While Grace did fine as an Archer and budding Bard through most of 2.0, the final assault on Gaius’ invasion force was suddenly much more difficult, culminating in a fight against Lahabrea where the Echo made her experience the sensation of being burned to death over and over before she understood how to fight him. [Out of character note: I had to repeat the Lahabrea solo duty several times, and only got through because I put some healing potions on my hotbar. Sprout-me took a long time to understand the cues for his attacks, and it made a strong negative impression.] In the aftermath she was shaken, angry, and afraid.
After having some time to consider her situation, she decided that she was just going to have to take hits better, and find an outlet for her rage and fear. Having met some Warriors, their way of fighting seemed like a good fit. She took well to her early training as a Marauder, and while she saw Curious Gorge as a buffoon, he was a pleasant and helpful buffoon. More importantly, as a Warrior she felt safe and strong — with her armor and her new training, she could take the worst her enemies could give, head-on, and keep coming. Her fear was drowned out by the thrill of battle, and her anger only made her axe hit harder.
While she wasn’t confident enough in her new abilities to bring them into unfamiliar situations until nearly the end of the Dragonsong War, she made her debut as a front-line Warrior in the final battle against Nidhogg on the Steps of Faith outside Ishgard. It was a great victory both for her Coerthan friends and her personally, and since then she has — with one major category of exceptions — approached every new fight as a Warrior.
