Logo Albion iconAlbion Online AoC iconAshes of Creation GW2 iconGuild Wars 2 TL iconThrone & Liberty

Steelheart - Spear + Sword PvE Build

Overview
Class: Steelheart
Weapons: Spear and Sword
Designed for: PvE
Focused on: Melee and Tank
Difficulty:
Easy
Strengths
  • High Defense
  • One of the best tanks
  • Easy to Play
  • Good Damage
Weaknesses
  • High Skill Ceiling
This build is up to date for the March 14, 2025 patch.

Overview

This Sword + Spear PvE build is designed to deal significant damage while maintaining strong self-healing through Bloodleech AuraUsed frame.webpBloodleech Aura. Its standout feature is its crowd control (CC) capabilities, enabling the group to keep targets locked down for extended periods while your party’s DPS takes them out. This makes the build excellent for AoE farming mobs and also highly effective as a durable tank for dungeons.


Attributes

PRIMARY
Strength Strength
+
Perception Perception
SECONDARY
Wisdom Wisdom
+
Dexterity Dexterity
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.

With this build, prioritize investing points into Strength and Perception as your primary stats. Strength not only increases your maximum HP but also enhances your defensive stats when coupled with Perception increasing your buff duration and hit chance, making it much easier to stay alive in PVP by keeping your buffs active throughout the duration of the fight.


Skills

Culling ArcUsed frame.webp
Culling Arc
Culling Arc - Flaming Arc
Culling Arc - Cooldown ▼
Culling Arc - Damage Increase
Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webp
Stalwart Bastion
Stalwart Bastion - Hastened Arc
Counter BarrierUsed frame.webp
Counter Barrier
Counter Barrier - Cooldown ▼
Tempest StrikeUsed frame.webp
Tempest Strike
Tempest Strike - Effect Duration ▲
Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webp
Annihilating Slash
Annihilating Slash - Movement Speed Slowed
Annihilating Slash - Consecutive Use
Annihilating Slash - Range Increase
Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webp
Unyielding Sentinel
Unyielding Sentinel - Sentinel's Bastion
Bloodleech AuraUsed frame.webp
Bloodleech Aura
Bloodleech Aura - Cooldown ▼
Bloodleech Aura - Bloodlust
Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webp
Abyssal Cleave
Abyssal Cleave - Ascending Cleave
Abyssal Cleave - Effect Duration ▲
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Provoking Roar
Provoking Roar - Effect Duration ▲
Provoking Roar - Hastened Arc
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Shield Strike
Shield Strike - Piercing Strike
Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webp
Cyclonic Fury
Cyclonic Fury - Phoenix Barrage
Vicious FuryUsed frame.webp
Vicious Fury
Vicious Fury - Explosive Fury
Passives
Aegis ShieldActive frame.webp
Gerad's PatienceActive frame.webp
Resilient MindActive frame.webp
Retaliatory StrikeActive frame.webp
Imposing FormActive frame.webp
Malice SurgeActive frame.webp
Morale BoostActive frame.webp
ImpenetrableActive frame.webp
Defense
Shield Survival TechniqueUsed frame.webp
Guardian
Green Ranger Elowen 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.

With the build focusing on being the main tank of a party and also doing good damage. You should first update Culling ArcUsed frame.webpCulling Arc alongside Vicious FuryUsed frame.webpVicious Fury to highly increase your damage thanks to their synergy. Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webpCyclonic Fury is another important skill that will boost your damage as it deals high AOE DPS and is another obvious choice for upgrading.

This Spear Sword build also offers great CC through the use of skills like Tempest StrikeUsed frame.webpTempest Strike to stun mobs and deal damage, so upgrading it along with Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webpAbyssal Cleave is an obvious choice to improve stun and Prone durations, making it trivial for your team to burs down the mobs while they are exposed.

