Note before using

We hope this guide will be useful to you. But 2023 is a year of class changes. Currently use this guide as a start point for your level 140 journey. 

Last update: April
Class update status:  Decent update, but a major revamp upcoming. Next in line (U36?)

If you have any other questions or are looking for a place to chat, feel free to join our discord server!

Red guardian

Introduction

Red Guardians can dish out decent AoE and Single-target damage if played right and can be used perfectly well for Landscape, 3-mans and some of the lower-tier 6-mans and Raids.

Other information sources available

Older guide, last updated for U33 – https://lotrohq.com/red-guardian/

Stat Goals

These goals are kept with Essence & Gear planning in mind, as to which Essences are to be prioritized over others. These goals can also be used when picking Virtues.

Critical Rating > Physical Mastery > Tactical Mitigation > Vitality

Trait Trees

Early raid build for U37 provided by Ghyns Discord –https://discord.gg/hAZcHspM35

Full red (skipping power restore), full yellow (skipping shield buffs).

Virtues

Here are the Virtues which go along with the Stat Goals:

  1. Fidelity
  2. Valour
  3. Wit
  4. Compassion
  5. Confidence

Legendary Items

Guardian legendary weapons. Priority upgrades viewable in video. Produced by Ghyn. 

Main hand

HeraldryHeraldry of the Stalwart Ox (Incomparable/Legendary)Legendary
Word of PowerSingle Target Attack DamageLegendary
Word of PowerDamage Over TimeLegendary
Word of MasteryParry Response DamageLegendary
Word of MasteryBrutal Assault DamageLegendary
Word of MasterySting Damage & Critical ChanceLegendary
Word of MasteryOverwhelm Damage & Crit ChanceLegendary
Word of MasteryTo The King DamageLegendary
Word of MasteryStamp Cooldown & DamageLegendary
Word of CraftHeroic PrecisionLegendary
Word of CraftHeroic PrecisionLegendary

 

Class item

HeraldryHeraldry of the Stalwart Ox (Incomparable/Legendary)Legendary
Word of PowerSingle Target Attack CriticalsLegendary
Word of PowerDamage Over Time CriticalsLegendary
Word of PowerArea Effect Attack DamageLegendary
Word of MasteryStagger Critical Chance & DurationLegendary
Word of MasterySweeping Cut Damage & Critical ChanceLegendary
Word of MasteryWhirling Retaliation DamageLegendary
Word of MasteryGuardian’s Ward Damage & Parry ChanceLegendary
Word of MasteryCharge Duration & SpeedLegendary
Word of MasteryCatch a Breath Cooldown & HealLegendary
Word of CraftGrand ArmorLegendary
Word of CraftGrand ArmorLegendary

Rotations - outdated

Here is the rotation of Red Guardian, by Zipfile:

* Use different (ST/AoE) Weapons accordingly, for boss fights use the ST Weapon, and for heavy AoE fights (such as trash fights), use the AoE Weapon.

Rotation 1 – Boss/PVE, not expected to take damage:

-> Brutal Charge -> Hammer Down -> Stamp -> Sting -> Brutal Assault -> Ignore the Pain (doubletap for instant cut if possible) -> Sweeping Cut -> Sting

* If parry response is gained from the first Sting, don’t use Sting after Sweeping Cut, use Retaliation instead and -> Whirling

Then Sting again -> Thrust -> To The King -> Stamp -> Sting
(if parry response gained from either last two used Stings, use War-chant, then Retaliation again)
Overwhelm -> Sting -> To The King.

This is the basic opener, after which you repeat Brutal Assault (animation cut with ITP or Stamp) and Sweeping Cut (ITP or Stamp again if possible).
Key notes now is that the Guardian rotation isn’t static at all and its very adaptive. You have to balance out multiple things during it:

  1. Make sure all 4 bleeds are up and prioritize getting the ones that aren’t.
  2. Spam Sting constantly, whenever its off-cooldown. Plan which skill you’ll use next while looking at Sting. Longer skills are sometimes better not to be cut because you can save the cuts for Overwhelm/To The King)
  3. Unmentioned skills (Stagger, Vexing Blow, Forced Opening) are your filler skills. Use those when you have all 4 bleeds up to delay the rotation a bit.
  4. ALWAYS INTERWEAVE STING BETWEEN SKILLS, it’s your most crucial skill in the entire rotation and one of the highest damage dealers.

Rotation 2 – Landscape/PVE, expected to take damage:

Brutal Charge -> use War-chant at the enemy pack out of combat (this gives you the crit on all enemies hit without consuming the Brutal Charge buff, giving you second used skill the 100% crit buff too) – gather mobs – Sweeping Cut – (if you didn’t get a parry response, Forced Opening) – Whirling Retaliation – cut with Stamp/ITP – War-chant – (mobs should get back up by now and you will most likely get a parry response from being hit) Whirling Retaliation – Thrust – To The King.

This is the basic AOE opener, just spam AOE skills and Sting, if you’re getting low on health, use cooldowns as needed (Catch a Breath should be the first one, Thrill of Danger, then Pledge, then Warriors Heart, by the time this is all out and if you spammed War chant, you’ll have Catch a Breath back).

Consumables

Information regarding consumables, why, which types, differences, etc.