So, you're trying to decide which class to play and you're thinking ... Warden?
The Warden is, in my opinion, the most solo friendly class in LOTRO. The Wardens self-healing abilities coupled together with a sufficiently armoured shield makes for a class that can stand against even the strongest of foes. Although described as an "advanced" class, and maybe rightly so, the benefits of learning your many Gambit Combinations will become immediately apparant as you progress through the game.
The Wardens role is primarily a Tank. Although they can also give out morale to others using some of the later Gambits in the game, they are not really sufficient to be classed as any kind of healer. On the DPS side they are rather good, especially in a long fight, as most of the Wardens most powerful skills come from Damage-Over-Time.
The Wardens role is primarily a Tank. Although they can also give out morale to others using some of the later Gambits in the game, they are not really sufficient to be classed as any kind of healer. On the DPS side they are rather good, especially in a long fight, as most of the Wardens most powerful skills come from Damage-Over-Time.
Legacy Choice
As with any class, Legacy choice depends on your playstyle:
For Solo-ing, you want to be looking for any kind of DPS increase, with something to boost your self-healing. A good high rank Legacy for increased "Celebration of Skill" or "Resolution" healing will help. As for DPS, don't forget about your ranged skills, they may not look much, but a well positioned "Wages of Fear" skill can lower an enemies morale greatly before he even comes into contact with the tip of your spear.
For Solo-ing, you want to be looking for any kind of DPS increase, with something to boost your self-healing. A good high rank Legacy for increased "Celebration of Skill" or "Resolution" healing will help. As for DPS, don't forget about your ranged skills, they may not look much, but a well positioned "Wages of Fear" skill can lower an enemies morale greatly before he even comes into contact with the tip of your spear.
Wardens are great at defence
For Tanking in groups, make sure you have some threat increasing legacies for "Spear of Virtue" and "Exultation of Battle", they should help you manage the aggro a bit.
Finally, I personally like to have at least one weapon with a reduced attack duration on "Recklessness" stance, this helps out a great deal when you have to grind mobs for whatever reason.
Finally, I personally like to have at least one weapon with a reduced attack duration on "Recklessness" stance, this helps out a great deal when you have to grind mobs for whatever reason.
Important Tips to becoming a better Warden
Warden with Lore-Master
The most important advice I'd give any wannabe Wardens out there is:
Although most classes in the game tend to frantically click skill after skill, the Warden can get a greater amount of DPS in my experience, from allowing an Auto-Attack between some skills. Try it yourself, find when there is time to let your Warden get a quick Auto-Attack in before you go for the next skill, if you get yourself into a steady rhythm you'll find enemies falling at your feet in no time.
- Remember that Auto-Attacks do Damage too!
Although most classes in the game tend to frantically click skill after skill, the Warden can get a greater amount of DPS in my experience, from allowing an Auto-Attack between some skills. Try it yourself, find when there is time to let your Warden get a quick Auto-Attack in before you go for the next skill, if you get yourself into a steady rhythm you'll find enemies falling at your feet in no time.
There is but one exception to this rule, Primary Tanking. When you are the main tank for the group you may find that you need to use more skills and faster moves to maintain aggro, this is fine, but watch your power consumption, a good lore-master or captains buff can help you out here.
But the most important advice is ...
Have fun playing the ...
