How to Play Tank Heroes: Guide

A guide on tank heroes in Arena of Valor. Tanks are heroes who feature high defense who can get into the middle of fights to soak up damage for their team.

How to Play as Tank Heroes: Their Important Role

Source: Arena of Valor YouTube

The main role of a tank is protecting friendly DPS heroes like marksmen and mages, as well as initiating team fights. Tanks have a very important role in a team fight since they have powerful crowd control. Tanks have to determine when to push and not to push, but what’s more important is to not die.

Recommended Tanks for Beginners

Taara

Taara is not only very easy to use but is also exceptionally strong by way of her survivability. The importance of staying alive is one of the first lessons that new players should learn. Taara makes this easy with her ultimate ability which heals most of her HP and increases her movement speed. Running away from enemies becomes a breeze, even when playing recklessly. Not only a good pick for beginners, Taara sees a lot of use in high-level play due to her effectiveness as a tank. Taara should be one of your first choices when wanting to learn how to tank. View Taara’s stats and abilities here and learn how to play her here.

Chaugnar

Chaugnar is not only versatile but also unique in that he can remove all control effects from himself and nearby teammates. He can also slow enemies down and repeatedly strike them with his second ability. Chaugnar can be a huge benefit to his team, despite not being a hero who can rack up a lot of kills. View Chaugnar’s stats and abilities here.

Early Game

Be Patient!

You first have to focus on leveling up and buying items by killing minions. Avoid taking damage whenever possible if your lane opponent is a ranged hero. Even though your tower might take a little damage, it’s much safer to kill enemy minions under it as you only need to stay near the minions to earn their experience and gold. You do get more gold for actually killing the minions, but it’s too dangerous to try alone.

When In a Lane With a Teammate

In the case of laning with a partner, tanks can more freely move away from their tower. Don’t be too confident and overextend, however, as low-level Tanks can be killed relatively easily. Using crowd control abilities against opponents that approach your tower is especially effective when their level is low.

Mid Game

Play Like a Support

There’re four main things to do in the middle of the game.

Kill monsters in the jungle
Follow teammates around and attack opponents wandering alone
Attack the Abyssal Dragon with a jungler for experience and gold
Attack enemy towers

Since tanks lack much firepower, it’s inefficient for them to jungle or attack towers. They are good at helping heroes get kills and keeping teammates alive, however, so it’s best to follow teammates around and play like a support.

Scout

Tanks have high defensive stats and HP, making them suitable for scouting the Abyssal Dragon and Dark Slayer. Stay in the brush and see if enemies are going for the monsters. When both teams are making a point to kill the dragon often, it is very important to scout. Doing so will prevent teammates from getting killed by any opponents already attacking the dragon. Unless your teammates are nearby, it is better to let the opponents have the dragon than to risk your life to try and steal it steal when there’re more than three opponents. You will likely end up feeding gold and experience to the enemies if you are too reckless.

Stay in the brush to safely scout the Dark Slayer and Abyssal Dragon

Unless your teammates are nearby, it is better to let the opponents have the dragon than to risk your life to try and steal it steal when there’re more than three opponents. You will likely end up feeding gold and experience to the enemies if you are too reckless.

Late Game

Time to Shine

In a team fight, tanks must protect their marksmen and mages at all costs. Marksmen and mages will be dealing the most damage in a fight, so without them, it will be near impossible to win. A tank’s job is to distribute crowd control and stop opponents from going after their allies. An effective use of crowd control should give the team enough time to kill the effected opponent.

Starting the Team Fight

Since tanks are very durable, they can charge into the enemy to start a fight. This is especially effective when you have a numbers advantage. If you see an opponent off alone in another lane, charge into the enemy team to begin a five on four team fight. These types of fights put you at a huge advantage and should be taken whenever possible. Charging into the enemy team can only be done by tanks as other classes will get immediately killed, even with a numbers advantage.

