How to Play Warlord – For Honor
The Warlord is one of twelve character classes you can play in For Honor, and can be unlocked under the Viking faction for 500 Steel. This hero is almost entirely focused on defense, and features a moveset that uses parries, blocks, and counter-attacks to take down enemies. If you’re going to play the Warlord, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got defensive actions of For Honor down, although you’ll still need a bit of offense of course.
With his sword and shield the Warlord doesn’t have as much range as other characters, although strong attacks can still reach a fair distance. We’ll take a look at the character’s strengths, moves, and some essential tips on how to play it in For Honor.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES – HOW TO PLAY WARLORD
Warlord – Heavy – Harasser, Counter-Attacker
Strengths – Lots of health, high defense, and good attack range.
Weaknesses – Dependent on defense, stamina management can be an issue.
Moveset – How to Play Warlord
Hero Specific Perks
- Renown: Earn more renown by assisting or saving heroes, and defending objectives.
- Revenge Mode: Boosts Damage and Health. All Attack are Uninterruptible. Parry and Throws knock enemies down. Attacks are Auto-Parried on Activation.
- Superior Block Light Attacks: Light attacks have superior block property during the startup. Use it to counter attacks.
- Uninterruptible Heavy Attacks: Heavy attacks are uninterruptible during the startup. Time them well to trade blows with the enemy.
- Full Block Stance: Block attacks from all directions. Required stamina to activate. Use back on the right stick.
Moves
- Focused Strikes – R1, R2 (RB, RT on Xbox)
- Hack and Slash – R2, R1 (RT, RB on Xbox)
- Crashing Charge (Not in guard mode) – L3+Square (L3+X on Xbox)
- Headsplitter Leap – L3+R2
- Headsplitter Leap Alternate – Left stick up+X, R2 (Left stick up+A, RT on Xbox)
- Headsplitter Leap Combo – Left stick up+X, R2, Square, R1 (Left stick up+A, RT, X, RB on Xbox)
- Board and Blade – Right stick back+R2 (Right stick back+RT on Xbox)
- Block and Stab – Right stick back, block, R1 (Right stick back, block, RB on Xbox)
- Shield Counter – Parry, Square (Parry, X on Xbox)
- Shield Counter Combo – Parry, Square, R1 (Parry, Square, RB on Xbox)
- Headbutt – Left stick up+X, Square (Left stick up+A, X on Xbox)
- Headbutt Riposte – Right stick back, Square (Right stick back, X on Xbox)
- Headbutt Combo – Right stick back, Square, R1 (Right stick back, X, RB on Xbox)
- Full Block Stance – Back on Right Stick
TACTICS – HOW TO PLAY WARLORD
The Warlord’s shield is the primary thing you’ll be using when playing this character, and you’ll definitely be focused on defense. Because the Warlord can really soak up damage, you can hold areas on your own without ally support for quite some time. Focus on blocking and parrying attacks with R2, which will then let you launch a couple of attacks of your own against the enemy. There’s a couple counter-attacks than can be linked from a parry with Shield Counter and its combo, make sure to use these liberally as they’ll knock back the enemy and cause some decent damage.
The most useful move the Warlord has is its Full Block Stance, which lets you pull back on the right stick and soak up damage from any direction. This can be a great tactic to use if you’re surrounded by multiple enemies, as you can build up your Revenge meter quickly and then come back at them. Additionally, blows bounce off of your guard when in Full Block Stance, delaying the enemy’s next attack momentarily, which you can use to your advantage.
In terms of offense, the Warlord has two helpful moves to use. The first is the Headbutt, which can be used by dashing forward with and then holding down your guard break button. This is a special attack that stuns and delays the enemy, and there’s a combo you can launch into straight afterward. Headsplitter on the other hand is a powerful uninterruptible attack that launches a leaping strike. Try and use this move when your enemy is least expecting it, as landing a blow can be followed up immediately with a headbutt, and the attack in general causes considerable damage.
Obviously, defense is the bread and butter of this character, used to continuously block, dodge, and parry attacks. Slip in some offense once the enemy starts to wear down.
The one drawback of the Warlord that you’re really going to need to keep an eye on your stamina, which will deplete rapidly. Full Block Stance and the heroes’ attacks can really deplete your meter quickly, leaving you in a rough spot during a duel.
Equipment for the Warlord should focus on either upping defense even more, or helping with stamina and attack.
RECOMMENDED FEATS – HOW TO PLAY WARLORD
- Speed Revive or Deadly – Depending on what mode you’re playing, either of these Feats can work. Speed Revive will help you get allies up faster and back in the battle, while Deadly is a passive Feat that boosts your attack. Obviously, if you aren’t playing a team match, go with Deadly.
- Flesh Wound – Flesh wound is the choice here as it’s a passive Feat that lets you gain moderate damage reduction. With such a defense focused character, you’ll want to up the Warlord’s abilities even more.
- Fury – Fury slows down your sprint speed, but greatly boosts your attack and defense for a short time. This can be instrumental to taking on multiple enemies at once, especially if combined with Revenge Mode.
- Auto Revive – This is a great skill that lets you revive without the help of another player, which gets you back into the battle faster if you aren’t executed.
For more help, tips, and guides on For Honor, make sure to take a look at our ever-expanding wiki.
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