Maybe a stupid question but...

[old.Zatan]

I have never played a Warrior before and now when I hit level 8...

baaammm I got something called "Guard" but I can´t read anywhere what´s good for??

ok ok I know what it means but but.....

Can any kind soul explain this to a newbeeee warrior

 

[Brannor McThife]

Guard is the ability to use your shield to intercept physical attacks made against another person in your group.

Use protect on your healers - to distract mobs.
Use guard (if you're wearing a shield) on your main basher/tank - to block attacks.

Note, that each person can only have one other person guarding them. So make sure your main tank has the best blocker guarding him.

Two "shield-warriors" are quite effective. Myself and another L42 shield warrior were able to take down yellows/oranges quite fast because we simply kept blocking all their attacks.

-G

 

[old.Ozird Rinfut]

Guard

Guard is one of the most underrated skills, and misused skills in the game. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure if the Guard Skill is gained by reaching a certain level in Shields, or if it is given by just being a tank class. At any rate, it is one of the most powerful skills available. What does it do, and how do you use it? Guard is a skill that you actually use on a member of your group. You simply select the person in your group you want to guard, and then you activate the guard skill button. A little green icon will show up where your buff icons show up, and a message will be displayed to you AND the person you are guarding. After that, as long as you stay grouped, that person will be guarded by you.

What does it do? This is the cool part. First off, you have to remain relatively close to the person to be able to effectively guard them. The rule of thumb I use is: if they are close enough to trade items with, then guard should work. During combat, any attacks made towards the person you are guarding, all have a chance of being completely blocked and nullified by you, as long as you are close enough. How do you put this to best use? Well, in a group with 2 shield spec'd heroes, each hero can place guard on the other (you can only guard 1 person at a time, and, you can only be guarded by 1 person at a time). Imagine this possibilities of this powerful setup. You have 2 heroes who are spec'd in shields. Each one already has a high chance to block on their own, and, against multiple attackers. In addition to this, by guarding each other, they increase their chances of blocking tremendously by having ANOTHER person able to block attacks for them. If both tanks have this on each other, and if both tanks can do their jobs (by keeping the monster attacking at least 1 of them), then your healers will love you forever on end. Personally, after people begin to use this more often, I can actually see Mythic nerfing this since it is tremendously powerful, and until you've been a part of it in a good group, you just can't comprehend the raw beauty this strategy brings. This skill is even more useful when you consider the following skill.

 

[Solid]

As a 2H wielding Thane my best friend after a healer in any group is the Shield Warrior/Thane who guards me. Problem in Midgard and especially at level 44+ is that there is an unbelievable 2H Axe and Hammer drop/quest. Namely the Ghastly axe and the Hammer of Black Ice, both 2H, both 100%, bith 25% bonus.

Seeing as all Thanes and Warriors I know bar a select few use Axe or Hammer, they will be inclined to use these 2H weaps once they reach 44, just as I did, even if they are well spoecced in shield, just for the massive damage boost you get from a 100% 25% bonus 2H weap over a 1H thats 91% quality at best (eg Battle Scourge).

In have found it near impossible to find a Shield user to guard me in Malmo trips when I am main assist (ie the aggro puller, usually denoted by being highest tank)

Yes it is an excellent ability, but its only useful if you actually use a shield.

In conclusion: MORE SHIELD WARRIORS AND THANES PLEASE TO GUARD MY SORRY ASS

 

[Brannor McThife]

You won't find many shield-spec'd thanes. I'm aiming at 50 axe, 42 shield, 39 Parry.

Currently, with items and 1-H/Shield, I am Axe 48, Shield 32, Parry 43. Nothing greater than: Parry (style), block, block, Parry (style), evade, block, block...

-G

[EDIT: But yeah, in a group, I've got my L40 Epic axe...and it is very, very nice. Depends on number of tanks and healers as to which I go.]

 

[Solid]

That axe procs at 42 and the damage is no longer capped at 43 and at 44 you will get the Ghastly axe and not look back for 4 levels, Guaranteed

But till then you are more than welcome to come guard me in Malmo