Welcome to our Fighter Vanguard Guide, updated for Mod 27:Spelljammer.
In Neverwinter, the Fighter Vanguard is a tank that can hold its own against the toughest of enemies. The Fighter Vanguard is a tank class that excels at taking hits and holding enemies in place. They are the perfect class for players who want to be up close and personal with their enemies. If you want to dish out some damage, consider a Dreadnought build loadout as well.
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about playing this class effectively. We’ll cover important stats, skills, and gear for the Fighter Vanguard, as well as some tips on how to survive in Neverwinter’s harsh environments.
The purpose of our class guides is not just to show you a build that you can copy and use on your character, but to show you a base build and teach you the mechanics and stats of the game, so you can understand and play your class to its fullest capabilities.
Try different gear, feats, and powers, and learn to tailor your own build for your playstyle. See our guide to making your own build for more info.
- Basic Vanguard Info
- Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
- Boons
- Weapons & Gear
- Artifacts
- Enchantments
- Consumables & Buffs
- Companions
- Mounts
Guide Contents
Basic Fighter Vanguard Info
Below is all the basic information for the Vanguard, from race choices to stats.
Other Fighter Builds
Best Vanguard Races
What race you play doesn’t play a huge role, but will give you a small boost. Generally, I would advise you to play a race that you enjoy.
- Aasimar – 2% Power, Outcoming & Icoming Healing, Defense and Max Hit Points – +2 to any two stats – 2% max hit points to party members
- Menzoberanzan Renegade – Reduce Defense and Damage of mobs by 3% – +2 Dex and Cha or Wis – 5% Deflect Severity
- Human – 1% Bonus to all stats – +3 To any Ability Score
- Dwarf – 20% Resistance to Knock and Push – +2 Con and Str or Wis – 5% Defense bonus
- Drow – Darkfire – +2 Dex and +2 Cha or Wis – 5% Deflect Severity
- Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn – Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any two Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
- Dragonborn – Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
- Tiefling – 5% + Damage to targets below 50% health – +2 Cha and +2 Con or Int – 10% to reduce damage of target for 5 sec by 2.5%
- Halfling – 5% Deflect – +2 Dex and +2 Cha or Con – 10% Bonus to Control Resistance
Vanguard Ability Score Priority
Put all your available Ability Scores into Strength or Charisma and Constitution.
Vanguard Stat / Rating Priority
The Combat Rework introduced major changes to how stats and item level work, for more info see the official post.
Your cap for each stat is based on your item level. To cap a stat, the numbers of the stat need to be equal to or higher than your item level.
If your stat number is higher than your item level, you are wasting stats and should try to allocate stats differently.
For every 1000 points, a stat is lower than your item level you lose 1% in that stat.
You won’t be able to cap all stats, but capping your power is quite easy.
As a tank your main focus should be on Defensive stats.
Offensive Stats
- Power (90%)
- Critical Strike (90%)
- Critical Severity (90%)
- Combat Advantage (90%)
- Accuracy (90%)
Defensive Stats
- Defense (90%)
- Deflection (90%)
- Critical Avoidance (90%)
- Awareness (90%)
- Health (90%)
Fighter Vanguard Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
This part is all about optimizing the Vanguard with the best feats, powers, and boons.
Fighter Vanguard Combat Powers
At-Will Powers:
- Tide of Iron or Threatening Rush
- Brazen Slash
Encounter Powers:
- Enforced Threat
- Knight’s Valor
- Linebreaker
Daily Powers:
- Bladed Rampart or Earthshaker
- Second Wind
Class Features:
- Greater Endurance or Enduring Warrior
- Steel Recovery
Fighter Vanguard Feats
- Staying Power
- Rising Tide
- Combat Balance
- Sharpened Senses
- Shake It Off
Figther Vanguard Rotation
Tide of Iron > Artifact and Mount Powers when available > Knight’s Valor > Enforced Threat > Linebreaker > Daily
Fighter Vanguard Boons
You should always choose boons based on what stats you currently need. Therefore a selection of several viable boons is available to you for each tier.
Tier 1 Boons
- Critical Avoidance – 0.2% Critical Avoidance Per Rank
- Cultist Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
- Cultist Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. Cultists.
Tier 2 Boons
- Defense – 0.2% Defense Per Rank
- Demonic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
- Demonic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. demons.
Tier 3 Boons
- Awareness – 0.2% Awareness Per Rank
- Dino Bulwark – 0.2 HP Per Rank
- Dino Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. dinos.
Tier 4 Boons
- Disenchanting Aura – 0.2% Control Resistance
- Deflect – 0.2% Deflect Per Rank
- Necrotic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
- Necrotic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. undead.
Advanced Boons
- Welcome Blessing – 1% Incoming Healing Per Rank
- Quick Turnaround – 1% Recovery Speed per rank.
