Guardian

Class Difficulty: Basic

Role: Tank/Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Guardians are the shields of the Free Peoples. They stand at the forefront of the battle in order to win great victories in the name of the Kings of Middle-Earth. Guardians must be focused in the fights they wage, managing to capitalize off of their own parrying and blocking of enemy attacks. As a Tank, Guardians excel in managing large amounts of enemies and surviving without support from their allies from the usage of their strong defensive abilities. With the building of Fortifications from their Shield skills, they can support the Fellowship, but at a cost to their own defence. Guardians can also specialize to deal damage by maintaining a series of devastating bleeds on their 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 most durable 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	CD	Source
Guardian's Ward	Melee + Buff + Power	3s	Level:	1
Sting	Melee	2.5s	Level:	1
Retaliation	Melee	5s	Level:	1
Shield-swipe	Melee	5s	Level:	1
Sweeping Cut	Melee + AoE	9s	Level:	4
Whirling Retaliation	Melee + AoE	5s	Level:	6
Let Fly	Ranged	9s	Level:	8
Vexing Blow	Melee + AoE	4s	Level:	10
Charge	Run Speed	1m	Level:	14
Challenge	Force Attack	1m	Level:	16
Ignore the Pain	Cure	5s	Level:	18
Improved Sting	Melee + Corruption	2.5s	Level:	20
Turn the Tables	CC removal + AoE Stun	1m 15s	Level:	20
Bash	Melee + Stun	5s	Level:	22
Fray the Edge	Force Attack + Fellowship Manoeuvre	10s	Level:	24
Shield-blow	Melee	10s	Level:	26
Stagger	Melee + Debuff	5s	Level:	28
Catch a Breath	Self-heal	45s	Level:	30
Warrior's Heart	Buff + Self-heal	2m	Level:	32
Stamp	Melee + Interrupt	20s	Level:	34
Guardian's Promise	Utility	15s	Level:	36
Engage	Force Attack + Debuff	30s	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	CD	Source
Shield-taunt	Threat	10s	Set:	Initial Skill
Litany of Defiance	Buff + Debuff	1m 30s	Set:	Initial Skill
Guardian's Pledge	Buff	3m	Trait:	Guardian's Pledge
Shield-smash	Melee + Stun + Interrupt	5s	Trait:	Shield-smash
Smashing Stab	Melee + Fellowship Manoeuvre	30s	Trait:	Smashing Stab
Protection by the Shield	Buff	8s	Set:	Protection by the Shield
Shield Wall	Buff	20s	Trait:	Shield Wall
Juggernaut	Melee + Buff	3m	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	CD	Source
Breach	Melee + Buff	5s	Set:	Initial Skill
Whirling Breach	Melee AoE + Buff	5s	Set:	Initial Skill
Overwhelm	Melee + Bleed	10s	Set:	Initial Skill
Thrust	Melee + Bleed	5s	Trait:	Thrust
Brutal Assault	Melee	20s	Trait:	Brutal Assault
Protection by the Sword	Buff	10s	Set:	Protection by the Sword
To The King	Melee + Stun	5s	Trait:	To The King
Relentless Fury	Buff	2m	Set:	Relentless Fury
Brutal Charge	Run Speed + Buff	1m	Set:	Brutal Charge
Hammer Down	Melee + Stun	40s	Trait:	Hammer Down

The Fighter of Shadow

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Fighter of Shadow (yellow) trait tree. Guardians cannot specialize in the yellow trait tree.

Active Skills	Category	CD	Source
Force Opening	Melee + Buff	10s	Trait:	Force Opening
Bastion of Light	Debuff	15s	Trait:	Bastion of Light
War-chant	AoE + Debuff	10s	Trait:	War-chant
Thrill of Danger	Self-heal + Power	1m	Trait:	Thrill of Danger
Redirect	Melee + Buff	30s	Trait:	Redirect
Cataclysmic Shout	Debuff + AoE Bleed	3m	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

Base Passive Skills

For details see Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, River Hobbit, Man, or Stout-axe

