Shadow step

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A shadow step is the name for a game mechanic that results in moving a character instantly from one place to another. The length of the step varies from nearby up to compass range, depending on the skill used. All but six shadow stepping skills belong to the assassin; only four of the skills move anything besides the caster.

Provided you could also walk to it, shadow steps can be used to:

  • Escape a body block.
  • Jump between ground levels.
  • Cross closed gates/walls.

Game mechanics[edit]

  • Shadow stepping while activating a skill cancels the skill, e.g. if a stance such as Shadow Walk ends while casting. However, shadow stepping will not cancel emotes.
  • You can determine the length of a step based on its description:
  • Shadow steps that move the user and do not exclusively target foes have no aftercast delay.
Anomaly Anomaly.On rare occasions, an NPC attacking an assassin has moved with the assassin when shadow stepping away occurred with the attack. For example, this could cause a juggernaut in Jade Quarry to land upstairs on a portal.
Anomaly Anomaly.Shadow stepping while knocked down effectively removes the knocked down state, but adds a delay on the effects of skills activated afterwards until their animations "catches up" (in a manner similar to activating skills after resurrection).

Teleporting vs. shadow-stepping[edit]

Shadow stepping differs from teleportation (with the exception of player skills that cause teleportation) in these important ways:

  • You always drop bundles when you shadow step.
  • You cannot shadow step to a target unless you could walk to the target without leaving compass range. For example, you cannot shadow step past closed gates.
  • When the target is outside compass range or in a location inaccessible to the player, the user will shadow step into the closest obstruction (in the target's direction) instead of to the actual location.

"Teleport" skills[edit]

Since the February 21, 2013 update, player skills that cause teleportation have the same restrictions as shadow stepping (which prevents players from using teleportation to move through obstacles, such as walls or gates).

Before this update, teleport skills could be used to access parts of the map that were otherwise inaccessible. The historic process is described on guide to traveling via corpse exploitation.

Shadow steps[edit]

To foe[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Augury of Death.jpg Augury of Death Half Range Hex Spell. (5...29...35 seconds.) Inflict Deep Wound condition (5...17...20 seconds) and Shadow Step to target foe the next time damage would drop this foe's Health below 50%. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDeadly ArtsZ Nightfall
Aura of Displacement.jpg Aura of Displacement Elite Enchantment Spell. Shadow Step to target foe. End effect: return to your original location. -1 Tango-upkeep.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Factions
Beguiling Haze.jpg Beguiling Haze Elite Spell. You Shadow Step to this foe. Inflicts Dazed condition (3...8...9 seconds). 0 1515 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Factions
Dark Prison.jpg Dark Prison Hex Spell. Shadow Step to target foe. This foe moves 33% slower (1...5...6 seconds). 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 03030 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDeadly ArtsZ Factions
Death's Charge.jpg Death's Charge Spell. You Shadow Step to target foe. You are healed for 65...173...200 if this foe has more Health than you. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 03030 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngassassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Factions
Ride the Lightning.jpg Ride the Lightning Elite Spell. Deals 10...58...70 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Blinds all adjacent foes (1...4...5 second[s]). You instantly move to your target. May target allies. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Ride the Lightning (PvP).jpg Ride the Lightning (PvP) Elite Spell. Deals 10...58...70 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Blinds all adjacent foes (1...4...5 second[s]). You instantly move to your target. May target allies. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1515 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Scorpion Wire.jpg Scorpion Wire Half Range Hex Spell. (8...18...20 seconds.) Shadow Step to target foe and cause knock-down the next time this foe is more than 100' away from you. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDeadly ArtsZ Factions
Shadow Fang.jpg Shadow Fang Hex Spell. Shadow Step to target foe. End effect after 10 seconds: inflicts Deep Wound condition (5...17...20 seconds); you return to your original location. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 04545 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDeadly ArtsZ Eye of the North
Shadow Prison.jpg Shadow Prison Elite Hex Spell. Shadow Step to target foe. This foe moves 66% slower (1...6...7 seconds). 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02525 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDeadly ArtsZ Nightfall
Shadow Theft.jpg Shadow Theft Elite Skill. Shadow Step to target foe. For 5...17...20 seconds that foe's attributes are reduced by 1...4...5 and your attributes are increased by 1...4...5. Counts as a Lead Attack. PvE Skill 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinCritical StrikesZ Core
Shadow Walk.jpg Shadow Walk Stance. (15 seconds.) Shadow Step to target foe. End effect: return to your original location. Disables your attack skills for 1 second. Disables your stances and enchantments for 10 seconds. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 0 03030 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Nightfall
Wastrel's Collapse.jpg Wastrel's Collapse Elite Skill. Shadow Step to target foe. Causes knock-down if target foe is not using a skill. Disables your non-dagger attack skills (10 seconds). 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Nightfall

