The Blackguard

Difficulty 95%
Versatility 65%
Mobility 75%
Career information
Race Dark Elves
Role Tank
Armor Heavy
Weapons 1h Sword, Shield, Spear
Special Mechanic Hatred
Mirror Career Ironbreaker
Gender Both
Abbrevations BG

Archetype: Tank

Special Mechanic: Hatred

 

Class Details: Fighters specializing in magical defense, Black Guard hate everyone and everything, and use the force of their hate to boost their skills to powerful levels. As the Witch King’s elite bodyguards, the Black Guard are highly trained in neutralizing and eliminating magical attackers, so that they can help prevent an ancient prophecy which claimed that Malekith would be slain by a Sorcerer.

he Black Guard of Naggarond are the favored warriors of the Witch King Malekith, and are given the sacred task of not only serving as his personal bodyguard, but as his heartless enforcers on the field of battle. Those who would become the Black Guard are taken from birth from their mothers. A Black Guard has no family ties to distract them, they are children of hatred and war and are raised from infancy steeped in battle and blood. Each Black Guard has personally sworn an oath of undying devotion at the feet of the Witch King, it is this oath that lights the fires of hatred and scorn deep in their hearts, for no warrior can be greater then the one chosen by Malekith himself.

Black Guards are an offensive tank who utilize hate mechanics very similar to the Grudge of the Iron Breaker. When damage is taken, or Action Points expended it allows the use of certain abilities which can translate into attacks, buffs, or debuffs.

In a group, the Black Guard has a very clear tanking role which will put them right in the mix. They can be specked to serve a variety of play styles which can include increasing block, parry, or focusing on de-buffs and damage. They will pull their weight as well as any Chosen or Black Orc.

The Black Guard has a very simple role in RvR, to rush the enemy with a focus on ranged casters and healers. While they will need a healer themselves to be effective, pairing up with an Chosen or Black Orc could prove to be a very dangerous combination.
 

In a keep siege a Black Guard will likely find themselves trying to hold a doorway or keeping ranged classes busy by charging. In more open situations, a solid tank like this can occupy a number of DPS which would have normally targeted weaker classes. Plan to make room in your warband for plenty of these as they are sure to be popular.

Career Masteries

Black Guards are an offensive tank who utilize hate mechanics very similar to the Grudge of the Iron Breaker. When damage is taken, or Action Points expended it allows the use of certain abilities which can translate into attacks, buffs, or debuffs.

In a group, the Black Guard has a very clear tanking role which will put them right in the mix. They can be specked to serve a variety of play styles which can include increasing block, parry, or focusing on de-buffs and damage. They will pull their weight as well as any Chosen or Black Orc.

The Black Guard has a very simple role in RvR, to rush the enemy with a focus on ranged casters and healers. While they will need a healer themselves to be effective, pairing up with an Chosen or Black Orc could prove to be a very dangerous combination.

In a keep siege a Black Guard will likely find themselves trying to hold a doorway or keeping ranged classes busy by charging. In more open situations, a solid tank like this can occupy a number of DPS which would have normally targeted weaker classes. Plan to make room in your warband for plenty of these as they are sure to be popular.

Path of Malice

Following the path of Malice means mastering ones rage and molding it into a powerful weapon. The Black Guard who embrace Malice are capable of unleashing powerful attacks fueled by their Hatred. Frequently seen on the front lines, these Black Guard traditionally wield powerful halberds which allow them to cleave through steel and flesh alike.

Path of Loathing

 The Path of Loathing is one of disdain for others, and embracing the belief that none can defeat you on the field of battle. As such, Blackguard of this mastery become unconquerable obstacles that even the most potent of offense will break against. Those who embrace Loathing prefer to work with a tall shield and a strong sword so they can relish in the ringing sound of futile blows falling on hardened steel.

Path of Anguish

 Those who master the Path of Anguish master pain itself. This allows the Black Guard to shrug off even the most potent of magical attacks that would normally pierce their finely crafted armor. Masters of Anguish are traditionally chosen to server as the Witch King’s personal executioners seeking out and destroying the arcane powers that would wish to strike their liege down.

Important Stats

As a Blackguard you will need the following statistics which you can improve using armor sets, weapons, rings, talismans and renown points

 

Block: Increases your chance to defend against all attacks with a shield.

Wounds: Increases your overall HP. You can never have enough HP.

Toughness: Reduces damage dealt to you by opponents.

