Lineback
Line backing or linebacking refers to the defensive tactic of using your melee characters to apply pressure to the other team's melee characters. This often slows the enemy's damage output, and discourages the enemy from overextending or going into Frenzy.
Etymology and principle[edit]
The use of this word stems from real-life linebackers in American football: these players hold the line of scrimmage to prevent the players of the opposing team from advancing past it. The same principle extends to Guild Wars by discouraging enemy melee from running rampant through the midline and backline. By linebacking an aggressive enemy player, a team can recover resources without losing ground by making the opposition's targets predictable and increasing the usefulness of protection and healing.
Situations where it's best to lineback[edit]
- Your party is about to wipe and you want to survive long enough to pull back into your base.
- A character dedicated to linebacking is an element of your party's defense.
- The enemy team has a powerplay.
- The enemy is a very strong pressure team.
| Team roles (edit) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | General team roles | Specific team roles | Hero team roles | |
| Damage | Spiker • Nuker | Bomber • Dagger spammer • Touch ranger • Starburster • Trapper | — | |
| Pressure | Lineback | Barrager • Beast master • Cripshot Ranger • Pressure Ranger | — | |
| Support | Healer • Protection | Battery • Bonder • Flag runner • Hybrid monk • Imbagon • Infuser • Orders | — | |
| Control | Shutdown • Tank | Minion master • Perma • Spirit spammer | Mesmer Midline | |
| Utility | Caller • Toolbox | Gimmick | — | |
