\[Novice\] Protector

Explore the Protector class in Etrian Odyssey Nexus. Learn about essential skills like Front Guard, Ally Shield, Taunt, and Fortify for effective party protection and damage mitigation.

The Protector is a defensive class in Etrian Odyssey Nexus, focused on mitigating damage and absorbing hits for the party. Their high VIT stat complements their protective abilities.

Key Skills:

• Shield Protect (Force Boost): Increases Guard skills' damage reduction by 1.5x for three turns.
• Painless (Force Break): Negates all damage for one turn, but not ailments or binds.
• Front Guard (Support): Increases physical DEF by 55% until the end of the turn. Requires a shield.
• Rear Guard (Support): Increases physical DEF by 65% until the end of the turn. Requires a shield.
• Ally Shield (Support): The user absorbs all damage dealt to a chosen ally until the end of the turn, taking 35% reduced damage. Requires a shield.
• Fortify (Buff): Increases DEF by 33% for 6 turns.
• Shield Smite (Attack): Deals bash damage using the shield's DEF stat, with a 50% chance to inflict Arm Bind. Requires a shield.
• Taunt (Buff): Increases DEF by 10% and chance of being targeted by 50% for 6 turns.
• Preemptive Taunt (Passive): Has a 65% chance to activate Taunt at the start of battle.
• Healing Wall (Heal): Recovers HP if the user performs the DEFEND action.
• Chop (Field): Has a chance to obtain rare materials at chopping points.

Stat Growth: HP (A+), TP (A), STR (C), INT (D), VIT (S), WIS (B), AGI (E), LUC (C).

Possible Equipment: Sword, Spear, Heavy Armor, Light Armor, Shield.

General Strategy:

Protectors excel at damage mitigation. Early on, focus on Front Guard and Rear Guard. As you progress, invest in Taunt and the Ally Shield – Fortify combo. Taunt and Fortify are crucial for self-buffing before absorbing damage. Once the party can handle incoming damage, Preemptive Taunt can be useful for passive protection at the start of battles.

Skill Point Allocation Advice:

• Early Game: Invest in Front Guard (1) and Healing Wall (1). Use the remaining point to work towards a skill that complements the party's weaknesses.
• Aggro Tanking (with Shogun/Nightseeker): If an ally can provide aggro buffs (like Shogun's Great Warrior or Nightseeker's Decoy Sign), prioritize Ally Shield to work towards Fortify. Taunt and these buffs do not stack.
• Aggro Tanking (without specific allies): If no ally provides aggro buffs, prioritize working towards Preemptive Taunt.
• Offensive Option: Once key defensive skills are leveled, consider investing in Shield Smite.
• Note: Taunt and buffs like Shogun's Great Warrior overwrite each other.