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Guardian Awakening

Guardian Expert

Awakening

NotEfficient

Black Desert Online player since 2018, creating gameplay videos and guides on YouTube.

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Tankiness 9/10
Comfort High
AoE High
Guardian

Guardian Awakening

PvE Combo Guide

Guardian Awakening

Main Combo

This is an infinite combo. To loop it, continue the next skill rotation with Flow: To Ashes from either hotbar or Frost Slide, then carry on from Glorious Advance (S+LMB).

  1. Shift+A/D/S/W
    Frost SlideLeads into Flow: To Ashes; +10% Movement Speed
  2. LMB
    Flow: To AshesHotbar or after Frost Slide
  3. S+LMB
    Glorious Advance+20% Attack Speed for 20 sec
  4. Shift+Q
    God IncineratorTop damage skill
  5. Hold Q
    Fireborne RuptureAll AP +20 for 10 sec
  6. Shift+F
    Cleansing FlameSkips the Dragon's Maw charge-up
  7. Shift+LMB
    Dragon's Maw
  8. Hold LMB
    Flow: Howling LightTop damage skill
  9. Shift+RMB
    Searing Fang2 hits
  10. S+RMB
    Scornful Slash2 hits
  11. A/D+RMB
    Fierce Disdain
  12. S+F
    Gate CrasherComes out instantly after Fierce Disdain

PvE Combo Guide

DPS Priority List

Use the skills higher on the list first for the most damage.

High Priority

Mid Priority

Low Priority / Filler

Movement

Class Mobility

Movement Between Packs

  1. W+F
    Awakening: JuggernautLow cooldown, long range, has collision
  2. Hotbar
    Infernal NemesisLong cooldown, no collision

Infernal Nemesis is shorter range, but it flies over mobs and some terrain. Over the same amount of time both skills cover the same distance. Juggernaut goes a little farther only because it lasts longer. Pick whichever fits the situation. If you leave Infernal Nemesis unlocked, it is on S+F.

Repositioning in Packs

  1. W+RMB
    Frigid Wind
  2. Shift+A/D/S/W
    Frost Slide
  3. A/D+RMB
    Fierce Disdain
  4. W+Q
    Black Blood's DescentWorks from Awakening too
  5. Shift+A/S/D
    Evasion

Use one or more of these between mobs to move around the pack, depending on the situation.

Build Notes

Class Specifics

Skills to Lock

  1. Neck Impaler
  2. Infernal Steps
  3. Scalding Thorn
  4. Infernal Nemesis
    Optional

Keep Unlocked (Main Tab)

  1. Fierce Disdain
  2. Axe Throw
    Optional
  3. Foretold Encounter
  4. Claw Reveal
  5. Black Blood's Descent
  6. Gate Crasher
  7. Evasion
    Optional

Skill Enhancements

  1. Pulverization
    Lv. 56
  2. Omua's Circle
    Lv. 57
  3. Sturdy Smite
    Lv. 58

Hotkey Skills

  1. Flow: To Ashes
    Hotkey
  2. Fireborne Rupture
    Hotkey
  3. Cleansing Flame
    Optional
  4. Sturdy Smite
    Hotkey
  5. Infernal Nemesis
    Hotkey
  6. Omua's Blessing
    E buff
  7. Frigid Wind
    Mouse key

Skill Add-ons

Class Addons

Gate Crasher

Prerequisite: Use the [Secret Book] Abyssal Legacy ([The Magnus] Abyssal Revelation ...

Skill Add-on Effect

  • All Damage Reduction +20 for 15 sec
  • Movement Speed +10% for 12 sec

Searing Fang I

Charge forward after smashing down on the ground with your jordun.

Skill Add-on Effect

  • Back Attack damage +5% for 7 sec
  • Critical Hit Damage +5% for 7 sec

God Incinerator I

Erupt the flames within your jordun upon the surface.

Skill Add-on Effect

  • Attack/Casting Speed +10% for 12 sec
  • All Damage Reduction -20 for 10 sec to target

Cleansing Flame I

Spin around, then slash across with a powerful ...

Skill Add-on Effect

  • Back Attack damage +5% for 7 sec
  • Critical Hit Damage +5% for 7 sec

Dragon's Maw I

Kindle the flames within your jordun, then blast it forward to set enemies ablaze.

Skill Add-on Effect

  • Attack/Casting Speed +10% for 12 sec
  • All Damage Reduction -20 for 10 sec to target

Flow: To Ashes

Preceding Skill: [Cleansing Flame III] Unleash a mighty slash with the ...

Skill Add-on Effect

  • Back Attack damage +5% for 7 sec
  • Critical Hit Damage +5% for 7 sec

PvE Combo Guide

Advanced Information

PvE Combo Guide

Alternative Combos

Main Combo (Low AP)

Here Fireborne Rupture comes before God Incinerator. It does about the same damage as the regular order, it is just better to start with it earlier if you have low AP.

