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Crusader - Sword + Greatsword PvE Build

Overview
Class: Crusader
Weapons: Greatsword and Sword
Designed for: PvE
Focused on: Melee and Tank
Difficulty:
Easy
Strengths
  • High Defense
  • One of the best tanks
  • Easy to Play
Weaknesses
  • Low Damage
This build is up to date for the September 23, 2025 patch.

Overview

This Greatsword and Sword PvE build is specifically designed for tanking in PvE group dungeons. It excels at staying alive while effectively holding the aggro of both mobs and bosses and eing incredibly tanky with a high HP pool while also being capable of dishing out respectable damage thanks to the Greatsword skills. This makes the build a very capable tank for all PVE content including dungeons, open world dungeons and even open world or guild bosses.


Attributes

PRIMARY
Strength Strength
+
Dexterity Dexterity
SECONDARY
Wisdom Wisdom
+
Perception Perception
With the unique stats and attributes system in Throne and Liberty, it can be difficult to determine exactly where to invest your attribute points at each stage of the game. This is because gear pieces provide attributes just like leveling up does, meaning everyone will have a different number of attribute points depending on what gear they are wearing at the time.
Given this variation, it's best to reset your attributes regularly to adjust to the new gear you acquire. Aim to reach the achievement effects, which provide extra benefits at milestones like 30, 50, and 70 points.

Your attributes priority with this build should be strength and dexterity, as it grants you high max HP and improves your defensive stats, providing ranged, magic, and melee defense, as well as health regen. Your secondary priority should be wisdom and perception as they increase your cooldown speed and damage.


Skills

Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webp
Guillotine Blade
Guillotine Blade - Charges Damage
Guillotine Blade - Cooldown ▼
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Provoking Roar
Provoking Roar - Effect Duration ▲
Provoking Roar - Cooldown ▼
Counter BarrierUsed frame.webp
Counter Barrier
Counter Barrier - Cooldown ▼
Counter Barrier - Damage Increased
Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webp
Stalwart Bastion
Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webp
Valiant Brawl
Valiant Brawl - Cruel Smite
Valiant Brawl - Damage Increased
Valiant Brawl - Aggro ▲
DaVinci's CourageUsed frame.webp
DaVinci's Courage
DaVinci's Courage - Duration Increased
DaVinci's Courage - Damage Reduction
DaVinci's Courage - Instant Healing
Blood DevotionUsed frame.webp
Blood Devotion
Blood Devotion - Devoted Sanctuary
Blood Devotion - Duration Increased
Blood Devotion - Damage Increased
Blood Devotion - Cooldown ▼
Chain HookUsed frame.webp
Chain Hook
Strategic RushUsed frame.webp
Strategic Rush
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Shield Strike
Shield Strike - Piercing Strike
Shield Strike - Aggro ▲
Gaia CrashUsed frame.webp
Gaia Crash
Gaia Crash - Attack Speed ▲
Gaia Crash - Critical Hit Chance Increase
WillbreakerUsed frame.webp
Willbreaker
Willbreaker - Damage Area Change
Passives
Indomitable ArmorActive frame.webp
Vital ForceActive frame.webp
Robust ConstitutionActive frame.webp
Resilient MindActive frame.webp
Aegis ShieldActive frame.webp
Victor's MoraleActive frame.webp
Spectrum of AgonyActive frame.webp
ImpenetrableActive frame.webp
Defense
Shield Survival TechniqueUsed frame.webp
Guardian
Lady Knight Kamarshea Guardian
Food
Quality Vegetable Stir-fry
Quality Laslan-Style Fish Stew
Purification Stone
Precious Purification Vigor Stone
Depending on which Dungeon/Dimensional Trial you might run, consider using Rare Roaring SteakRare Roaring Steak, Rare Thrilling PapilloteRare Thrilling Papillote, and even Rare Scorpion Tail FrittersRare Scorpion Tail Fritters to make it easier and also deal a lot more damage.

Since the build makes great use of the greatsword abilities, you should begin building your character by upgrading your damage so its easier to go through the leveling part of your journey in Throne and Liberty. Skills like Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webpGuillotine Blade and Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webpValiant Brawl while Gaia CrashUsed frame.webpGaia Crash is fantastic for both pulling mobs and also buffing yourself.

However, Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier and Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike are the most important skills for tanking and shouldn't be neglected. Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier greatly improves your Shield Block Chance, while Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike serves as your primary single-target aggro-holding ability. It ensures that mobs stay focused on attacking you rather than targeting the rest of your party.

You should prioritize ugprading Vital ForceActive frame.webpVital Force and Robust ConstitutionActive frame.webpRobust Constitution to boost both damage and health! Meanwhile, Aegis ShieldActive frame.webpAegis Shield offers great defense based on your Shield Block Chance, making the build very tanky while Spectrum of AgonyActive frame.webpSpectrum of Agony does damage to all mobs that are affected by your Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar.


