Guardian

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Class Difficulty: Basic
Role: Defence
Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe
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.


A male Dwarf Guardian
Class-infobox
Classes
Skills
Traits
Deeds
Traceries
Effects

Role in a Fellowship

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. The Guardian also has reactive abilities that can only be used after blocking or parrying incoming attacks.

Guardians specialized in the Defender of the Free tree 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.

Alternatively, Guardians can choose to specialize in the Keen Blade tree, sacrificing some of their survivability, to deal damage with 2 handed weapons through an assortment of bleeds, heavy hitting abilities, and AoE attacks.

The Fighter of Shadow tree is an auxiliary tree that augments either specializations with additional skills and abilities.

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
 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
 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
 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
 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
 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

The Defender of the Free
Uses mitigations and defence to protect allies.
The true Tanking build, using both AoE and single-target taunts. The primary focus is protection and survival.
Skills Earned:
 Shield-taunt
 Litany of Defiance
Your shield skills have a 25% chance to apply a fortification effect that will increase your mitigations by 1%. This effect may stack up to five times.
Set Traits Description Source
 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
 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

The Keen Blade
Uses Bleeds and high-damage attacks to defeat foes.
Focuses on dealing damage. Skills have high base damage, bleeds, and powerful finishing skills.
Skills Earned:
 Breach
 Whirling Breach
 Overwhelm
Set Traits Description Source
 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
 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

The Fighter of Shadow
Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat.
Though the Guardian cannot specialize in The Fighter of Shadow, it supports itself and allies with debuffs and modifiers to strengthen its ability to sustain damage and threat against all enemies.
Tree Traits Description Source
 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

The Defender of the Free
Uses mitigations and defence to protect allies.
The true Tanking build, using both AoE and single-target taunts. The primary focus is protection and survival.
Skills Earned:
 Shield-taunt
 Litany of Defiance
Your shield skills have a 25% chance to apply a fortification effect that will increase your mitigations by 1%. This effect may stack up to five times.
The Keen Blade
Uses Bleeds and high-damage attacks to defeat foes.
Focuses on dealing damage. Skills have high base damage, bleeds, and powerful finishing skills.
Skills Earned:
 Breach
 Whirling Breach
 Overwhelm
The Fighter of Shadow
Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat.
Though the Guardian cannot specialize in The Fighter of Shadow, it supports itself and allies with debuffs and modifiers to strengthen its ability to sustain damage and threat against all enemies.

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Class Quests

See Also