Elden Ring: Nightreign introduces several new classes to experiment with, but none are quite as unbreakable or team-oriented as the Guardian. Designed as the game’s premier tank, the Guardian thrives on block-based defense, guard counters, and team utility. If you enjoy anchoring your squad, absorbing boss aggression, and reviving fallen allies, this is your class.

Overview

The Guardian is a Strength and Endurance-scaling frontliner built around defense, crowd control, and revival. Unlike other melee classes, the Guardian doesn’t dodge or parry. Instead, you block incoming attacks with massive Greatshields and retaliate with guard counters. With the highest health pool in the game and powerful support tools like team-wide revives, Guardian is the cornerstone of any co-op group. You're not flashy, but you're essential. Think of Guardian as Nightreign’s spiritual successor to the classic Greatshield Paladin from Dark Souls, built to endure anything the game throws at you.

Class Skills & How to Use Them

Passive Skill: Steel Guard

While holding block and performing a dodge input, Guardian enters Steel Guard stance, reducing stamina drain and increasing block efficiency for a short time.

Key effects:

• Boosts Guard Boost and poise
• Locks movement (stationary stance)
• Slowly drains stamina over time

Use Steel Guard against enemy flurries or boss chains when you need to hold position. It’s especially useful when anchoring a doorway or protecting squishier allies.

Class Skill: Whirlwind

A short-charge AoE spin that knocks back surrounding enemies.

Key mechanics:

• Holding the button increases range
• Doesn’t interrupt block if timed well
• Strong stagger potential vs mobs and humanoids

Whirlwind is your crowd control tool, best used in choke points or when surrounded. Great for clearing space and creating breathing room during tough fights.

Ultimate Skill: Wings of Salvation

Leap into the air and slam down, reviving all nearby downed allies and creating a large AoE shockwave.

Key mechanics:

• Heals downed allies and revives them instantly
• Hold button to create a temporary invulnerability dome (up to 5 seconds)
• Usable while blocking

This is one of the strongest support ultimates in the game. Time it during boss transitions or near wipes to turn the tide.

Best Weapons for the Guardian

The Guardian isn’t here for raw DPS, but your weapon still matters. Your role is to guard, counterattack, and apply status effects passively.

Top Picks:

• Greatswords / Greathammers – Best for strong guard counters
• Spears – Allow for poking while guarding
• Straight Swords – Fast, clean guard counter animation

Weapon Traits to Look For:

• Guard Counter Damage boost
• Stamina Regeneration
• Poison or Bleed buildup
• HP on Counter / Block

Recommended Relics

Guardian has some of the most relic synergy in Nightreign thanks to his status as a frontline protector.

Relic Types:

• +Vigor / +Endurance – More HP = better tanking
• Threat Generation – Increases enemy aggro on you
• Status Bonus While Guarding – Poison or Bleed while holding block
• HP on Guard / Counter – Self-sustain during long fights
• Healing Allies While Blocking – Endgame relics enable this via quests

How to Play Guardian

As a Guardian, your role centers on timing, positioning, and a protective mentality. Unlike agile classes that rely on quick movements or parrying, the Guardian adopts a more methodical approach, soaking damage with a shield while countering with heavy guard counters. Your primary defense isn’t dodging either; it’s blocking and reacting. Knowing when to strike with guard counters is critical because they enable you to damage an enemy without risk after a successful block. Your class stance, Steel Guard, is crucial in tense moments, especially during boss fights where steadfastness is preferable to constant movement. Use it when you expect many attacks in succession or when you need to hold a position to stem the flow of combat. Whirlwind, your crowd control skill, is best used while being overwhelmed by enemies or to shoo away foes endangering your allies. This skill is useful to create a safe zone for the team to recuperate or change positions. Your ultimate skill, Wings of Salvation, should be strategically reserved for dire situations such as when multiple teammates are downed or in perilous phases of a boss fight. In addition to reviving, it grants shields, enabling you to turn the tide of challenging encounters. In a group, you act as the frontline tank taking damage and drawing aggro while shielding and assisting your allies.

In single-player mode, your pace may be slower, but there definitely are benefits in terms of safety. Consider playing slowly, putting your shield up, and using weapons that inflict statuses to gradually defeat your enemies. Fully mastering the Guardian means allowing yourself to be patient and exercising control. While you may not always be the most eye-catching player on the field, you’re usually the backbone of your team’s survival.

Ideal Loadout Summary

Level Goals:

• Aim for Level 7–8 by the end of Night 1

Early Loadout:

• Tower Shield + Straight Sword or Spear
• Prioritize gear with Guard Boost

Mid-Late Game Loadout:

• Greatshield + Greatsword (with Guard Counter relics)
• Status-inflicting weapons (Poison/Rot)

Relics:

• Prioritize stamina and threat generation
• Unlock Steel Guard-related relics via faction quests

The Guardian is the shield of Nightreign, a class for players who enjoy discipline, protection, and resilience. While not a solo damage dealer, the Guardian becomes the beating heart of any team. With practice, you’ll learn how to perfectly time guard counters, control enemy flow, and decide when to trigger your powerful revives. If you’re the type of player who finds satisfaction in holding the line and turning chaos into control, then Guardian might just be your perfect class.