Aura of Defense and You

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR AOD GUARDIAN

Version 1.1
Updated 12-25-07

By AngryTexan 

Our armament must be adequate to the needs, but our faith is not primarily in these machines of defense but in ourselves.

~ Chester Nimitz

Topics Covered
Introduction
Overview of Skills
Example Builds for Your Playstyle
Equipment and Attribute Allocation
Frequently Asked Questions
Update Notes

Introduction
Instead of outlining a rigid build, I would like to talk to you today about building around one of the Guardian’s more powerful defensive auras. My intent here will be to educate you so that you may make intelligent decisions regarding your personal AoD build.

Everything you read herein is relative to Aura of Defense and Aura of Defense only.
More importantly, much of this guide contains heavy doses of “my opinion.” You may not agree with it and it may be wrong, but that is the risk you take by reading on.

As of patch 1.0, Aura of Defense has finally received the nerf we all knew had to come eventually. No longer is AoD the only option for any sane Templar, so please take the time to check out your other options before you comit to what you read here.

So, why Aura of Defense?
If you haven chosen the path of a Guardian, being “paper” is probably something you are hoping to avoid.
That said, how does 85% damage mitigation sound? “Meh”, you say?
What about 96%? Now we are talking!

If excess is your thing, then you are in the right place.

Overview of Skills

In this section we will examine a list of all skills relevant to the AoD Guardian. Along with each skill you will find a brief description, per-rank benefits, a recommended rank, possible uses, important notes and ratings for both solo and group play.

‘Recommended Rank’ is the suggested starting point for skills that will be a focus for your build. Some skills will require a larger point investment as difficulty increases throughout the game, especially if you are playing in Elite mode.

These values of ‘Recommended Rank’ were derived by the following:

• Usefulness of the skill.
• Rank required for reasonable effectiveness while playing normal difficulty.
• Other skill(s) that it is a prerequisite for.

