You all asked for it and I have finally delivered - almost all skills can now be used without locking on to a target!

In addition, over 70 bugs have been fixed and dozens of improvements made - check the change log for details

API files are intended for modders who wish to make their own skill mods. The files are in 7-zip format and include both a deobfuscated jar and a source jar for easy development.

1.12.2-6.2.1 API

1.11.2-5.2.1 API

1.10.2-4.2.1 API

1.9.4-3.2.1 API

1.8.9-final API

1.7.10-final API

1.6.4 API v1.5

Shout out to orian34 for their amazing feedback during beta-testing. I'm sorry about Dash - maybe next time. ;)

The SwordSkillsAPI is required to run versions for 1.9.4 and up.

1.12.2-6.2.1, built and tested with Forge 1.12.2-14.23.5.2768

1.11.2-5.2.1, built and tested with Forge 1.11.2-13.20.1.2516

1.10.2-4.2.1, built and tested with Forge 1.10.2-12.18.3.2511

1.9.4 -3.2.1, built and tested with Forge 1.9.4-12.17.0.1976

1.8.9-final, built and tested with Forge 1.8.9-11.15.1.1902-1.8.9

1.7.10-final, built and tested with Forge 1.7.10-10.13.4.1558-1.7.10

1.6.4 v1.5, built and tested with Forge 1.6.4-9.11.1.965

1. Make sure you have installed and are running the appropriate version of Forge
2. Download the mod
3. Place the mod jar file in your minecraft /mods folder
4. Enjoy!

The default control settings are described below, and may be accessed and changed in the in-game control settings available from the options menu.

Gamepad Users: Recommended to enable additional controls and require double-tap in the config and assign the alternate left and right keys to buttons on your controller, otherwise you may not be able to activate Spin Attack.

Key Effect
x Activate or deactivate Basic Sword Technique's targeting system
Tab Switches targeting to the next available target
p Opens or closes the Skill Book (no item required)
Arrow Keys - alternate WASD keys for gamepad support; only avaiable if additional controls are enabled in the config

Basic Sword Technique
Activation: Press x while looking at a target
Effect: Locks view on to target and allows chaining attacks into deadly combos
Exhaustion: None
Range: 6 blocks plus one per level
Special: Each successive attack inflicts one extra point of damage, cumulative
Notes: Deactivate by pressing X once more, moving out of range, or killing everything in sight

Armor Break
Activation: Charge up by holding the attack key; the skill will trigger when the charge is sufficient
Effect: This powerful blow ignores the target's armor value when inflicting damage
Exhaustion: High (2.0 minus 0.1 per level)
Damage: Same as a normal attack, including enchantment bonuses, but ignoring the target's armor
Charge Time: 20 ticks minus one tick per level

Back Slice
Activation: Hold left or right then tap forward twice; attack at the right time to deal extra damage
Effect: Circle around a foe to strike at its vulnerable backside!
Exhaustion: Moderate (1.0 minus 0.05 per level)
Damage: Adds +10% to the damage per level, possibly more against vulnerable enemies
Effective Angle: 40 degrees plus 20 per level
Special: 5% base chance per level to knock off the opponent's chest armor

Dash Attack
Activation: Press the attack key while moving forward and blocking
Effect: Charges towards target, inflicting minor damage and knocking the target back
Exhaustion: Moderate (1.0 minus 0.05 per level)
Damage: up to 2 plus 1 per level at max range
Notes: Standing too close to the target will not build up enough momentum to cause any damage

Dodge
Activation: Double-tap left or right to dodge in that direction
Effect: Quickly dodge out of the way of incoming attacks
Exhaustion: Very Low (0.05)
Chance to Dodge: 10% per level plus a time bonus of up to 20%
Notes:
- The amount of time during which the player is considered 'dodging' increases with skill level
- Can be configured to activate with a single tap only when using the arrow keys

Ending Blow
Activation: Forward, forward, and attack during combo
Effect: Build up combo momentum and then finish off your enemy with a decisive strike, gaining bonus xp if successful or becoming flat-footed if not
Damage: +(level * 20) percent
Duration of vulnerability: 45 - (level * 5) ticks
Exhaustion: High (2.0 minus 0.1 per level)
XP Bonus: level + (value between 1 and the opponent's last remaining health)
Special:
- May only be used after two or more consecutive strikes on the same target
- Slaying an opponent with this move grants additional experience
- Failure to slay the target results in not being able to attack for the duration

