Class

Character Topics: Getting Started, Character Stats, Races, Classes, Skills, Traits, Cosmetic

Class is a fundamental choice of a player character for Lord of the Rings Online which determines your skills and abilities throughout your adventuring career, and also profoundly affects your stats, some deeds, and the equipment available to you. Choosing a class can be constrained by the choice of race.

Beorning Dwarf Elf High Elf Hobbit Man River Hobbit Stout-axe Beorning Brawler Burglar Captain Champion Guardian Hunter Lore-master Mariner Minstrel Rune-keeper Warden

Class-infobox Classes Skills Traits Deeds Traceries Effects

Class Roles:

Class	Tank	DPS: Melee	DPS: AoE	DPS: Ranged	Crowd control	Debuffer	Healer	Buffer	Pet Class
Beorning	P	P					P
Brawler*	P	P	S
Burglar		P			P	P
Captain	P	S					P	P
Champion	S	P	P
Guardian	P	P	S
Hunter			S	P	S
Lore-master			S	S	P	P	S	S
Mariner**		P			S	P		P
Minstrel			S	P			P	S
Rune-keeper			P	P			P	S
Warden	P	P	P	S		S

P=Primary, S=Secondary
* Available with purchase of Fate of Gundabad or bought separately from the Store.
** Available with purchase of Corsairs of Umbar or bought separately from the Store.

Beorning

Class Difficulty: Advanced

Role: Healer/Damage/Tank

Available to races: Beorning

Gameplay: Beornings are skin-changers that can change into the form of a bear in combat. They focus their wrath while in bear form, choosing to deal grievous blows or bolster their own resolve. While skilled in combat, some Beornings also choose to wield their knowledge of the wilderness to assist their allies.

Lore: The Beornings of Middle-earth are a largely reclusive people. They trace their ancestry to Beorn himself, and spend most of their time deep in the wilderness. The solitude of the forest gives little comfort in recent times, with the enemy encroaching from all sides. The time has come for the descendants of Beorn to lend their strength to the Free People of Middle-earth.

This class is inspired by Beorn, who bravely stood with the Free Peoples during the Battle of Five Armies.

For details see Beorning

Brawler

Class Difficulty: Advanced

Role: Tank/Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Brawlers are aggressive melee fighters who wield a unique resource called Mettle to maximize their damage and fuel their most powerful skills. Although their offensive capabilities truly shine in one-on-one combat, they are not without recourse when faced with multiple enemies. In fellowships, a Brawler's abrasive nature helps them hold the ire of their foes and keep their allies safe.

Lore: Brawlers are formidable fighters whose bold manoeuvres can topple their foes and safeguard their allies.

This class is inspired by Helm Hammerhand, who to the astonishment of many, would take to the battlefield barehanded.

For details see Brawler

Burglar

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Support/Damage

Available to races: Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Burglars are masters of debuffing, skills that cause foes to deal less damage, or be easier to defeat. They utilize their Trick skills to debuff foes, and can later remove the Tricks for additional benefits. Burglars also have stealth skills, and are proficient in initiating Fellowship Manoeuvres. In Fellowships, a Burglar supports his or her allies by debuffing foes, while dealing respectable damage.

Lore: Burglars are masters of stealth and misdirection. They rely on sleight-of-hand and starting attacks that allow their companions to overwhelm adversaries.

This class is inspired by the famous Bilbo Baggins, who accompanied Thorin and Company on their quest to the Lonely Mountain.

For details see Burglar

Captain

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Tank/Support/Healer

Available to races: Dwarf, High Elf, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Captains are the leaders of the fellowship, and as such, inspire their allies in battle. Captains choose one brother-in-arms to defend, and enhance their abilities beyond their normal capabilities; they are masters of buffing, and bring important fellowship support in whatever role they choose to fulfill. Captains are commonly seen using their mighty Halberds to inflict grave wounds to their enemies; standing at the fore of the Fellowship and shielding their allies; and rallying the Morale of the group up from near defeat. Captains must remain Battle-readied and Battle-hardened to accomplish their goals. Captains gain strength from their allies, so they summon Heralds of battle to aid them.

Lore: The Captains of Middle-earth hold the future in their hands. By their own strength of arms and the inspiration they instill in others, they must lead the Free Peoples to victory.

This class is inspired by Eärnur, last King of Gondor, who was revered both as a Captain skilled in arms, and as a Lore-Master.

For details see Captain

Champion

Class Difficulty: Basic

Role: Damage/Tank

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Champions are masters of melee combat, dealing significant damage to their enemies. A champion may choose to fight in rapid and fierce one-on-one combat with an opponent, or whirl their blades to deal massive damage to all nearby foes. With each strike, their Fervour increases, allowing them to use their most potent skills. In Fellowships, a Champion's role is to deal considerable damage to the forces of evil. Champions may alternatively choose to serve as a Tank, drawing enemy's focus to themselves and sustaining against relentless attacks.

Lore: Unrelenting in battle, Champions are the consummate warriors. A Champion cares not for their own well-being, but relies instead on strength and prowess to slay the Enemy before they can bring further destruction to Middle-earth.

This class is inspired by Gimli son of Glóin, whose skill in arms matched the bow-skills of Legolas.

For details see Champion

Guardian

Class Difficulty: Basic

Role: Tank/Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Guardians are the shields of the Free Peoples. They stand at the forefront of the battle in order to win great victories in the name of the Kings of Middle-Earth. Guardians must be focused in the fights they wage, managing to capitalize off of their own parrying and blocking of enemy attacks. As a Tank, Guardians excel in managing large amounts of enemies and surviving without support from their allies from the usage of their strong defensive abilities. With the building of Fortifications from their Shield skills, they can support the Fellowship, but at a cost to their own defence. Guardians can also specialize to deal damage by maintaining a series of devastating bleeds on their foes.

