Guardian
- Class Difficulty: Basic
- Role: Defence
- Gameplay: Guardians wear heavy armour and have many defensive skills that allow them to survive battles against the most fearsome foes. Guardians also have skills that draw foes' attention away from their allies and themselves. In Fellowships, a Guardian forces enemies to attack himself or herself, so his or her more fragile allies will not be harmed by foes.
- Lore: The Guardians are the stout protectors of the weak, and defenders of those in need. They are loyal companions to the end. True Guardians stand in the forefront of battle, shielding allies from enemy assaults.
- This class was inspired by the hobbit Samwise Gamgee, whose loyalty to Frodo Baggins knew no bounds.
|
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Melee + Buff | 3s | 5.2m | Level: | 1 |
![]() |
Melee | 3s | 5.2m | Level: | 1 |
![]() |
Melee | 5s | 5.2m | Level: | 2 |
![]() |
Melee | 5s | 5.2m | Level: | 2 |
![]() |
Melee + AoE | 9s | 5.2m | Level: | 4 |
![]() |
Melee + AoE | 5s | 5.2m | Level: | 6 |
![]() |
Ranged | 9s | 30m | Level: | 8 |
![]() |
Melee + AoE | 4s | 5.2m | Level: | 10 |
![]() |
Run Speed | 1m 30s | Self | Level: | 14 |
![]() |
Force Attack | 30s | 7m | Level: | 16 |
![]() |
Cure | 5s | Self | Level: | 18 |
![]() |
Melee + Corruption | 3s | 5.2m | Level: | 20 |
![]() |
Melee + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 1m 30s | 5.2m | Level: | 20 |
![]() |
Melee + Stun | 5s | 5.2m | Level: | 22 |
![]() |
Force Attack + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 10s | 25m | Level: | 24 |
![]() |
Melee | 10s | 5.2m | Level: | 26 |
![]() |
Melee + Debuff | 5s | 5.2m | Level: | 28 |
![]() |
Self-heal | 45s | Self | Level: | 30 |
![]() |
Buff + Self-heal | 2m | Self | Level: | 32 |
![]() |
Melee + Interrupt | 20s | 5.2m | Level: | 34 |
![]() |
Utility | 15s | Self | Level: | 36 |
![]() |
Force Attack + Debuff | 30s | 4.7m | 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Taunt | 10s | 10.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
![]() |
Buff + Debuff | 1m30s | 7.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
![]() |
Buff | 20s | 35m | Set: | ![]() |
![]() |
Buff | 3m | Self | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Stun | 5s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 30s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Buff | 3m | Self | Trait | ![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Melee | 10s | 5.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
![]() |
Melee + Bleed | 10s | 5.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
![]() |
Buff | 10s | 25m | Set: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Bleed | 5s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Bleed | 20s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Buff + Fellowship Manoeuvre | 5s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Stun | 40s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Heal | 45s | 10.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
The Fighter of Shadow
These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Fighter of Shadow (yellow) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.
Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Melee | 10s | 5.2m | Set: | Initial Skill |
![]() |
Debuff | None | 40m | Set: | Initial Skill |
![]() |
Buff | 10s | 25m | Set: | ![]() |
![]() |
AoE + Debuff | 10s | 10.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Self-heal | 1m | 10.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
Melee + Buff | 30s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
![]() |
AoE + Stun + Debuff | 2m | 7.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Stance | 1s | - | Quest: | Devastation in the North |
![]() |
Stance | 1s | - | Quest: | Devastation in the North |
![]() |
Stance | 1s | - | Quest: | Devastation in the North |
![]() |
Melee + Debuff | 30s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
![]() |
Melee + Debuff | 3s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
![]() |
Buff | 24s | Self | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
![]() |
Melee + Buff | 15s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
![]() |
Melee + Bleed | 16s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
![]() |
Melee + Debuff | 8s | 4.2m | Quest: | Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1 |
Passive Skills
Armour Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
Weapon Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
7 |
![]() |
7 |
Instrument Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
5 |
Other Passive Skills
Proficiency | Level |
---|---|
![]() |
1 |
![]() |
20 |
Specialization Sets & Traits
The Defender of the Free
Uses mitigations and defence to protect allies.
|
Set Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Shield Wall | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Challenge | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves the Inherent Buff | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
![]() |
Self-heal | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves the Inherent Buff | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Tree Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Improves skill Sting | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Guardian's Ward | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Guardian's Pledge | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Guardian's Ward | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Shield-smash | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Turn the Tables | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skills Challenge and Fray the Edge | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Shield-smash | Trait: | 15+ ranks, Shield-smash (1) |
![]() |
Gain skill Smashing Stab | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skills Shield-smash and Shield-blow | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Warrior's Heart | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Warrior's Heart | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Juggernaut | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Shield-taunt | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
The Keen Blade
Uses Bleeds and high-damage attacks to defeat foes.
|
Set Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Protection by the Sword | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
![]() |
Skill Charge becomes skill Brutal Charge | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Tree Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Self-heal | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Sweeping Cut | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Thrust | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Brutal Assault | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Brutal Assault | Trait: | 10+ ranks, Brutal Assault (1) |
![]() |
Self-power restore | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skills Thrust and Overwhelm | Trait: | 15+ ranks, Thrust (1) |
![]() |
Gain skill To The King | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff, Improves skill Brutal Assault | Trait: | 20+ ranks, Brutal Assault (1) |
![]() |
Improves skills Charge and Brutal Charge | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Warrior's Heart | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill To The King | Trait: | 25+ ranks, To The King (1) |
![]() |
Gain skill Hammer Down | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Honourable Combat | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
The Fighter of Shadow
Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat.
|
Specialization in this trait tree provides an unnamed Inherent Buff which provides the following effects: "Your attacks against your marked target have a 5% chance to restore 10% of your max morale." To mark a target, use this spec's skill Take to Heart.
Set Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Buff + can Block using Two-Handed weapons | Set: | 5+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves Debuff effects on skills | Set: | 10+ total ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Protection | Set: | 15+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves the Inherent Buff | Set: | 20+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves the Inherent Buff | Set: | 25+ total ranks |
![]() |
Debuff to enemies | Set: | 30+ total ranks |
![]() |
Improves Debuff effects on skills | Set: | 35+ total ranks |
Tree Traits | Description | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 0+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill War-chant | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Ignore the Pain | Trait: | 5+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Thrill of Danger | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff, Improves skill Sting | Trait: | 10+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill War-chant | Trait: | 15+ ranks, War-chant (1) |
![]() |
Gain skill Redirect | Trait: | 15+ ranks |
![]() |
Buff | Trait: | 20+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Thrill of Danger | Trait: | 20+ ranks, Thrill of Danger (1) |
![]() |
Improves skill Warrior's Heart | Trait: | 25+ ranks |
![]() |
Improves skill Redirect | Trait: | 25+ ranks, Redirect (1) |
![]() |
Improves Parry Response skills | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
![]() |
Gain skill Cataclysmic Shout | Trait: | 30+ ranks |
Trait Tree
Uses mitigations and defence to protect allies.
|
Uses Bleeds and high-damage attacks to defeat foes.
|
Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|