  1. LMB
    Flow: To AshesHotbar or after Frost Slide
  2. S+LMB
    Glorious Advance
  3. Space
    Fireborne RuptureBefore God Incinerator
  4. Shift+Q
    God Incinerator
  5. Shift+F
    Cleansing FlameSkips the Dragon's Maw charge-up
  6. Shift+LMB
    Dragon's Maw
  7. Hold LMB
    Flow: Howling LightTop damage skill
  8. Shift+RMB
    Searing Fang2 hits
  9. S+RMB
    Scornful Slash2 hits
  10. A/D+RMB
    Fierce Disdain
  11. S+F
    Gate CrasherComes out instantly after Fierce Disdain

Dragon's Maw Combo

This one beats the Main Combo at some spots, but for most areas the Main Combo is all you need.

  1. Shift+LMB
    Dragon's MawPrebuff with Glorious Advance for the first mob pack
  2. Hold LMB
    Flow: Howling Light
  3. Shift+F
    Cleansing Flame
  4. LMB
    Flow: To Ashes
  5. S+LMB
    Glorious Advance
  6. Shift+Q
    God Incinerator
  7. Hold Q
    Fireborne Rupture
  8. Shift+RMB
    Searing Fang2 hits
  9. S+RMB
    Scornful Slash2 hits
  10. A/D+RMB
    Fierce Disdain
  11. S+F
    Gate Crasher

Flow: Suppress Combo

Less damage than the Main Combo overall, but you move less, so it is easier to use at some spots.

  1. LMB
    Flow: To AshesHotbar or after Frost Slide
  2. S+LMB
    Glorious Advance
  3. Shift+Q
    God Incinerator
  4. Hold Q
    Fireborne Rupture
  5. S+RMB
    Scornful Slash2 hits
  6. Shift+F
    Cleansing Flame
  7. Shift+LMB
    Dragon's Maw
  8. Hold LMB
    Flow: Howling Light
  9. Shift+RMB
    Searing Fang2 hits
  10. Hold RMB
    Flow: Suppress

Main Combo (Short)

The short versions cut the full combos down. Stop as soon as every mob in the pack is dead. Use the short Main Combo at Tungrad Ruins and the short Dragon's Maw Combo at Darkseekers, and the full Main Combo at harder spots like Orbita.

  1. LMB
    Flow: To AshesHotbar or after Frost Slide
  2. S+LMB
    Glorious Advance2 hits
  3. Shift+Q
    God Incinerator
  4. Hold Q
    Fireborne Rupture
  5. Shift+F
    Cleansing Flame
  6. Shift+RMB
    Searing Fang
  7. S+RMB
    Scornful Slash2 hits

Dragon's Maw Combo (Short)

  1. Shift+LMB
    Dragon's MawPrebuff with Glorious Advance for the first mob pack
  2. Hold LMB
    Flow: Howling Light
  3. Shift+F
    Cleansing Flame
  4. LMB
    Flow: To Ashes
  5. S+LMB
    Glorious Advance
  6. Shift+Q
    God Incinerator
  7. Hold Q
    Fireborne Rupture
  8. Shift+RMB
    Searing Fang2 hits

Change Log

October 15, 2026

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Chokeslam: Marni's Combat Analyzer now records its grab as a grab instead of a normal attack.Both specs

October 8, 2026

 2 changes
Official patch notes
  • All

    Unified the level-based base stats (Max HP, HP Recovery, All AP, All Damage Reduction and All Evasion) for every class. Class-specific stat differences now come from a new passive skill learned automatically at Lv. 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70.All classes

  • All

    Added the common skill Godslayer: Force Palm (Lv. 60+). Its Secret Book is obtained at A Freesword's Hearth in Voidekaia after finishing the Inner Edania main quests.All classes

August 20, 2026

 3 changes
Official patch notes
  • PvE

    Gate Crasher: PvE damage +5% (7,557% → 7,935% per attack). PvP ratio lowered so PvP damage stays the same.Both specs

  • PvE

    PvE damage lowered about 5–6%: Cleansing Flame, Dragon's Maw, Searing Fang, Scornful Slash. PvP ratios raised so PvP damage stays the same.

  • All

    Flow: Howling Light: Jordun's Fire damage 633% → 703% per hit; its burn damage over time was removed.

May 21, 2026

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Guard: Fixed Guard being unusable with low Stamina, Stamina not recovering at the start, and sprinting during Guard with low Stamina.Both specs

May 14, 2026

 2 changes
Official patch notes
  • PvP

    Neck Impaler: Grapple range about 33% shorter; wind-up is now the same regardless of the previous combo.

  • PvP

    Chokeslam: Grapple range about 50% longer.Both specs

April 9, 2026

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Gate Crasher: Cooldown 12 → 9 sec.Both specs

February 12, 2026

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Removed "Extra Damage to Guard Gauge" (including Extra Fixed Damage to Guard Gauge) from all skills.All classes

February 5, 2026

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Absolute: Strike Down: Fixed it being unlearnable if Gate Crasher was learned first.Both specs

October 30, 2025

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Claw Reveal: Fixed Claw Reveal (I–Absolute) being usable repeatedly after certain skills.Both specs

September 25, 2025

 1 change
Official patch notes
  • All

    Manual combos now as fast as Quick Slot: Fierce Disdain, Fireborne Rupture, God Incinerator, Infernal Nemesis, Neck Impaler, Frigid Wind and Cleansing Flame from their usual Awakening links.

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