Parry: Increases your chance to defend against melee attacks.

Acquiring Gear

There are many ways to get gear:

  1. Open RvR:  The gear and weapons you get here are for your main spec. When you kill or lock a zone you will be given a number of War Crests according to your level which you can trade for armor and weapons. At the end of a zone if you roll high enough you will be give a color bag with may contain certain tokens that you can trade and get a jewel set. Engineers don’t have defensive jewels set like other classes.
  2. Scenarios: Scenarios remain a very strong source of gear. You continue to earn War Crests at the end of every scenario, which are then traded with vendors in Altdorf (Order) or the Inevitable City (Destruction) for armor and weapons. The quality of gear from scenarios can still be among the best in the game, making them a crucial part of gearing up.
  3. Achievements & Tokens: The Tome of Knowledge is still a vital system. By completing achievements (e.g., killing a certain number of creatures, collecting specific items, or exploring areas), you unlock entries in your Tome. These unlocks can reward tokens that are then traded in the library in Altdorf or the Inevitable City for unique jewels or tactics. Some very desirable sets and bonuses can be acquired this way. The development team has continued to add more Tome Achievement Unlocks, including some tied to Live Events as of 2025.
  4.  Tier 4 epic quests: The epic quest lines in each area continue to be a source of significant rewards. Upon completing these lengthy, multi-step quest chains, you are typically given a choice of a powerful item, often with unique appearances or stats. These quests are a reliable way to get high-quality gear.
  5.  Dungeons & Lairs: Dungeons and lairs are still important for acquiring gear, weapons, and jewels, both while leveling up and for end-game progression. The RoR team has been actively updating and even adding new PvE content. For example, as of early 2025, there’s a “Lost Vale” dungeon update introducing new armor sets (Dark Promise sets, including main spec, off-spec, and hybrid options), and materials for crafting permanent rings.
  6. Ward System: The game utilizes a “Ward” system where you often need to unlock lower-tier Ward sets before being able to equip higher-tier dungeon gear (e.g., Gunbad -> City -> Bastion Stair).
  7. Public Quests (PQs): While not strictly “dungeons,” PQs are large-scale PvE events that can also provide gear through loot bags. RoR has implemented different difficulties for PQs (Easy, Normal, Hard) which scale with the recommended number of players and offer varying loot quality.

The Blackguard: Dark Elf Sentinel of Hatred

 

The Blackguard in Warhammer Online: Return of Reckoning is a specialized tank class, functioning primarily as a “bodyguard” tank. Unlike other tanks that might spread their buffs broadly, the Blackguard excels at protecting and buffing a single target at a time. Their unique “Hatred” mechanic fuels their most powerful abilities, making them a formidable, if sometimes niche, presence in Realm vs. Realm (RVR) combat, especially with their specialization in magical defense.

 

RVR Strengths: Focused Protection and Magical Resilience

 

  • “Bodyguard” Specialization: The Blackguard’s core strength lies in their exceptional ability to protect one chosen ally. Their Guard skill allows them to absorb 50% of the guarded target’s incoming damage, which they can block. Mastering Guard Switch is essential for dynamic protection, making them ideal for keeping a high-value target alive through focused enemy fire. This makes the Blackguard a perfect tank for small groups such as duos or 6v6 parties in roaming, scenarios, and ranked scenarios.
  • Hatred Mechanic: Blackguards generate Hatred to activate their most potent skills. This mechanic reflects their intense antipathy towards everything, transforming that raw emotion into powerful abilities. This system often imbues their skills with offensive and defensive benefits, making them a proactive and dangerous tank.
  • Magical Defense Specialization: A key differentiator for the Blackguard is their specialization in magical defense. In a game with significant magical damage sources, this inherent resilience against spells makes them particularly effective at mitigating damage from classes like Bright Wizards, Sorcerers, and Shamans.
  • Comprehensive Tanking Toolkit: Beyond their unique mechanics, Blackguards possess the essential skills of any tank:
    • Challenge: Reduces incoming damage for their party by 50%, a vital defensive cooldown.
    • Crowd Control: A robust array of crowd control abilities, including Punt, Root, and Knockdown, vital for controlling the flow of battle, disrupting enemy plans, and peeling for their guarded ally.
  • Versatile Offense (2-Handed DPS): As a 2-handed “DPS,” the Blackguard has “good damage output,” offering more offensive presence than some other tanks. Crucially, as a 2-handed tank, they still retain all their utility skills, such as Guard. “Tanks never lose the ‘protector’ role,” meaning they can contribute damage while still fulfilling their primary function.