Arena of Valor (AoV) Recommended Article List

▼ Popular Articles
Beginner's Guide	Hero Tier List
Hero Class Guide	Armory (Item List)

▼ Popular Articles
Beginner's Guide	Hero Tier List	Hero Class Guide	Armory (Item List)

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Name

Effect

Unique Passive (Special Ability)

Short Sword

Attack Damage +20

None

Dagger

Attack Speed +10%

None

Gloves

Critical Chance +12%

None

Bloodied Club

Attack Damage +10
Life Steal +8%

None

Chain hammer

Attack Damage +40

None

Cleaving Claymore

Attack Damage +80

None

Arcane hammer

Attack Damage +25
Attack Speed +15%

Speed Up: Normal attacks increase movement speed by 10%.

Tempest Blades

Attack Speed +25%
Movement Speed +5%

None

Astral Spear

Attack Damage +50

Armor Pierce +60

Shuriken

Attack Speed +25%

Vital Point: Normal attacks deal additional 20 physical damage (+1 per hero level) for melee heroes and 40 physical damage (+2 per hero level) for ranged heroes.

Uriel’s Brand

Attack Damage +100
Max HP +600

Magic Guardian: When hero’s HP falls below 40%, Uriel’s Brand grants +200 magic defense and summons a Shield that absorbs (500+hero’s level*100) magic damage for 5 seconds. 75-second cooldown.

Curse of Death

Attack Damage +100
Life Steal +10%

Soul Prison: On dealing damage, reduces target’s HP regeneration by 50% for 1.5 seconds. If this is triggered by normal attacks, the duration is extended to 3 seconds.

Death Sickle

Attack Damage +60
Cooldown Speed +5%

Divine Intervention: Prevents damage from a potential killing blow, then increases movement speed by 20% for 1 second. 90-second cooldown.

Spear of Longinus

Attack Damage +80
Cooldown Speed +15%
Max HP +400

Shatter: Decreases target armor by 50 on hit for 5 seconds. Stacks up to 5 times.

Fafnir’s Talon

Attack Damage +60
Attack Speed +30%
Life Steal +10%

Dragon’s Breath: Normal attacks deal additional damage equal to 8% of target’s current HP.

Claves Sancti

Attack Damage +90

Upon landing a critical attack, grants bonus (30 + Level*2) movement speed for 2 seconds (only for Ranged).

Critical Chance +25%
, Increase critical damage by 50%

Muramasa

Attack Damage +75
Cooldown Speed +10%

Armor Pierce +45%

The Beast

Attack Damage +100
Life Steal +25 (physical and magic)

None

Omni Arms

Attack Damage +70
Attack Speed +15%
Life Steal +10%
Cooldown Speed +10%
Max HP +500

Pentapower: After using an ability, the next normal attack within 5 seconds deals 100% more physical damage. 2-second cooldown.

Slikk’s Sting

Attack Speed +35%
Critical Chance +25%
Movement Speed +7%

Blessing of the Wind: Increase own resistance by 35 for 2 seconds after a critical hit

Fenrir’s Tooth

Attack Damage +200

Fenrir’s Tooth: Increases all damage dealt with 30% when the target’s HP is below 50%.

Blitz Blade

Attack Damage +50
Attack Speed +35%
Life Steal +10%
Movement Speed +5%

Chain Lightning: Every 4 seconds, the next normal attack triggers a chain lightning that deals 102 (+7 per level) magic damage. Each normal attack also carries Life Steal and reduces cooldown by 1 second on hit.

Devil’s Handshake

Attack Speed +30%
Critical Chance +20%
Movement Speed +5%

Flame Wrath: Normal attacks increase attack speed by 10% for 2 seconds. Stacks up to 5 times.

Rankbreaker

Attack Damage +110
Cooldown Speed +10%

Windwalk: Increases movement speed by 10% after exiting battle.

Break: Increases armor pierce by 100 (+10 per level).

Spell Tome

Ability Power +40

None

Lapis Ring

Max Mana +300

None

Pendant of Faith

Mana +10 / 5 sec

None

Ancient Scriptures

Ability Power +80

None

Magic Ring

Cooldown Speed +10%

None

Enchanted Scroll

Ability Power +120

None

Trick Blade

Ability Power +60
Cooldown Speed +10%

Elemental Power: After using an ability, the next normal attack deals additional magic damage. 3-second cooldown.

Spoopy Mask

Ability Power +100

Magic Pierce +75

Phoenix Tear

Ability Power +60

From the Ashes: When the hero gains a level, 20% of HP and mana are restored over 3 seconds.

