Hope you don't mind me putting you on the spot like this, but I could use your experience. There's not much current info around other than eq2flames, but I'm not going there

I'm going to be levelling up a Guardian starting Monday, and would like a bit of advice. I'll primarily be soloing (like I always do), so I was thinking 4-4-8 in STR, STA, and WIS. I figure by the time I've got them, I'll know the class well enough to know what to do afterwards.

Do you think it would be 'best' to grab the STR line first, or am I way out here?

Well the first thing you should do is go back to the character creation screen and make a paladin.  ;)

But if you're asking specifically about which AA's to get first.  I'd say go this way since you solo, and you'll want to kill stuff faster.

In the Guardian Tree go down the Slaughter Line and get Double Attack.

Then back to the Warrior tree and go down the Int Line (yeah thats right, Intelligence) 4, 4, 8, 6, 1.  That reuse and recover time can't be underestimated.  Along with the increase of attack speed.  Beleive me, as a DPSer you'll want to attack as often as possible, not just spamming CA's

Then look at the Str line.  4, 4, 8.  Melee crit chance will be nice.  From there, hopefully you'll know what you'll want to be doing.

Good luck

Already got a Pally mate. Guardian is one of the few that I haven't taken to 80 yet.

Your advice makes sense. Have you actually taken the journey, or are you applying knowledge?

Originally posted by darwa

Hope you don't mind me putting you on the spot like this, but I could use your experience. There's not much current info around other than eq2flames, but I'm not going there

I'm going to be levelling up a Guardian starting Monday, and would like a bit of advice. I'll primarily be soloing (like I always do), so I was thinking 4-4-8 in STR, STA, and WIS. I figure by the time I've got them, I'll know the class well enough to know what to do afterwards.

Do you think it would be 'best' to grab the STR line first, or am I way out here?

The Guardian's main role it the "Tank". Wanted to clearify that first before someone rings in and says you do not solo with a guardian. My play style has to be solo mostly because of my time commitments. I am very busy but still find time to play mmos. I play a lot of off hours so soloing is a must. I have a level 80 guardian who does group but also solos a lot of the time.

Normally your guardian benefits most by upgrading defense. so STA for hitpoints and agi for avoidance is important and even as solo it is. However you have to get more strength if you solo a lot for melee damage. I might go 8-4-8 in the strength line.  4-4-8 would be a normal str build but I find the 8-4-8 works well for me. I also went 4-4-8-8 in stamina. I went down the double attack line since I face a lot of mobs alone. Then I went down the block line after all the guardian is about mitigation even when you solo. I made a wood elf for fun but you probably want to make a troll, ogre, barbarian, or dwarf if you are stat driven.

Normally a guardian will use a shield. I always keep a good one on hand and a good slashing weapon for grouping. However, when I solo I dual wield for greater dps. I also use a bow for pulling since it has a greater range then taunt this gives me a little more damage before I face the mob face to face. Hope this helps a bit. I have had fun with guardian and many underestimate it's ability to solo but with my build I also do well in groups.

Thanks Eccoton.

I have to admit that your comments about how well the Guardian can solo in another thread spurred me to make one next. People that I've asked say that it's a bugger, but I'm game for a challenge.

I'll be making a Sarnak. They have good inherent STA, STR, and resists, plus their snare resist, melee crit, and resist reduction bonuses will come in handy. Oh, and the 50% movement skill will come in handy when things get hairy.

Originally posted by Geeky

Well the first thing you should do is go back to the character creation screen and make a paladin.  ;)

why? paladins suck and now that thier class defining skill got "changed" aka nerfed to hell (amends). Most paladins i know are betraying or thinking about betraying to SKs.

Yeah I know a number that betrayed too, but I don't play paladins as the very first toon in the MMO's I play because they are the best.  I play them for what they are.  I like paladins for a number of reason, the least of which would be their uberness.

And to reply to darwa, yes I have an 80 guard that I've used for everything from raid tanking to soloing

Originally posted by darwa

Thanks Eccoton.

I have to admit that your comments about how well the Guardian can solo in another thread spurred me to make one next. People that I've asked say that it's a bugger, but I'm game for a challenge.

I'll be making a Sarnak. They have good inherent STA, STR, and resists, plus their snare resist, melee crit, and resist reduction bonuses will come in handy. Oh, and the 50% movement skill will come in handy when things get hairy.

Yea Sarnaks are cool and the females are huge! I should have mentioned them in the mix. Also their starting area is fun ( well I think it was fun) and you get good drops early on.