Rebooting the Arena

Chapter 39: Tariq’s Defensive Talents

Tariq's Defensive Talents

Tariq, the Warforged Legion tank of Phoenix Reborn, had always been the backbone of the team's defense. His job was simple in theory but crucial in practice—hold the line and absorb as much damage as possible while keeping the enemy from overwhelming his teammates. Over time, his resilience had become the team's greatest asset. But after leveling up and unlocking new talents, Tariq wasn't just tough—he was becoming nearly indestructible.

The Warforged Legion had granted him new damage reduction and crowd control abilities, turning Tariq into an even more formidable tank. With these new talents, he could not only withstand more damage but also control the battlefield, locking down enemies and making it nearly impossible for them to focus on anyone but him.

As Tariq reviewed his new talents in the team's virtual lobby, he couldn't help but grin. He had always prided himself on being unbreakable, but now? Now he was something more—a fortress on the battlefield.

Tariq: Warforged Juggernaut

New Defensive Talents Unlocked:

Iron Will: This passive ability reduced all incoming damage by a percentage, making Tariq even harder to take down. The more enemies attacking him, the stronger the damage reduction became. It was the perfect tool for standing his ground in the middle of a chaotic fight.Shield Bash: A new crowd control ability that allowed Tariq to slam his shield into the enemy, stunning them for a few seconds. It was ideal for interrupting enemy attacks or stopping key players from dealing damage.Flamewall (Ultimate Upgrade): Tariq's Solarian's Blessing had evolved into Flamewall, a powerful ability that allowed him to summon a wall of fire to block enemy movement and protect his teammates. Enemies who tried to pass through the wall took massive damage over time and were slowed, making it perfect for crowd control in tight areas.

Tariq smirked as he displayed his character sheet for the rest of the team. "Let them try to get past me now."

The team watched as Tariq showcased his new talents, each of them realizing the implications for future battles.

Kai, ever the strategist, nodded in approval. "With Iron Will, you'll be nearly impossible to take down. The more enemies focus you, the harder you'll be to kill. That's exactly what we need to hold the line in long fights."

Lena, always the DPS expert, smiled at the thought. "And Shield Bash is going to be perfect for stopping their DPS. You can shut down their key players for a few seconds, and I'll finish them off."

Alex, the team's healer, looked relieved. "This gives me more time to focus on everyone else. If they can't break through you, I'll be able to keep us all in the fight longer."

Nina, the silent assassin, added quietly, "With Flamewall, you can cut off their escape routes."

Tariq grinned, feeling the full weight of his new abilities. He wasn't just a tank anymore—he was a force of nature, capable of not only absorbing damage but controlling the flow of battle.

To test Tariq's new talents, Phoenix Reborn queued up for a scrimmage in The Iron Citadel, a map full of narrow hallways and choke points, where crowd control and defensive abilities would be crucial. It was the perfect setting for Tariq to show what he could do.

As the match began, Tariq took his usual position at the front of the team, charging forward with his Inferno Shield raised to block the enemy's initial attacks. The opposing team, a group of experienced mid-tier players, tried to focus him down with a barrage of DPS and stuns, but Tariq barely flinched.

"They're focusing me hard," Tariq said, his voice calm. "But it's not going to work."

With Iron Will active, Tariq's damage reduction kicked in, and the more the enemy tried to bring him down, the harder it became. He could feel the pressure from their attacks, but the damage barely registered.

"They're wasting their DPS," Lena said from behind him, already casting Chain Lightning to punish the enemy's grouped-up formation. "They'll burn out before they take you down."

As the enemy team realized they couldn't break through Tariq, they attempted to reposition and focus on Lena and Alex. But Tariq was ready.

Seeing their DPS shifting focus, Tariq activated Shield Bash, slamming his shield into the enemy's leading damage dealer. The stun took effect instantly, leaving the enemy player helpless as Lena launched a devastating Lightning Storm in their direction.

"Got 'em," Lena said, watching as the enemy DPS crumbled under her AoE damage.

The enemy team, now down one DPS, tried to regroup and retreat. But Tariq wasn't done yet.

As they retreated toward a narrow corridor, Tariq activated his new ultimate—Flamewall. A massive wall of fire erupted in front of the enemy, cutting off their escape and forcing them to either go through the flames or turn back into the waiting arms of Phoenix Reborn.

"They're trapped!" Nina called out, seeing the opening.

"They're taking damage from the wall!" Alex added, watching their health bars drop as they tried to pass through the flames.

With the enemy team cornered and burning from Flamewall, Kai and Nina flanked from either side, using their stealth abilities to pick off the remaining players. Within seconds, the enemy team was wiped out.

Victory.

After the match, the team gathered in the post-game lobby to debrief.

"That was perfect," Lena said, clearly impressed. "They couldn't touch you, Tariq. Iron Will made you a wall they couldn't break, and when you stunned their DPS, it was game over for them."

Kai nodded, their mind already running through future strategies. "With Flamewall, you can trap entire teams. They'll either have to push through and take massive damage, or get picked apart from behind. We can set up ambushes like we did just now, and they won't have anywhere to run."

Alex added, "And with Shield Bash, you can stop their biggest threats right when they're about to deal damage. It gives me more breathing room to keep everyone alive."

Tariq grinned, feeling the power of his new abilities. He had always prided himself on being the team's protector, but now? He could protect them while actively disrupting and controlling the enemy.

"They can't break me," Tariq said confidently. "And with Flamewall, I'll make sure they can't escape when things get bad for them."

The addition of Iron Will had made Tariq a nearly invincible tank. No matter how much pressure the enemy applied, he could stand his ground, absorbing massive amounts of damage without flinching. His new Shield Bash ability gave him a way to lock down key players, stopping them from dealing damage at crucial moments. And with Flamewall, Tariq could now control the battlefield in ways he never could before, cutting off escape routes and forcing enemies into bad positions.

For Phoenix Reborn, this meant that they now had even more options for setting up kills and executing ambushes. Tariq could create opportunities for Kai, Nina, and Lena to flank, while Alex focused on keeping everyone alive. The enemy would be forced to either focus on taking down Tariq, which was nearly impossible, or leave themselves vulnerable to the rest of Phoenix Reborn.

Back in the lobby, Kai looked over the team, feeling a surge of pride. "We've all leveled up, but Tariq's new talents are going to be key in our future matches. With his damage reduction and crowd control, we can control the pace of the fight and dictate how the enemy reacts."

Lena nodded, clearly excited. "They won't be able to group up without taking a hit from me, and now that Tariq can stun their DPS and trap them with Flamewall, it's going to be a nightmare for any team trying to break through."

Nina, ever the quiet assassin, added, "They'll have nowhere to run."

Tariq smiled, feeling the full weight of his new abilities. "Let them come. I'll hold them, and we'll take them down one by one."

Tariq's new defensive talents had turned him into an indestructible force. With his combination of damage reduction and crowd control, Phoenix Reborn's tank was now more than just a wall—he was a fortress, capable of controlling the battlefield and setting the stage for his team to dominate.