Rise of the Ronin's Blade Sharpening Origin class system explained

Picking the right Blade Sharpening Origin in Rise of the Ronin can initially be a challenge given it’s essentially your starting class. However, choosing the best one for you isn’t too hard in the grand scheme of the game.

What does your Blade Sharpening Origin mean?

Being your starting class in Rise of the Ronin, the Blade Sharpening Origin - which you pick after choosing your character’s appearance - determines your Veiled Edge’s starting stats, skills, and extra abilities.

With diversifying strengths between the game’s four different stats; Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Charisma; your Blade Sharpening Origin will determine your proficiency with certain weapons, being better with some than others depending on which you choose.

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For example, the ‘Killer’ Blade Sharpening Origin kicks you off with a higher Strength stat - making you better with strength-based weaponry like katanas, odachis, and greatswords. It will also give you an early-unlocked skill to repel arrows and bullets with your Counterspark (the game’s counter mechanic).

Meanwhile, the ‘Breaker’ Blade Sharpening Origin, giving you a higher Dexterity stat, will make you more proficient with paired swords and musket rifles - along with giving you the special skill, Rapid Assassinations.

Can you change your Blade Sharpening Origin?

Yes, Rise of the Ronin will let you change your Blade Sharpening Origin, but only in the opening 'Veiled Edge Village' tutorial mission of the game, where you can try out different weapons. 

Once you're satisfied with testing the early combat mechanics and go up to your Blade Twin to carry on, you can instead select the 'Choose another Blade Sharpening Origin' option. 

If you pick a different class, you can take as long as you like playing around with the various weapons until you finally decide to go on ahead to the Bladesmith's location. 

After that, you won't be able to change your Blade Sharpening Origin again, but I found out it doesn't really matter beyond the game's prologue.

As you boost your various stats with skill points you gain by levelling up and using Treatise items - alongside using varied weapons and combat stances - the minor stat variation you get at the beginning of the game only makes a difference in this opening section, not in the long-term. 

For more, find out how to get & upgrade your glider, what the best early skills are, how good the game is in my Rise of the Ronin review, and how to transmog equipment and change your appearance. 

Otherwise, head into our Rise of the Ronin guides & news homepage for even more essentials right here at GGRecon.