Guardian

Class Difficulty: Basic

Role: Defence

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, 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

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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	5.2m	Level:	1
Sting	Melee	3s	5.2m	Level:	1
Retaliation	Melee	5s	5.2m	Level:	2
Shield-swipe	Melee	5s	5.2m	Level:	2
Sweeping Cut	Melee + AoE	9s	5.2m	Level:	4
Whirling Retaliation	Melee + AoE	5s	5.2m	Level:	6
Let Fly	Ranged	9s	30m	Level:	8
Vexing Blow	Melee + AoE	4s	5.2m	Level:	10
Charge	Run Speed	1m 30s	Self	Level:	14
Challenge	Force Attack	30s	7m	Level:	16
Ignore the Pain	Cure	5s	Self	Level:	18
Improved Sting	Melee + Corruption	3s	5.2m	Level:	20
Turn the Tables	Melee + Fellowship Manoeuvre	1m 30s	5.2m	Level:	20
Bash	Melee + Stun	5s	5.2m	Level:	22
Fray the Edge	Force Attack + Fellowship Manoeuvre	10s	25m	Level:	24
Shield-blow	Melee	10s	5.2m	Level:	26
Stagger	Melee + Debuff	5s	5.2m	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	5.2m	Level:	34
Guardian's Promise	Utility	15s	Self	Level:	36
Engage	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
Shield-taunt	Taunt	10s	10.2m	Set:	Initial Skill
Litany of Defiance	Buff + Debuff	1m30s	7.2m	Set:	Initial Skill
Shield Wall	Buff	20s	35m	Set:	Shield Wall
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
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
Force Opening	Melee	10s	5.2m	Set:	Initial Skill
Overwhelm	Melee + Bleed	10s	5.2m	Set:	Initial Skill
Protection by the Sword	Buff	10s	25m	Set:	Protection by the Sword
Thrust	Melee + Bleed	5s	5.2m	Trait:	Thrust
Brutal Assault	Melee + Bleed	20s	5.2m	Trait:	Brutal Assault
To The King	Melee + Buff + Fellowship Manoeuvre	5s	5.2m	Trait:	To The King
Hammer Down	Melee + Stun	40s	5.2m	Trait:	Hammer Down
Honourable Combat	Melee + Heal	45s	10.2m	Trait:	Honourable Combat

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
Force Opening	Melee	10s	5.2m	Set:	Initial Skill
Take to Heart	Debuff	None	40m	Set:	Initial Skill
Protection	Buff	10s	25m	Set:	Protection
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
Fiddle Use	5

Other Passive Skills

Proficiency	Level
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
Shield Wall	Gain skill Shield Wall	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
Defensive Expertise	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Guardian's Pledge	Gain skill Guardian's Pledge	Trait:	5+ ranks
Guardian's Ward: Tactics	Improves skill Guardian's Ward	Trait:	5+ ranks
Shield-smash	Gain skill Shield-smash	Trait:	10+ ranks
Reversal	Improves skill Turn the Tables	Trait:	10+ ranks
Bellow	Improves skills Challenge and Fray the Edge	Trait:	10+ ranks
Follow Through	Improves skill Shield-smash	Trait:	15+ ranks, Shield-smash (1)
Smashing Stab	Gain skill Smashing Stab	Trait:	15+ ranks
Improved Shield Spikes	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Disorientation	Improves skills Shield-smash and Shield-blow	Trait:	20+ ranks
Warrior's Fortitude	Improves skill Warrior's Heart	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:  Force Opening  Overwhelm

Set Traits	Description	Source
Valorous Strength	Buff	Set:	5+ total ranks
Reactive Parry	Buff	Set:	10+ total ranks
Protection by the Sword	Gain skill Protection by the Sword	Set:	15+ total ranks
Bleed Them Dry	Buff	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	Self-heal	Trait:	0+ ranks
Skilled Deflection	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 Parry	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)
To The Rescue	Improves skills Charge and Brutal Charge	Trait:	20+ ranks
Warrior's Fortitude	Improves skill Warrior's Heart	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
Honourable Combat	Gain skill Honourable Combat	Trait:	30+ ranks

The Fighter of Shadow

The Fighter of Shadow Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat. Excels at debuffing enemies, gaining survivability by making their enemies weaker. Guardians may Tank with a 2-handed weapon to inflict higher damage. Skills Earned:  Force Opening  Take to Heart Your attacks against your marked target have a 50% chance to restore 5% of your max morale no more than once every 5s.

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
Light-touched	Buff + can Block using Two-Handed weapons	Set:	5+ total ranks
Disabling Strikes	Improves Debuff effects on skills	Set:	10+ total ranks
Protection	Gain skill Protection	Set:	15+ total ranks
Flash of Light	Improves the Inherent Buff	Set:	20+ total ranks
Mark of Permanence	Improves the Inherent Buff	Set:	25+ total ranks
Manifested Ire	Debuff to enemies	Set:	30+ total ranks
Incapacitation	Improves Debuff effects on skills	Set:	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Insult to Injury	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Radiate	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
High-spirited	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
War-chant	Gain skill War-chant	Trait:	5+ ranks
Numbed Senses	Improves skill Ignore the Pain	Trait:	5+ ranks
Bolster	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks
Thrill of Danger	Gain skill Thrill of Danger	Trait:	10+ ranks
Tenderize	Buff, Improves skill Sting	Trait:	10+ ranks
Demoralizing Anthem	Improves skill War-chant	Trait:	15+ ranks, War-chant (1)
Redirect	Gain skill Redirect	Trait:	15+ ranks
Strong Bursts	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Bring on the Pain	Improves skill Thrill of Danger	Trait:	20+ ranks, Thrill of Danger (1)
Warrior's Fortitude	Improves skill Warrior's Heart	Trait:	25+ ranks
Vicious Rebuttal	Improves skill Redirect	Trait:	25+ ranks, Redirect (1)
Singular Focus	Improves Parry Response skills	Trait:	30+ 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:  Force Opening  Overwhelm	The Fighter of Shadow Uses Light damage and two-handed tanking in combat. Excels at debuffing enemies, gaining survivability by making their enemies weaker. Guardians may Tank with a 2-handed weapon to inflict higher damage. Skills Earned:  Force Opening  Take to Heart Your attacks against your marked target have a 50% chance to restore 5% of your max morale no more than once every 5s.
0/5 0/3 0/5 0/1 0/5 0/1 0/5 0/5 ↓ (1) 0/3 0/1 0/5 0/5 0/1 0/6 0/1 0/1	0/5 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 0/1	0/5 0/3 0/5 0/1 0/3 0/5 ↓ (1) 0/1 0/5 ↓ (1) 0/5 0/1 0/6 0/5 ↓ (1) 0/1 0/5 0/1 0/1

See Also

• Class Guides
• Guardian Legendary Item Legacies