The Vanguard is Guildrun's Max HP class: bruising front-liners who absorb damage and dish it back while scaling Rush, Shields, and Burn. Where Tanks stall and Warriors trade with Attack, Vanguards turn a huge health pool into pressure — many convert Rush triggers directly into permanent Max HP. In Demo 0.5.7 they are the engine behind Rush comps and the front line that still threatens damage. Build around a Vanguard when the shop offers Rush duration and Max HP scaling.
At a glance
- Role
- Max HP bruiser — Rush / Shield / Burn engine
- Strength
- Scales two ways at once: a growing health pool that both survives and powers Rush / damage payoffs
- Weakness
- Falls off if Rush never fires or the board can't pack allies to share Rush windows
How to play this class
Draft, shop, and formation notes for building around the class.
Drafting
Stabilize a Vanguard early — a dead Max HP front means no Rush engine. Add Rush partners (Duelists) once the wall holds. Rank B toward whichever payoff your seed supports: HP growth or Rush uptime.
Shop priorities
Prioritize Rush duration, Vanguard banners, and Max HP items. Burn relics reward the Vanguards that apply it. Skip off-theme damage pieces you can't trigger.
Positioning
Front row on the engage hex, with Rush partners adjacent or just behind so everyone shares the same Rush window instead of eating the dive alone.
What to buy first
- Rush duration and Vanguard banners (Endurance / Aegis)
- Max HP items that scale the survive-and-scale loop
- Burn relics for Vanguards that apply Burn
- Shield pieces to reinforce the front on contact
Signature picks
Rip
Converts Rush into Max HP pressure and enables Duelist partners — the core Rush Vanguard.
Ming
Burn-aura Vanguard that adds damage-over-time to the Rush front.
Niklas
Item-eating economy Vanguard that funds the run while holding the line.
Rowan
Vanguard / Tank flex for a harder wall when you need more Defense.
Heroes
Heroes that start in the Vanguard class (including dual-class picks).
Ming
High-health Rush Vanguard and Burn aura
Niklas
Item-consuming Vanguard economy engine
Rip
High-health Rush bruiser
Rowan
Dual-class defensive anchor
Synergy Relics
Relics that explicitly reference this class or its signature keywords.
Vanguard Crest
Get an item which makes a Hero count as a Vanguard during combat.
Vanguard Equipment
Get an item which benefits Vanguards. Start with 1 fewer Shards.
Vanguard's Aegis Banner
At start of combat, Vanguards gain Shields equal to 25% of their Max HP.
Vanguard's Combative Reflection
Vanguards gain 200 Max HP and 25 Attack.
Vanguard's Endurance Banner
Vanguard's Rush abilities last 1 seconds longer.
Vanguard's Flamefists Banner
Whenever a Vanguard auto attacks, they inflict 1 Burn on their target.
Vanguard's Flameplate Banner
Whenever a Vanguard is auto attacked, they inflict 1 Burn on the attacker.
Vanguard's Plated Reflection
Vanguards gain 200 Max HP and 30 Defense.
Vanguard's Rally Banner
For Rush (1), Vanguards gain 10 Attack and 0 Defense per 25 Max HP.
Vanguard's Titanic Engine
Heroes gain 400 Max HP. Whenever a Vanguard auto attacks or is auto attacked, they gain 400 Max HP. Every 400 Max HP gained this way, give them 1 Attack and increase their size.
Defensive Backup Prism
Heroes gain 1 Defense per rank of each Tank in the reserves and 1 Max HP per rank of each Vanguard in the reserves.
Vanguard's Amplification Filigree
For Rush (1), Vanguards gain +8% Max HP.
Tips
- Count Rush triggers per fight — if you see zero or one, fix relics and specs before buying more damage.
- A Vanguard is your Rush foundation; letting it die first collapses the whole engine.
FAQ
What is the Vanguard class in Guildrun?
Vanguards are a Max HP front-line class that absorbs and deals damage while scaling Rush, Shields, and Burn. Many turn Rush triggers into permanent Max HP, making them durable and threatening at once.
What are the best Vanguard heroes in Guildrun?
Rip is the core Rush Vanguard, Ming adds Burn pressure, Niklas funds the economy while tanking, and Rowan flexes into a Vanguard/Tank wall.
What relics work with Vanguards?
Rush duration and Vanguard banners, Max HP items, and Burn relics for Vanguards that apply it. Prioritize Rush uptime over random damage pieces.
How do you build a Vanguard comp?
Secure the Vanguard front early, add Rush partners like Duelists, prioritize Rush and Max HP relics, and make sure at least two heroes benefit from each Rush window before bosses.
Other Classes
Assassin
Assassins use Crit to deal bursts of damage with their auto attacks and active abilities. Assassin Mechanics: Crit, Shards, Poison, Rush, Stealth.
Duelist
Duelists use Attack Speed to rapidly auto attack. Duelist Mechanics: Stall, Rush, Debuffs, Crit, Shards.
Mage
Mages use Magic to deal damage and disrupt enemies with their active abilities. Mage Mechanics: Stall, Burn, Frost.
Mystic
Mystics use Mana Regen to repeatedly cast their active ability, aiding allies and disrupting enemies. Mystic Mechanics: Shields, Shards, Debuffs, Stall.
Tank
Tanks use Defense to protect their allies and disrupt enemies. Tank Mechanics: Stall, Poison, Frost.
Warrior
Warriors use Attack to deal damage with auto attacks and active abilities. Warrior Mechanics: Crit, Rush, Shields.