Venom Master
What it is
The Venom Master moves like the Gale Master. It closes distance fast, and it dashes farther and more often than most Masters. Every one of its named techniques is two quick strikes. Its signature coils a poison ring around itself with a single gap. It has 23 named techniques, counting the coil. It raises its guard after every third attack.
At the start of the trial it tells you its lesson: its coil closes on all sides but one, so find the gap, then counter.
How to get it
Sneak and use a wandering duelist who breathes Venom, or type /master challenge venom. If you breathe Venom yourself, most other duelists also call the Venom Master. The exceptions are Starlit, Hourglass, Crimson, Tide, Iron and Dune duelists. You need Aura Form or Heart Circle VIII. See Sword Masters for the full trial rules.
Venom students gather at the Root Temple, a hall it shares with Verdant. Look for it in jungles and dark forests. To get in, beat the Runebound guard in the root pit. See Masters sites.
Serpent Coil
A ring of poison that closes twice. The banner reads “Find the gap in the coil!”
- Serpent Coil is one of the Master’s named techniques. It comes up about three times as often as any other.
- It draws a ring 5.5 blocks out around the Master. The ring has one gap of about 70 degrees, on the Master’s left or right side. The gap switches sides each time it uses the coil.
- The edges of the gap are drawn bright.
- The coil closes twice. The second closing keeps the same gap, even if the Master has turned.
- Each closing that catches you deals damage and poisons you for 4 seconds.
Jumping doesn’t help. Get into the gap before the first closing and stay there for the second. The two closings deal about 36 damage before armor in total, and the second lands about 1.2 seconds in.
Other moves
- Techniques: two quick strikes each. Wind-ups take about 0.25 to 0.7 seconds, and the Master stays open for about 0.75 seconds after each one. See Reading a Master.
- Pursuit dash: if you hold a spell too long, it may dash up to 6.4 blocks at you, at most once every 5 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 Venom clear teaches the Bind technique part.
- The Venom Master has no Master Form.
The breathing method
The Master teaches Venom Breath, a life method. Coated blows build up a toxin. From Edge on, every blow builds it, and the toxin also weakens the target. Its arts unlock as your Aura grows:
| Stage | Art |
|---|---|
| Glow | Fang Strike |
| Flow | Spitting Cobra |
| Edge | Shed Skin (a counter) |
| Form | Serpent Slither |
| Sovereign | Hydra Coil |
Full details are on Breathing methods.
Tips and counterplay
- Remember which side the last gap was on. The next one is on the other side.
- If the Master turns, don’t chase the gap. The second closing uses the first gap.
- Its dash reaches 6.4 blocks, so backing off to cast is risky.
- The Venom Master guards after every third attack. Flank it or use an axe.