Basic Builds

As always, I recommend you build your Guardian the way you like. This is especially true when it comes to virtues since I believe that you should slot what you need for the task at hand. These are here as a primer into builds that work. Fine tune your Guardian the way you like, but feel free to use this as a guide if you are unsure of where to start.

A. Defensive Guardian (Block** Focused)
This build is the standard for “sword and shield” Guardian who wants to focus on the ability to block and the block reactionary skills above all other things. As a rule, 1 handed axes, clubs, hammers and maces tend to have more might than swords. Keep your eye out for the might and +block % when choosing your shield. Have virtues and equipment centered on might and vitality along with melee and ranged vulnerability.

Suggested virtues for this build are:
Discipline
Innocence
Valour
Fortitude
Zeal

Suggested class traits for this build are:
Guardian's Ward
Shield Expertise
Controlled Breathing
Braveheart
Strong Lungs

Suggested Legendary traits for this build are:
Guardian’s Threat
Challenge the Darkness

B. Offensive Guardian (Parry** Focused)
This build is the standard for “sword and board” Guardian who wants to focus on the ability to parry and the parry reactionary skills above all other things. You’ll parry and evade the most and be using the most power efficient chain but since you’ll block less, you’ll need to have greater mitigations to damage. Once you become “Legendary” you’ll have the most chances to start conjunctions. As a rule, 1 handed swords, maces and clubs tend to have more agility than axes and hammers. Have virtues and equipment centered on agility, vitality and +parry %.

Suggested virtues for this build are:
Determination
Tolerant
Valour
Innocence
Merciful

Suggested class traits for this build are:
Guardian's Ward
Shield Expertise
Controlled Breathing
Parried Blows
Heat of Battle

Suggested Legendary traits for this build are:
Shield-smash
To The King


C. Off-tanking Guardian (2H Specialist)
This build is the Guardian who wants to break the norm and finds value in being different. Whether it is role-playing or you find yourself solo or grouped
with another Guardian, this is the build for you. Like the Parry specialist, you’ll need to focus on the ability to parry and the parry reactionary skills. You’ll parry and evade a lot but remember, now you can’t block so you’ll also need to have greater mitigations to damage.Once you become “Legendary” you’ll have the most chances to start conjunctions. As a rule, 1 handed swords, maces and clubs tend to have more agility than hammers. Axes should be out unless you like it so much that the decrease to hit is worth taking. Have virtues and equipment centered on agility, vitality and +parry %.

Suggested virtues for this build are:
Determination
Tolerant
Valour
Innocence
Merciful

Suggested class traits for this build are:
Guardian's Ward
Stinging Blow
Harasser
Parried Blows
Heat of Battle

Suggested Legendary traits for this build are:
Challenge the Darkness
To the King


D. Threat Guardian (My preferred choice)
This build is not for the faint of heart. It is however for the group focused Guardian who refuses to let his fellows get beat on so his mantra is “Bring it.” You hear Jack Nicholson’s voice exit your mouth as you say things like “You want me holding aggro. You NEED me holding aggro.” You bring your “sword and board” to battle and you’re willing to suffer the consequences of having every mob hitting on you all the time. As you will be beat on without end, you need to have the highest Vitality, Might and Agility possible to ensure that your Block**, Parry** and Evade** are peaking. Your resistances should not be far behind in this build and you need to be willing to adjust them to the task at hand. Just make sure you have a healer(MNS, CPT or LM) around at all times. Bring potions!

Suggested virtues for this build are:
Charity
Determination
Innocence
Just
Tolerant

Suggested class traits for this build are:
Guardian's Ward
Shield Expertise
Harasser
Selfless Defense
Grim Challenge

Suggested Legendary traits for this build are:
Challenge the Darkness
Guardian’s Threat*

I would argue that all three physical stats are our primary attributes. You need might for your attacks, block, parry and common damage mitigation, you need vitality for Morale, resistances and non-common mitigation and we need Agility for improved crit chance, improved chance to hit, evade and parry.

Here is a breakdown at lvl 50 of stats:

15 Might = 1 Melee Eff
15 Might = .1% Parry
15 Might = .2% Common
15 Might = .3% Block

15 Agility = .2% Evade
15 Agility = .1% Parry
15 Agility = .3% Melee/Ranged Crit
15 Agility = 1 Ranged Eff

15 Vitality = 45 Morale
15 Vitality = 1.8 nC Regen
15 Vitality = .5% Fire/Shadow
15 Vitality = .1% Disease/Poison
15 Vitality = .2% Wound

15 Will = 3 nC Power
15 Will = .3% Fear
15 Will = 45 Power

15 Fate = .3% Tactical Crit
15 Fate = .4 iC Regen
15 Fate = .25 iC Power