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.

Class-infobox
Classes
Skills
Traits
Deeds
Traceries
Effects

Lore

In Tolkien's writings music has great power. The universe is created by spiritual beings called the Ainur. The Ainur compose a Great Musical Theme: "The Music of the Ainur" and this music is what brings the universe into being. The music of Minstrels goes beyond mere sound to tap into this great power.

Role

Minstrels of valuable members of the Fellowship, buffing their allies through their Codas and Anthems. Tale of Tales provides bonus stats, and Call to Greatness instantly readies all major abilities of the Fellowship.

Minstrel healers excel at quickly healing up targeted Fellowship members. They can also heal the entire Fellowship through the usage of several AoE heals.

Minstrels can deal significant damage through the use of their Ballads, Cries and Calls, and Piercing Cry. They deal light damage to their enemies from afar, and are highly mobile, albeit more fragile.

Stances

A Minstrel has three stances: Dissonance - Stance, Melody - Stance, and Resonance - Stance. These are toggle skills that remain active indefinitely until you switch to another stance (and you may freely do so at any time).

Each Minstrel stance emphasizes a different role (Dissonance for damage, Resonance for Healing, and Melody for a compromise between both). They provide a healing and/or damage buff and change some of the Minstrel's skills. For instance, in Resonance Major Ballad (Resonance) heals the group, while in Dissonance, Major Ballad damages enemies.

Ballads, Anthems, and Codas

There are 3 types of skills that interact with each other to form a core part of the Minstrel's playstyle: Ballads, Anthems, and Codas.

Ballads

A Ballad buff is applied by using any of the Minstrel's three Ballad skills: Minor Ballad, Major Ballad and Perfect Ballad. Each Ballad applies a different buff to the Minstrel and up to three buffs can be active on the Minstrel. If you already have 3 Ballad buffs active, then the oldest buff will be replaced by the new one when you use your next Ballad ability.

Anthems

Anthems are powerful buffs that cannot be used until a Minstrel has a certain number of Ballad buffs active. Anthem of the Free Peoples is the most powerful Anthem, and can only be used with 3 Ballad buffs. All other Anthems are separated into three groups, each with a Lesser and Greater ability. Lesser Anthems require 1 Ballad buffs, while Greater Anthems require 2 Ballad buffs. All Minstrels can gain Greater Anthem III - Prowess and Lesser Anthem III - Composure. Damage Minstrels have access to Greater Anthem II - War and Lesser Anthem II - Dissonance. Healing Minstrels have access to Greater Anthem I - Compassion and Lesser Anthem I - Resonance. All Anthems share the same skill cooldown, and the effects of Lesser and Greater Anthems of the same group stack into a singular buff that can be refreshed by using either Anthem. While Anthems' primary bonus is to the group, they also grant the Minstrel a small buff.

Codas

The Coda is the Minstrel's "finisher" ability — it consumes 3 Ballad buffs for a powerful final effect (then you can re-apply your Ballads and begin the process again). The effects of the Coda will change depending on the Minstrel's current Stance: Coda of Fury (Dissonance), Coda of Resonance (Resonance), or Coda of Melody (Melody).

Skills

Default Skills

These skills are granted automatically as you gain levels. The effects of many of these skills are improved in various ways by your choice of specialization and how you spend your trait points. Some skills may also be replaced by an improved version of the same skill as you increase in level.

Stance Skills

Based on your current Stance, these skills change into one of three different versions.