RVR Challenges: Niche in Warbands

 

  • Limited Warband Applicability: For standard warband play (24-man groups), the Blackguard is “not very welcomed” due to their inability to provide widespread protection and buffs for the entire party/warband. Their single-target focus makes them less universally desirable in large-scale engagements where AoE protection and debuffs often take precedence.
  • Niche Warband Role: However, there is a spot for them when the Warband is organized and aims for a specific playstyle. This could include a more aggressive melee profile where the Blackguard is accepted as a 2-handed DPS (due to their good damage and some AoE utility), or crucially, to guard a specific class/player (e.g., a high-priority DPS or a crucial healer) in a highly coordinated setup.

The Blackguard in RVR: The Focused Protector

 

The Blackguard in Warhammer Online: Return of Reckoning is a highly effective, if specialized, tank. Their unparalleled “bodyguard” capabilities, fueled by the Hatred mechanic and bolstered by strong magical defenses, make them an excellent choice for small-scale RVR and a valuable, albeit niche, asset in organized warbands. While not the broad AoE buff tank, the Blackguard’s ability to lock down and protect a single target with brutal efficiency ensures their vital role in the Dark Elf arsenal.

Warhammer Online: Return of Reckoning (RoR) offers a classic RvR (Realm vs. Realm) experience, and playing a tank effectively is crucial to your realm’s success. Tanks are the backbone of any group, soaking up damage, controlling the battlefield, and protecting their squishier allies. Here’s a guide to mastering the tank role in RoR:

The Core Philosophy of a RoR Tank

 

Unlike many modern MMOs where tanks primarily hold aggro through damage, RoR tanks excel at:

  1. Damage Mitigation: Directly reducing incoming damage to themselves and, more importantly, their allies.
  2. Crowd Control (CC): Disrupting enemy formations, preventing damage, and setting up kills for their DPS.
  3. Debuffing: Weakening enemies to make them easier for your allies to kill.
  4. Peeling: Protecting your healers and ranged DPS from enemy threats.

 

Essential Tank Skills and Their Usage

 

While specific skill names and effects vary slightly between the different tank careers (Knight of the Blazing Sun, Ironbreaker, Swordmaster for Order; Chosen, Black Orc, Black Guard for Destruction), the core mechanics and their application are similar.

 

1. Guard (Core Tank Mechanic)

 

  • What it does: Guard is arguably the most important tank ability. When active on a groupmate within 30 feet, it transfers 50% of the damage they take and 35% of the hate they generate (in PvE) onto you.
  • When it’s used:
    • Always be guarding someone! This is non-negotiable. Your primary goal is to keep your squishier allies alive.
    • Prioritize high-value targets: Generally, this means your healers first, then your high-DPS allies (especially ranged or caster DPS who are often targeted).
    • Situational Switching:
      • Emergency Peeling: If an enemy DPS suddenly switches onto one of your squishy allies who is taking heavy damage, quickly switch your Guard to them to absorb a significant portion of that damage.
      • Focus Fire: If your group is trying to burn down a specific enemy, Guard the allied DPS who is focusing that target. This allows them to stay aggressive without fear of being instantly burst down.
      • Objective Play: When guarding a flag or an important objective, you might guard a backline DPS or healer who is holding the point while you physically block incoming enemies.
  • Example: Your Bright Wizard (BW) is getting focused by a Marauder and a Witch Elf. Your healer is busy healing the frontline. You immediately Guard the BW. Now, half the damage they take is transferred to you, allowing your healer to catch up or giving the BW a crucial window to escape or retaliate.

