Guardian
The Guardian is a protector of the weak and defender of those in need. He is capable of withstanding mighty blows and retaliating in kind. The true Guardian stands to the forefront of battle, shielding his allies from the blows of their enemies.
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Role: Tank
The Guardian's ability to wear Heavy Armour, use a Heavy Shield and the highly defensive skills available to the class enable him to face creatures that would make other heroes' morale fail. He also has the ability to draw the foes' attention away from his allies and to himself.
In terms of other MMORPGs, the Guardian fulfills the role of Heavy Tank, with lower overall damage output in exchange for improved survivability. It is one of the hardiest classes, with high morale (health) and a number of abilities which mitigate damage taken.
Fellowship: As a tank, the Guardian is at the front line directly taking the wrath of the enemies and keeping the enemies' attention (aggro) focused on him/herself. This allows the other fellowship members the freedom to carry out their jobs without taking hits that would be devastating to them. The Guardian also has reactive abilities that can only be used after blocking or parrying incoming attacks.
Aggro management with the Guardian underwent major changes recently with the last few updates to LotRO from 12 forward. It focuses on a certain skillset of tactical skills that force enemies to abandon their current target, and also the Guardians who use the Blue and Yellow traitline can build aggro to damage ratio of 3:1.
Solo: The Guardian is a good soloing class, with superior defense but lower damage output, meaning enemies may take longer to defeat compared to some other classes. Guardians who want improved offense can trait red line for many benefits including damage over time bleeds, and a few hard hitting skills like Hammer Down, but in red line loose the aggro to damage boost making them less effective at controlling aggro when a group does come up.
Skills
Default Skills
These skills are granted automatically as you gain levels. The effects of many of these skills are improved in various ways by your choice of specialization and how you spend your trait points. Some skills may also be replaced by an improved version of the same skill as you increase in level.
Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guardian's Ward | Melee + Buff | 3s | 4m | Level: | 1 |
Sting | Melee | 2.5s | 4m | Level: | 1 |
Retaliation | Melee | 5s | 4m | Level: | 1 |
Shield-swipe | Melee | 5s | 4m | Level: | 1 |
Sweeping Cut | Melee + AoE | 9s | 5m | Level: | 4 |
Whirling Retaliation | Melee + AoE | 5s | 5m | Level: | 6 |
Let Fly | Ranged | 9s | 30m | Level: | 8 |
Vexing Blow | Melee + AoE | 4s | 5m | Level: | 10 |
Charge | Run Speed | 1m | Self | Level: | 14 |
Challenge | Force Attack | 30s | 7m | Level: | 16 |
Ignore the Pain | Cure | 5s | Self | Level: | 18 |
Improved Sting | Melee + Corruption | 3s | 4m | Level: | 20 |
Turn the Tables | Melee + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 1m 30s | 5m | Level: | 20 |
Bash | Melee + Stun | 5s | 4m | Level: | 22 |
Fray the Edge | Force Attack + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 10s | 25m | Level: | 24 |
Shield-blow | Melee | 10s | 4m | Level: | 26 |
Stagger | Melee + Debuff | 5s | 4m | Level: | 28 |
Catch a Breath | Self-heal | 45s | Self | Level: | 30 |
Warrior's Heart | Buff + Self-heal | 2m | Self | Level: | 32 |
Stamp | Melee + Interrupt | 20s | 4m | Level: | 34 |
Guardian's Promise | Utility | 15s | Self | Level: | 36 |
Engage | Force Attack + Debuff | 30s | 5.2m | Level: | 38 |
The Defender of the Free
These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Defender of the Free (blue) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.
Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Shield-taunt | Taunt | 10s | 10.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
Litany of Defiance | Buff + Debuff | 1m30s | 7.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
Protection by the Shield | Buff | 20s | 35m | Set: | Protection by the Shield |
Guardian's Pledge | Buff | 3m | Self | Trait: | Guardian's Pledge |
Shield-smash | Melee + Stun | 5s | 5.2m | Trait: | Shield-smash |
Smashing Stab | Melee + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 30s | 5.2m | Trait: | Smashing Stab |
Shield Wall | Buff | 20s | 35m | Trait: | Shield Wall |
Juggernaut | Melee + Buff | 3m | Self | Trait | Juggernaut |
The Keen Blade
These skills are only acquired by specializing in the Keen Blade (red) trait tree and spending trait points. Note that points spent outside the red trait tree will still advance The Keen Blade if you are specialized in it, but at a slower rate.
Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Breach | Melee + Buff | 10s | 4m | Set: | Initial Skill |
Whirling Breach | Melee + AoE + Buff | 5s | 5m | Set: | Initial Skill |
Overwhelm | Melee + Bleed | 10s | 4m | Set: | Initial Skill |
Protection by the Sword | Buff | 10s | Self | Set: | Protection by the Sword |
Relentless Fury | Buff | 2m | Self | Set: | Relentless Fury |
Thrust | Melee + Bleed | 5s | 4m | Trait: | Thrust |
Brutal Assault | Melee + Bleed | 20s | 4m | Trait: | Brutal Assault |
To The King | Melee + Stun + Buff | 5s | 4m | Trait: | To The King |
Hammer Down | Melee + Stun | 40s | 4m | Trait: | Hammer Down |
The Fighter of Shadow
These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Fighter of Shadow (yellow) trait tree.
Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Force Opening | Melee | 10s | 5.2m | Trait: | Force Opening |
Bastion of Light | Debuff | 15s | 6m | Trait: | Bastion of Light |
War-chant | AoE + Debuff | 10s | 10.2m | Trait: | War-chant |
Thrill of Danger | Self-heal | 1m | 10.2m | Trait: | Thrill of Danger |
Redirect | Melee + Buff | 30s | 5.2m | Trait: | Redirect |
Cataclysmic Shout | AoE + Stun + Debuff | 2m | 7.2m | Trait: | Cataclysmic Shout |
Mounted Combat Skills
These skills can be used only while riding a war-steed, and only while in the regions of East Rohan, Wildermore, and West Rohan. Passive skills which improve the war-steed's defensive capabilities remain effective even in other regions, but serve only to prevent forced dismount due to enemy attacks.
Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Discipline: Red Dawn | Stance | 1s | - | Quest: | Devastation in the North |
Discipline: Riddermark | Stance | 1s | - | Quest: | Devastation in the North |
Discipline: Rohirrim | Stance | 1s | - | Quest: | Devastation in the North |
Clash of Arms | Melee + Debuff | 30s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Driving Slash | Melee + Debuff | 3s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Pledge to Rohan | Buff | 24s | Self | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Rohan's Edge | Melee + Buff | 15s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Serrated Edge | Melee + Bleed | 16s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Staggering Slash | Melee + Debuff | 8s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Passive Skills
Armour Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
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Light Armour | 1 |
Medium Armour | 1 |
Heavy Armour | 1 |
Shields | 1 |
Heavy Shields | 1 |
Weapon Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Daggers | 1 |
One-handed Axes | 1 |
One-handed Clubs | 1 |
One-handed Hammers | 1 |
One-handed Maces | 1 |
One-handed Swords | 1 |
Spear | 1 |
Two-handed Axes | 1 |
Two-handed Clubs | 1 |
Two-handed Hammers | 1 |
Two-handed Swords | 1 |
Bows | 7 |
Crossbows | 7 |
Instrument Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Horn Use | 1 |
Lute Use | 1 |
Specialized Equipment | 1 |
Bassoon Use | 5 |
Fiddle Use | 5 |
Other Passive Skills
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Bolster | 1 |
Shield Spike Use | 1 |
Critical Defence | 20 |
Specialization Sets & Traits
The Defender of the Free
Uses mitigations and defence to protect allies.