Stance	Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Stance
	Dissonance - Stance	Stance	Toggle (5s)	Self	Level:	1
	Melody - Stance	Stance	Toggle (5s)	Self	Level:	1
	Resonance - Stance	Stance	Toggle (5s)	Self	Level:	1
Minor Ballad
	Minor Ballad - Dissonance	Damage + Buff	1s	30m	Level:	1
	Minor Ballad	Damage + Buff	1s	30m	Level:	1
Major Ballad
	Major Ballad	Damage + Buff	1s	30m	Level:	1
	Major Ballad (Resonance)	AoE Heal + Power + Buff	1s	Self	Level:	1
Coda
	Coda of Fury	Damage + AoE Buff	1s	40m	Level:	1
	Coda of Melody	AoE Damage + AoE Heal + Buff	1s	12.2m	Level:	1
	Coda of Resonance	Heal + AoE Buff	1s	25m	Level:	1
Strike
	Dissonant Strike	Melee + Buff + Corruption	5s	4m	Level:	1
	Hero's Strike	Melee + Heal + Buff + Corruption	5s	4m	Level:	1
	Healer's Strike	Melee + AoE Heal + Buff + Corruption	5s	4m	Level:	1
Cry
	Dissonant Piercing Cry	Damage + Interrupt	10s	40m	Level:	4
	Piercing Cry	Damage + Interrupt + Corruption + Stun	10s	40m	Level:	4
	Resonant Piercing Cry	Damage + Interrupt	10s	40m	Level:	4
Perfect Ballad
	Perfect Ballad	Damage + Buff	1s	30m	Level:	6
	Perfect Ballad - Melody	Damage + Heal + Buff	1s	30m	Level:	6
Theme of Battle
	Timeless Echoes of Battle	DoT + Debuff	Toggle (2s)	30m	Level:	8
	Echoes of Battle	DoT + Debuff	Toggle (2s)	30m	Level:	8
	The Melody of Battle	Buff	Toggle (2s)	30m	Level:	8
Chorus
	Cry of the Chorus (Dissonance)	Buff	1m15s	Self	Level:	26
	Cry of the Chorus (Melody)	Buff	1m15s	Self	Level:	26
	Cry of the Chorus (Resonance)	Buff	1m15s	Self	Level:	26
	Improved Cry of the Chorus (Dissonance)	Buff	1m 15s	Self	Level:	54
	Improved Cry of the Chorus (Melody)	Buff	1m 15s	Self	Level:	54
	Improved Cry of the Chorus (Resonance)	Buff	1m 15s	Self	Level:	54

Normal Skills

These skills are usable in all Stances (unless the Stance column denotes otherwise), and have the same effect in all Stances. Remember, though, that all Healing skills are self-only while in Dissonance stance.

Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Raise the Spirit	Heal	1s	25m	Level:	1
Invocation of Elbereth	Fear	30s	40m	Level:	12
Enlivening Grace	Revive	-	25m	Level:	14
Bolster Courage	Heal	3s	25m	Level:	16
Story of Courage	AoE Cure + Buff	10s	45m	Level:	16
Inspire Fellows	AoE Heal	6s	20.2m	Level:	20
Spirit of Freedom	Buff	1m	Self	Level:	20
Fellowship's Heart	AoE HoT + Cure + Buff	2m	20.2m	Level:	30
Call of the Second Age	AoE Damage + Buff	30s	10.2m	Level:	34
Song of Distraction	CC	3m	40m	Level:	34
Chord of Salvation	Heal	12s	25m	Level:	38
Still As Death	Threat	2m30s	Self	Level:	38
Story of the Hammerhand	Bubble	1m	Self	Level:	42
Rally!	Combat Revive	12m 30s	25m	Level:	45
Gift of the Hammerhand	Bubble	2m	25m	Level:	48
Irresistible Melody	Force Emote	2m30s	10.2m	Level:	50
Song of the Hammerhand	Bubble	1m	Self	Level:	64
Improved Enlivening Grace	AoE Revive	-	25.2m	Level:	68
Improved Song of Distraction	CC	3m	40m	Level:	70

The Watcher of Resolve

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Watcher of Resolve (blue) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.

Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Lesser Anthem I - Resonance	Anthem	25s	30m	Set:	Initial Skill
Soliloquy of Spirit	HoT	1.5s	25m	Set:	Initial Skill
Perfect Ending	Heal	5s	25m	Set:	Snowball
Triumphant Spirit	AoE Heal	2m 45s	20m	Set:	Triumphant Spirit
Greater Anthem I - Compassion	Anthem	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of Compassion
Call to Ioreth	Buff	1m	Self	Set:	Call to Ioreth
Legend of Helm Hammerhand	AoE Bubble	2m	20.2m	Trait:	Legend of Helm Hammerhand

The Warrior-Skald

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Warrior-Skald (red) trait tree. You can only obtain the Set skills if you specialize in this tree.

Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Lesser Anthem II - Dissonance	Anthem	25s	30m	Set:	Initial Skill
Call to Fate	Damage	10s	30m	Set:	Initial Skill
Call of Oromë	AoE Damage + Debuff	10s	30m	Trait:	Call of Oromë
Call of Oromë - Melody	AoE Damage + Debuff	10s	30m	Trait:	Call of Oromë
Call of Eärendil	AoE Damage + Debuff	10s	5.0m	Trait:	Call of Oromë
Greater Anthem II - War	Anthem	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of War
Cry of the Valar	AoE Damage + Corruption	30s	40m	Set:	Cry of the Valar
Cry of the Wizards	AoE Damage + Debuff	30s	40m	Trait:	Cry of the Wizards

The Protector of Song

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Protector of Song (yellow) trait tree. Minstrels cannot specialize in the yellow trait tree.

Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Lesser Anthem III - Composure	Anthem	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of Composure
Greater Anthem III - Prowess	Anthem	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of Prowess
Song of Aid	AoE Heal + Buff	3m 30s	30.2m	Trait:	Song of Aid
Anthem of the Free Peoples	Anthem	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of the Free Peoples
Call to Greatness	Unique	7m	25m	Set:	Call to Greatness

Mentoring

Ability	Level	Range	Description	Acquired from
Scribe Stance	30	25m	Used with a mentor skill, creates a manual to teach instrument use
Mentor : Clarinet	30	25m	Instruct someone how to play the clarinet.
Mentor : Horn	30	25m	Instruct someone how to play the horn.
Mentor : Pibgorn	30	25m	Instruct someone how to play the pibgorn.
Mentor : Cowbell	36	25m	Instruct someone how to play the cowbell.
Mentor : Bagpipes	48	25m	Instruct someone how to play the bagpipes.	Item
Mentor : Drums	42	25m	Instruct someone how to play the drum.	Item
Mentor : Flute	46	25m	Instruct someone how to play the flute.	Item
Mentor : Harp		25m	Instruct someone how to play the harp.	Item
Mentor : Moor Cowbell	50	25m	Instruct someone how to play Moor cowbell.	Item
Mentor : Theorbo	44	25m	Instruct someone how to play theorbo.	Item

In Scribe Stance these skills allow the Minstrel to create Instruction manuals for other players.

These manuals do not require the Minstrel and the trainee to be in proximity of each other, as Mentoring does.

For example,

Mentor : Horn becomes

Scribe Manual : Horn, which allows you to create a Manual of the Horn.

The cooldown also extends to 10 days.

Mounted Combat Skills

These skills can be used only while riding a war-steed, and only while in the regions of East Rohan, Wildermore, and West Rohan. Passive skills which improve the war-steed's defensive capabilities remain effective even in other regions, but serve only to prevent forced dismount due to enemy attacks.

Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Discipline: Rohirrim
Discipline: Rohirrim	Buff	Toggle (1s)	Self	Level:	75
Anthems of the Rohirrim	Buff	10s	40M	Level:	75
Ballad - Chant	Heal + Buff	1s	Self	Level:	75
Call of the Eorlingas	Heal + Buff	4s	Self	Level:	75
Coda of the Eorlingas	Heal	-	40.2m	Level:	75
Cry of the Eorlingas	Damage + Buff	16s	40m	Level:	75
Hammer of Rohan	Damage + Buff + Heal	4s	4.2m/40m	Level:	75
Discipline: Red Dawn
Discipline: Red Dawn	Buff	Toggle (1s)	Self	Level:	75
Anthem of the Red Dawn	Buff	10s	40M	Level:	75
Ballad - Dirge	Buff	1s	40m	Level:	75
Call of the Eorlingas	Damage	8s	40m	Level:	75
Coda of the Eorlingas	Damage	-	40m	Level:	75
Cry of the Eorlingas	Damage + Buff	16s	40m	Level:	75
Hammer of Rohan	Damage + Buff	4s	4.2m	Level:	75
Discipline: Riddermark
Discipline: Riddermark	Buff	Toggle (1s)	Self	Level:	75
Anthem of the Riddermark	Buff	10s	40M	Level:	75
Ballad - Saga	Buff + Damage	1s	40m	Level:	75
Call of the Eorlingas	Buff + Heal	10s	30.2m	Level:	75
Coda of the Eorlingas	Damage	-	40.2m	Level:	75
Cry of the Eorlingas	Damage + Buff	16s	40m	Level:	75
Hammer of Rohan	Damage + Buff + Heal	4s	4.2m	Level:	75