Virtue’s Bracelet

Ability Power +60
Cooldown Speed +5%
Mana +20 / 5 sec

Soaring Spirit: Restores 20% mana after earning a kill or assist.

Vlad’s Impaler

Ability Power +90

Magic Life Steal +15%

Staff of Nuul

Ability Power +180
Cooldown Speed +10%

Magic Pierce +45%

Virtue’s Necklace

Ability Power +160
Cooldown Speed +10%
Max Mana +300
Mana +30 / 5 sec

Soaring Spirit: Restores 20% mana after earning a kill or assist.

Magic Pierce +75

Tome of the Reaper

Ability Power +240
Max HP +500

Soul Prison: On dealing damage, reduces target’s HP regeneration by 50% for 1.5 seconds. If this is triggered by normal attacks, the duration is extended to 3 seconds.

Boomstick

Ability Power +240

Explosion: Ability hits trigger a small-area explosion that deals 50 (+50% ability power) magic damage. 5-second cooldown.

Hecate’s Diadem

Ability Power +240

Warlock: Ability Power +35%

Orb of the Magi

Ability Power +140
Cooldown Speed +10%

Bide: Gains 12 ability power and 110 HP every 30 seconds. Stacks up to 10 times.

From the Ashes: When the hero gains a level, 20% of HP and mana are restored over 3 seconds.

Rhea’s Blessing

Ability Power +140
Cooldown Speed +10%

Life Shield: Gains a shield that absorbs 450(+50 per level)(+40% ability power) damage when HP falls below 40%. The shield lasts 4 seconds and has a 75-second cooldown.

Magic Life Steal +25%

Zweihander

Ability Power +180
Max Mana +400
Movement Speed +8%

Rapid Blade: Normal attack hits increase attack speed by 50% for 4 seconds. 10-second cooldown.

The Light: Normal attacks gain additional magic damage equal to 20% of the hero’s ability power.

Frosty’s Revenge

Ability Power +140
Max HP +850
Movement Speed +5%

Chill: Abilities that deal damage will also reduce enemy movement speed by 20% for 2 seconds.

Berith’s Agony

Ability Power +140
Cooldown Speed +10%
Armor +270

Torture: Deals magic damage equal to 3% of the target’s current HP per second for 3 seconds (up to 80% against monsters)

Apocalypse

Ability Power +200
Cooldown Speed +10%

Elemental Power: After using an ability, the next normal attack deals additional magic damage equal to 30% of attack damage(+80% ability power). 2-second cooldown.

Soaring Aura

Ability Power+ 140
Max HP +1050

Protection: Reduces magic defense of enemies within 800 units by 75(+5 per level).

Holy of Holies

Ability Power +400

Enlightenment: Increases maximum HP by 1400

Ring of Vitality

Max HP +300

None

Light Armor

Armor +90

None

Gladiator’s Gauntlets

Magic Defense +90

None

Talisman of Strength

HP +30 / 5 sec

None

Necklace of Vitality

Max HP +600

None

Greaves of Protection

Max HP +1000

None

Heart of Incubus

Armor +180

Burn: Deals 50(+2 per level) magic damage to nearby enemies every second (deals double damage to minions and monsters).

Belt of Clarity

Magic Defense +110
Max HP +700

Regenerate: When taking damage, restores 4% HP over 2 seconds. 15-second cooldown.

Platinum Gauntlets

Cooldown Speed +10%
Armor +110

None

Knight’s Plate

Armor +210

Spirit Bond: When taking damage, reduces the attacker’s attack speed by 30%.

Asterion’s Buckler

Max HP +1000
HP +60 / 5 sec

War Cry: Increases damage dealt and damage reduction of nearby friendly units by 5% and 10%, respectively.

Mail of Pain

Armor +300
Max HP +1200

Riposte: 15% of the physical damage taken is deflected to the enemy as magic damage (calculation is based on damage before damage reduction)

Hercules’ Madness

Attack Damage +50
Armor +180
Magic Defense +150

Berserk: Increases attack damage by 40 and gains a shield for 8 seconds when HP is below 40%. 90-second cooldown.

Odin’s Will

Attack Damage +60
Max HP +1000

Adrenaline: Increases movement speed by 2% and deals 2% additional damage after taking damage. Stacks up to 5 times.