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Set Traits | Description | Source | |
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Guardian's Defence | Buff | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
Adaptability | Buff | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
Protection by the Shield | Gain skill Protection by the Shield | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
Challenge the Darkness | Improves skill Challenge | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
Strengthen the Bulwark | Improves the Inherent Buff | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
Bolstering Blocks | Self-heal | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
Shield the People | Improves the Inherent Buff | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Tree Traits | Description | Source | |
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Relentless Assault | Improves skill Sting | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Tireless Defender | Improves skill Guardian's Ward | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Guardian's Ward: Tactics | Improves skill Guardian's Ward | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Guardian's Pledge | Gain skill Guardian's Pledge | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Bellow | Improves Challenge and Fray the Edge | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Shield-smash | Gain skill Shield-smash | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Reversal | Improves skill Turn the Tables | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Smashing Stab | Gain skill Smashing Stab | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Follow Through | Improves skill Shield-smash | Trait: | 15+ ranks, Shield-smash (1) |
Shield Wall | Gain skill Shield Wall | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Shield of Light | Buff, Improves skill Shield-taunt | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Improved Shield Spikes | Buff | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
High-spirited | Buff | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Disorientation | Improves Shield-smash and Shield-blow | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Warrior's Fortitude | Buff | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Stoic | Improves skill Warrior's Heart | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Juggernaut | Gain skill Juggernaut | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Break Ranks | Improves skill Shield-taunt | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
The Keen Blade
Uses Bleeds and high-damage attacks to defeat foes.
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Set Traits | Description | Source | |
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Valorous Strength | Buff | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
Bleed Them Dry | Buff | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
Protection by the Sword | Gain skill Protection by the Sword | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
Relentless Fury | Gain skill Relentless Fury | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
Brutal Charge | Skill Charge becomes skill Brutal Charge | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
Heavy Blows | Buff | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
Prey on the Weak | Buff | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Tree Traits | Description | Source | |
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Thrill of Battle | Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Heavy Weapons Training | Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Broad Strokes | Improves skill Sweeping Cut | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Thrust | Gain skill Thrust | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Brutal Assault | Gain skill Brutal Assault | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Tireless Blows | Improves skill Brutal Assault | Trait: | 10+ ranks, Brutal Assault (1) |
Invigourating Response | Self-power restore | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Deeper Wounds | Improves skills Thrust and Overwhelm | Trait: | 15+ ranks, Thrust (1) |
To The King | Gain skill To The King | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Haemorrhage | Buff, Improves skill Brutal Assault | Trait: | 20+ ranks, Brutal Assault (1) |
Into the Fray | Improves skills Charge and Brutal Charge | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Warrior's Advantage | Buff | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Blind Rage | Improves skill To The King | Trait: | 25+ ranks, To The King (1) |
Hammer Down | Gain skill Hammer Down | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Rupture | Improves skill Hammer Down | Trait: | 30+ ranks, Hammer Down |
The Fighter of Shadow
Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat.
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Tree Traits | Description | Source | |
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Force Opening | Gain skill Force Opening | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Insult to Injury | Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Bastion of Light | Gain skill Bastion of Light | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Radiate | Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks, Bastion of Light (1) |
Tenderize | Buff | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Warrior's Guile | Buff | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Flash of Light | Imroves skill Bastion of Light | Trait: | 5+ ranks, Bastion of Light (1) |
Defensive Expertise | Buff | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Singular Focus | Buff | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Light-touched | Buff | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Numbed Senses | Improves skill Ignore the Pain | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Bolster | Buff | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
War-chant | Gain skill War-chant | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Thrill of Danger | Gain skill Thrill of Danger | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Redirect | Gain skill Redirect | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Disabling Strikes | Buff | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Demoralizing Anthem | Improves skill War-chant | Trait: | 20+ ranks, War-chant (1) |
Bring on the Pain | Improves skill Thrill of Danger | Trait: | 20+ ranks, Thrill of Danger (1) |
Vicious Rebuttal | Improves skill Redirect | Trait: | 20+ ranks, Redirect (1) |
Strong Bursts | Buff | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Protected by the Light | Buff | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Cataclysmic Shout | Gain skill Cataclysmic Shout | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Trait Tree
Uses mitigations and defence to protect allies.
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Uses Bleeds and high-damage attacks to defeat foes.
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Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat.
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