 

2. Taunts & Challenges (Threat & Damage Mitigation)

 

  • Taunt (Single Target):
    • What it does: Forces a single enemy to attack you and, in RoR, often increases the damage you deal to them for a short duration. It also interrupts currently building abilities.
    • When it’s used:
      • PvE Threat Management: In dungeons and open-world PvE, this is your primary way to keep a specific mob on you.
      • PvP Interrupt & Focus: Use it on an enemy healer to interrupt a heal, or on a high-damage enemy to direct their attacks onto you, taking pressure off your allies. It can also be used to increase your damage output on a key target for your group to burst down.
  • Challenge (AoE):
    • What it does: Forces multiple enemies in front of you to attack you and reduces the damage they deal to anyone other than you.
    • When it’s used:
      • Frontline Engagements: In large-scale RvR (Realm vs. Realm) battles or scenarios, use Challenge when you’re engaging a group of enemies to reduce their overall damage output on your team. Tanks will often rotate their Challenges to keep enemies consistently under this effect.
      • Objective Defense: When defending a keep door or a tight choke point, using Challenge on cooldown can significantly reduce incoming damage to your entire group.
  • Example (PvP): A large enemy warband is pushing your keep door. As the primary tank, you charge in, hit your AoE Challenge, and then follow up with your single-target Taunt on their most dangerous melee DPS. This pulls their focus and reduces their damage on your squishy backline trying to hold the door.

 

3. Knockbacks & Knockdowns (Crowd Control)

 

  • What they do: These abilities forcefully displace enemies, interrupting casts, creating space, and sometimes stunning them momentarily.
  • When they’re used:
    • Peeling: This is a crucial peeling tool. If an enemy melee DPS is on your healer, use a knockback to send them flying, giving your healer precious time to reposition or heal themselves.
    • Environmental Kills: RoR has many ledges and cliffs. Punting an enemy off a cliff for an instant kill is incredibly satisfying and effective.
    • Interrupting Important Casts: While Taunt can interrupt, a well-timed knockback can disrupt a critical channeled ability or powerful cast from an enemy.
    • Isolating Targets: Knocking an enemy tank away from their guarded target can create a window for your DPS to quickly burst down a squishy enemy.
  • Example: You see an enemy Bright Wizard starting to cast a powerful AoE nuke. You quickly use your knockback ability to send them flying, interrupting their cast and potentially saving your group from massive damage.

 

4. Defensive Buffs (Self & Group Survival)

 

  • What they do: These skills vary by tank class but typically involve increasing your armor, resistances, parry/block/disrupt chances, or granting temporary invulnerabilities. Some also provide group-wide defensive bonuses.
  • When they’re used:
    • Anticipate Burst: Use your defensive cooldowns before you take heavy damage, not after. If you see an enemy group focusing you, pop your defensive buffs.
    • Mitigate AoE Damage: Abilities like the Knight of the Blazing Sun’s “Hold the Line!” increase dodge and disrupt for allies behind you, making them excellent for defending against ranged and magical attacks in group engagements.
    • Objective Holding: When defending a flag or a bottleneck, using your group defensive buffs can make your team significantly tougher to dislodge.
  • Example: You’re leading a charge into a crowded area in RvR. You anticipate incoming ranged and magic damage, so you activate a defensive buff like “Hold the Line!” (if you’re a KotBS) to bolster your allies’ defenses as you push in.

 

5. Debuffs (Weakening Enemies)

 

  • What they do: Tanks often have abilities that reduce enemy armor, damage, healing received, or apply snares/roots.
  • When they’re used:
    • Focus Fire Enhancement: Apply armor or resistance debuffs to the enemy target your group is focusing, helping your DPS melt them faster.
    • Controlling Movement: Snares and roots are excellent for preventing enemies from escaping or reaching your backline.
    • Damage Reduction: Debuffs that reduce enemy damage output can significantly ease the burden on your healers.
  • Example: You’ve successfully taunted and guarded your healer, drawing the attention of an enemy Chosen. You then apply an armor debuff to the Chosen, allowing your allied DPS to chew through their defenses more effectively. If the Chosen tries to run, you follow up with a snare to keep them in range.

 

General Tanking Principles

 

  • Map Awareness: Always be aware of your surroundings, where your allies are, and where the enemy threats are coming from. This dictates who you Guard, who you CC, and where you position yourself.
  • Positioning is Key:
    • Protect the Backline: Position yourself between your healers/ranged DPS and the incoming enemy threats. Be a physical barrier.
    • Control Choke Points: Tanks excel at holding narrow passages or doorways, preventing enemy pushes.
    • Initiate & Absorb: Be the first one into a fight to absorb the initial burst and draw aggro.
  • Communication: Call out targets, communicate your cooldowns, and inform your healers if you’re taking heavy damage.
  • Adaptability: No two fights are exactly alike. Be prepared to switch your Guard target, adjust your positioning, and prioritize different CC based on the flow of battle.
  • Renown Skills: Invest your Renown points wisely into defensive stats like Toughness, Wounds, and parry/block/disrupt. Renown abilities like “Stand Your Ground” (increased incoming healing) or “Juggernaut” (temporary CC immunity) are incredibly valuable.
  • Potions: Always carry healing and defensive potions. They can provide a crucial burst of survivability in dire situations.

