Vanguard

The **Vanguard** is one of four playable types of Heroes in *For Honor*. Wielding what could be called the symbol of their faction, they are well-balanced warriors with good attack and defense capabilities.

While not as tanky as the Heavies, as fast as the Assassins, or as difficult to pick up as the Hybrids, the Vanguard's jack-of-all-trades nature grants them the flexibility to put themselves on equal grounds against the more specialized Hero type. When together with allies, they can fulfill a multitude of roles including offensive, defensive, and disruption when the time calls for them to adapt.

## Attributes

Most well-rounded of all types, the Vanguards are fittingly leaders of their faction. While they don't excel at any specific role, their versatile kit allows them to stem into any role throughout battle. They are also meant to be beginner-friendly, thus will not rely on anything too complex or overwhelming to be an adequate combatant. However, this does not mean they are ill-suited for advanced play, as they do have advanced move sets that allow them to remain viable when used by seasoned players.

Vanguards perform well in Dominion due to their efficiency in all key aspects of the mode: killing soldiers on the front line, dueling enemy heroes, and capturing/defending zones.

## Heroes of the Factions

The Vanguard heroes in **For Honor** are:

* The *Wardens* are the embodiment of the noble knights, wielding their impressive longsword which offers a balance between offense and defense. Together with swift sword strikes, the Warden will charge forward with their shoulder to knock unsuspecting enemies off-balance.

* The *Raiders* embody the spirit of the Vikings as they wade into battle with their great Dane axe. When they swing their axe at full force, they will either plow their axe head through their opponents or shrug off incoming attack to land their strike. Above all, their throw is the most impressive among all Heroes, carrying their foe on their shoulder over long distances.

* The *Kensei* are the living incarnation of the Bushidō, the samurai way of the warrior. Armed with the long Nodachi and a splendid set of armor from their homeland, the Kensei fight patiently, striking with powerful and precise strikes worthy of their name of "sword saint."

* The *Tiandi* are loyal protectors to Kings, Queens, and Emperors, thus are face of their faction's military might. Masters of the Dao blade, their weapon of choice, the Tiandi gracefully dance as they cut up their opponents, while uniquely fighting best when their health is low.
* The *Warmongers* are vicious wolves clad in full plate armor, grandiose in how they wield the Flamberge sword. Fighting in the same image as who they worship, Apollyon, they also bring with them a special power called Corruption that helps them isolate their target unless they wish to die with their friends.

## Trivia

* Aside from the Tiandi and Warmonger, Vanguard Heroes are unlocked for all players.
* All Vanguards prior to Warmonger were not gender-locked because they are the Heroes that introduce new players to the game, whereas locking genders would limit their customization potential thus possible interest for a player to invest time into the Hero.
	+ This has been changed with the release of Warmonger during the mid-season of Year 4 Season 2, who is a female-only Vanguard Hero.