Gambit System

Wardens execute Gambits by coordinating a sequence of gambit icons in a new game UI element called the Gambit display. The Warden has three basic skills that may each add a gambit icon to the display.

Gambits themselves are organized into three broad categories that correspond back to the three gambit icons. The first icon in each Gambit’s activation sequence indicates that Gambit’s category. Wardens initially start with only two boxes in the Gambit display but as the Warden levels, a third, fourth, and fifth box are added. This progression allows more complex and powerful Gambits to be performed as the player masters previous skills and advances.

Spear gambits have a red Spear icon first in their sequences. These gambits all deal with physical attacks and are similar to the attack skills of other melee classes. Shield gambits use the green shield icon first in their sequences. These gambits add short term defensive buffs to the Warden and add heal over time effects. Fist gambits start with the yellow Fist icon. All of these gambits have additional threat while some of them also deal out damage-over-time effects.

Javelins

Another attribute I wanted for Wardens was meaningful, yet not overly powerful, ranged damage ability. While Wardens are unable to come anywhere near the ranged damage of a Hunter, they are much better at ranged combat than both the Guardian and the Champion. While ranged combat is not the primary class role, one of the Warden’s signature skills is a ranged javelin ability we call Ambush. This is an out of combat ranged skill that does excellent damage and more importantly knocks down the target for a short time. This opens up the Warden’s Critical Strike skill that can only target knocked down and dazed opponents. Both Ambush and Critical strike have significant critical hit chances and damage multipliers.

Utility

The Warden’s already capable skill arsenal also includes a variety of utility skills, many focused on travel. Like most of the Warden’s skills these abilities can only be used on the Warden, but they do allow faster running at a significant power cost as well as instant travel to various outposts in need of defenders. The Warden also has a short term stealth skill to make it easier to execute Ambushes under certain circumstances.

Equipment

Wardens can use one-handed weapons of any type, but they gain significant bonuses for using spears. They also have bonuses for swords and clubs, though they are not as great as the spear bonuses. Javelins are the only ranged weapon for a Warden. As mentioned previously, the class is limited to medium armour. Characters may use Shields - including a new Warden-only shield type with additional defensive properties. Heavy shields are not usable by Wardens.

Final Thoughts

As we get closer to releasing The Lord of the Rings™: Mines of Moria™ later this fall, we will be telling you a lot more about the Warden (and our other new class, the Rune-keeper). Hopefully this Dev Diary has given you some insight into the design process that created the Warden, as well as a basic idea of what this new class is all about. So far it’s been a really fun class to play and I can’t wait to hear what all of you think about the Warden!