style="color: rgb(218, 165, 32); font-size: 20pt; font-weight: bold;">Dark Elf Black Guard

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Overview: Not just any Dark Elf can hold the relished title of Black Guard. As the elite guards of the Witch King Lord Malekith, these soldiers are cool, efficient, and show no mercy to anyone in combat. Deadly with a halberd, they stand on the front lines of battle and protect their group with the ferocity you'd see from of any good tank. This class adds more variety to the battlefield and finally breaks up the Chosen/Black Orc duo.

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• Damage actually increases attack power
• Can use a Halberd vs sword and board
• Abilities aren't based on Action Points
  

• Lack of ranged attacks mean combat must be up close
  
• Has trouble defending against ranged DPS classes
  
• Class is still being adjusted

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"Simpleton! You will be crushed beneath my heel! Your faith will not shield you, your magics will not burn me! There is no power than can stand before the burning rage of the Witch King's chosen.”

- Kouran of the Black Guard

The Black Guard of Naggarond are the favored warriors of the Witch King Malekith, and are given the sacred task of not only serving as his personal bodyguard, but as his heartless enforcers on the field of battle. Those who would become the Black Guard are taken from birth from their mothers. A Black Guard has no family ties to distract them, they are children of hatred and war and are raised from infancy steeped in battle and blood. Each Black Guard has personally sworn an oath of undying devotion at the feet of the Witch King, it is this oath that lights the fires of hatred and scorn deep in their hearts, for no warrior can be greater then the one chosen by Malekith himself.

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Black Guards are an offensive tank who utilize hate mechanics very similar to the Grudge of the Iron Breaker. When damage is taken, or Action Points expended it allows the use of certain abilities which can translate into attacks, buffs, or debuffs.



In a group, the Black Guard has a very clear tanking role which will put them right in the mix. They can be speced to serve a variety of playstyles which can include increasing block, parry, or focusing on debuffs and damage. They willl pull their weight as well as any Chosen or Black Orc.

The Black Guard has a very simple role in RvR, to rush the enemy with a focus on ranged casters and healers. While they will need a healer themselves to be effective, pairing up with an Chosen or Black Orc could prove to be a very dangerous combination.




In a keep siege a Black Guard will likely find themselves trying to hold a doorway or keeping ranged classes busy by charging. In more open situations, a solid tank like this can occupy a number of DPS which would have normally targetted weaker classes. Plan to make room in your warband for plenty of these as they are sure to be popular.

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style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">Path of
Malice: Following the path of Malice means mastering ones rage and molding it into a powerful weapon. The Black Guard who embrace Malice are capable of unleashing powerful attacks fueled by their Hatred. Frequently seen on the front lines, these Black Guard traditionally wield powerful halberds which allow them to cleave through steel and flesh alike.

Path
of Loathing: The Path of Loathing is one of disdain for others, and embracing the belief that none can defeat you on the field of battle. As such, Blackguard of this mastery become unconquerable obstacles that even the most potent of offense will break against. Those who embrace Loathing prefer to work with a tall shield and a strong sword so they can relish in the ringing sound of futile blows falling on hardened steel.



Path
of Anguish: Those who master the Path of Anguish master pain itself. This allows the Black Guard to shrug off even the most potent of magical attacks that would normally pierce their finely crafted armor. Masters of Anguish are traditionally chosen to server as the Witch King's personal executioners seeking out and destroying the arcane powers that would wish to strike their liege down.