To ally[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Death's Retreat.jpg Death's Retreat Spell. Gain 40...112...130 Health if you have less Health than target ally. Initial effect: Shadow Step to this ally. Cannot self-target. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Nightfall
Ebon Escape.jpg Ebon Escape Spell. Heals you and target ally for 70...110. Initial effect: Shadow Step to this ally. Cannot self-target. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png aAnyEbon Vanguard rankZ Eye of the North
Recall.jpg Recall Enchantment Spell. End effect: Shadow Step to target ally. Cannot self-target and disables all of your skills for 10 seconds when it ends. -1 Tango-upkeep.png 1515 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Factions
Return.jpg Return Spell. Inflicts Crippled condition (3...7...8 seconds) on all foes adjacent to you. You Shadow Step to target ally's location. Cannot self-target. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Factions
Ride the Lightning.jpg Ride the Lightning Elite Spell. Deals 10...58...70 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Blinds all adjacent foes (1...4...5 second[s]). You instantly move to your target. May target allies. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Ride the Lightning (PvP).jpg Ride the Lightning (PvP) Elite Spell. Deals 10...58...70 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Blinds all adjacent foes (1...4...5 second[s]). You instantly move to your target. May target allies. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1515 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Shadow Meld.jpg Shadow Meld Elite Enchantment Spell. Shadow Step to target ally. End effect: return to your original location. Cannot self-target. -1 Tango-upkeep.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Nightfall

To summoned creature[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Spirit Walk.jpg Spirit Walk Spell. Shadow Step to target Spirit. [sic] 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Factions
Swap.jpg Swap Spell. You and target summoned creature Shadow Step to each other's locations. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Nightfall

Away from target[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Heart of Shadow.jpg Heart of Shadow Spell. You are healed for 30...126...150 and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Factions
Viper's Defense.jpg Viper's Defense Spell. Inflict Poisoned condition (5...17...20 seconds) on all adjacent foes and Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Factions

To activation spot (return)[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Aura of Displacement.jpg Aura of Displacement Elite Enchantment Spell. Shadow Step to target foe. End effect: return to your original location. -1 Tango-upkeep.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Factions
Shadow Fang.jpg Shadow Fang Hex Spell. Shadow Step to target foe. End effect after 10 seconds: inflicts Deep Wound condition (5...17...20 seconds); you return to your original location. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 04545 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDeadly ArtsZ Eye of the North
Shadow Meld.jpg Shadow Meld Elite Enchantment Spell. Shadow Step to target ally. End effect: return to your original location. Cannot self-target. -1 Tango-upkeep.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Nightfall
Shadow Walk.jpg Shadow Walk Stance. (15 seconds.) Shadow Step to target foe. End effect: return to your original location. Disables your attack skills for 1 second. Disables your stances and enchantments for 10 seconds. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 0 03030 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Nightfall
Shadow of Haste.jpg Shadow of Haste Stance. (10...34...40 seconds.) You move 15% faster. End effect: return to your original location. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 0 04545 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinShadow ArtsZ Factions

Shadow stepping skills that do not move the caster[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Draw Spirit.jpg Draw Spirit Spell. Teleports target allied spirit to your location. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png ritualistaRitualistZ Factions
Strike as One.jpg Strike as One Elite Shout. Your animal companion instantly moves to your target and inflicts Bleeding (5...13...15 seconds) with its next attack. The next time you hit with an attack, you inflict Crippled condition (5...13...15 seconds). 0 055 Tango-energy.png 0 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png rangeraRangerBeast MasteryZ Nightfall
Summon Spirits.jpg Summon Spirits Spell. Spirits you control Shadow Step to your location and gain 60...100 Health. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.250.25¼ Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png ritualistaRitualistAllegiance rankZ Factions

Special event shadow steps[edit]

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Side Step.jpg Side Step Skill. Shadow Step to a random location in the area. You gain 250 Health. 0 0 0 02525 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinZ Factions