Warden
Wardens are mobile melee combatants who use Javelins for initiating combat and against ranged foes. Their unique Warden Shields and a variety of defensive skills allow them to stay in the fight longer than most. Basic Warden skills build up their Gambit chain, which can be spent to unleash special Gambit skills. In fellowships, a Warden forces enemies to attack himself, so his more fragile allies will not be harmed by the foes.
Cost: Unlocking the Warden costs 795 Turbine Points from the LOTRO Store, even for VIP's. Included with Mines of Moria Expansion.
Available to Races: Elf, Hobbit, Man
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Overview
Lore
The Warden patrols the borders of civilized lands, preventing the encroachment of fell creatures from the Wild. They limit themselves to medium armour so that they can travel swiftly and silently to defend those they protect from threats. Wardens all have some military training and have mastered a style of combat that uses combinations of basic attacks to create masterful Gambits. The class was inspired by the marchwarden of Lothlórien, Haldir, and his brothers Rúmil and Orophin.
Development Background
Turbine has explained that "the Warden's gameplay mechanics owe a debt to Tekken as much as to any Elf-lord." LotRO Executive director Jeffrey Steefel described the Warden as a character "for players [that] want to anticipate what they'll need 10 seconds from now as opposed to right this second."[1] Creative Director Cardell Kerr describes the Warden as "the local beat cop of Middle earth ... he has this kind of utility about him."[2]
Warden's Role in Groups
Wardens are primarily tanks. They can also supply interrupts, moderate ranged DPS, and DoTs. Switching between roles effectively can take a short while due to the nature of the gambit system, which builds recent moves upon one another.
Update 12 removed Threat management abilities from the Warden's skill set. Due to simultaneous changes to Mob combat strength, there is not yet a consensus on whether this has affected a Warden's group role as Main Tank.
Stats
Agility is the most important attribute, since for a Warden it effects weapon damage, tactical damage, healing, and defensive bonuses. Vitality is also important for its Morale benefit.
Prior to Update 10, a Warden's most important attribute was Might. After the change, players were given a grace period where Might and Agility would grant the same class benefits in order to update their equipment. As of Update 13, the grace period is still in effect.
Equipment
The Warden is able to wear Light Armour, Medium Armour, Shields, and Warden's Shields (but not Heavy Shields). At Level 20, they are able to use Shield-spikes to gain Buffs and inflict alternate Damage types.
Wardens get bonuses for using Clubs, Swords, Spears, and Javelins, but are able to use Daggers, One-handed Axes, One-handed Hammers, and One-handed Maces. At Level 20, they are able to apply Oils on their Javelin to inflict alternate Damage types.
At level 20, Wardens gain Carving Use in their Class Slot to lower the Power cost of certain Gambit Lines and gain Buffs.
Gambits
A Warden's most powerful abilities are achieved through the use of Gambits - advanced skills built from special sequences of basic attacks, or Builders. These builders are represented as Spear, Shield, Fist, and Javelin icons in the Gambit Display on the player's screen. At Level 1, these sequences are limited to two steps, but can become up to five steps long as the Warden learns new Gambits. Level 10 grants the Warden abilities to clear icons from the Gambit Display.
At Level 21, the Warden gains the use of Masteries to build gambit sequences faster. These are special Skills that immediately grant two Builder icons (but without gaining the benefits of the basic Builder attacks).
At Level 24, Battle Preparation allows a Gambit chain to be pre-built before combat, enabling the Warden to execute an advanced Gambit immediately after entering combat. The chain can be built using either the standard Builders or Masteries.
At Level 40, the Potency effect stores the next executed Gambit into Battle Memory, allowing it to be re-executed any time during that combat. Potency is granted after performing one of the four dual-icon Gambits: Deft Strike, Ranged Deft Strike, Defensive Strike, or Goad.
Other Class Abilities
Wardens have Forced March, a toggled run-speed buff that only works out of combat. They can also Muster to locations similar to the Hunter port, but cannot bring anyone with them.