Lore: The Guardians are the stout protectors of the weak, and defenders of those in need. They are loyal companions to the end. True Guardians stand in the forefront of battle, shielding allies from enemy assaults.

This class was inspired by the hobbit Samwise Gamgee, whose loyalty to Frodo Baggins knew no bounds.

For details see Guardian

Hunter

Class Difficulty: Basic

Role: Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Hunters are proficient at dealing significant damage to a single foe at long range. Their basic bow skills generate Focus, allowing them to use even more potent skills. If a foe manages to close into melee, the Hunter's dual-wielded weapons are capable of dealing a final blow. In Fellowships, a Hunter concentrates on quickly defeating foes one at a time.

Lore: Hunters are masters of field and forest, unmatched in their dexterity with the bow. They use their survival skills to guide companions and lay traps for enemies. The coming of the Enemy has forced them to adapt these skills to use against new prey.

This class was inspired by Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, a mighty hunter and companion of Aragorn.

For details see Hunter

Lore-master

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Support/Damage

Available to races: Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit

Gameplay: Lore-masters use elemental powers and ancient Lore to inflict harm on their enemies, restore the Morale of their allies, and apply support to the Fellowship, through buffs, debuffs, and crowd control. Lore-masters summon animal pets to their side in the midst of combat, and their flanking maneuvers allow them to apply additional damage or healing. Lore-masters can also restore power to their fellowship, bring all into Stealth, and motivate their allies.

Lore: Lore-masters are seekers of knowledge and the guardians of wisdom. Through study of bygone Ages, they learn ancient secrets that allow them to hinder foes, as well as protect against the dark powers of the Enemy. They have many skills that invoke the natural world of Middle-earth, but it is draining on their will, thus costing them Morale to fuel some of these powerful skills.

This class was inspired by Elrond Halfelven, Elf-lord and Master of Rivendell.

For details see Lore-master

Mariner

Class Difficulty: Advanced

Role: Support/Damage

Available to races: High Elf, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Mariners are confident melee fighters who wield swords deftly to challenge the forces of evil. Mariners have an innate sense of the flow of combat, and use their balance to adjust their fighting style to best fit the moment. Mariners also know how to use combinations of individual movements to create powerful skill chains. In fellowships, Mariners can use shanties to coordinate and motivate their allies, as well as craft strange concoctions to confound and disrupt foes.

Lore: Mariners are resourceful combatants, capable of using strange devices as well as their surroundings to aid them in battle.

This class is inspired by Eärendil, who alone of men successfully sailed to the Uttermost West to plead for the aid of the Valar

For details see Mariner

Minstrel

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Healer/Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Minstrels channel the power of music to either heal their allies or Damage their foes. Ballad skills allow the Minstrel to use their Codas and Anthems, which grant the Fellowship powerful bonuses. They have powerful skills like Call to Greatness that empower all of their allies. As a damage dealer, Minstrels deal light damage to their foes and use Piercing Cry to harm their target. As a Healer, Minstrels use powerful heals like Bolster Courage and Inspire Fellows to quickly restore their allies' morale.

Lore: Middle-earth is a land deeply infused with music, and true Minstrels are skilled at tapping into that power. They weave songs and tales so stirring that their companions' morale will not fail, and they will be driven to perform greater feats of prowess. They can even utter words of true power, and ward against the forces of darkness with their Anthems.

This class was inspired by Lúthien Tinúviel, whose Elven voice beguiled friend and foe alike.

For details see Minstrel

Rune-keeper

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Healer/Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Rune-keepers must choose during each battle to focus on damaging skills or healing skills. Either choice shifts their Attunement, unlocking more potent skills, but the choice also restricts access to other skills. In addition, they have support skills that may always be used. In Fellowships, a Rune-keeper keeps allies healed, or deals significant damage to foes.

Lore: Rune-keepers are gifted linguists and masters of true names. With this knowledge, a Rune-keeper crafts powerful rune-words that help the Free Peoples. Through unparalleled mastery of Angerthas and Tengwar runes, a Rune-keeper evokes much more than a normal scribe. Dagor runes deal with battle, Nestad with healing, and Thalas with support.

The class is inspired by the master Elf-smith Celebrimbor, whose skill with runes of power was unparalleled.

For details see Rune-keeper

Warden

Class Difficulty: Advanced

Role: Damage/Tank

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Wardens are mobile melee combatants who use Javelins for initiating combat and against ranged foes. Their unique Warden Shield and a variety of defensive skills allow them to stay in the fight longer than most. Basic Warden skills build up their Gambit chain, which can be spent to unleash special Gambit skills. In Fellowships, a Warden forces enemies to attack themself, so their more fragile allies will not be harmed by the foes.

Lore: The Warden patrols the borders of civilized lands, preventing the encroachment of fell creatures from the Wild. They limit themselves to medium armour, so they can travel swiftly and silently to defend those they protect from threats. Wardens all have some military training, and have mastered a style of combat that uses combinations of basic attacks to create masterful Gambits.

The class was inspired by the marchwarden of Lothlórien, Haldir, and his brothers Rúmil and Orophin.

For details see Warden

See also

• End Game Build Guide - Endgame build guides for all classes from player Araphorn on Arkenstone. Guides are outdated for some classes and does not include Mariner.