Equipment

Bulwark of Invulnerability
Bulwark of Invulnerability
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Immortal Titanic Quakeblade
Immortal Titanic Quakeblade
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Attack
Defense
Support
Auric Vanguard's Barbute
Auric Vanguard's Barbute
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Max Health
Weaken Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Auric Vanguard's Gauntlets
Auric Vanguard's Gauntlets
Hit Chance
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Royal Praetor's Sabatons
Royal Praetor's Sabatons
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Gilded Granite Teardrops
Gilded Granite Teardrops
Front Heavy Attack Chance
Front Critical Hit Chance
Side Heavy Attack Chance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Attack
Defense
Support
Noble Birthright Brooch
Noble Birthright Brooch
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Attack
Defense
Support
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Max Mana
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Defense
Defense
Defense
Solitare of Purity
Solitare of Purity
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Defense
Attack
Support
Honor's Promise Signet
Honor's Promise Signet
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Defense
Attack
Support
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Defense
Defense
Defense
Info
Equipment is being updated, if tier 3 items are in the tier 3 tab, it means the equipment on this build was updated.
Calanthia's Aegis of Dominance
Calanthia's Aegis of Dominance
Hit Chance
Collision Chance
Max Health
Defense
Support
Attack
Primary
Junobote's Blade of the Red Colossus
Junobote's Blade of the Red Colossus
Mana Cost Efficiency
Cooldown Speed
Max Health
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Attack
Defense
Support
Steel Juggernaut Great Helm
Steel Juggernaut Great Helm
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Cooldown Speed
Resonance Effect: Magic Endurance
Calanthia's Confession
Calanthia's Confession
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Resonance Effect: Max Health
Steel Juggernaut Platemail
Steel Juggernaut Platemail
Max Health
Buff Duration
Melee Endurance
Resonance Effect: Magic Endurance
Righteous Gauntlets of the Resistance
Righteous Gauntlets of the Resistance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Melee Endurance
Resonance Effect: Magic Endurance
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Resonance Effect: Magic Endurance
Auric Vanguards Plate Boots
Auric Vanguards Plate Boots
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Resonance Effect: Magic Endurance
Earrings of Umbral Petals
Earrings of Umbral Petals
Max Health
Side Hit Chance
Front Hit Chance
Resonance Effect: Collision Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Necklace of Exceptional Greed
Necklace of Exceptional Greed
Collision Chance
Max Health
Buff Duration
Resonance Effect: Collision Chance
Attack
Support
Defense
Shackled Twilight
Shackled Twilight
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Support
Support
Support
Coil of Corruption
Coil of Corruption
Collision Chance
Max Health
Heavy Attack Damage Resistance
Resonance Effect: Collision Chance
Defense
Attack
Support
Ring of Falling Dusk
Ring of Falling Dusk
Collision Chance
Max Health
Buff Duration
Resonance Effect: Collision Chance
Defense
Attack
Support
Belt of Echoing Chants
Belt of Echoing Chants
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Resonance Effect: Collision Resistance
Support
Support
Support


