01 / The role
Templar at a glance
Templar is presented by NCSOFT as a defender who holds the battlefield with a shield. If the protective identity attracts you, start with the decisions you want to make for a group. The finder uses tank and melee as editorial navigation labels, not as a rule about who can enter an activity.
A shield-bearing defender
The shield and defensive presentation are the official starting points for this choice.
Protection first
Consider whether looking after the front line sounds satisfying, even when attacking is not your main reason to be there.
Attack or preserve life
Gladiator explores offense; Cleric offers a different way to make helping others central.
02 / Find your fit
Who should try Templar?
Try describing a successful encounter without mentioning damage. If your answer is about keeping the front organized and helping others stay safe, Templar belongs on your shortlist. If your answer is about making your own attacks connect, inspect Gladiator too.
Explore another direction: read the Cleric guide.
03 / Make the choice
Templar vs Gladiator
Templar
Templar’s official identity starts with defense and a shield. Explore whether protecting the front gives your actions a purpose you enjoy.
Gladiator
Gladiator’s identity starts with frontline offense. Explore it if attacking is the main reason you want to be close to the opponent.
04 / Getting started
Three checks before choosing a build
Separate position from purpose
Write down why you want to stand at the front. Choosing protection rather than proximity alone makes the comparison with Gladiator more useful.
Inspect defensive actions
Read the targets, conditions and durations of the protective actions actually available to you. Do not infer a block percentage or a taunt from a shield illustration.
Try the group perspective
During a trial, note when you wanted to watch a teammate rather than your own attacks. Use that preference when evaluating a defensive setup.
Continue with the class-choice and build-reading checklist. For arithmetic on a measured run, use the manual DPS calculator.
05 / Common questions
Templar FAQ
What is Templar’s official identity?
A shield-bearing defender holding the battlefield. Defense and protection are the central ideas used in this guide.
Why compare Templar and Gladiator?
They share a frontline theme, making protection versus attack a clearer first decision than choosing by appearance alone.
Does the tank label guarantee a party slot?
No. It is a navigation category. Check the requirements and expectations of the activity and group you plan to join.
Is Cleric another protective option?
Cleric centers on preserving life and healing. Compare the kind of responsibility you want: a defender’s identity or a healing-focused one.
Does the shield prove a specific defensive mechanic?
Use current skill descriptions for mechanics and numbers. The official class identity does not establish a particular block rate or action list.
What should a Templar build explain?
Which activity it serves, which version it covers, and how its defensive choices support that purpose. Look for reasons behind the choices.
What makes a useful first trial?
Notice whether watching the front and considering teammates feels engaging. Record that separately from equipment quality or encounter difficulty.
How should I read Templar’s leaderboard index?
Read the particular activity, date and uncertainty interval. Representation among high-ranked characters does not measure how much protection your own character will provide.
06 / Sources
Sources and scope
Class identity and video mapping checked on against NCSOFT’s Global class overview and the official Templar preview.
Fit questions and comparisons are editorial guidance. Role and distance labels help navigate the roster; they do not establish party eligibility, measured skill ranges, a damage ranking or a current skill build. Check region, version and available actions when applying mechanical advice.
For a separate mode-specific view, read the dated Global leaderboard snapshot.
Keep Templar on your shortlist?
Put the two identities together, then choose which one you want to explore in your version.
Open class comparison →