TL;DR
- New greatsword-wielding tank class uses HP instead of Focus for powerful skills
- Class features damage mitigation, status immunity, and devastating area attacks
- 2018 roadmap includes Act 9 story, 12-player raids, and legendary gear upgrades
- Strategic resource management crucial for maximizing combat effectiveness
- Multiple new dungeons, systems, and quality-of-life improvements coming
The latest Blade and Soul developer update reveals an exciting addition to the class roster—a formidable greatsword-wielding tank that emphasizes raw power and resilience. This new combatant represents the most significant content addition for the year, offering players a fresh approach to frontline combat that differs substantially from existing tanking options. The class announcement provides insight into its unique mechanics while teasing additional engine improvements and challenging raid content scheduled for release throughout 2018.
This heavy weapon specialist channels brute force through massive sweeping attacks that can cleave through multiple adversaries simultaneously. Each combat animation delivers substantial visual and auditory feedback, emphasizing the weight and impact of every strike. The class design philosophy prioritizes satisfying, high-impact gameplay that rewards strategic positioning and timing over rapid button-mashing.
The greatsword tank introduces a revolutionary resource management system where specific high-impact abilities consume health points rather than the traditional Focus resource. This risk-reward mechanic demands careful decision-making, as improperly timed skill usage can leave you vulnerable at critical moments. Mastering this health-for-power exchange separates novice players from experts, requiring deep understanding of encounter mechanics and personal survivability limits.
Defensive capabilities include robust damage mitigation through both passive damage reduction and active defensive stances. The class can temporarily become immune to crowd control effects, creating windows of opportunity to execute dangerous maneuvers without interruption. This temporary invulnerability to status effects provides crucial breathing room during intense boss encounters where control effects often determine success or failure.
Optimal playstyle involves calculated aggression—knowing when to sacrifice health for burst damage while maintaining enough resilience to survive counterattacks. Advanced techniques include health management through life steal effects, proper cooldown cycling for defensive abilities, and positioning to maximize area-of-effect damage while minimizing incoming harm. For comprehensive class strategies, check our Class Guide that covers advanced tactics.
Beyond the new class, Blade and Soul players have substantial content to anticipate throughout 2018. The development team has outlined multiple major updates that will expand the gaming experience across PvE, progression systems, and quality-of-life improvements.
· The continuation of Blade and Soul‘s Epic Quest: Act 9 advances the main storyline with new regions, characters, and narrative developments
· New 12-player raids introduce formidable bosses that demand precise coordination and push combat skills to their limits
· New solo and 6-player Heroic dungeons—next up is the Circle of Sundering where you will go one-on-one with Master Hong!
· New Legendary Equipment Upgrade System—further upgrade and customize your hard-earned gear with enhanced stat customization options
· Powerful new equipment and beautiful cosmetics including weapon skins and outfits
· New game systems—including the addition of fishing—and enhancements to existing systems
· New events, holidays, and quality of life improvements focused on user interface and accessibility
Current players should begin preparing for these updates by stockpiling essential resources and upgrading core weapons. The new legendary equipment system will provide additional progression paths for endgame players seeking to maximize their combat effectiveness. Preparation should focus on acquiring upgrade materials, currency, and experience with current content mechanics.
For the greatsword tank specifically, understanding health management becomes paramount. Common mistakes include overspending HP on offensive abilities during high-damage phases and failing to utilize defensive cooldowns effectively. Optimal skill rotation involves weaving HP-consuming attacks between regular abilities while maintaining sufficient health reserves for emergency situations.
Team composition considerations should account for the greatsword tank’s unique mechanics. Having reliable healing support becomes more crucial than with traditional tanks, while the class’s area damage potential complements well with single-target focused damage dealers. Our Complete Guide offers detailed party optimization strategies.
Progression through the new content typically requires 15-25 hours for story completion, with raid progression extending gameplay significantly. The Blade & Soul development team continues to refine these features ahead of the scheduled release later this year. Stay informed about additional details through official channels and community resources like MmoGah.
Action Checklist
- Stockpile upgrade materials and currency for new legendary equipment system
- Practice health management techniques with current tank classes
- Study new raid mechanics and boss patterns through community resources
- Optimize current gear in preparation for new content releases
- Form or join raid groups anticipating the new 12-player content
No reproduction without permission：OnLineGames Guides » Blade and Soul New Class: A Greatsword-Wielding Tank Coming in 2018 Comprehensive guide to Blade and Soul's new greatsword tank class, combat mechanics, and 2018 content roadmap