Best Guardian build in Elden Ring Nightreign

Guardian is Elden Ring Nightreign’s tank, able to protect and buff his teammates while also dishing out respectable damage.

Like Wylder, Guardian can utilize almost all melee weapons effectively, with a preference for Halberds due to their versatile one-handed moveset and range. The avian warrior isn’t a DPS machine like Executor or Raider, but comes packed with utility out of the box to account lesser offence.

Shields – the bigger the better – are a core part of Guardian’s kit and, through the use of his abilities, make him sturdier than any other Nightreign character. With top-tier scaling in HP and Stamina, he’ll often be the last Nightfarer standing.

Not sure if this character’s for you? Check out our character tier list for Nightreign.

Best character build for Guardian

How to play Guardian

Strength, Stamina, and HP are his highest-scaling attributes, the latter of which has the best scaling of all Nightreign’s characters. Though he can perform well with almost any Strength-leaning melee weapon, Halberds, Spears, or Lances should always be prioritized due to allowing attacks with a raised shield.

When assuming his Steel Guard stance, Guardian gains the ability to tank attacks that would otherwise break his defence at the cost of lower speed and constant Stamina drain. For bosses especially, planting your feet and poking enemies to keep their attention while teammates go for the jugular should be your gameplan.

For large-scale engagements, Whirlwind is an incredible crowd control tool that staggers and sends smaller foes airborne, often able to kill them outright. Any leftovers are momentarily dazed for easy clean-up.

Last but not least, Wings of Salvation is Guardian’s Ultimate. Dishing out massive single-hit damage after a delay, holding the ability input after the initial hit conjures a gigantic aura that protects teammates inside.

The downside to this utility is Guardian’s extremely low FP, making the use of weapon skills and Sorceries difficult. Likewise, his less-than-nimble nature makes hitting fast or flying enemies hard to manage.

Guardian Abilities & Attributes

Guardian’s abilities and attributes are all about bolstering his survivability to ensure he’s always alive and ready to support teammates when they need it. See below for details on both.

Abilities

Passive: Steel Guard – Allows Guardian to adopt a defensive stance. Reduces speed and slowly drains Stamina, but allows him to defend against massive hits. Essentially a tank stance that’s especially useful when paired with Relics that increase enemy aggro.
Character Skill: Whirlwind – Conjures a whirlwind that sends small enemies airborne. Fantastic crowd control skill that can also deflect projectiles, but weak against bosses and stronger enemies.
Ultimate Art: Wings of Salvation – Sends Guardian skyward before divebombing the ground to deal substantial damage. For damage alone, Wings of Salvation is one of Nightreign’s best skills, but you can also hold it to create a shielding aura that temporarily makes allies invulnerable. Extremely strong.

Attributes

Best Relic effects for Guardian

Unsurprisingly, Relics that further enhance Guardian’s core HP, Stamina, and Strength stats are some of the best options, but there are some auxiliary options worth considering here.

As a support role first and foremost, increasing Guardian’s weak FP stat so he can cast healing or defensive Incantations is worthwhile. Guardian’s starting Relic Rite allows him to use one Yellow and two Red Relics.

Likewise, as he’ll be regularly performing Guard Counters, any Relics that increase their damage are a must-have.

Early & Late Game

Increased Vigor
Increased Strength
Increased Endurance
HP restoration upon Thrusting Counterattack
Improved Guard Counters
Arts gauge charged from successful guarding

Unique Relic Effects (Guardian only)

Damage negation for all allies improved when using Character skills
Create a whirlwind when charging halberd attacks

Best Weapons for Guardian

Guardian gains unique benefits from using Halberds when paired with some Relic effects. However, any weapon with a long reach and able to attack with a raised shield is suitable. Applicable weapon types include Halberds, Spears, Lances, and Rapiers, although the last on that list isn’t recommended due to their short attack range.