Sword & Shield + Wand (the "Templar") is widely considered the best all-round tank in Throne and Liberty. The Sword & Shield gives you the highest survivability and threat in the game, and pairing it with the Wand means you also throw out heals and barriers — so you're a near-unkillable frontliner who also patches up the group. Instant party invites, and forgiving enough for newer players to learn on.
If you want to be the player a group can't function without — the anchor that holds the line and keeps everyone standing — the Templar is the build. It's the meta tank, it self-sustains better than any other, and it's genuinely welcoming to learn. Here's how it works and the honest catch.
What the build is
Every T&L build pairs two weapons. The Templar pairs the Sword & Shield (the game's dedicated tank weapon — taunts, blocks, damage reduction, and raw toughness) with the Wand/Tome (heals, shields, and support). The result is a "Paladin": a frontline tank that holds aggro and eats damage, then weaves in heals and barriers to keep itself — and the party — alive. It's a support-tank, not just a meat shield.
Why it's the meta tank
- Highest survivability in the game — stacking block and damage-reduction with the Sword & Shield makes you extremely hard to kill.
- It off-heals — the Wand lets you self-sustain and top off allies, so a group can run without a dedicated second healer.
- Instant group demand — tanks are always needed, and this is the tank most parties want.
- Low skill floor, high ceiling — it's forgiving enough for beginners but rewards cooldown mastery at the top end.
How to play it
The heart of the Templar is mitigation timing. You're not passively soaking hits — you're actively taunting priority targets, popping block and damage-reduction windows before big hits land, and slotting Wand heals and barriers in the gaps. Manage your mana well and you become effectively unkillable; manage it poorly and your sustain dries up. A defensive artifact like Dark Sovereign (damage reduction + shield block) leans fully into the fantasy.
The honest trade-off
✓ Why to run it
- The toughest frontliner in the game — an "unkillable" anchor.
- Doubles as an off-healer; groups need one fewer support.
- Beginner-friendly to start, deep to master.
- Always in demand — near-instant group invites.
△ Honest caveats
- Low personal DPS — solo farming and questing are slow.
- Mana-hungry — weak Wisdom/mana management and your heals run dry.
- You're a support piece — your impact is tied to your group.
- Meta shifts each patch — always sanity-check against the latest.
Kit for holding the line
A tank juggles taunts, mitigation cooldowns, and heals under pressure. Extra buttons and clear comms keep you a step ahead of the fight.
Quick answers
Is the Templar a good beginner tank?
Yes — it's one of the most forgiving builds to learn. Sword & Shield gives you a big survivability cushion while you learn threat and mitigation timing, and the Wand heals cover small mistakes.
How is it different from the Crusader (Sword & Shield + Greatsword)?
The Crusader is a threat-and-crowd-control tank that deals real damage. The Templar trades that damage for sustain — heals and barriers — making it the better pick when you want maximum survivability and party support.
What stats should I prioritize?
Strength first for HP and survivability, then Dexterity for evasion, then Wisdom for mana regen so your heals keep flowing. Treat it as a direction and fine-tune to your gear.
Can the Templar solo?
It can survive almost anything, but its low damage makes solo farming slow. It's built to shine in groups, where its tanking and off-heals matter most.