Skip to Content

The Complete Fighter Vanguard Tank Build – Neverwinter Mod 27 Spelljammer

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.

  1. Basic Vanguard Info
    1. Best Vanguard Races
    2. Ability Score Priority
    3. Stat / Rating Priority
  2. Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
    1. Combat Powers
    2. Feats
    3. Rotation
  3. Boons
  4. Weapons & Gear
  5. Artifacts
  6. Enchantments
  7. Consumables & Buffs
  8. Companions
  9. Mounts

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.

Neverwinter Race
  1. Aasimar – 2% Power, Outcoming & Icoming Healing, Defense and Max Hit Points – +2 to any two stats – 2% max hit points to party members
  2. Menzoberanzan Renegade – Reduce Defense and Damage of mobs by 3% – +2 Dex and Cha or Wis – 5% Deflect Severity
  3. Human1% Bonus to all stats – +3 To any Ability Score
  4. Dwarf – 20% Resistance to Knock and Push – +2 Con and Str or Wis – 5% Defense bonus
  5. Drow – Darkfire – +2 Dex and +2 Cha or Wis – 5% Deflect Severity
  6. Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any two Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
  7. Dragonborn Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
  8. Tiefling5% + 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%
  9. 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

  1. Power (90%)
  2. Critical Strike (90%)
  3. Critical Severity (90%)
  4. Combat Advantage (90%)
  5. Accuracy (90%)

Defensive Stats

  1. Defense (90%)
  2. Deflection (90%)
  3. Critical Avoidance (90%)
  4. Awareness (90%)
  5. Health (90%)

Fighter Vanguard Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation

This part is all about optimizing the Vanguard with the best feats, powers, and boons.

Sentinel Tank Build

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.

  • 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?