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.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | Gambit Icons Added | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gambit Default | Melee | 1s | 30m | Level | 1 | ||
Quick Thrust | Melee | 1s | 5.2m | Level | 1 | ||
Shield-bash | Melee | 1s | 5.2m | Level | 1 | ||
Warden's Taunt | Melee | 1s | 10m | Level | 1 | ||
Hampering Javelin | Ranged + Debuff | 20s | 30m | Level | 2 | ||
Ambush | Ranged + Knockout + Buff | 30s | 30m | Level | 5 | ||
Assailment - Stance | Ranged Stance | 4s | self | Level | 10 | ||
Behind the Shield | Ranged | 1s | 30m | Level | 10 | ||
In the Fray - Stance | Melee Stance | 4.2s | self | Level | 10 | ||
Quick Toss | Ranged | 1s | 30m | Level | 10 | ||
Recovery | 2s | self | Level | 10 | |||
Warden's Aim | Ranged | 1s | 30m | Level | 10 | ||
Careful Step | Stealth | 3m | self | Level | 14 | ||
Forced March | Run Speed | 1.5s | self | Level | 14 | ||
First Aid | Cure | 5s | self | Level | 16 | ||
Shield-slam | Melee + Interrupt | 20s | 5.2m | Level | 20 | ||
Steadfast | Cure | 1m | self | Level | 20 | ||
Battle Preparation | 15s | self | Level | 24 | |||
Prepare Fist | Builder | self | Level | 24 | |||
Prepare Javelin | Builder | self | Level | 24 | |||
Prepare Shield | Builder | self | Level | 24 | |||
Prepare Spear | Builder | self | Level | 24 | |||
Quick Recovery | 0.1s | self | Level | 25 | |||
The Way of the Fist | Buff | 10s | self | Level | 30 | ||
The Way of the Shield | Buff | 10s | self | Level | 30 | ||
The Way of the Spear | Buff | 10s | self | Level | 30 | ||
Battle Memory | Melee | 1s | 5.2m | Level | 38 | ||
Never Surrender | Heal | 5m | self | Level | 38 | ||
Fist and Fist | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Fist and Javelin | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Fist and Shield | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Fist and Spear | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Javelin and Fist | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Javelin and Javelin | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Javelin and Shield | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Shield and Fist | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Shield and Javelin | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Shield and Shield | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Shield and Spear | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Spear and Fist | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Spear and Shield | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 | ||
Spear and Spear | Mastery | 15s | self | Level | 39 |
Default Gambits
Travel Skills
Wardens have the ability to travel quickly to many locations. Unlike Hunters, Wardens can only transport themselves and cannot take others with them. Skills with a required level in parentheses can be purchased with Mithril Coins and learned at that level.
Determination
These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Determination (blue) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Restorative Shield-work | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Set: | Initial Skill | |
Warning Shot | Ranged + Force Attack | 10s | 30m | Set: | Initial Skill | |
Desperate Combat | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Set: | Desperate Combat | |
Desperate Spear | Melee + Debuff | 2s | 6.2m | Set: | Desperate Combat | |
Defiant Challenge | AoE + Force Attack + Reflect | 30s | 10.2m | Trait: | Warden's Challenge | |
For the Free Peoples | Fellowship Buff | 1m 30s | 40m | Trait: | For the Free Peoples |
Recklessness
These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Recklessness (red) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recklessness | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Trait: | Recklessness |
Assailment
These skills are acquired by spending points in the Warden Assailment (Yellow) trait tree.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javelin of Deadly Force | Ranged + Buff | 1m | 30.2m | Trait: | Javelin of Deadly Force | |
Fire at Will | Fellowship Buff | 1m | 40m | Trait: | Fire at Will | |
Rapid Techniques | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Trait: | Rapid Technique |
Mounted Combat Skills
These skills can be used only while riding a war-steed, and only while in East Rohan or later regions. Passive skills which improve the war-steed's defensive capabilities remain effective even in earlier regions, but serve only to prevent forced dismount due to enemy attacks.
