The Warden (Vala)

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### Introduction

The Warden is an NPC that can be summoned by the Vala  upon taking the warden perk , the power of the warden can be further increased by taking spiritual bond  perk.

The warden can be killed, but always returns in the next battle.

### Stats & Offence

The warden starts with static stats, which can be improved by taking the spiritual bond perk. Taking this perk will allow the warden's stats to scale off the Vala's current resolve. The warden has no armour  or perks  While the Warden does have high resolve, it can still occasionally suffer resolve based attacks like sleep , however the warden cannot flee , lose resolve  or become confidant . Fearsome  has no effect.

The warden's melee  and ranged  attacks ignore armour completely, similar to that of a Geist. Despite being ethereal, the Warden **will not** be killed instantly and does not have 999 ranged defense  as default.

The Warden is immune to bleed , root , poison , grab/knockback  and stun  night time  penalties and injury  effects.

#### Behaviour and AI

The warden will move around and attempt to be as close to the Vala as possible at all times, often sacrificing itself to be between the Vala and an enemy moving into combat against her.

The AI for the warden has 3 behaviour states;

* **Protect (Priority 1.5)**
	+ Protect is triggered when the Vala has an empty adjacent tile or is close to an enemy who may engage her in melee.
	+ This behaviour overrides all other behaviours and the warden will often move into tiles which are guarded by spearwall  just to protect her.
	+ The warden will not move out of combat if it would risk triggering an opportunity attack from the enemy it is currently engaged with.
	+ The warden will also attempt to use itself as a shield to block incoming projectiles aimed at the Vala.
* **Melee attack (Priority 1.0)**
	+ Used when the warden is engaged in melee.
	+ Ignores all armour.
	+ Will prioritise targets in combat with the Vala over others.
	+ Typically the second most likely behaviour to be used.
* **Ranged attack (Priority 0.5)**
	+ Shares the same effect as a bow does, meaning some enemies may resist its effects. Ignores armour.
	+ Used when the Warden cannot get into melee and the Vala is safe or inaccessible.
	+ Occasionally may "miss" and hit other targets, including allies.
	+ Least likely behaviour to be used.
	+ Cannot be used while in melee.

##### Miscellaneous behaviours

* The warden will frequently move into dangerous tiles containing fire, gas or a spearwall to protect the Vala.
* The warden prioritises attacking targets that are fleeing or otherwise almost dead.
* The warden doesn't like waiting, and will often make aggressive moves, as long as it is still protecting the Vala.
* The warden likes to prioritise attacking enemies armed with ranged weapons over melee weapons.
* The warden will only engage enemies if they are within 1 tile of distance, or the Vala is being attacked.
* The warden will rush to engage and "lock down" targets so they cannot move or attack.
* The warden acts like a melee unit for the most part, despite having access to ranged attacks.
* The warden prefers to carefully engage and not move too far from the Vala, if possible.