By understanding and effectively utilizing these core skills and principles, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an invaluable tank in Warhammer Online: Return of Reckoning, leading your realm to victory on the battlefield!

Pre Best in Slot Gear (Sword & Shield)

🚧Pre-Best-in-Slot Gear Set:
Helmet: Ruin Set
Shoulders: Ruin Set
Cloak: Ravack’s Greatcloak
Chest:
Redeye Set
Belt: Redeye Set
Gloves: Ruin Set
Boots: Redeye Set
Mainhand: Sentry’s Painblade of Tyranny
Offhand: Shieldbearer’s Aspis of Tyranny
Jewelry Slot 1: Rough Gunbad Diamond
Jewelry Slot 2: Genesis Fragment of the Everlasting
Jewelry Slot 3: Sentinel Dark Band & (+6% Block)
Jewelry Slot 4: Mark of the Bulwark
Talisman: 7×19 Wounds

Best in Slot Gear (Sword & Shield)

⭐Best-in-Slot Gear Set:
Helmet: Sovereign Vanguard Set
Shoulders: Sovereign Vanguard Set
Cloak: Sovereign Vanguard Set
Chest: Sovereign Vanguard Set
Belt: Sovereign Vanguard Set
Gloves: Sovereign Vanguard Set
Boots:
Sovereign Vanguard Set
Mainhand: Sentry’s Painblade of Anathema
Offhand: Shieldbearer’s Aspis of Anathema
Jewelry Slot 1: Rough Gunbad Diamond
Jewelry Slot 2: Genesis Gragment of the Everlasting
Jewelry Slot 3: Setinel Dark Band & (+6% Block)
Jewelry Slot 4:
Sovereign Vanguard Set
Talisman: 4×23 Wounds & 4×23 Initiative

Pre Best in Slot Gear (2-Handed)

🚧Pre-Best-in-Slot Gear Set:
Helmet: Bloodlord Set
Shoulders: Bloodlord Set
Cloak: Bloodlord Set
Chest: Sentinel Set
Belt: Bloodlord Set
Gloves: Bloodlord Set
Boots: Sentinel Set
Mainhand: Memory of Kalgalanos
Offhand:
Jewelry Slot 1: Rough Gunbad Diamond
Jewelry Slot 2: Genesis Gragment of the Warrior
Jewelry Slot 3: Setinel Dark Band & (+6% Parry)
Jewelry Slot 4: Genesis Gragment of the Undying
Talisman: 4×23 Wounds & 3×23 Initiative

Best in Slot Gear (2-Handed)

⭐Best-in-Slot Gear Set:
Helmet: Bloodlord Set
Shoulders: Bloodlord Set
Cloak: Bloodlord Set
Chest: Triumphant Set
Belt: Bloodlord Set
Gloves: Triumphant Set
Boots: Bloodlord Set
Mainhand: Memory of Kalgalanos
Offhand:
Jewelry Slot 1: Genesis Gragment of the Undying
Jewelry Slot 2: Genesis Aspect of the Undying OR Gold Amethyst Annulus
Jewelry Slot 3: Triumphant Dread Seal Replica & (6% Parry )
Jewelry Slot 4: Genesis Fragment of the Warrior
Talisman: 4×23 Wounds & 4×23 Initiative

Warband Builds

Blackguard Tank Build

Spent you ability points as shown below: Path of Loathing 15 points  /  Path of Anguish 16 Points Pick the following morals: Pick the following tactics: Spend your renown points as shown below: Talismans 4 x 23 (or better) Wounds for ~1001 Wounds total and 4 x 23 (or better) Initiative talismans  Pots

Blackguard 2-Handed Build

Spent you ability points as shown below: Path of Malice 18 points  /  Path of Loathing 11 Points Pick the following morals: Pick the following tactics: Spend your renown points as shown below: Talismans 4 x 23 (or better) Wounds for ~1001 Wounds total and 4 x 23 (or better) Initiative talismans  Pots

We're busy behind the scenes, refreshing our ROR information for 2025 and adding exciting new content for all players. We appreciate your patience and invite you to check back soon for updates!