Mantle of Ra

Attack Damage +80
Armor +330

Burn: Deals 100 (+4 per level) magic damage to nearby enemies every second.

(Bonus: Deals 100% bonus damage to minions and monsters)

Shield of the Lost

Armor +360
Max HP +1200

Spirit Bond: Reduces the attack speed of nearby enemies by 30%

The Aegis

Cooldown Speed +20%
Max Mana +400
Armor +360

Spirit Bond: When taking damage, reduces the attacker’s attack speed by 30% and movement speed by 15% for 3 seconds.

Gaia’s Standard

Magic Defense +240
Max HP +1200
Movement Speed +5%

Regenerate: When taking damage, restores 8% HP over 2 seconds. 10-second cooldown.

Medallion of Troy

Cooldown Speed +10%
Magic Defense +360
Max HP +1000

Blessed: Gains a shield that absorbs 300(+50 per level) magic damage every 18 seconds.

Crimson Banner

Armor +200
Max HP +1500

Bloody Battle: Restores 20% HP over 5 seconds after earning a kill or assist. 10-second cooldown.

Hyoga’s Edge

Armor +100
Magic Defense+100
Max HP +1200

Biting Cold: Normal attacks increase the wearer’s movement speed by 10% and reduce target’s movement speed by 25% for 2 seconds.

Ancestral Glory

Max HP +1000

Resurrect: Revives wearer 3 seconds after death with 40% HP. 3-minute cooldown.

Frost Cape

Cooldown Speed +10%
Armor +200
Max HP +800

Frost Power: After using an ability, the next normal attack reduces movement speed by 30% and deals 150 physical damage (20 additional damage for each level gained) to an area. 3-second cooldown.

Amulet of Longevity
Removed from the game

Max HP +1800
HP +50 / 5 sec

Restores 2% of max HP and 1% of max mana every second after exiting combat.

Boots of Speed

None

Movement Speed +30

Sonic Boots

Armor +110

Movement Speed +60

Reduces normal attack damage taken by 15%.

Gilded Greaves

Magic Defense +110

Movement Speed +60
Resistance +35%

Flashy Boots

Cooldown Speed +15%

Movement Speed +60

Enchanted Kicks

None

Movement Speed +60
Magic Pierce +75

War Boots

Attack Speed +25%

Movement Speed +60

Hermes’ Select

None

Swift: Increases movement speed by 60 after exiting battle.

Movement Speed +60

Kukri

Requires Punish talent to purchase. Once 2nd or 3rd tier jungling equipment is purchased, the Punish talent will become Frostbite. Frostbite deals damage to enemy heroes and reduces their movement speed.

Hunter: Deals 20% extra damage to monsters and receives 20% more experience from killing monsters.

Monster’s Bane

Grants Frostbite talent

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters.

Seek and Destroy: Gains 8 ability power and 30 mana for every monster killed. Stacks up to 15 times.

Gnoll Cleaver

Grants Frostbite talent

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters.

Wild: Increases maximum HP by 70 for every monster killed. Stacks up to 15 times.

Mr. Stabby

Grants Frostbite talent

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters.

Wild: Increases attack damage by 3 for every monster killed. Stacks up to 15 times.

Loki’s Curse

Ability Power +120
Cooldown Speed +10%
Grants Frostbite talent

Curse Power: After using an ability, the next normal attack deals additional damage equal to 35% attack damage (+45% ability power). 2-second cooldown.

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters.

Seek and Destroy: Gains 8 ability power and 30 mana for every monster killed. Stacks up to 15 times.

Leviathan

Armor +100
Max HP +750
Grants Frostbite talent

Flame Magic: Deals 90(+5 per level) magic damage to nearby enemies every second.

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters.

Wild: Increases maximum HP by 70 for every monster killed. Stacks up to 15 times.

Soulreaver

Attack Damage +60
Grants Frostbite talent
Cooldown Speed +15%
Increased Life Steal +6%

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters.

Wild: Increases attack damage by 3 for every monster killed. Stacks up to 15 times.

