managed strategically. This guide breaks down the 6 sword elements, enchantment mechanics, optimal color-matching, and how to craft a meta sword layout with zero wasted resources.
1. The 6 Sword Elements & Stats
Your sword pedestal holds 6 Sword slots. There are 6 distinct elements in the sword system, each associated with an elemental color and specific primary stats:
Primary Stats: Physical Attack, Critical Damage.
Instinct: Increases Justice Instinct stats.
Primary Stats: Attack Speed, Movement Speed, Dodge.
Instinct: Increases Cruelty Instinct stats.
Primary Stats: Energy Attack, Skill Cooldown.
Instinct: Increases Order Instinct stats.
Primary Stats: All Basic Attacks, All Basic Defenses.
Instinct: Increases Destruction Instinct stats.
Primary Stats: Ignore Defense, Max HP.
Instinct: Increases Instinct Critical Damage.
Primary Stats: Recovery Rate, Crowd Control Reduction.
Instinct: Increases Instinct Damage Reduction.
2. Sword Enchantment Mechanics & Matching Colors
Every sword begins as a blank slate with 6 Rune Slots. You enchant the sword in 6 sequential steps using Runes of the Unknown and gold.
During each enchantment step, a rune color is randomly engraved onto the sword. The true power of a sword is determined by how many runes on that single sword match the exact same color:
| Matching Runes on Single Sword | Element Mastery Level | Key Bonus Stats Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 Matching Runes | Level 1–2 | Minor flat stats (negligible). Used as fodder. |
| 3 Matching Runes | Level 3 | +3% All Basic Attacks or +4% Max HP. Baseline entry sword. |
| 4 Matching Runes | Level 4 | +7% All Basic Attacks, +5% Instinct Damage. Solid midgame sword. |
| 5 Matching Runes | Level 5 | +13% All Basic Attacks, +10% Instinct stats. High-tier sword. |
| 6 Matching Runes (Perfect) | Level 6 (Mastered) | +20% to +25% All Basic Attacks, massive Instinct scaling, and unlocks maximum Memory of the Sword points! |
The "Rainbow Sword" Mistake
Never equip a sword that has 1 red, 1 blue, 1 green, 1 purple, etc. Even though it has 6 runes, having 0 matching colors gives almost ZERO mastery bonuses. Always prioritize swords with 4, 5, or 6 matching runes of the same color!
3. Normal Runes vs. Radiant Runes
Netmarble introduced special Radiant Runes to help players craft 6-matching swords more reliably:
- Runes of the Unknown: Standard runes with an equal 1/6 (16.6%) chance for each color to roll.
- Radiant Runes of Judgment / Strength / Intelligence: Guarantees that when used for enchantment, the rune will roll that specific element with a significantly boosted probability (up to 70%+)!
How to Safely Use Radiant Runes
Never use Radiant Runes on Steps 1 and 2! Standard runes are cheap. Enchant the first 3 steps with basic runes. If you get 3 matching colors (e.g. 3 Purple runes in a row), THAT is the moment to spend your Radiant Runes on steps 4, 5, and 6 to secure a 5-rune or 6-rune god roll!
4. Memory of the Sword (Account Level)
The Memory of the Sword is a collective level calculated from the total mastery levels of all 6 equipped swords (up to Level 30 maximum). As your Memory Level climbs:
- Memory Levels 1–10: Flat attack and defense increases for all characters.
- Memory Levels 11–20: Instinct Critical Rate & Instinct Damage increases (critical for Tier-4 Strikers).
- Memory Levels 21–30: Unlocks percentage-based All Basic Attacks and damage reduction against World Bosses and Timeline Battle opponents.
5. Daily Sword Farming Routine (Otherworld Battle)
Swords and runes cannot be farmed in normal missions. You must focus on Otherworld Battle (OWB):
1. Daily Otherworld Battle Matches (5 Entries)
Complete all 5 daily OWB entries. Regardless of win or loss, you earn Warrior's Mementos and daily rune chests.
2. The Otherworld Battle Battlefield Shop
Spend your weekly Warrior's Mementos on Rune Selection Chests and Swords of the Unknown in the Battlefield Shop. This is the primary F2P source of materials.
3. Dismantle Failed Swords
Whenever an enchantment rolls mismatched runes (e.g. 2 red, 2 yellow, 2 green), dismantle it immediately in the sword inventory. Dismantling refunds a portion of your runes and gold, creating a sustainable crafting cycle.