- Second Wind – 1% Stamina Regen
- Call of Power – 1% Action Point gain per rank
- Masterclass – 1% Forte per rank
Master Boons
- Blessed Resilience 3/3
- Enhanced Application 3/3
- Blessed Advantage 3/3
Guild Boons
- Offense – Power or Critical Strike Bonus
- Defense – Defence or Hit Point Bonus or Incoming Healing
Fighter Vanguard Weapons & Gear
If you are new to Neverwinter and need to know how to get better gear and increase your item level, check out our Gearing Up Guide.
Note that the best in slot for your build might vary depending on what stats you have.
The best way to gear up in Neverwinter is by making a lot of Astral Diamonds, check out our Astral Diamond Guide to learn all the secrets of AD farming.
Head
- Rugged Sallet of the Dragon Hunter
- Mane of the Manticore
- The Dark Maiden’s Ward Helm
- Turban of Shifting Sands
Armor
- Abyss Conqueror’s Provoker Cuirass
- Rugged Mail of the Dragon Hunter
- Blessed Bone Devil’s Ribcage (Avernus Hunts)
- Forest Guardian’s Ward/Raid Scalemail (Vault of Stars)
Arms
- Superior Crushers of the Dragon Hunter
- Abyss Conqueror’s Provoker Gloves
- Arms of the Last Resistance
- Midnight’s Grips
- Crag Scaler’s Gauntlets
Feet
- Rugged Sabatons of the Dragon Hunter
- Blessed Wisps of the Shadow Demon
- Slips of the Rain
Weapons
- Duergar Set
- Masterwork Set
- Dark Matter / Solarium & Starcore Set
Main Hand Modification:
- Tide of Iron
Offhand Modifications:
- Forte
- Incoming Healing
Rings
- Malachite Abyssal Loop
- Topaz Abyssal Loop
- Stalwartneedle Ring of Celerity
- Stalwartneedle Ring of Bulwark
- Darklake Ward Ring +1
- The Living Silver Fern
- Waywatchers Ring of Precision
- Ring of the Overwhelmed +5
- Ring of the Condemned +5
Neck & Waist
- Tiamat’s Prized Possesions: Tiamat’s Golden Necklace, Tiamat’s Golden Sash, Tiamat’s Arcane Globe
- Valhalla’s Rebuke: Cloak of Valhalla, Belt of Valhalla
Shirt
- Dazzling Flarefiber Shirt
- Lolth’s Embrace
- Rugged Dwarven Body Pattern
- Shirt of the Dragon Cult
- Vale Tunic
- Upper Pact Brands (Avernus Hunts)
Pants
- Covert Branche Scout Breeches
- Rugged Dwarven Limb Pattern
- War-Worn Pants
- Lower Pact Brands (Avernus Hunts)
Fighter Vanguard Artifacts
Primary Artifact
- Demogorgon’s Reach
- Mythallar Fragment
- Wyvern-Venon Coated Knives
Secondary Artifacts
Choose secondary artifacts based on the stats you are lacking.
- Mythallar Fragment
- Bloodcrystal Raven Skull
- Gond’s Anvil of Creation
- Illusionist’s Mask
- Sigil of the Bard/Ranger/Warlock
- Symbol of Water
Fighter Vanguard Enchantments
When getting enchantments, always get the ones with the stats you are lacking in with your gear, boons, etc in mind.
If you still need to refine your enchantments, see our Refinement Guide for tips on how to farm refinement.
Offense Enchantments
- Garnet Enchantment
Defense Enchantments
- Amethyst Enchantment
- Jade Enchantment
- Cobalt Enchantment
Utility Enchantments
- Garnet Enchantment
Bonus Enchantments
- Movement Or Recharge
Combat Enchantments
- Flash Freeze
Overload Enchantments
- Unholy Protection
- Resiliency of the Depths / Bulwark Of Brimstone from Hell Pit
- Various Marks from Stronghold Vendor
- Corrupt Black Ice / Lethal / Piercing
- Black / Red Dragon Glyph
Armor Reinforcement Kits
- Any stat you might need
Jewelry Reinforcement Kits
- Combat Awareness Jewel
Fighter Vanguard Consumables & Buffs
Consider getting VIP for the Power of VIP HP buff if you aren’t already. Also always stand in campfires to get the +1 ability campfire buff.
Pick one from each of the categories below depending on the stats you are lacking.
- Invocation Blessing: Grace of Battle / Gift of Awareness / Righteous Boon / Gamber’s Fortune
- Stronghold Food: Chocolate
- Event Food: Caprese
- Elixir: Elixir of Steadfast Devotion
- Potion: Crafted Potion of Defense
- Belt: Stone of Health, Dragonfire, Chain of Scales
Fighter Vanguard Companions
Summoned Companion
For your summoned companion you have the choice between using Augmented companions which will make it easier to cap stats or an active combat companion which will do damage. At the moment Active/Striker companions are usually better than augment companions.
Augment Companion Choices
This is just a selection of augment companions. Use one that has the stats you need.