Nex up, you should focus on upgrading Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier and Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike as you make great use of them a lot to hold aggro and remain alive as you do so. Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webpStalwart Bastion is another important skill, both for your party and yourself as it can be used to negate some boss mechanics and help others survive. Meanwhile, Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webpUnyielding Sentinel offers increased Heavy Attack chance for your party, greatly increasing their DPS.

Focus on passives next as they quickly increase your resistances and allow you to tank easier for longer and do your job in the group with ease. ImpenetrableActive frame.webpImpenetrable & Aegis ShieldActive frame.webpAegis Shield are the main two defensive passives while Imposing FormActive frame.webpImposing Form, Malice SurgeActive frame.webpMalice Surge and Retaliatory StrikeActive frame.webpRetaliatory Strike improve your damage by a large margin.


Equipment

Blade of the Resistance
Blade of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Primary
Halberd of the Resistance
Halberd of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Duskblood Mask
Duskblood Mask
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Cooldown Speed
Warlord's Shroud
Warlord's Shroud
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Feathered Drakeskin Gloves
Feathered Drakeskin Gloves
Added Attack Speed
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Trousers of the Resistance
Trousers of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Feathered Drakeskin Boots
Feathered Drakeskin Boots
Ranged Evasion
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Necklace of Clarity
Necklace of Clarity
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Bracelet of Conquest
Bracelet of Conquest
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Sophia's Ring of Strength
Sophia's Ring of Strength
Ring of Precision
Ring of Precision
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Belt of Deftness
Belt of Deftness
Skill Damage Resistance
Max Health

These are the first items you should strive for through the leveling period as they are very easy to get and upgrade or trait as needed. However, you shouldn't try to trait these items too much as you won't be spending too much time playing with this setup before you start changing pieces into the Midgame. The green accessories however are very easy to trait as you can craft many of them quickly in order to get the correct traits so you should consider traiting them until you change into purples. The same goes for the blue ring as you keep it for a long time.

Karnix's Netherblade
Karnix's Netherblade
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Primary
Heroic Polearm of the Resistance
Heroic Polearm of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Visage of the Executioner
Visage of the Executioner
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Mana Regen
Blessed Templar Cloak
Blessed Templar Cloak
Collision Resistance
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Plate Armor of the Resistance
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Resolute Crusader Gauntlets
Resolute Crusader Gauntlets
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Trousers of the Resistance
Trousers of the Resistance
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Heroic Shoes of the Resistance
Heroic Shoes of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Melee Endurance
Guardian Torque
Guardian Torque
Skill Damage Boost
Mana Regen
Buff Duration
Ruby Bangle
Ruby Bangle
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Imperial Ring
Imperial Ring
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Flamewrought Bindings
Flamewrought Bindings
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance

This is the gear you should transition to once you're leveled to 50 and start grinding gear. It is comprised of gear you can get either from dungeons or by completing Litographs, they are relatively easy to trait up and you will spend most of the time wearing this set before advancing into the late game so traiting these items is very important and should be your main focus.

Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Shock Commander Visor
Shock Commander Visor
Mana Regen
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Blessed Templar Cloak
Blessed Templar Cloak
Collision Resistance
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Added Attack Speed
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Sabatons
Shock Commander Sabatons
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Thunderstorm Necklace
Thunderstorm Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Attack
Support
Defense
Bracers of Unrelenting
Bracers of Unrelenting
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Etched Alabaster Band
Etched Alabaster Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Flamewrought Bindings
Flamewrought Bindings
Max Health
Collision Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Attack
Support
Defense
Rune Information Attack runeDefense runeSupport rune
While runes can be applied to different types of gear, you should make sure that you invest into the gear pieces that you plan on using for a long time. However, if the build you are using uses the same items between Mid Game and End Game, you can invest into adding runes to them as early as you get the items.

This is the current endgame gear you should aim for, and while it isn't easy to acquire, it offers great power without the need of acquiring archboss gear pieces. However, items like Tevent's Fangs of FuryTevent's Fangs of Fury or other archboss weapons are superior but difficult to acquire for the majority of players. If you do manage to get the archboss weapons for your build, feel free to use them over the weapons shown here.

Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Shaikal's Mindveil Harpoon
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit Chance
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Shock Commander Visor
Shock Commander Visor
Mana Regen
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Blessed Templar Cloak
Blessed Templar Cloak
Collision Resistance
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Shock Commander Plate Armor
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Shock Commander Gauntlets
Added Attack Speed
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Phantom Wolf Breeches
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Shock Commander Sabatons
Shock Commander Sabatons
Max Health
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Thunderstorm Necklace
Thunderstorm Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Attack
Support
Defense
Bracers of Unrelenting
Bracers of Unrelenting
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Collision Resistance
Support
Defense
Attack
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Sapphire Dimensional Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Etched Alabaster Band
Etched Alabaster Band
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Support
Defense
Flamewrought Bindings
Flamewrought Bindings
Max Health
Collision Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Attack
Support
Defense
Bulwark of Invulnerability
Bulwark of Invulnerability
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Primary
Ranseur of Murderous Glee
Ranseur of Murderous Glee
Heavy Attack Chance
Max Health
Hit Chance
Attack
Defense
Support
Auric Vanguard's Barbute
Auric Vanguard's Barbute
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Cloak of Victorious Destiny
Max Health
Weaken Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Auric Vanguard's Full Plate
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Auric Vanguard's Gauntlets
Auric Vanguard's Gauntlets
Hit Chance
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Auric Vanguard's Gaiters
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Royal Praetor's Sabatons
Royal Praetor's Sabatons
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Max Health
Noble Birthright Brooch
Noble Birthright Brooch
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Attack
Defense
Support
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Bangle of the Clearest Night
Max Mana
Skill Damage Resistance
Debuff Duration
Defense
Defense
Defense
Solitare of Purity
Solitare of Purity
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Defense
Attack
Support
Honor's Promise Signet
Honor's Promise Signet
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Max Health
Defense
Attack
Support
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Hero's Legacy Warbelt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Defense
Defense
Defense


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
Spear_Hero_Tactic_04
Spear_Hero_Defense_03
Spear_Hero_Util_02
Spear_Hero_Attack_01
Spear_Rare_Tac_Skill
Spear_Rare_Def_Skill
Spear_Rare_Util_Skill
Spear_Rare_Attack_Skill
Spear_Rare_TacticAttack_12
Spear_Rare_Tactic_10
Spear_Rare_Tactic_11
Spear_Rare_DefenseTactic_09
Spear_Rare_Defense_07
Spear_Rare_Defense_08
Spear_Rare_UtilDefense_06
Spear_Rare_Util_04
Spear_Rare_Util_05
Spear_Rare_AttackUtil_03
Spear_Rare_Attack_01
Spear_Rare_Attack_02
Spear_High_Tac_Skill
Spear_High_Def_Skill
Spear_High_Util_Skill
Spear_High_Attack_Skill
Spear_High_TacticAttack_12
Spear_High_Tactic_10
Spear_High_Tactic_11
Spear_High_DefenseTactic_09
Spear_High_Defense_07
Spear_High_Defense_08
Spear_High_UtilDefense_06
Spear_High_Util_04
Spear_High_Util_05
Spear_High_AttackUtil_03
Spear_High_Attack_01
Spear_High_Attack_02
Spear_Normal_Tac_Skill
Spear_Normal_Def_Skill
Spear_Normal_Util_Skill
Spear_Normal_Attack_Skill
Spear_Normal_TacticAttack_12
Spear_Normal_Tactic_10
Spear_Normal_Tactic_11
Spear_Normal_DefenseTactic_09
Spear_Normal_Defense_07
Spear_Normal_Defense_08
Spear_Normal_UtilDefense_06
Spear_Normal_Util_04
Spear_Normal_Util_05
Spear_Normal_AttackUtil_03
Spear_Normal_Attack_01
Spear_Normal_Attack_02
Attack
Tactic
Defense
Utility
Spear
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: 10
Hit Chance
Heavy Attack Chance
Melee Heavy Attack Chance
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
CC Chance
Stun Chance
Bind Chance
CC Chance
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Max Health: 1750
Max Stamina
CC Resistances
Healing Received
Greedseeker Talistone I
Ancestral Armor Solarstone
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Greedseeker Talistone I
Abyssal Beast Talistone II
Abyssal Beast Talistone III
Ancestral Armor Talistone IV
Abyssal Beast Talistone II
Greedseeker Lunarstone
Ancestral Armor Talistone IV
Abyssal Beast Talistone II
Defense: 200
Endurance
Magic Endurance
Magic Heavy Attack Evasion
Greedseeker Lunarstone
CC Resistance
Collision Resistance
Weaken Resistance
CC Resistances
Ancestral Armor Talistone IV
Max Health: 1750
Endurance
Magic Heavy Attack Evasion
Melee Hit Chance


