<!-- function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0 var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array(); var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_preloadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++) if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}} } //--> <!-- function MM_swapImgRestore() { //v3.0 var i,x,a=document.MM_sr; for(i=0;a&&i<a.length&&(x=a[i])&&x.oSrc;i++) x.src=x.oSrc; } function MM_findObj(n, d) { //v4.01 var p,i,x; if(!d) d=document; if((p=n.indexOf("?"))>0&&parent.frames.length) { d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);} if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i<d.forms.length;i++) x=d.forms[i][n]; for(i=0;!x&&d.layers&&i<d.layers.length;i++) x=MM_findObj(n,d.layers[i].document); if(!x && d.getElementById) x=d.getElementById(n); return x; } function MM_swapImage() { //v3.0 var i,j=0,x,a=MM_swapImage.arguments; document.MM_sr=new Array; for(i=0;i<(a.length-2);i+=3) if ((x=MM_findObj(a[i]))!=null){document.MM_sr[j++]=x; if(!x.oSrc) x.oSrc=x.src; x.src=a[i+2];} } //-->

Impacting Changes: Guardian Update

By: Martuk

 

Force Opening

This new offensive skill will allow you to open up a Parry Response on a successful hit. Assuming you hit the target, you will then be able to execute one of your parry response skills such as Retaliation or Thrust. Given how dependent a Guardian will be on damage in this stance every little bit will help.

<!-- if (!document.phpAds_used) document.phpAds_used = ','; phpAds_random = new String (Math.random()); phpAds_random = phpAds_random.substring(2,11); document.write ("<" + "script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript' src='"); document.write ("http://ads.tentonhammer.com/adjs.php?n=" + phpAds_random); document.write ("&amp;what=zone:75"); document.write ("&amp;exclude=" + document.phpAds_used); if (document.referrer) document.write ("&amp;referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); document.write ("'><" + "/script>"); //-->

Stagger

Stagger will debuff a target by slowing their movement and attack speed on a successful hit. The downside is that the successful hit to trigger this debuff has to be landed from behind. Unless the creature is fleeing from you, this will do you little good while soloing, but it may come in handy if you are a damage tank in a fellowship. It could serve as a method to gimp your opponent’s damage output by slowing their attack speed.

Salt the Wound

Ever since the early days of Middle-earth Guardians have wooed the weak attack known as Thrust. This new skill is designed to put a little more power behind that attack. When you land a successful Thrust attack on an opponent, you can use Salt the Wound to add some extra damage to its bleed effect. Exactly how much more damage this will add to the damage over time (DOT) effect is anyone's guess at this point, but maybe it will be worth using.

One True Bonus

One true bonus to this update that every Guardian can appreciate is the ability to reduce damage to our gear and some decreased repair cost on certain armor pieces like Heavy Shields. This has been a long time burden for all Guardians, but with this update, certain skills like Overpower, Guardian's Ward, Guardian's Defense, Guardian's Threat, and Guardian's Parry will reduce item wear to some extent making the Guardian's of Middle-earth a lot less poor. You can even trait certain skills to have them increase the reduction benefit of these skills.

Utility Skills

Guardians will also be acquiring two utility skills that may have mixed benefits.

Summon Tinker

Summon Tinker will allow the Guardian to summon a Tinkerer to a Hunter camp point to repair items and gear for the Fellowship. This comes with a cost however, as the Tinkerer does not work cheap.

Engage

Engage will be a useful tool in groups and raids, but as one person on the official forums calls it, "A self imposed death sentence in the Ettenmoores." This skill will place the Guardian at the top of a creatures hate list, but slow the Guardians speed to 85% of its normal rate, but the creature will be slowed to 75% of its normal speed rate. Having a 5m range this can be a useful skill for group play, but due to its speed altering effects, you may want to avoid this in the Ettenmoores, unless you want to become a rather slow sitting duck.

The Guardian's will be getting some useful skills with their update, but power concerns could be a legitimate problem as it relates to the offensive stance. While many of these skills will make a welcome addition to the Guardian's role both offensively and defensively, there are several areas of concern that could cause some future issues. The Deep Breath increase seems a bit extreme and the power cost for the offensive stance may leave most Guardian's running back to their shield the first time they find themselves standing on the battlefield screaming, "Out of Power!" Power issues aside, the update seems to be a decent one and the Guardian will be getting plenty of new skills. Just don't look to these to increase your PvP effectiveness as most of these skills will only benefit the PvE aspect of the Guardian.

What does this all mean for the Guardian class? For one thing, we will be getting a new assortment of skills both offensive and defensive, but those skills will come at a cost. Due to increased power consumption, some Guardians wishing to engage in a more offensive role, may need to rework their builds a bit. Fate and Will could play a more significant role for offensive Guardians. This will however carry a high impact on both mitigation and hitpoints. To be offensive this will be the price you must pay, but on the upside, you will be able to deal more damage. The decision of whether this tradeoff is worth it or not is up to you.

That's my thoughts now let's hear yours on our Forums.

You can view the Developer's Corner for "Month of the Guardian" Here.

<<<Back to Page 1