Shield Bash
Description: A single target shield attack with increased SFX attack strengths and no cooldown.
Per Rank: Stun, Ignite, Shock, Phase and Poison Attack Strength increased by 30%.
Recommended Rank: 3
Application: With minimal investment it can be used as a single target stun and Shield Turn cleanup. At higher ranks it can function as boss lockdown and SFX application.
Notes: This skill is your lifeblood until level 10 when you can begin work on Shield Turn, Prayer of Healing and Aura of Defense.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Shield Turn
Description: A 360° shield attack with increased SFX attack and an 8 second cooldown.
Per Rank: Stun, Ignite, Shock, Phase and Poison Attack Strength increased by 30%.
Recommended Rank: 3
Application: Shield Turn will allow you to stun your opponents ‘en masse’.
Notes: Generally considered better than Shield Bash, Shield Turn offers a base 90% increase in SFX strengths over its single target counterpart. It is recommended that you use at least one item with “Increase Use Rate of Swordsmanship by X%” or invest into Shield Master to ensure your ability to stunlock mobs with Stun or Shock attacks.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Shield Charge
Description: Teleport to your target, bashing them with increased Stun strength.
Per Rank: Reduced cooldown.
Recommended Rank: 1
Application: One of the more useful and versatile skills available to the Guardian. While solo it can serve as a great opener or damage avoidance. In a group it can allow you to quickly reach allies in a jam.
Notes: In a pinch, Shield Charge can get you out of some sticky situations. If you do not have access to Stampede, try Shield Charging distant opponents to weave yourself through the fray.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Stampede
Description: Teleport forward 15 meters, bashing all targets along the way with your shield with increased SFX attack.
Per Rank: Stun, Ignite, Shock, Phase and Poison Attack Strength increased by 30%.
Recommended Rank: 1
Application: Stampede’s most notable use is that of a panic button. Perfect for when you find yourself cornered after running through half the instance with an Adrenaline Pill only to be meet a wall of mobs in a narrow corridor. It can also teleport you through objects or across large gaps, allowing you to buy some time in tough fights.
Notes: It may not always warrant a hard point, but if you are picking up Shield Charge… why not?
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Shield Master
Description: Increases the duration of all SFX and damage of your shield attacks
Per Rank: Stun, Ignite, Shock, Phase and Poison Attack Strength increased by 25%. Increase damage of shield attacks by 12%
Recommended Rank: 7
Application: Passive skill allowing Shield Turn stunlocks.
Notes: This is an “all or nothing” skill in my book. There are other options for stunlocking with Shield Turn that do not require a skillpoint investment, more on that later in this writing.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Challenge
Description: Taunt all demons within your Holy Aura.
Per Rank: Increased taunt duration by 2 seconds. Reduced power cost.
Recommended Rank: 3
Application: When solo, Challenge can force pesky mobs into melee combat, making them much more manageable. While grouped, it will serve as your main taunt for trash mobs.
Notes: The taunt skills have undergone some much needed changes in the 0.7 and 1.0 patches. Their usability in groups is now what should be expected.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Provoke
Description: Increases Taunt Strength of Challenge.
Per Rank: Increase Taunt Strength of Challenge by 25.
Recommended Rank: X – As needed to reduce resists.
Application: Increases the effectiveness of Challenge.
Notes: At rank 0, Challenge is more than capable of taunting fodder mobs like Zombies and Imps. By rank 10, you should see a vast improvement on taunting most demons.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Denounce
Description: A powerful single target taunt and armor reduction.
Per Rank: Increase Taunt Strength by 100%
Recommended Rank: X – As needed to reduce resists.
Application: Single target taunts, especially useful for bosses. This skill can also act as a long range pull and in most cases should avoid triggering social agro.
Notes: Denounce also interrupts your target when successful. Try using it against morphing Chompers or Burning Dead which are charging up their teleport.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Heavenly Condemnation
Description: Increases the Armor Reduction of Denounce.
Per Rank: Enemy armor decreased by 5%
Recommended Rank: 7
Application: Passive Skill. Further increases the usefulness of Denounce against heavily armored opponents and bosses.
Notes: N/A
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Prayer of Healing
Description: The Guardian heals himself and allies within his Holy Aura
Per Rank: Reduced cooldown
Recommended Rank: 2
Application: Instantly heals 25% of the health of those effected.
Notes: It is intended that this skill will not heal those who are poisoned (currently bugged). It is assumed that you can still cast it while poisoned to so that you may still use it to heal the rest of your party.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Prayer of Retribution
Description: The Guardian unleashes a wave of spectral energy, damaging and phasing foes.
Per Rank: Increases Phase Attack Strength
Recommended Rank: 7
Application: This skill makes a great opener, especially while solo.
Notes: Shield Penetration on at least one piece of armor is an absolute must with Prayer of Retribution. This allows you to phase shielded opponents.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Great Defender
Description: An ‘Area of Effect’ buff that increases armor values and health regeneration rates.
Per Rank: Increases armor by 30%. Increases health regeneration rates.
Recommended Rank: 1
Application: Combined with Aura of Defense, this skill can reduce incoming damage to the point where it almost becomes laughable. For grouping, it is a handy buff to start off tough rooms and boss battles while agro is being established.