Soul Taker: Next ability or normal attack on a hero deals an additional (300 +20 per level) magic damage*, and damage output is increased by 7% for 3 seconds (melee combat only) (30 second cooldown)

Whispering Wind

Grants Frostbite talent

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters, killing monsters increases its attack speed by 2%, up to 15 stacks

Scorching Wind

Attack Damage +15
Attack Speed +20%
Life Steal +10%
Grants Frostbite talent

Fire Storm: Normal attacks place a mark on the target, dealing 15 additional magic damage each stack (+1 per 3 levels), up to 6 stacks.

Hunter: Deals 30% extra damage to monsters and receives 35% more experience from killing monsters, killing monsters increases its attack speed by 2%, up to 15 stacks.

Bow of Slaughter

Attack Damage +90
Life Steal +10%
Critical Chance +20%

Bloodthirst: Increases Life Steal by 90% for 3 seconds. 60-second cooldown. Only usable by ranged heroes.

Rock Shield

Armor +150
Magic Defense +150
HP +1000

Rock Shield: 3 seconds after activation, gain a shield equal to 30% of the damage taken within those 3 seconds (+12% of Max HP). The shield lasts for 3 seconds. The player’s damage output is reduced by 70% for 3 seconds after gaining the shield. Cooldown: 75 seconds

Arctic Orb

Ability Power +200

Impervious: Immune to all effects for 1.5 seconds. Unable to move, attack, or use abilities. Cooldown: 90 seconds

Wind Stone

Movement speed +5%
Mana per second +8

Wage: Gain 5 gold and experience every 3 seconds if your gold or experience is the lowest on the team.

Water Stone

HP per Second +20
Mana per Second +10

Windrider Talisman

Armor +175
HP per second +40
Mana per Second +15
Movement Speed +5%

Wage: Gain 5 gold and experience every 3 seconds if your gold or experience is the lowest on the team.
Distinction: Gain 30% more gold and experience after a kill or assist

Ring of Gale

Ability Power +60
Movement Speed +5%
Mana per Second +20

Wage: Gain 5 gold and experience every 3 seconds if your gold or experience is the lowest on the team.
Distinction: Gain 30% more gold and experience after a kill or assist

Crystal Talisman

Armor +120

Devotion: Gain a stack of Dedication Buff every 30 seconds. Stacks up to 2 times. If a unit dies within 800 units, consume a stack of Dedication Buff to grant the nearest ally 15 extra gold and 40 experience.
Tidal Force: You and nearby friendly heroes (within 600 units) receive 20 (+1 per level) HP and 10 (+1 per 2 levels) mana per second.

Stream Bracers

Cooldown Speed +10%

Essence of the Wind

Armor +250
Health +600
Movement Speed +5%
HP per Second +40
Mana per Second +15

Wage: Gain 5 gold and experience every 3 seconds if your gold or experience is the lowest on the team.
Distinction: Gain 30% more gold and experience after a kill or assist
Wind Shield (active): Provide nearby hero with the lowest HP a (800 + Hero Level x 80) point shield and 30% movement speed boost for 3 seconds. 45 second cooldown

Ring of the Fiend

Ability Power +90
Cooldown Speed +15%
Movement Speed +5%
Mana per Second +30

Wage: Gain 5 gold and experience every 3 seconds if your gold or experience is the lowest on the team.
Distinction: Gain 30% more gold and experience after a kill or assist.
Eye of the Fiend (active): Gain vision of the nearest enemy for 4 seconds. Cooldown: 30 seconds.

Tidecaller's Mark

Armor +200
Health +600

Purifying Bracers

HP +500
Cooldown Speed +15%

Devotion: Gain a stack of Devotion Buff every 30 seconds. Stacks up to 2 times. If a unit dies within 800 units, consume a stack of Devotion and grant the nearest ally 15 extra gold and 40 experience.
Tidal Force: You and nearby friendly heroes (within 600 units) receive 20 (+1 per level) HP and 10 (+1 per 2 levels) mana per second.

Purification (active): Immediately remove any control effects from a nearby allied hero, and restore 160 + (level x 30) HP and increase their movement speed by 30% for 2 second. The affected hero is immune to slows for the next 2 seconds. 60 second cooldown.

Blade of Eternity

Armor +120

Fighting Spirit: Increase damage dealt by 10%
Nirvana: Resurrects wearer 2 seconds after death with 2000 + (hero level * 100) HP. This effect has a 150 second cooldown and can only be triggered twice in the same match.