The Elder Scrolls Online introduced the Warden as a new class with the new chapter Morrowind. But how does the hero play? Which races are ideal and which builds are recommended? We have gathered numerous infos about the Warden for you.
When the beta for Morrowind, the first new chapter of The Elder Scrolls Online, started, they were everywhere: Grim warriors roaming the lands with bears, erecting icy shields, or handling strange mushrooms. We’re talking about the Wardens, the new class in ESO.
But how does the Warden play? What should you pay attention to in its gameplay and which skills are ideal? Here you will find answers!
The Elder Scrolls Online – How the Warden class plays
The Warden is a very special class in ESO, as it can cover all roles in the game alone with its class skills. The skill tree “Winter’s Embrace” makes it a tank, “Green Balance” heals allies, and with “Animal Companions” the Warden unleashes wild animals upon its enemies as a damage dealer.
In the following paragraphs, you will learn more about the respective roles of the Warden.
The Warden as a Tank – Gameplay Guide and Skills
The Warden always has a place in every group as a tank. Because even though it may not match the sheer power of a Dragonknight, it offers enough cool shield and support skills that make it a welcome group member. Like all Warden skill trees, the Warden in the “Winter’s Embrace” area has a good mix of offensive, defensive, and healing skills.
With the “Frost Cloak” you can protect yourself and your friends from damage, and the “Crystallized Shield” absorbs ranged attacks. With “Piercing Shard” you deal damage and slow down your enemies. “Arctic Wind” on the other hand heals you and even your friends if you develop the skill accordingly.
Winter’s Embrace Warden – A Good Support Tank
And if you don’t want to let your opponents escape in PvP, you can summon a Rune that teleports the opponent to you as soon as they walk over it. As the ultimate skill, the Warden unleashes a “Hailstorm” that hinders and damages enemies. Allies, on the other hand, are protected.
With this mix of useful skills, the Winter’s Embrace Warden is an ideal support tank that absorbs damage and makes the entire group tougher. So if you’re looking for an alternative to the Templar tank or the classic Dragonknight bulwark, you should definitely try out the Warden!
The Warden as a Healer – Gameplay Guide and Skills
A Warden that enjoys healing should choose the skill tree “Green Balance”. It contains numerous healing skills that provide decent area healing. This makes the Warden more of a group healer, while the previous main healer, the Templar, specializes in single healing. Such group healing skills are “Mushroom Growth” and “Healing Seed”, which respectively heal a larger area. The “Healing Seed” is somewhat tricky to time, as it only activates after 6 seconds, but it heals much better as a result.
For single healing, the Warden uses “Living Vines”, which provide good healing over time. When things get particularly tight, the Warden can immediately go to a needy ally with “Grip of Nature” and heal them, just like healer Mercy in the hero shooter Overwatch.
Wardens of Green Balance – Optimal Group Healing
If you want to use your Warden a bit more offensively, you should pack the skill “Lotus Flower”. This allows you to heal by attacking. As an ultimate ability, the Warden can grow a “Hidden Grove” in the Green Balance skill tree. This strong area healing skill heals all friends standing in it.
Unlike the similar skill “Rite of Passage” from the Templar, the grove lasts longer and you can move while casting, while the Templar has to stand still. However, the healing with the Templar is a bit better than in the grove.
The Warden as a Damage Dealer – Gameplay Guide and Skills
The Warden does not only shine as a healer and a tank. Like all hero classes, it also excels as a damage dealer. Its specialty is various animals that it sends against enemies or that fight by its side and support it. Typical pet attacks include the “Dive”, which lets one of the dreaded Cliffstriders crash down on the opponent.
Skilled players summon a horde of beetles with “Scorching”, which require some timing but hit much harder. Also cool: With “Swarm” you unleash nasty fireflies on the enemy, which slowly devour it and cause damage over time.
Animal Companions Warden – Rocks with Magicka and Stamina
One of the strongest skills of the Warden is the “Netch–Cow”, which regenerates either Magicka or, in its male form, stamina as “Netch–Bull”. An advantage that is also gladly used by other roles of the Warden. Another good support skill is the “Swiftness of the Hawk”, which makes you faster and stronger.
The ultimate ability of the Animal Companions Warden is called “Untamed Guardian”. With it, you summon a big, shaggy battle bear that stays with you until it gets hit. The bear is an excellent additional source of damage and, if necessary, even serves as a tank. Since many of the Warden’s skills from this tree can also be converted to stamina, the Warden is equally suitable for builds with Magicka or Stamina.
ESO Warden Guide – Races and Builds
If you are wondering which of the many races from The Elder Scrolls Online fit particularly well with the Warden and which builds are optimal for each role, we have an answer for you under the following links.
- The ideal races for the Warden
- Builds for Wardens as damage dealers, tanks, and healers
- Here you’ll find a deadly build for the Nightblade
- Here you can find the good Templar as a damage dealer
Also interesting: The Elder Scrolls Online Morrowind – 10 tips for beginners
