Logo Albion iconAlbion Online Deadlock iconDeadlock GW2 iconGuild Wars 2 TL iconThrone & Liberty

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
  • Only real tank in the game
Weaknesses
  • Terrible Damage

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 Reduction
Provoking RoarUsed frame.webp
Provoking Roar
Provoking Roar - Effect Duration ▲
Provoking Roar - Cooldown Reduced
Counter BarrierUsed frame.webp
Counter Barrier
Counter Barrier - Cooldown ▼
Counter Barrier - Damaged Increased
Stalwart BastionUsed frame.webp
Stalwart Bastion
Valiant BrawlUsed frame.webp
Valiant Brawl
Valiant Brawl - Cruel Smite
Valiant Brawl - Damaged Increased
Valiant Brawl - Aggro Increased
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 Transfer Increase
Blood Devotion - Damaged Increased
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 Increased
Gaia CrashUsed frame.webp
Gaia Crash
Gaia Crash - Attack Speed Increase
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


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

Resonance Blade
Resonance Blade
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit
Hit
Primary
Broadsword of the Resistance
Broadsword of the Resistance
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit
Hit
Elusive Hexweaver Hat
Elusive Hexweaver Hat
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Melee Endurance
Deadeye's Cloak
Deadeye's Cloak
Max Mana
Silence Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Special Resistance Tactical Armor
Special Resistance Tactical Armor
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Ruthless Enforcer Gauntlets
Ruthless Enforcer Gauntlets
Ranged Endurance
Melee Endurance
Max Health
Trousers of the Resistance
Trousers of the Resistance
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Moonlight Grace Leather Boots
Moonlight Grace Leather Boots
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Guard's Endurance Necklace
Guard's Endurance Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Mana Regen
Crude Conquest Bracelet
Crude Conquest Bracelet
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Lethal Fortune Ring
Lethal Fortune Ring
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Buff Duration
Crude Wind Band
Crude Wind Band
Max Health
Skill Damage Boost
Elite Tracker's Belt
Elite Tracker's Belt
Skill Damage Resistance
Max Mana
Weaken Resistance

These are the first items you should strive for after leveling 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. 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.

Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Nirma's Sword of Echoes
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit
Hit
Primary
Duke Magna's Provoking Warblade
Duke Magna's Provoking Warblade
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit
Hit
General's Fury Headgear
General's Fury Headgear
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Commandant's Grandeur
Commandant's Grandeur
Max Health
Silence Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Grand General's Unbeaten Armor
Grand General's Unbeaten Armor
Max Health
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
General's Frenzy Gloves
General's Frenzy Gloves
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Added Attack Speed
Grand General's Invincibility Gaiters
Grand General's Invincibility Gaiters
Melee Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Max Health
Reaper's Footsteps
Reaper's Footsteps
Move Speed
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Abyss Conqueror's Necklace
Abyss Conqueror's Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Beast King's Gilded Bracers
Beast King's Gilded Bracers
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Silence Resistance
Eternal Ring of Dimension
Eternal Ring of Dimension
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Transcendent Magic Ring
Transcendent Magic Ring
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Tukun's Cast Iron Belt
Tukun's Cast Iron Belt
Max Health
Debuff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance

This is the gear you should be wearing during the midgame. It is comprised of gear you can get either from dungeons or by grinding contracts, 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.

Crimson's Demon Crushing Sword
Crimson's Demon Crushing Sword
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit
Hit
Primary
Tevent's Warblade of Despair
Tevent's Warblade of Despair
Heavy Attack Chance
Critical Hit
Hit
Winged Wind Storm Hood
Winged Wind Storm Hood
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Cooldown Speed
Hermit's Shroud
Hermit's Shroud
Max Health
Silence Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance
Winged Wind Storm Armor
Winged Wind Storm Armor
Magic Evasion
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
World Tree's Origin Gloves
World Tree's Origin Gloves
Melee Endurance
Range
Magic Endurance
Winged Wind Tsunami Pants
Winged Wind Tsunami Pants
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Ranged Endurance
Winged Wind Gale Boots
Winged Wind Gale Boots
Max Health
Magic Endurance
Move Speed
Thunder Cleaver Necklace
Thunder Cleaver Necklace
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Silence Chance
Beast King's Gilded Bracers
Beast King's Gilded Bracers
Max Health
Skill Damage Resistance
Silence Resistance
Insightful Ring of Dimension
Insightful Ring of Dimension
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Transcendent Magic Ring
Transcendent Magic Ring
Skill Damage Boost
Max Health
Buff Duration
Tycan's Bloodlust Belt
Tycan's Bloodlust Belt
Max Health
Silence Resistance
Skill Damage Resistance

THIS PART OF THE GEARING WINDOW IS RESERVED FOR END GAME (TIER 2 ITEMS) THAT AREN'T AVAILABLE YET IN THE WESTERN VERSION OF THE GAME AND ARE STILL BEING RELEASED IN KOREA. THAT FOR, IT REMAINS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND YOU CAN SAFELY IGNORE THIS PART UNTIL WESTERN RELEASE OF TIER 2.

This is the the best in slot gear and the most difficult to acquire. It is comprised of gear you won't get easily, requiring large amounts of Lucent to buy off the auction house or requiring you to be part of a dominating guild on your server. Some of the pieces come from tier 2 dungeons and are difficult to acquire and trait up.


Weapon Masteries

Charge Ranged Defense
Melee Evasion
Firm Will
Max Health
Cooldown Speed
Overcome Snare
Buff Duration
Skill Damage Resistance
Bold Steps
Incapacitate Mana Regen
Melee Hit Chance
Ultimate Impact
Damage
Mana Regen
Complete Stun
Melee Hit Chance
Stun Chance
Firm Resolution
Face Off Melee Hit Chance
Damage
Rough and Wild
Melee Critical Hit Chance
Mana Cost Efficiency
Fierce Attack
Skill Damage Boost
Melee Hit Chance
Fierce Glare
Provoke & Counter Melee Defense
Health Regen
Decayed Sword God
Max Health
All Evasion
Impregnable Stance
Buff Duration
Damage Reduction
Indomitable Spirit
Boss Melee Hit
Chance
Damage
Undefeated Perseverance
Max Health
Stun Resistance
Desperate Evasion
Mana Cost Efficiency
Melee Hit Chance
Subjugator's Punishment
Collision Max Health
Melee Hit Chance
Calculated Rush
Damage Reduction
Weaken Chance
Steely Physique
Damage
Melee Defense
Blade of Rage


Greatsword: Investing 9 points in Charge offers you the most defensive bonuses you could get from the Greatsword lines while the last 3 points can be spent on Face Off in order to gain a bit of extra damage.

Sword: Sword: Investing 8 points in the Provoke & Counter row is a great choice as it provides you with extra PVE defenses for fighting bosses, along with some additional health. One singular point should go into Collision for even more health. The remaining 6 points will be allocated to Boss for further Boss 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.


Comments

MetaBattle is recruiting!
We are seeking an experienced Build Admin for Throne and Liberty with a deep understanding of the meta across most weapons and game modes. Get in touch with Galaxian on Discord if you're a good fit for the role or know someone else who is. This is a paid position.
Split Metabattle Logo