Rime Master
What it is
The Rime Master fights at a quick, even tempo, and its frost works under your feet. Its signature marks a cross of frost beneath you that freezes a moment later. It has 26 named techniques. It raises its guard after every third attack.
At the start of the trial it tells you its lesson: its frost marks a cross under you, so keep moving before it freezes.
How to get it
Sneak and use a wandering duelist who breathes Rime, or type /master challenge rime. You need Aura Form or Heart Circle VIII. See Sword Masters for the full trial rules.
Rime students gather at the Waterfall Shrine, a hall it shares with Tide. Look for it in snowy plains, taiga, groves and slopes. To reach it, hop the ledges up to the cliff alcove. See Masters sites.
Rime Lattice
A frost trap that pulses three times. The banner reads “Step off the frost cross, or jump as it freezes.”
- The Master uses it when you’re 2 to 7 blocks away and about level with it. It stands still while it casts.
- Each pulse marks a plus shape of frost under every challenger: the spot you stand on and the four spots beside it.
- Each mark freezes 0.6 seconds after it appears.
- Each freeze deals 12 damage before armor. One lattice can’t deal you more than 30.
| Pulse | Freezes at |
|---|---|
| First | 1.0 s |
| Second | 1.8 s |
| Third | 2.6 s |
Answer each pulse in either of two ways:
- Move: step diagonally, or two spots in any direction, to leave the whole cross.
- Jump: be in the air when it freezes.
The only wrong answer is standing still. The Master is open for about 0.8 seconds after the last freeze. It can’t use the lattice again for 7 seconds.
Other moves
- Techniques: chains of two to four strikes. Wind-ups take about 0.6 seconds, and the Master stays open for 0.7 to 0.8 seconds after each one. Its finisher, Last Frost, is four strikes. See Reading a Master.
- Pursuit dash: if you hold a spell too long, it may dash up to 4.8 blocks at you, at most once every 7 seconds.
- Crescent volley: it throws flying blades if you stay more than 6 blocks away or well above or below it.
Rewards for a clear
- Your first Rime clear teaches the Ward technique part.
- The Rime Master has no Master Form.
The breathing method
The Master teaches Rime Breath, a frost method. Coated blows slow the target. Its arts unlock as your Aura grows:
| Stage | Art |
|---|---|
| Glow | Frostbite |
| Flow | Hailfall |
| Edge | Glacier Mirror (a counter) |
| Form | Skate |
| Sovereign | Winter’s Hush |
Full details are on Breathing methods.
Tips and counterplay
- During the lattice, watch the ground, not the Master. Each new cross is drawn where you stand.
- A diagonal step is the easiest answer, and it keeps you close enough to strike back.
- Jumping works too. Time the jump to the freeze, not to the mark.
- The Rime Master guards after every third attack. Flank it or use an axe.