Passive Skills

Armour Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Light Armour	1
Shields	20

Weapon Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Daggers	1
One-handed Clubs	1
One-handed Maces	1
One-handed Swords	1

Musical Instruments

Ability	Requires	Category
Basic Cowbell Use	Level 1	Instrument
Clarinet Use	Level 1	Instrument
Flute Use	Level 1	Instrument
Harp Use	Level 1	Instrument
Horn Use	Level 1	Instrument
Lute Use	Level 1	Instrument
Pibgorn Use	Level 25	Instrument
Specialized Equipment	Level 1	Instrument
Fiddle Use	Level 5	Instrument
Drum Use	Level 10	Instrument
Theorbo Use	Level 15	Instrument
Bagpipe Use	Level 15 Manual of the Bagpipes	Instrument
Moor Cowbell Use	Level 20 Manual of the Moor Cowbell	Instrument

Trait Trees

The Watcher of Resolve

The Watcher of Resolve
Shields and heals your allies with Song.

Powerful healers, offering buffs to healing potency and frequency. These Minstrels heal the Morale of the Fellowship and themselves.

Skills Earned:

Lesser Anthem I - Resonance

Soliloquy of Spirit

Scoring a Critical Hit increases Outgoing Healing by 10% for 10s. You cannot gain this effect more than once every 25s.

+10% Outgoing Healing Modifier

Duration: 10s

Specializing in this trait tree provides the following inherent buff: Scoring a critical hit applies the Watcher of Resolve effect to the Minstrel. This effect can not be applied again until after 25s.

Trait	Description	Source
Resonant Ballads	Buff	Set:	5+ total ranks
Snowball	Gain skill Perfect Ending	Set:	10+ total ranks
Bolster Our Courage	Improves skill Bolster Courage	Set:	15+ total ranks
Triumphant Spirit	Gain skill Triumphant Spirit	Set:	20+ total ranks
Call to Ioreth	Gain skill Call to Ioreth	Set:	25+ total ranks
Rally!	Improves skill Rally!	Set:	30+ total ranks
Chord of Legend	Improves skill Chord of Salvation	Set:	35+ total ranks

Trait	Description	Source
Poignant Phrases	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Soothing Voice	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Strong Appeal	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks, Poignant Phrases (3)
Raise Our Spirits	Improves skill Raise the Spirit	Trait:	5+ ranks
Pause for Breath	Improves skill Major Ballad (Resonance)	Trait:	5+ ranks
Improved Bolster Courage	Improves skill Bolster Courage	Trait:	10+ ranks
Resonant Piercing Cry	Improves skill Resonant Piercing Cry	Trait:	15+ ranks
Improved Chord of Salvation	Improves skill Chord of Salvation	Trait:	15+ ranks
Improved Song of the Hammerhand	Improves skill Song of the Hammerhand	Trait:	15+ ranks
Follow Up	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks, Strong Appeal (3)
Quick Melody	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Anthem of Compassion	Gain skill Greater Anthem I - Compassion	Trait:	20+ ranks
Improved Coda of Resonance	Improves skill Coda of Resonance	Trait:	25+ ranks
Inspiring Finish	Buff	Trait:	25+ ranks
Inner Strength	Buff	Trait:	30+ ranks
Legend of Helm Hammerhand	Gain skill Legend of Helm Hammerhand	Trait:	30+ ranks

The Warrior-Skald

The Warrior-Skald
Uses harsh words to damage foes.

The damage line for Minstrels, inflicting heavy damage and moving quickly through battles.

Skills Earned:

Lesser Anthem II - Dissonance

Call to Fate

+20% Light-type Damage

+5m Range to Ballads and Cries

Trait	Description	Source
Discordant Ballads	Buff	Set:	5+ total ranks
Piercing Calls	Buff	Set:	10+ total ranks
Concentration	Buff	Set:	15+ total ranks
Haste	Buff	Set:	20+ total ranks
Freedom	Buff	Set:	25+ total ranks
Cry of the Valar	Gain skill Cry of the Valar.	Set:	30+ total ranks
Encore	Improves skills: Coda of Fury, Coda of Melody, Coda of Resonance	Set:	35+ total ranks

