The Guardian was often misunderstood as the most simplified class that the Lord of the Rings Online had to offer. This was derived from an expectation that the class would be simply the stereotypical tank from other titles, such as EverQuest II and World of Warcraft. Yet this would be a significant error: while the class maintains several similarities to tanks from other titles, there are noteworthy differences. These include, but are not limited to, reactionary offense, defense and taunts and in-combat healing abilities. It is the purpose of this guide to establish a thorough understanding of the make-up of the class to aid players in their decisions on which class to play.
Guardian Fundamentals: Equipment
The weapons and armour at the Guardians disposal are perhaps the most important factor in defining its role. After all, if the Guardian are to be a front line fighter, it would be ideal to have a large array of weapons and armour available to them. This is what Turbine has done, and below is a listing of what is available to the class at the opening level:
Armor
• Light
• Medium
• Shields
Weapons
• Daggers
• One-Handed Axes
• One-Handed Clubs
• One-Handed Hammers
• One-Handed Maces
• One-Handed Swords
• Thrown Weapons
Accordingly, this is not the complete list of armor and weapons available to the Guardian through the entire game. As the class gains levels, more and more armors and weapons becomes available that further define the class succinctly, and they are as follows:
Armor
• Heavy (Lv 15)
• Heavy Shields (Lv 15)
Weapons
• Two-Handed Swords (Lv 10)
• Two-Handed Axes (Lv 10)
• Two-Handed Hammers (Lv 10)
• Two-Handed Clubs (Lv 10)
• Spears (Lv 10)
• Cross-Bows (Lv 30)
• Bows (Lv 30)
Upon consulting the new list above, one can see the Guardian truly fulfilling the typical tank role. The addition of heavier armor and shields and long range weapons tell us that much. Yet within weapons there is an interesting pattern: Guardians can wield two-handed weapons. Most players who have played tanks in previous titles will tell you two-handed weapons are utterly useless. The necessity of a shield to decrease damage done is pivotal, and that is the reason why. While that remains true in the Lord of the Rings Online, it is not so in all situations: one of the defining differences of the Guardian to other tank classes. Yet that will be detailed later in this guide. Suffice to say, Guardians can equip any kind of armor and certainly have a large array of weapons to decide from.
Guardian Fundamentals: Skills
In the Lord of the Rings Online, the single component that largely defines what a chosen class can do in any situation is skills. They define not only damage (be it offensive or healing) but grant many of the defensive dynamics and utility proponents. So in order to understand how the Guardian class is played out and defined, a look at the many types of skills is necessary.
Taunting Skills
There are many different kinds of taunting skills that are made available to the Guardian, and, as the name implies, they, amongst other things, force the enemy to attack him. Yet what is most interesting about the taunting skills that are available is they come in many different forms. That is to say, some taunting skills are embedded in regular damage actions or what is known as reactionary offense. While the latter item will be detailed in full later, a simple explanation is thus: skills made available when the Guardian blocks or parries an incoming attack. In addition, such taunts also come from class traits that the Guardian acquires. Indeed, taunting and maintaining aggro for high level Guardians are embedded in almost every attack, instead of a small handful, like in other titles.
Attack Skills
These skills are rather simplistic and require no detailed explanation: they just do damage. The Guardian simply approaches an enemy, engages the skill and does damage. Occasionally there will be accompanying bleed effects, or it will damage multiple enemies it once. In effect, these are rudimentary skills that are replaced by more powerful reactionary [skills] in the mid to high levels.
Reactionary Skills
It is these skills that truly differentiate the Guardian class in the Lord of the Rings Online, to similar tanks in other titles. As detailed earlier, a simplified way to look at these skills is thus: when the Guardian successfully blocks or parries an attack, these skills become available for use. But there is much more to that: there are skills called secondary reaction skills, which require the use of a reactionary [skill] to be used. Think of it this way: when you block an attack, Shield Swipe opens up (a reaction skill) then when that is used, the secondary reaction skill Bash can be utilized (which is a high DPS attack). The same is applied to reactionary skills that rely on parries, but in that case there is more variety.
The benefit to this setup is noteworthy: it forces players to pay close attention to the action at hand. For if they are not attentive, the time limit to use such skills will ultimately expire and their DPS and utility will suffer tremendously. Indeed, the difference between a good and bad Guardian will ultimately be who can react quickly and [who] will not. Lastly, an ample supply of taunting effects and high-end DPS will be found in these reaction skills, so there is significant reward for maximizing potency with these [skills].
Buff Skills
These skills are very important to the Guardian’s repertoire, yet are similar to tanks in other titles, with a few notable exceptions. The Guardian is similar in the respect that some buffs add to defensive and offense statistics, while others protect an ally from damage. The difference, however, is direct statistical improvements to block and parry – critical attributes to reactionary skills.
Healing Skills
There are two minor healing skills that are available to the Guardian: one replenishes morale and the other power. In the case of the former, it only becomes available upon a successful block, while the latter can be used at any time. These kinds of skills are new and unique to the proverbial tank class, but at the same time permit the Guardian increased survivability and new challenges to group play.
Guardian Fundamentals: Traits
Traits are the primary means of class (and character) differentiation in the Lord of the Rings Online. As such, even in the Guardian class, some very intriguing yet significant choices need to be made. For instance, one could focus on improvements to the might statistic, which increases damage with a melee weapon. Alternatively, one could improve on vitality (increases morale), increases resistances and decrease vulnerability – clearly advantageous to the primary tank. There are a myriad of other possibilities as well, and while it is near impossible to list all of them, I will provide an explanation for the more important traits and suggestions for where aspiring Guardians should focus on.
Statistical Traits
These traits concern increases to your base statistics – such as mighty, vitality, fate etc. Each of these correspond to an important attribute to your character; might increases damage with weapons and vitality overall morale. As such, if one wishes for increased damage for their Guardian, then increments to might would be beneficial; the same logic can be applied for boons to health. Generally speaking, however, each of these traits – by themselves – do not wield much, but combined together can make a formidable difference.
Class Traits
These traits are among the most important (save legendary) one can acquire, and as such wield some very significant benefits to your character. These include, but are not limited to, improvements to existing skills and increased chances to block and parry. The latter items are of particular importance: the Guardian relies heavily – both on offense and defense – on being able to parry or block attacks. It would be advisable then to take such skills. Alternatively, however, if one wants more offense and move out of the stereotypical tank role, you could seek skill improvements that deal heavy damage. So while these traits are among the most important, there is room for diversity, depending on ones ultimate preference.
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