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
Bassoon Use	5
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 effect Fortification	Set:	25+ total ranks
Bolstering Blocks	Self-heal	Set:	30+ total ranks
Shield the People	Improves effect Fortification	Set:	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Relentless Assault	Buff; Improves skills: Sting, Improved Sting	Trait:	0+ ranks
Tireless Defender	Improves skill Guardian's Ward	Trait:	0+ ranks
Guardian's Ward: Tactics	Improves skill Guardian's Ward	Trait:	0+ ranks
Guardian's Pledge	Gain skill Guardian's Pledge	Trait:	5+ ranks
Bellow	Improves skills: Challenge, 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 skills: Shield-taunt, Protection by the Shield	Trait:	15+ ranks
Improved Shield Spikes	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
High-spirited	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Disorientation	Improves skills: Shield-smash, 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	Buff; 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  Overwhelm Retaliation and Whirling Retaliation become Breach and Whirling Breach; these skills allow the use of Parry and Block response chains.

Set Traits	Description	Source
Valorous Strength	Buff	Set:	5+ total ranks
Bleed Them Dry	Improves effects: Deep Wound, Terrible Wound, Slashing Wound, Haemorrhaging Wound	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	Changes Charge to become 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	Power	Trait:	10+ ranks
Deeper Wounds	Improves skills: Thrust, 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, 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 (1)

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.

Note: Some traits in this tree have an increased cost in Trait Points in order to acquire and/or rank up, regardless of specialization.

Tree Traits	Description	Source		Cost per Rank
Force Opening	Gain skill Force Opening	Trait:	0+ ranks	2 Points
Insult to Injury	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks	1 Point
Bastion of Light	Gain skill Bastion of Light	Trait:	0+ ranks	2 Points
Radiate	Improves skill Bastion of Light	Trait:	0+ ranks, Bastion of Light (1)	1 Point
Tenderize	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks	1 Point
Warrior's Guile	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks	1 Point
Flash of Light	Improves skill Bastion of Light	Trait:	5+ ranks, Bastion of Light (1)	1 Point
Defensive Expertise	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks	1 Point
Singular Focus	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks	1 Point
Light-touched	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks	1 Point
Numbed Senses	Improves skill Ignore the Pain	Trait:	10+ ranks	1 Point
Bolster	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks	1 Point
War-chant	Gain skill War-chant	Trait:	15+ ranks	2 Points
Thrill of Danger	Gain skill Thrill of Danger	Trait:	15+ ranks	2 Points
Redirect	Gain skill Redirect	Trait:	15+ ranks	2 Points
Disabling Strikes	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks	1 Point
Demoralizing Anthem	Improves skill War-chant	Trait:	20+ ranks, War-chant (1)	1 Point
Bring on the Pain	Improves skill Thrill of Danger	Trait:	20+ ranks, Thrill of Danger (1)	1 Point
Vicious Rebuttal	Improves skill Redirect	Trait:	20+ ranks, Redirect (1)	1 Point
Strong Bursts	Buff	Trait:	25+ ranks	1 Point
Protected by the Light	Improves skills: Protection by the Shield, Protection by the Sword	Trait:	25+ ranks	2 Points
Cataclysmic Shout	Gain skill Cataclysmic Shout	Trait:	30+ ranks	4 Points

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  Overwhelm Retaliation and Whirling Retaliation become Breach and Whirling Breach; these skills allow the use of Parry and Block response chains.	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.
0/5 0/3 0/5 0/1 0/5 0/1 ↓ (1) 0/5 0/1 0/3 0/1 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/1 0/6 0/1 0/1	0/5 0/5 0/2 0/1 0/1 → (1) 0/5 ↓ (1) 0/4 ↓ (1) 0/5 0/1 0/5 0/6 ↓ (1) 0/1 0/5 0/1 → (1) 0/1	0/1 0/5 0/1 ↓ (1) → (1) 0/3 0/5 0/1 0/1 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/3 0/5 0/1 ↓ (1) 0/1 ↓ (1) 0/1 ↓ (1) 0/1 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/6 0/1 0/1

See Also

• Guide to the Guardian
• Class Guides
• Guardian Legendary Item Legacies