Leaping Blow
Activation: Jump while holding the use item key, then attack
Effect: Upon landing, unleashes a devastating AoE attack that damages all in its path in addition to temporarily causing weakness
Exhaustion: High (2.0 minus 0.1 per level)
Damage: Base sword damage, plus 1.0F per level, plus weakness for (50 + (10 * level)) ticks
Notes:
- Range and area of effect increase with level.
- Damage caused by Leaping Blow contributes only to Combo damage, not size.

Mortal Draw
Activation: While empty-handed and locked on, hold the use item key and attack
Effect: The art of drawing the sword, or Battoujutsu, is a risky but deadly move, capable of inflicting mortal wounds on unsuspecting opponents with a lightning-fast blade strike
Exhaustion: Very High (3.0 minus 0.2 per level)
Damage: Inflicts double damage when successful
Duration: Window of attack opportunity is (level + 2) ticks
Notes:
- Only works as a counterattack, so it must be timed according to your opponent's strike
- The first sword found in the action bar will be used for the strike; plan accordingly
- There is a 1.5s cooldown between uses, representing re-sheathing of the sword

Parry
Activation: Double-tap back then press the use item key while wielding a weapon
Effect: Parries an incoming blow when being attacked; cannot parry unarmed attacks.
Exhaustion: Low (0.3 minus 0.02 per level)
Chance to Disarm: 10% per level plus a timing bonus of up to 20%
Notes:
- Successfully parrying an attack will knock the aggressor back slightly, even if not disarmed
- For players of equal parry skill, chance to disarm is determined solely by timing
- Can be configured to activate with a single tap only when using the arrow keys

Rising Cut
Activation: Jump while sneaking and attack
Effect: Rising slash flings enemy upward, inflicting standard sword damage, providing the opportunity for a second strike, and likely inflicting fall damage as well
Range: 2 + level blocks
Exhaustion: Very High (3.0 minus 0.2 per level)
Special: May only be used while locked on to a target

Spin Attack
Activation: Press left then right or right then left and hold both until spin attack commences
Effect: A devastating spinning attack hits every enemy in a 360 degree arc
Range: Hits enemies within 3 blocks, plus 0.5 blocks per level
Exhaustion: Very High (3.0 minus 0.2 per level)

Super Spin Attack
Activation: Automatic while performing a regular Spin Attack and at full health; quickly tap attack to continue spinning
Effect: Same as the regular spin attack, but you can spin up to one extra time per level
Range: Adds an additional 0.5 blocks per level above and beyond regular Spin Attack range
Exhaustion: Same as the spin attack, applied each spin

Sword Beam
Activation: Attack while sneaking to unleash a beam of energy; must have nearly full health
Effect: Shoots a beam of energy capable of damaging one or possibly more targets
Damage: base sword damage + level
Exhaustion: Very High (3.0 minus 0.2 per level)
Range: Approximately 12 blocks plus one per level
Special: Requires full health to use (can be configured to allow 0.3 hearts missing per level, up to 1.5)
Notes: Hitting a target with the beam counts as a direct strike for combos

Sword Break
Activation: Double-tap forward then press the use item key while wielding a weapon
Effect: A fierce block that is capable of destroying the opponent's blade
Exhaustion: High (2.0 minus 0.1 per level)
Damage: Up to 90 durability damage to the opponent's held item (15 * (level + 1))
Duration: Time allowed before skill fails is 2 ticks at level 1, up to 8 ticks at max level
Notes:
- Only works when being attacked by an enemy holding an item
- Has no effect other than blocking the attack if the attacker's held item can not be damaged

Dynamic Sword Skills is an open source mod released under the GPL v3, meaning you have the right to include this mod in your modpack (regardless of who you are), use it for custom maps, etc. All I ask is that you credit me as the original author and provide a link to this page so users can find the most up-to-date information. Thanks for your cooperation.