Learn how to master the Guardian class in Elden Ring: Nightreign. From passive abilities to best weapons and advanced tips, here’s your complete tanking guide for surviving and thriving in battle.
Guardian Class Guide in Elden Ring: Nightreign – How to Be an Unstoppable Tank
The Guardian is one of the first characters you’ll get to play in Elden Ring: Nightreign, and it’s perfect for players who love tanking hits and protecting the squad.
If you’re all about rocking a solid shield and soaking up enemy attention while your team dishes out the damage, Guardian is your go-to.
Playing any class well is key to making it through Nightreign, and if you’re new to Guardian (or just want to step up your game), here’s everything you need to know—from the basics to advanced strategies.
Guardian Basics & Passive Skill
The Guardian’s all about defense. Instead of dodging around like a maniac, you’ll be blocking damage head-on with a shield. Built around high Strength, this class can still lay down solid damage even when you’re hiding behind your defenses.

Core playstyle: Great for one-on-one encounters, but also super effective against crowds thanks to the Guardian’s AoE abilities.
Passive skill – Steel Guard: This activates when you dodge in a specific direction while guarding. It boosts your block power massively—taking way less stamina damage and making it easier to break enemy guards. That means a good shield isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. Especially if you’re running solo.
Skills & Ultimate Art
Character Skill – Whirlwind:
Quick cooldown, high utility. Whirlwind surrounds you with wind, launching small enemies into the air and damaging anything nearby. It can even knock away incoming projectiles if your timing’s on point. Not amazing against large bosses, but amazing for clearing trash mobs fast.
Ultimate Art – Wings of Salvation:
Leaps into the air and slams down hard, dealing massive AoE damage. Great for any situation, especially in the middle of a melee. Bonus: it can revive any downed allies it touches. Hit two fallen friends with this? That’s a clutch moment waiting to happen.
Best Relic Buffs for Guardian
Relics are randomized, but you’ll want ones that enhance what the Guardian already does well. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
- Increased Strength
- Increased Vigor
- Increased Stamina
- Boosted Thrusting Damage
- Reduced Stamina When Blocking
- Boosted Physical Damage Negation
These all feed into Guardian’s core role: staying alive and staying in the enemy’s face.
Best Weapons & Cache Rewards

Go-to setup: Halberd + Shield.
Why? The shield activates your passive, and a thrusting halberd lets you attack while still staying fully guarded. It’s the classic tank-and-poke playstyle.
For cache rewards, focus on anything that buffs spears, shields, health, or stamina. A unique Guardian cache lets you recover health when you heal—amazing synergy with your tank role.
Advanced Guardian Tips
- Pair up with heavy damage-dealers. You’re the wall—they’re the wrecking balls.
- While you can go damage-focused, the Guardian really shines when you lean all the way into tanking.
- Use Wings of Salvation wisely—sometimes it’s worth saving for a revive, even if it means missing out on some damage.
- Spam Whirlwind when you can. It’s fast, strong, and incredible for crowd control.
- Prioritize stamina. You’ll be burning through it fast with all the blocking, and you need enough left over to retaliate.
Mastering the Guardian is all about patience, timing, and knowing when to go in and when to hold your ground. Build yourself like an unmovable rock, and you’ll become the anchor every team wants in a fight.
Related Elden Ring articles:
- How To Master Executor
- Wylder Class Guide & Advanced Tips
- Can You Play Elden Ring: Nightreign Offline?
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