Skills Unaffected by Stance/Discipline
Skill | Category | Attunes | Range | Cooldown | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sacrifice | Buff | Quest: | Devastation in the North | |||
A Warden's Resolve | Buff | Quest: | Devastation in the North | |||
Shield the Flank | Buff | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | |||
Halt the Charge | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | |||
Lancer's Charge | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Red Dawn
Skill | Category | Range | Cooldown | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discipline: Red Dawn | Stance | Quest: | Devastation in the North | ||
Defence of the Eorlingas | Buff | Trait: | Devastation in the North | ||
Clash of Steel and Will | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Call of the Cavalry | DoT + Debuff | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Strike with Power | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Assault of the Eorlingas | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Roar of the Eorlingas | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Skill of the Eorlingas | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Riddermark
Skill | Category | Range | Cooldown | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discipline: Riddermark | Stance | Quest: | Devastation in the North | ||
Defence of the Eorlingas | Buff | Trait: | Devastation in the North | ||
Clash of Steel and Will | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Call of the Cavalry | DoT + Debuff | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Strike with Power | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Assault of the Eorlingas | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Roar of the Eorlingas | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Skill of the Eorlingas | DoT | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Rohirrim
Skill | Category | Range | Cooldown | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discipline: Rohirrim | Stance | Quest: | Devastation in the North | ||
Defence of the Eorlingas | Buff | Trait: | Devastation in the North | ||
Clash of Steel and Will | DoT + Heal | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Call of the Cavalry | DoT + Debuff | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Strike with Power | DoT+ Heal | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Assault of the Eorlingas | DoT+ Heal | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Roar of the Eorlingas | DoT+ Heal | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 | ||
Skill of the Eorlingas | DoT + Heal | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Passive Skills
Base Passive Skills
Armour Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Light Armour | 1 |
Medium Armour | 1 |
Shields | 1 |
Warden's Shields | 1 |
Weapon Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Club Training | 1 |
Daggers | 1 |
Javelins | 1 |
One-handed Axes | 1 |
One-handed Hammers | 1 |
One-handed Maces | 1 |
Spear Training | 1 |
Sword Training | 1 |
Expert Club Training | 15 |
Expert Spear Training | 15 |
Expert Sword Training | 15 |
Master Club Training | 30 |
Master Spear Training | 30 |
Master Sword Training | 30 |
Combat Characteristics
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
2 Icon Gambits | 1 |
3 Icon Gambits | 12 |
4 Icon Gambits | 25 |
5 Icon Gambits | 40 |
Critical Defence | 20 |
Improved Defensive Strike | 38 |
Improved Deft Strike | 38 |
Improved Goad Strike | 38 |
Misc. Passive Skills
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Carving Use | 20 |
Shield Spike Use | 20 |
Use of Fire | 20 |
Use of Light | 30 |
Instrument Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
Horn Use | 1 |
Lute Use | 1 |
Specialized Equipment | 1 |
Fiddle Use | 5 |
Bassoon Use | 5 |
Specialization Sets & Traits
Determination
Wields Shield and Fist to protect allies from harm.
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These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Determination (blue) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Restorative Shield-work | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Set: | Initial Skill | |
Warning Shot | Ranged + Force Attack | 10s | 30m | Set: | Initial Skill | |
Desperate Combat | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Set: | Desperate Combat | |
Desperate Spear | Melee + Debuff | 2s | 6.2m | Set: | Desperate Combat | |
Defiant Challenge | AoE + Force Attack + Reflect | 30s | 10.2m | Trait: | Warden's Challenge | |
For the Free Peoples | Fellowship Buff | 1m 30s | 40m | Trait: | For the Free Peoples |
Set Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
Thrill of Battle | Increased Morale-tap Damage and Healing. | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
Shield Mastery | Grants Mitigation bonuses to Shield Mastery and Shield Tactics. | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
Close Call | Evading restores a small amount of Morale. | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
Shield Tactics | Greatly improves the buffs from Shield Gambits. | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
Proactive Defence | Improved defence when consuming Advanced Technique or completing gambit chains. | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
Exultation of Battle | Increases Morale-tap duration. | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
Desperate Combat | Grants the skills Desperate Combat and Desperate Spear. | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Obtained by spending Trait Points in the Warden Determination Trait Tree.
Trait | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
War-cry | Increases the damage of Fist Gambits. | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Persevere | Increases Persevere Gambit Line Healing. | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Warden's Challenge | Grants skill Defiant Challenge. | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Careful Shield-work | Improves skill Shield Up. | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Redirect Ire | Buff to threat generation, from Deflection and other skills. | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Critical Protection | Critical Defence Buff. | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Careful Blade-work | Improves skill Readied Blade (Skill). | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Unassailable | Increases the duration of Shield Gambit buffs. | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Undeniable Challenge | Improves skill Resounding Challenge. | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Stand Your Ground | Avoidance Buff. | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Practiced Fundamentals | Improves your Gambit Chain openers. | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Indefatigable | Increases Shield Gambit Line Healing. | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Lasting Hope | Increases the duration of your HoTs. | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Never Surrender | Decreases the cooldown of Never Surrender. | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Fear No Darkness | Increases your Morale-tap Damage and Healing. | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
For the Free Peoples | Grants skill For the Free Peoples. | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Fellowship Protector | Fellowship Buff when consuming max Advanced Technique. | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Recklessness
Wields deadly, war-like techniques to defeat foes.
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These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Recklessness (red) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recklessness | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Trait: | Recklessness |
Set Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
Sharpened Spears | Increases Spear Gambit Initial Damage. | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
Unconventional Strikes | Increases Initial Damage for Gambits in a Chain. | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
Precision Training | Increases Critical Chance and Critical Damage. | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
Taking Advantage | Inflicts Damage when an Enemy avoids an attack. | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
One After Another | Same as Sharpened Spears + Heal on Enemy defeat. | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
Grand Master Weapons Training | Buff to Melee Damage, bleed damage from Spears, Club attack speed debuff, and Sword Parry chance. | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
Martial Fury | Improves Initial and DoT damage, and increases DoT duration. | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Obtained by spending Trait Points in the Warden Recklessness Trait Tree.
