I like the guardian class unfortunately i do not like tanking. So my question is is there another role the class can play other then tank,in raids and dungeons or can u only get a grp as a guardian if your tanking? My fav thing in games is to play a class that can take good dmg but not have to tank,ive tried the others mele classes but guardian is my fav.

I'm going to say no even though I have never played a Gaurdian. Whenever we get a tan... err.. Gaurdian in a group, he is expected to tank.  :)

Yeah, if you play a guardian most are going to expect you to be tanking.  If you don't want that responsibility you may want to give another go at a champion or warden.  Suppose you could try a guardian anyways and just let people know that you really don't want to be the tank when you group but I would imagine you're going to get a lot of grief.

You don't like the champion?  I think that class is pretty cool and quite frankly if you're in need they can actually tank as well albeit not as effective as a guardian can per se.

Last time I played was before Moria (just started up again) so really have no clue what the warden class is like.

I would recommend going into your class traits (open up your traits window and look at the class tab).  There should be three subtabs there with different specializations that you can work on as you open up more and more class traits over time.  When you read the descriptions, think about whether any of those three or a combination of them fit the role that you think you'd like to play in a group.  If they don't, you might consider rolling another class.

The warden is, at heart, a hybrid.  It can tank quite effictively, but doesn't have to.  It does pretty decent dps and can keep itself up pretty well with it's minor self-healing ability.  With the gambits, the class can be kind of complicated to play (there are no OH CRAP, or get out of jail free buttons), but it is great fun!

I recommend trying the Ward if you don't want to tank.  The fact of the matter is that the Guardian is expected to tank, they really don't do enough damage to "dps".  A DPS tank would be better replaced by a champ who could tank in a pinch of a LM who can control the fight.

Champion is your best bet, they wear heavy armour, they dish out great DPS and thats what they are wanted for.  If things get ugly they can tank or offtank and with traits you can specialise them to be either AOE DPS focused or single mo focused or more tankish.

Not tanking as a Guardian is fairly pointless, you contribute little as your DPS is low, even in Overpower stance and with a 2h you are much lower than DPSers.  Add to that a Guardians coolest skills rely on block/parry, none of which you do if not tanking.  I enjoy the Guardian, Champion and to a lesser degree the Captain, but then I am a tank at heart and end up playing all 3 that way...it's just nice to be able to dish out damage as the Champ too

Man, I'm always impressed at the Captians who can tank.  If I ever tried it, I'd get destroyed.  Then again, I'm a CC player at heart.

Originally posted by DEATHRAMENT

I like the guardian class unfortunately i do not like tanking. So my question is is there another role the class can play other then tank,in raids and dungeons or can u only get a grp as a guardian if your tanking? My fav thing in games is to play a class that can take good dmg but not have to tank,ive tried the others mele classes but guardian is my fav.

Well, I play a guardian and love it. However, since its main role is tank that is what you are expected to do.

However...

If there is another guardian in the group or a Warden you can play secondary tank. You would then go into overpower stance and use a 2 hander.

In addition...

If the primary tank or warden is very good you can then trait for the damage tree and just do damage. Single target damage with a good 2 hander and the bleeds will make you a decent damage dealer (read: you would trait hemorrage).

However, if you show up to the group and say "hey guys, I'm not a tanking guardian, I'm a damage guardian" the best that will happen is that people will laugh.

My boyfriend likes to play his guardian as an off-tank as much as he can. He likes the overpower class traits and a huge legendary two hander.  I play my minstrel along with his guard and we had no trouble plowing though moria. He also does a lot more dps this way. Off-tanking can totally be done but you may get flack when trying to get a group so have a heavy shield and a one-hander ready when you wanna fellow and all should be well.

Originally posted by chrisleko

The warden is, at heart, a hybrid.  It can tank quite effictively, but doesn't have to.  It does pretty decent dps and can keep itself up pretty well with it's minor self-healing ability.  With the gambits, the class can be kind of complicated to play (there are no OH CRAP, or get out of jail free buttons), but it is great fun!

I recommend trying the Ward if you don't want to tank.  The fact of the matter is that the Guardian is expected to tank, they really don't do enough damage to "dps".  A DPS tank would be better replaced by a champ who could tank in a pinch of a LM who can control the fight.

Yes, the warden is a good alternative.

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by chrisleko

The warden is, at heart, a hybrid.  It can tank quite effictively, but doesn't have to.  It does pretty decent dps and can keep itself up pretty well with it's minor self-healing ability.  With the gambits, the class can be kind of complicated to play (there are no OH CRAP, or get out of jail free buttons), but it is great fun!

I recommend trying the Ward if you don't want to tank.  The fact of the matter is that the Guardian is expected to tank, they really don't do enough damage to "dps".  A DPS tank would be better replaced by a champ who could tank in a pinch of a LM who can control the fight.