Rotations

AOE Mob Farming Rotation ↴
Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Counter BarrierUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Culling ArcUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Vicious FuryUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webp
  • Start the rotation by pre-buffing with Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webpUnyielding Sentinel and Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier so both your offense and defense are boosted.
  • Pull mobs together into a nice stack before using Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar to stabilize threat. Follow up with Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike for some damage and also debuff them before using Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webpAnnihilating Slash to slow them down and deal extra damage. Position yourself in such a way that Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webpAbyssal Cleave hits multiple targets before you use Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webpCyclonic Fury as follow-up damage and also apply burns.
  • Use Culling ArcUsed frame.webpCulling Arc to deliver extra damage before transitioning into Vicious FuryUsed frame.webpVicious Fury. Finish off the rotation with another Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webpAnnihilating Slash so the mobs remain on top of you.


Boss Aggro + DPS Rotation ↴
Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Counter BarrierUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Shield StrikeUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Culling ArcUsed frame.webp
Arrow right.webp
Vicious FuryUsed frame.webp
  • This rotation focuses on dealing boss damage and holding aggro, being rather simple to execute.
  • Start by putting up your main buffs, Unyielding SentinelUsed frame.webpUnyielding Sentinel and Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier before using Shield StrikeUsed frame.webpShield Strike to deal a bit of damage and debuff the boss. Transition into Provoking RoarUsed frame.webpProvoking Roar so the damage from your DPS doesn't attract the boss and then use Annihilating SlashUsed frame.webpAnnihilating Slash two times to deal some extra damage.
  • Continue the rotation with your Spear skills and couple Abyssal CleaveUsed frame.webpAbyssal Cleave to apply the Shocked debuff. Follow up with Cyclonic FuryUsed frame.webpCyclonic Fury and Culling ArcUsed frame.webpCulling Arc to apply debuffs and deal damage. The last spell in the rotation is Vicious FuryUsed frame.webpVicious Fury.

Bloodleech AuraUsed frame.webpBloodleech Aura: This is your sustain ability, use it when stacking mobs together to heal yourself and make it easier to survive when making particularly big pulls.

Counter BarrierUsed frame.webpCounter Barrier: Use when you start drawing focused attention. Utilize your defense skill to reflect damage when you're under pressure or when an engagement doesn't go as planned.

Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webpStalwart Bastion: Use this to help your team sustain damage, especially useful during certain boss mechancis in dungeons as it greatly increases resistances.

Tempest StrikeUsed frame.webpTempest Strike: This is very situtional. You should use it to stun enemies by throwing them into walls. However, be careful when using it as it destacks mobs and moves them all over the area, possibly making it difficult for teammates to apply DPS.


Useful Information

  • Select Green Ranger Elowen as your guardian; it roots people around you and can assist in executing your rotation. If you manage to root enemies using this guardian, you can effortlessly execute both rotations and eliminate groups of enemies on your own.


Comments

Split Metabattle Logo