Trait | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
Close Quarters Combatant | Increases Melee Damage. | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Vital Points | Increases Bleed Damage. | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
Tempered Spear Tips | Increases Bleed Damage for Mighty Blow, Power Attack and Unerring Strike. | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Physical Mastery | Buff | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
Way of the Spear | Increases Spear Gambit Initial Damage. | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
Foe of the Darkness | Increases Light-type Damage. | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
On the Offence | Increases Morale-tap Damage and Healing. | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
No Respite for the Wicked | Adds a debuff to Gambits in the Boot to Cauterizing Steel Gambit line. | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Aggravating Wounds | Increases the Critical Chance of Damage-over-Time effects. | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
Deep Wounds | Increases the Critical Damage of Damage-over-Time effects. | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
Warden's Triumph | Improves the buffs given by the Gambits Adroit Manoeuvre and Warden's Triumph. | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Lasting Impression | Increases duration of Damage-over-Time effects, and adds expiration damage for Spear Gambit Bleeds. | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
Recklessness | Grants skill Recklessness. | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Muscle Memory | Adds a Power restore to Gambits used from Battle Memory. | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Assailment
Wields Javelin and clever tactics to harm and hinder foes.
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These skills are acquired by spending points in the Warden Assailment (Yellow) trait tree.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javelin of Deadly Force | Ranged + Buff | 1m | 30.2m | Trait: | Javelin of Deadly Force | |
Fire at Will | Fellowship Buff | 1m | 40m | Trait: | Fire at Will | |
Rapid Techniques | Buff | 1m 30s | Self | Trait: | Rapid Technique |
Obtained by spending Trait Points in the Warden Assailment Trait Tree.
Note: Some traits in this tree have an increased cost in Trait Points in order to acquire and/or rank up, regardless of specialisation.
Trait | Description | Source | Cost per Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ranged Damage | Increases Ranged Damage. | Trait: | 0+ ranks | 1 Point |
Bane of Shadow | Increases Light-type Damage. | Trait: | 0+ ranks | 1 point |
Movement Training | Improves Ratings Buffs from Shield Gambits. | Trait: | 0+ ranks | 1 Point |
Marked Targets | Gambits in the Boot - Cauterizing Steel sequence will apply a Physical Mitigation debuff to targets hit. | Trait: | 0+ ranks | 2 Points |
Endurance Training | Reduces Attack Duration in Assailment. | Trait: | 5+ ranks | 1 Point |
Bulls-eye | Increases Critical Chance and Ranged Critical Damage. | Trait: | 5+ ranks | 1 Point |
Finesse | Buff | Trait: | 5+ ranks | 1 Point |
Diminished Targets | Gambits in the Precise Blow - Spear of Fate sequence will apply a Tactical Mitigation debuff debuff to targets hit. | Trait: | 5+ ranks | 2 Points |
Throwing Arm | Increases Javelin Skills Max Range. | Trait: | 10+ ranks | 1 Point |
Battering Strikes | Adds a Critical Defence debuff to Gambits in the Offensive Strike - Unseen Strikes sequence. | Trait: | 10+ ranks | 2 Points |
Strong Foundations | Gambit Builders will reduce the active cooldown of Mastery skills. | Trait: | 10+ ranks | 2 Points |
Enduring Assailment | Increases duration of Suppression, Battering Strikes, and No Respite debuffs. | Trait: | 10+ ranks | 1 Point |
Piercing Javelins | Improves Resistance Penetration of Javelin Skills and Gambits. | Trait: | 15+ ranks | 1 Point |
Suppression | Adds a Damage debuff to Gambits in the War Cry - Desolation sequence. | Trait: | 15+ ranks | 2 Points |
Javelin of Deadly Force | Grants the skill Javelin of Deadly Force. | Trait: | 20+ ranks | 3 Points |
Adroit Ambush | Adroit Manoeuvre and Ranged Adroit Manoeuvre will remove the induction of the next Ambush. | Trait: | 20+ ranks | 2 Points |
Snap Shot | Gambit Builders have a chance to reset Javelin skill cooldowns. | Trait: | 25+ ranks, Javelin of Deadly Force (1) | 2 Points |
Fire at Will | Grants the skill Fire at Will. | Trait: | 25+ ranks | 2 Points |
Rapid Technique | Grants the skill Rapid Techniques. | Trait: | 30+ ranks | 3 Points |
Trait Tree
See Also
- Guide to the Warden
- Warden Gambit Quick Reference
- List of Class Guides
- What We Wish Other Classes Knew About Wardens
References
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