 

Yes, the warden is a good alternative.

I have actually tanked with my minstrel, in small groups of course. He would not survive long against the turtle or the watcher but in a duo or 3 man group I can do a fair job.

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by chrisleko

The warden is, at heart, a hybrid.  It can tank quite effictively, but doesn't have to.  It does pretty decent dps and can keep itself up pretty well with it's minor self-healing ability.  With the gambits, the class can be kind of complicated to play (there are no OH CRAP, or get out of jail free buttons), but it is great fun!

I recommend trying the Ward if you don't want to tank.  The fact of the matter is that the Guardian is expected to tank, they really don't do enough damage to "dps".  A DPS tank would be better replaced by a champ who could tank in a pinch of a LM who can control the fight.

 

Yes, the warden is a good alternative.

I have actually tanked with my minstrel, in small groups of course. He would not survive long against the turtle or the watcher but in a duo or 3 man group I can do a fair job.

Yeah, minis despite seeing some people in game play this way, are not tanks. lol. They are also, not the paper thin "healers" of other games eather.

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by chrisleko

The warden is, at heart, a hybrid.  It can tank quite effictively, but doesn't have to.  It does pretty decent dps and can keep itself up pretty well with it's minor self-healing ability.  With the gambits, the class can be kind of complicated to play (there are no OH CRAP, or get out of jail free buttons), but it is great fun!

I recommend trying the Ward if you don't want to tank.  The fact of the matter is that the Guardian is expected to tank, they really don't do enough damage to "dps".  A DPS tank would be better replaced by a champ who could tank in a pinch of a LM who can control the fight.

 

Yes, the warden is a good alternative.

I have actually tanked with my minstrel, in small groups of course. He would not survive long against the turtle or the watcher but in a duo or 3 man group I can do a fair job.

Yeah, minis despite seeing some people in game play this way, are not tanks. lol. They are also, not the paper thin "healers" of other games eather.

Yes, the real "paper" character is the Loremaster. I could never do some quests with those bloodly gredbyg warriors, they just do too much ranged damage... my light armor just no good in a shower of arrows/stingers :(
 

DB

I've found that if I use the raven to distract archers that helps out quite a bit.

I honestly say the LM is pretty durable (if played right) and can last a long time.  I had to hardest time surviving with the RK.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by DEATHRAMENT

I like the guardian class unfortunately i do not like tanking. So my question is is there another role the class can play other then tank,in raids and dungeons or can u only get a grp as a guardian if your tanking? My fav thing in games is to play a class that can take good dmg but not have to tank,ive tried the others mele classes but guardian is my fav.

 

Well, I play a guardian and love it. However, since its main role is tank that is what you are expected to do.

However...

If there is another guardian in the group or a Warden you can play secondary tank. You would then go into overpower stance and use a 2 hander.

In addition...

If the primary tank or warden is very good you can then trait for the damage tree and just do damage. Single target damage with a good 2 hander and the bleeds will make you a decent damage dealer (read: you would trait hemorrage).

However, if you show up to the group and say "hey guys, I'm not a tanking guardian, I'm a damage guardian" the best that will happen is that people will laugh.

I wouldnt fool him that way. Lots of groups will not accept two guardians in a group, nor a guardian and a warden. If I wanted to make a top group, there actually wouldn't be any of it. Hence I recommened you to reroll champion.
 

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by DEATHRAMENT

I like the guardian class unfortunately i do not like tanking. So my question is is there another role the class can play other then tank,in raids and dungeons or can u only get a grp as a guardian if your tanking? My fav thing in games is to play a class that can take good dmg but not have to tank,ive tried the others mele classes but guardian is my fav.

 

Well, I play a guardian and love it. However, since its main role is tank that is what you are expected to do.

However...

If there is another guardian in the group or a Warden you can play secondary tank. You would then go into overpower stance and use a 2 hander.

In addition...

If the primary tank or warden is very good you can then trait for the damage tree and just do damage. Single target damage with a good 2 hander and the bleeds will make you a decent damage dealer (read: you would trait hemorrage).

However, if you show up to the group and say "hey guys, I'm not a tanking guardian, I'm a damage guardian" the best that will happen is that people will laugh.

I wouldnt fool him that way. Lots of groups will not accept two guardians in a group, nor a guardian and a warden. If I wanted to make a top group, there actually wouldn't be any of it. Hence I recommened you to reroll champion.
 

After book 8 champions wont be that OP anymore ;)
 

And doing the harder content in the game like DD, Watcher or even the turtle without a Guardian is a bad idea. Wardens are also very nice in the Watcher fight since they are the best corruption removers in the game. But you need to be a really good player to Main tank as a Warden.