- Cat
- Bulette Pup
- Deepcrow Hatchling
- Owlbear Cub
- Ioun Stones
- Quasit
Active Companion Choices
- Spined Devil
- Drizzt Do’Urden
- Portobello Davinchi
- Tutor
- Stalwart Golden Lion
- Black Death Scorpion
Enchantment Power
- Armor Break
- Dulled Senses
- Vulnerability
- Slowed Reactions
- Weapon Break
- Any stat you might need
Companion Powers
Below is a selection of viable companion powers.
Offense Powers
- Tamed Velociraptor (Raptor’s Instincts) – Part of the Pack (Good in Groups)
- Golden Deep Crow’s Presence – 7.5% Awareness
- Rimefire Golem’s Presence – 15000 HP and 3.8% Critical Severity
- Neverwinter Knight (Neverwinter Knight’s Discipline) – 7.5% Outgoing Damage
Defense Powers
- Lich (Undying Overload) – Reduce Incoming Damage by 7.5%
- Duergar – 7.5% Critical Avoidance
- Duergar – 7.5% Critical Avoidance
- Bruenor – 4.7% Awareness and Defense
- Frost Mimic – 3.75% Awareness and Defense
- War Dog – 3.75% Awareness and Defense
- Skeleton – 3.75% Critical Avoidance and Defense
- Faithful Initiate – 3.75% Critical Avoidance and Defense
- Myconoid – 3.8% Critical Avoidance and Awareness
- Harper bard – 15000 HP and 3.8% Awareness
- Red Dragon Ioun Stone – 3.8% Incoming Healing and 15000 HP
- Moonshea Druid’s Wisdom – 15.000 HP and 3.8% Critical Avoidance
- Iron Golem’s Presence – 15.000 HP and 3.8% Defense
- Minstrel – 3.8% Power and 3.8% Awareness
- Green Slime – 7.5% Defense
Utility Powers
- Golden Deep Crow – 7.5% Awareness
- Regis – 4.7% Defect Chance and Severity
- Watler – 7.5% Deflect
- Xegyi’s Insight – 30000 Hit Points
- Energon – 30000 Hit Points
Fighter Vanguard Mounts
Bolster
When it comes to mounts, you should focus on getting them all to Mythic quality to increase Bolster.
Bolster Contribution depends on the quality of the mount, with Mythic mounts contributing 10% Bolster, this again increases the values of your Equip Power and Combat Power.
Mount Insignia Bonuses
All classes and specs should consider using Wanderer’s Fortune and or Traveler’s Treasures before you have refined all your gear and enchantments, for extra refinement every day.
Insignia bonuses are mostly down to preference. Some boost damage a bit, and some boost survivability, while others add utility.
As a tank, the self-healing bonuses are the most valued.
DPS
- Warlord’s Inspiration
- Artificers Persuasion
- Assassin’s Covenant
- Calvary’s Warning
- Gladiator’s Guile
Self Healing
- Lionheart’s Perseverance
- Oppressor’s Reprieve
- Knight’s Condemnation
- Barbarian’s Revelry
- Survivor’s Blessing
- Survivor’s Gift
- Knight’s Rebuke
Utility
- Wanderer’s Fortune
- Traveler’s Treasures
Insignia Type
- Fortitude
- Courage
Mount Collars
- Supportive Crescent Collar
- Sturdy Barbed Collar
- Wayfaring Barbed Collar
- Unified Regal Collar
Fighter Vanguard Mount Powers
Mount Equip Power:
- Pack Tactics
- Runic Aura
- Mystic Aura
- Any defense stat power
Mount Combat Power:
- Eclipse Armament (Eclipse Lion)
- Tyrannosaurus Rex’em (Tyrannosaur or King of Spies)
- Swarm (Bat Swarm)
- Magnificent Inspiration (Pegasus)
- Hell’s Impact (Balgora)
- Cauldron (Cauldron)
- Aureal Armament
If you have any questions or suggestions about our Neverwinter Fighter Vanguard guide, please leave a comment below!
DarthDamon
Sunday 24th of January 2021
Seriously??? Xegyi’s Insight – 32000 HP Energon – 32000 HP
Cathartic
Sunday 24th of January 2021
This definitely needs an update now after the massive combat change.
Jay
Sunday 20th of December 2020
This is out of date for mod 19 super frustrating can't find a soulweave build or dps hellbringer guide that works and add fighter tank to the list all I need is armor suggestions for the lot
Contractions of Fate
Monday 27th of June 2022
@Cathartic, I says Mod 22 now.
Cathartic
Sunday 10th of January 2021
It says in the title that's it for Mod 19, how's it out of date?
Contractions of Fate
Sunday 27th of September 2020
Probably needs updating for the recent Mount changes and Mythic mounts
I's different to my Vanguard, so it's good to see what others are doing.
Cheers!
Gabriel Berti Giusti
Saturday 26th of September 2020
critical deflection over combat balance is bs... Can you explain me why you choose that?