Learning LOTRO: Lesson Thirty-Two - Guardian Class

 

In this series, I talk about various aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online. This series is meant for newcomers, but may also help veteran players find more to love about the game.

It's time for the eighth class-focused entry in the series! Today we get to talk about the Guardian class! This is going to be our second adventure with a hobbit, as well -- because how awesome is it that little hobbits can be strong, tanking protectors? Fact: The inspiration for the Guardian class was Samwise Gamgee, whose loyalty to Frodo knew no bounds.

This is only my fourth Guardian character, and the highest level I have reached naturally (without a level boost) is 41. I have, however, quested alongside someone playing Guardian up through Wildermore (level 85). For this reason, I don't feel too out of my depth discussing the basics of the class. For more complicated content, I'll be sure to refer you to the right sources!

Per the established method, the theme this time was "orange" and "cavern," so I used Welsh to come up with Ogoforen, or literally "orange cave." I chose the Stoor hobbit origin for Ogo because they were the last of the kindreds to come to the Shire and are heavier and broader of build -- allowing me to make a beefy little hobbit tank!

The following is a basic summary of the creation process and some of the things you'll encounter when you start out in LOTRO with a Guardian (and/or hobbit).