Weapon Masteries

Sword_Hero_Tactic_04
Sword_Hero_Defense_03
Sword_Hero_Util_02
Sword_Hero_Attack_01
Sword_Rare_Tac_Skill
Sword_Rare_Def_Skill
Sword_Rare_Util_Skill
Sword_Rare_Attack_Skill
Sword_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Sword_Rare_Tactic_11
Sword_Rare_Tactic_10
Sword_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Sword_Rare_Defense_07
Sword_Rare_Defense_08
Sword_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Sword_Rare_Util_05
Sword_Rare_Util_04
Sword_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Sword_Rare_Attack_01
Sword_Rare_Attack_02
Sword_High_Tac_Skill
Sword_High_Def_Skill
Sword_High_Util_Skill
Sword_High_Attack_Skill
Sword_High_TacticAttack_12
Sword_High_Tactic_11
Sword_High_Tactic_10
Sword_High_DefenseTactic_09
Sword_High_Defense_07
Sword_High_Defense_08
Sword_High_UtilDefense_06
Sword_High_Util_05
Sword_High_Util_04
Sword_High_AttackUtil_03
Sword_High_Attack_01
Sword_High_Attack_02
Sword_Normal_Tac_Skill
Sword_Normal_Def_Skill
Sword_Normal_Util_Skill
Sword_Normal_Attack_Skill
Sword_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Sword_Normal_Tactic_11
Sword_Normal_Tactic_10
Sword_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Sword_Normal_Defense_07
Sword_Normal_Defense_08
Sword_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Sword_Normal_Util_05
Sword_Normal_Util_04
Sword_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Sword_Normal_Attack_01
Sword_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Sword
Overcome CrisisUsed frame.webp
Deadly Survival InstinctUsed frame.webp
Indomitable StanceUsed frame.webp
Falling FlowerUsed frame.webp
Sword2h_Hero_Tactic_04
Sword2h_Hero_Defense_03
Sword2h_Hero_Util_02
Sword2h_Hero_Attack_01
Sword2h_Rare_Tac_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_Def_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_Util_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_Attack_Skill
Sword2h_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Sword2h_Rare_Tactic_10
Sword2h_Rare_Tactic_11
Sword2h_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Sword2h_Rare_Defense_07
Sword2h_Rare_Defense_08
Sword2h_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Sword2h_Rare_Util_04
Sword2h_Rare_Util_05
Sword2h_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Sword2h_Rare_Attack_01
Sword2h_Rare_Attack_02
Sword2h_High_Tac_Skill
Sword2h_High_Def_Skill
Sword2h_High_Util_Skill
Sword2h_High_Attack_Skill
Sword2h_High_TacticAttack_12
Sword2h_High_Tactic_10
Sword2h_High_Tactic_11
Sword2h_High_DefenseTactic_09
Sword2h_High_Defense_07
Sword2h_High_Defense_08
Sword2h_High_UtilDefense_06
Sword2h_High_Util_04
Sword2h_High_Util_05
Sword2h_High_AttackUtil_03
Sword2h_High_Attack_01
Sword2h_High_Attack_02
Sword2h_Normal_Tac_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_Def_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_Util_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_Attack_Skill
Sword2h_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Sword2h_Normal_Tactic_10
Sword2h_Normal_Tactic_11
Sword2h_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Sword2h_Normal_Defense_07
Sword2h_Normal_Defense_08
Sword2h_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Sword2h_Normal_Util_04
Sword2h_Normal_Util_05
Sword2h_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Sword2h_Normal_Attack_01
Sword2h_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Greatsword
Overcome CrisisUsed frame.webp
Deadly Survival InstinctUsed frame.webp
Indomitable StanceUsed frame.webp
Falling FlowerUsed frame.webp
You should be aiming to reach and unlock masteries (the corner nodes) as soon as possible as they usually make the largest impact in the build. While minor nodes shouldn't be forgotten, make sure to unlock masteries as fast as possible before spreading out and spending into less important nodes.


Artifacts

Greedseeker Talistone I
Damage: 9
Hit Chance
Melee Hit Chance
Melee Heavy Attack Chance
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
Weaken Chance
Collision Chance
CC Chance
Ancestral Armor Talistone III
Max Health: 1600
Stamina Regen
Collision Resistance
CC Resistance
Greedseeker Talistone I
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
Ancestral Armor Talistone III
Greedseeker Talistone I
Greedseeker Talistone II
Ancestral Armor Talistone III
Greedseeker Talistone IV
Greedseeker Talistone II
Greedseeker Lunarstone
Greedseeker Talistone IV
Greedseeker Talistone II
Defense: 160
Magic Heavy Attack Evasion
Heavy Attack Evasion
Endurance
Greedseeker Lunarstone
Weaken Resistance
Collision Resistance
CC Resistances
Greedseeker Talistone IV
Max Health: 1600
Heavy Attack Evasion
Endurance
Magic Heavy Attack Evasion


Rotations

Aggro Holding ↴
DaVinci's CourageUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Blood DevotionUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Gaia CrashUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
WillbreakerUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webp
  • You want to buff yourself with DaVinci's CourageUsed frame.webpDaVinci's Courage first, granting yourself and the other party members some extra HP to work with before engaging the boss with your first Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike and using Blood DevotionUsed frame.webpBlood Devotion to increase party damage. Follow up with Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar and Gaia CrashUsed frame.webpGaia Crash to maintain aggro while also buffing yourself further with extra attack speed. Finish the initial rotation with WillbreakerUsed frame.webpWillbreaker and Guillotine BladeUsed frame.webpGuillotine Blade before beginning to weave between Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike and Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webpValiant Brawl to maintain your aggro on the boss.

Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webpStalwart Bastion: This ability functions as your panic button when you're taking excessive damage and your passive skills aren't enough to sustain you. It's also the ability you use when the boss casts a high-damage spell, and it's recommended that your party members gather close to benefit from its protective effect.

Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar: Your main AOE taunt ability, you should reserve this for drawing the attention of multiple smaller enemies, typically appearing as ads during boss encounters or as trash mobs before reaching bosses.

Immortal PrideUsed frame.webpImmortal Pride: Another ability that can serve as a panic button or boost your health to survive boss damage that would otherwise be fatal.

Blood DevotionUsed frame.webpBlood Devotion: This spell enables you to redirect damage intended for another party member toward yourself, while also reducing the overall damage you take. However, Blood DevotionUsed frame.webpBlood Devotion also greatly increases the damage your party members do.


Useful Information

  • Select Lady Knight Kamarshea as your guardian; it provides essential protection with its shield, capable of absorbing damage equal to 50% of your mana. This not only aids in mitigating damage but also increases your cooldown speed, assisting in holding aggro and ensuring your survival.


Other Crusader Builds


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