Trait	Description	Source
The Fundamentals	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Concussive Shout	Improves skills: Dissonant Piercing Cry, Piercing Cry, Resonant Piercing Cry	Trait:	0+ ranks
Critical Strikes	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Piercing Ballads	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks, The Fundamentals (3)
Discordant Cries	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks
Call of Oromë	Gains skills: Call of Oromë, Call of Oromë - Melody, Call of Eärendil	Trait:	5+ ranks
Emboldening Finish	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks
Improved Call of Oromë	Improves skills: Call of Oromë, Call of Oromë - Melody, Call of Eärendil	Trait:	10+ ranks, Call of Oromë (1)
Enduring Morale	Buff; Improves skill Call of the Second Age	Trait:	10+ ranks
Anthem of War	Gain skill Greater Anthem II - War.	Trait:	15+ ranks
Song of Arda	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Cacophonous Echoes	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Herald's Strength	Improves skill Dissonant Strike	Trait:	20+ ranks
Fierce Cries	Buff	Trait:	25+ ranks
Improved Coda of Fury	Improves skill Coda of Fury	Trait:	25+ ranks
Echoes	Buff	Trait:	30+ ranks
Cry of the Wizards	Gain skill Cry of the Wizards.	Trait:	30+ ranks

The Protector of Song

The Protector of Song
Spins tales to motivate allies to great feats.

Though the Minstrel can not specialize in The Protector of Song, it supports allies with powerful buffs, using Anthem skills with great effectiveness

Set Bonus	Description	Source
Improved Anthem of the Third Age	Increases the bonuses offered by Anthem of the Third Age - Melody.	Set: 5+ total ranks
Gripped by Fear	The 'break on damage' Grace Period for Invocation of Elbereth is extended by 3s.	Set: 10+ total ranks
Song of Restoration	Story of Courage is now a targeted skill, and will remove an additional Poison, Disease, Wound, or Fear in an area around your target.	Set: 15+ total ranks
Improved Call of the Second Age	Call of the Second Age offers improved bonuses.	Set: 20+ total ranks
Tale of Tales	Grants access to Tale of Tales, a powerful Aura which carries different buffs based on what stance you are in.	Set: 25+ total ranks
Song of Aid	Grants access to Song of Aid, which gives each member of your fellowship a unique buff based on their class.	Set: 30+ total ranks
Ascendant Anthem of the Third Age	Further increases the bonuses offered by Anthem of the Third Age - Melody	Set: 35+ total ranks

Note

These set bonuses are no longer available in game, as The Protector of Song is now a utility tree.

Trait	Description	Source
Improved Strikes	Improves skills: Dissonant Strike, Hero's Strike, Healer's Strike	Trait:	0+ ranks
Memories of Battle	Improves skills: Timeless Echoes of Battle, Echoes of Battle, The Melody of Battle	Trait:	0+ ranks
Improved Inspire Fellows	Improves skill Inspire Fellows	Trait:	0+ ranks
Anthem of Composure	Gain skill Lesser Anthem III - Composure	Trait:	0+ ranks
Change of Pace!	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks, Of All Trades (1)
Of All Trades	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks
Gripped by Fear	Improves skill Invocation of Elbereth	Trait:	5+ ranks
Thunderous Codas	Improves skills: Coda of Fury, Coda of Melody, Coda of Resonance	Trait:	5+ ranks
Tactical Mastery	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks
Anthem of Prowess	Gain skill Greater Anthem III - Prowess	Trait:	10+ ranks
Song of Restoration	Improves skill Story of Courage	Trait:	10+ ranks
Word Spreads	Improves skills: Song of the Hammerhand, Gift of the Hammerhand, Legend of Helm Hammerhand	Trait:	10+ ranks
Invigourating Anthems	Buff; Improves skill Cry of the Chorus	Trait:	15+ ranks, Extended Anthems (3)
Extended Anthems	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Songs of Woe	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Perfect Performance	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Song of Aid	Gain skill Song of Aid.	Trait:	20+ ranks
Anthem of the Free Peoples	Gain skill Anthem of the Free Peoples.	Trait:	20+ ranks, Extended Anthems (1)
Sharing a Story	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks, Songs of Woe (3)
Strike a Chord	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks, Perfect Performance (1)
Tale of Tales	Buff	Trait:	25+ ranks, Anthem of the Free Peoples (3)
Call to Greatness	Gain skill Call to Greatness.	Trait:	30+ ranks