As the release date for the highly anticipated MMORPG Elder Scrolls Online draws closer, information continues to stream out from developer Bethesda Softworks. The latest in the string of announcements is information regarding the playable Dragoknight class.

Like most character eso classes, the Dragoknight is not locked into just one role thanks the Elder Scrolls Online’s freeform progression system; equipping different weapons and utilizing different skills allows the Dragonknight to fill different roles depending on what is needed. For example, giving the Dragonknight a sword and a shield and focusing on your health attribute permits him to become what is known as a “tank,” enabling him to take control of enemy threat and mitigate damage. Alternatively, swapping out your shield for a two-handed sword enables you to focus on offense rather than defense.

While Bethesda has not released much information with regard to the abilities that the Dragonknight will have, there are a few special abilities that are currently known. So far, four skills for the Dragonknight have been revealed: Fiery Reach, Slam, Spiked Armor and Dragon Armor. Each of these skills helps to control enemies or mitigate damage, which can be especially useful for a Dragonknight looking to play as a tank.

Fiery Reach is the first known special ability and is similar to the Death Knight’s Death Grip ability from World of Warcraft. Fiery Reach will pull the enemy towards you will simultaneously stunning the enemy and lighting him on fire, dealing damage over time.

Slam will most likely be your Dragonknight’s go-to move, as not only does it stun an enemy, it also pushes enemies away from you and interrupts whatever spell or ability they were preparing to use. However, you cannot use Slam repeatedly, as it requires a heavy amount of stamina.

Spiked Armor is more defensive than offensive. When this ability is active, your defense goes up and enemies get a taste of their own medicine, as Spiked Armor reflects a portion of an enemy’s damage right back at him.

Dragon Armor is the Dragonknight’s Ultimate skill, first available at Level 5 and requiring a full Ultimate bar to unleash. When Dragon Armor is active, your entire skin turns to molten lava and you deal massive amounts of damage to any enemy unlucky enough to be standing next to you. Despite only lasting for a few seconds, this spell can easily turn the tide of battle.

This introduction to the Dragonknight serves as just a small glimpse into the overall character; with many more skills left to reveal, fans can rest assured that these skills are only the tip of the iceberg for the Dragonknight class.