Notes: While it may be a one-point-wonder, more points can never hurt. Also, keep an eye out for armors with “Increases duration of boost skills by X%.”
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Sword of Reckoning
Description: A powerful sword attack.
Per Rank: Increase damage by 15%
Recommended Rank: 1
Application: Can turn two-shot mobs into one-shot mobs.
Notes: Aura of Defense based builds lack the power generation required to make full use of Sword of Reckoning.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Hamper
Description: A sword attack that lowers the mitigation of your enemy while slowing their movement speed.
Per Rank: Enemy movement speed reduced 5%. Enemy armor reduced 3%
Recommended Rank: 6
Application: The armor reduction can increase DPS on tough mobs by a fair bit, but it also provides an unresistable snare for when you just can’t seem to get a stun off on a skittish mob.
Notes: Unlike Sword of Reckoning, using Hamper does not interrupt your attack. For that reason, it can sometimes be hard to get it to go off unless you stop attacking altogether briefly.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Heaven’s Arc
Description: The Guardian propels Himself into the air, taking a swing at airborn opponents.
Per Rank: Increases damage by 20%
Recommended Rank: 0
Application: One of the biggest weaknesses of the Guardian is dealing with airborne foes. If taunt isn’t your thing and a hand grappler is out of the question, try Heaven’s Arc.
Notes: Heaven’s Arc ban be used while shocked! Though most people tend to stick to a spare weapon set for this skill, it makes a nice one-point-wonder for any spare skill points you may have.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Anchor
Description: The Guardian plants himself firmly in an offensive position, increasing damage output at the cost of mobility.
Per Rank: Increase damage of all attacks (and skills) by 10%
Recommended Rank: 1 or 10
Application: When sacrificing movement, expect to take more damage. Challenge can help bring in the mobs that refuse to sit idly by while you systematically destroy them and their friends.
Notes: Shield Charge + Challenge + Anchor + PoR + SoR = GG.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Should of Faith
Description: The Guardian is surrounded by a shield of faith.
Per Rank: Shielding increased.
Recommended Rank: 0
Application: For those of you choosing to play with Swordsman armor and shielded equipment, this skill will instantly recharge your shields as they begin to fail.
Notes: To make full use of this skill will require a special type of build, one that does not really sync well with AoD.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Shield Wall
Description: The Guardian turns his focus towards shielding himself from attacks.
Per Rank: Shields increased.
Recommended Rank: 0
Application: Shield Wall can buy you a few precious seconds for recharge of other skills or health injectors. To maintain this skill, you must remain immobile and not attack.
Notes: Like Shield of Faith, this skill clashes with what you would be looking for with Aura of Defense.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Aura of Defense
Description: Increases armor based on the number of enemies in the Holy Aura.
Per Rank: Increase armor per enemy within your Holy Aura.
Recommended Rank: 10
Application: This is your main aura. Max it, love it.
Notes: N/A
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Aura of Power
Description: Increases power regeneration rates based on the number of enemies in the Holy Aura.
Per Rank: Increase power regeneration per enemy within your Holy Aura.
Recommended Rank: 7
Application: Can be used in conjunction with Shield Turn to get power back in fights where you cant afford to use a powerback.
Notes: This aura is infinitely more useful when the build is focused on it, rather than Aura of Defense.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Aura of Salvation
Description: Increases SFX resists based on the number of enemies in the Holy Aura.
Per Rank: Increase SFX resists per enemy within your Holy Aura.
Recommended Rank: 0
Application: With Shield Turn taking care of the direct threats, Aura of Salvation could save you from SFX from ranged opponents.
Notes: It has been my experience that taking off Aura of Defense for resists will only lead to you taking more damage than you would have in the first place. Sure, there are scenarios where this aura will shine, but not nearly enough to warrant taking points away from your build.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Aura of Deflection
Description: Projectiles entering (or created in) the Holy Aura have a chance to be destroyed.
Per Rank: Increase chance to destroy projectiles by 15%
Recommended Rank: 4
Application: At 75% chance to destroy projectiles, this aura will certainly be useful from time to time.
Notes: Aura of Deflection has a chance to destroy all projectiles, even those meant for your party members.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Aura of Vengeance
Description: Projectiles entering (or created in) the Holy Aura have a chance to be reflected.
Per Rank: Increase chance to reflect projectiles by 10%
Recommended Rank: 4
Application: With a 50% chance to reflect projectiles back at attackers.
Notes: Aura of Vengeance has a chance to reflect all projectiles, even those meant for your party members.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Grand Aura
Description: Increases the radius of the Guardian’s Holy Aura.
Per Rank: Holy Aura radius increased by 12%
Recommended Rank: 5
Application: Passive skill.
Notes: If you use skills like Aura of Power, Challenge, Prayer of Retribution or Prayer of Healing while grouped, Grand Aura would be something to seriously consider.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Spiritual Strength
Description: Reduces the Guardian’s Strength Feed.
Per Rank: Reduces Strength Feed by 12.
Recommended Rank: 0
Application: Passive skill.
Notes: This skill should not be needed if you build your character correctly, though it never hurts to set aside a few “what if” points.
Solo Rating:
Group Rating:

Example Builds for Your Playstyle
The Aggressive Soloist 2.0 UPDATED! – Skill Sheet

• The next best thing to snow angels are demon donuts. Round up your enemies using Challenge before using Anchor and Shield Turn to lay them out.
• If things get a little too rough, Stampede your way to safety

The Cautious Soloist 2.0 UPDATED! – Skill Sheet

• Use Denounce to pull key mobs away from their demon brethren.
• Clean up the trash with Prayer of Retribution and shield attacks.

The Group Taunter 2.0 UPDATED! – Skill Sheet
Use Challenge to control demon agro.

The Boss Runner NEW! – Skill Sheet

• Use Shield Charge and Stampede to negotiate your way to champion and boss mobs.
• Aura of Deflection can buy you time to kill these mobs even when facing large amounts of fire from skipped mobs.
• Sprint under the cover of Aura of Deflection to put distance on skipped mobs.

Do you have an idea for a new playstyle and example build? Send me a private message and see if you cant get it posted here!

Equipment and Attribute Allocation

One of the more easily overlooked areas when designing builds is what equipment you will be using. Without properly examining this you will find it much harder to to chose the correct attribute allocation for your build.

If you have not already, please take a moment to check out my Special Attribute Feeds thread in the Staging Area forum.

Back yet? Here we go!

Lets say you have chosen the following as your top four picks for armor attributes: Additional Armor, Hitpoint Regen, All Attributes, Resist Poison.

• Additional Armor requires a high Strength feed.
• Hitpoint Regen requires a moderate Stamina feed.
• All Attributes requires a very high Stamina feed.
• Resist Poison requires a low Willpower feed.

Now, I am rather opposed to assigning a per-level distribution for several reasons, but for the sake of an easy read lets say you wanted to do that. Using the above knowledge, you can assume that your build will need a fair amount of Stamina and probably more Strength than Willpower; however, Willpower is something you need not take lightly. Without a proper investment in Willpower, you will find yourself chugging pots into the poor house.

I would suggest either 0131 or 0122, since the All Attribute will take care of a decent amount of the strength feed requirements.

The most important thing when it comes to equipment… and I simply cannot stress this enough… is that you don’t need a full set of maxed out legendary items! This is the one place in Hellgate where carelessness will leave you gimp. Think about these points the next time you go to replace a piece of equipment:

• Do you really need all of the special attributes on the item in question? A helmet with 20 Armor and +8 All Attributes may in fact be better for you than a helmet with 20 Armor, +8 All Attributes, +40 Shields. If you don’t need the shields, you are wasting feed!
• If you are looking for a skill sword (for Heaven’s Arc, lets say) is it really worth the extra feed requirements to equip one with +3 instead of +1?
• Before you stick something in the Nanoforge, be sure you will be able to support its higher base feed without gimping yourself out of other equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What build are you running, AngryTexan?
A: I am currently in the process of testing out a Challenge/Hamper build for group tanking, though my original guardian is running a build similar to the “Group Taunter” template.

Q: Will I be a gimp when it comes to DPS?
A: In Normal/Nightmare, Prayer of Retribution and Anchor are excellent sources of additional DPS. In Elite mode, you will have to rely more on Ignite weapons as Phase becomes less effective on higher HP mobs.

Q: Why so few questions in the FAQ?
A: First, I hope I answered many of your questions already. Second and most importantly, my zombie killing finger is tired. If you have a question, just submit a reply to this thread or shoot me a private message and I’ll answer them to the best of my abilities.

Update Notes
11-09-07, Guide created.
12-25-07, Guide updated for the 1.0 patch. Intro rewrite, reconsiderations on skill overview and updates to build templates.