Tank class

Vanguard

The Vanguard is Squadbreak’s tank: the most health of any class, a shield that cuts damage taken by more than half, a dash that can’t be hit, and a team-wide damage reduction with healing. Enemies go for the closest player, so a Vanguard at the front keeps the rest of the squad safe.

220 health205 move speed3 abilitiesStarts with the ScattergunSolo: S tierSquad: A tier

Abilities

Press 1, 2 and 3 in a mission. Abilities never deal damage themselves: they boost you and your squad, and damage comes from guns, grenades and turrets.

1 · Bulwark12s cooldown

Raise your shield: take 60% less damage for 4s.

2 · Charge7s cooldown

Dash forward, untouchable while dashing.

3 · Fortify16s cooldown

You and nearby allies take 30% less damage and regenerate 3% HP per second for 6s.

Vanguard class skill

Only Vanguards can learn this skill, with the same skill points as every other skill.

◆ Bastion5 ranks

+0.5s longer Bulwark per rank.

How to play the Vanguard

Lead from the front. Enemies pick the nearest target, so walking a few steps ahead of your squad pulls every grunt, runner and brute onto you while your damage dealers shoot.

Save Bulwark for the moments that hurt: a boss’s ring of fire bolts, a brute reaching you, a bloater about to burst. Charge closes gaps and gets you out of trouble: you can’t be hit while dashing.

Fortify protects and heals everyone within range, so stand in the middle of the squad and use it just before an ambush or a boss fight.

Tips

Short-range guns suit the Vanguard: the Scattergun at first, then the Riot Shotgun and Dragon’s Breath.
Heavy armour fits: Combat Plate and the Juggernaut Frame add plating and health, and the speed they cost matters less on a tank.
Put class skill points into Bastion: every rank makes Bulwark last half a second longer.
Toughness and Vitality stack well with your high base health.