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.

Class-infobox
Classes
Skills
Traits
Deeds
Traceries
Effects

Gameplay

Brawlers use Set-up skills to generate Mettle, and use Finisher skills to consume Mettle to deal damage or generate aggro, depending on the specialization. Using Finisher skills tiers up different Innate Strength buffs on the Brawler, which can be shared with with the fellowship and max tier. They provide invaluable support to the fellowship through buffs such as Strike as One! and One for All.

Blue-line (Tank): Brawlers specialized in the Fulcrum trait tree use their finisher skills to generate and keep aggro as tanks, making up for their lack of Force Attack skills. They are famously difficult to kill, with passive damage reduction through Mettle Shield and strong cooldowns like Weather Blows. Due to the nature of Mettle Shield, they excel in tanking bosses instead of large numbers of enemies.
Red-line (Damage): Brawlers specialized in the Maelstrom trait tree use their finisher skills to deal single target and AoE damage. While outputting less damage than other classes, they make up for this with their powerful raid-wide buffs. They have a lot of cooldowns, and can choose when to spike their damage. They frame their rotation around using Fist of the Valar to consume all 9 Mettle for maximum damage.

This class is more niche, with it being one of the least played classes in LotRO. The set-up and finisher skill combination is controversial, with some loving the gameplay and others not enjoying it as much. Play around with this class a bit before deciding if you like it or not.

Mettle

Mettle is a skill resource used by Brawlers. Certain skills build Mettle (up to a maximum of nine) while others spend it. When out of combat, Brawlers will gradually decrease Mettle down to three.

The Brawler gains increased damage from each point of Mettle they have, tracked through the Battle Flow effect.

For more information, see Mettle

Finisher Skills

Mettle-consuming skills are separated into three categories: Heavy, Balanced, and Quick Finishers. Depending on the Brawler's specialization, using one of these finishers tiers up an Innate Strength buff for each type of finisher. In addition, certain traits and skills specifically interact with a specific type of finisher skills. When Innate Strength buffs have been tiered up to maximum stacks, a Yellow-line Share Skill can be used to temporarily grant the fellowship a unique bonus, based on the Innate Strength.

Set-Up Skills

All Brawlers have access to the three set-up skills:

These skills are the primary means of generating Mettle. In addition, when a Finisher skill is used, it gains a unique bonus based on the most recently used Set-up skill. This bonus can vary based on specialization and additional traits.

Skills

Default Skills

These skills are granted automatically as you gain levels. Some skills have an improved version that can be obtained by leveling further or by equipping certain traits, traceries, or armour sets.

Skills	Category	Mettle	CD	Level
Low Strike	Melee, Power	+2	1s	1
Dextrous Hook	Melee	+2	1s	1
Overhand Smash	Melee	-3	4s	1
Sinister Cross	Melee	+2	1s	4
Hurl Object	Ranged + Snare		6s	6
Get Serious	Buff	+1/sec	30s	8
Backhand Clout	Melee + AoE	-3	5s	10
Knee Strike	Melee + Snare	-3	10s	12
Helm-crusher	Melee + Stun	-3	30s	15
Weather Blows	Buff		1m 15s	18
Slip Free	Buff		1m	20
Helm's Hammer	Melee + Corruption Removal		15s	20
Fulgurant Strike	Melee + Interrupt		30s	20
Ignore Pain	Cure		20s	20
Follow Me!	Buff		1m	22
Quick Feint	Buff	+3	40s	24
Strike Towards the Sky	Melee + AoE	-3	10s	30
One for All	Buff		2m 30s	32
Mighty Upheaval	Melee + AoE	-3	15s	38

The Fulcrum

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

Skills	Category	Mettle	CD	Source
Come At Me	Force Attack		1m	Specialization Skill
The Best Defence	Buff		2m	Specialization Skill
Brash Invitation	Force Attack		15s	Trait:	Brash Invitation
Joy of Battle - Heal	Buff + Heal	-3	3m	Trait:	Joy of Battle - Heal
Bracing Guard	Buff + Heal	-3	1m 30s	Trait:	Bracing Guard
Defensive Posture	Toggle Buff		2s	Trait:	Defensive Posture
Plant Feet	Buff		5m	Trait:	Plant Feet
Gut Punch	Melee + Debuff	-3	15s	Trait:	Gut Punch
Mettle Shield	Toggle Buff		2s	Trait:	Mettle Shield

The Maelstrom

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

Skills	Category	Mettle	CD	Source
Pummel	Melee	-3	15s	Specialization Skill
Shattering Fist	Melee + Debuff	-3	10s	Specialization Skill
First Strike	Melee		8s	Trait:	First Strike
Joy of Battle - Damage	Buff	-3	3m	Trait:	Joy of Battle - Damage
Aggressive Posture	Toggle Buff		2s	Trait:	Aggressive Posture
Fist of the Valar	Melee	-All	20s	Trait:	Fist of the Valar
Battle Fury	Buff	-1, +3	3m	Trait:	Battle Fury

The Fundament

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Fundament (yellow) trait tree. Brawlers cannot specialize in the yellow trait tree.

Skills	Category	CD	Source
Strike as One!	Buff	1m	Strike as One!
Share Innate Strength: Quickness	Buff	2m	Share Innate Strength: Quickness
Share Innate Strength: Heavy	Buff	2m	Share Innate Strength: Heavy
Share Innate Strength: Balance	Buff	2m	Share Innate Strength: Balance
Efficient Strikes	Buff	3m	Efficient Strikes

Mounted Combat Skills

These skills can be used only while riding a war-steed, and in regions where horses are allowed and where the enemies are above level 75.

Mounted Combat Skills
Skills Unaffected by Stance/Discipline
Camaraderie
Strike
Throw
Reckless Attack
Momentous Hit
Red Dawn
Discipline: Red Dawn
Mocking Taunt
Take a Breath
Riddermark
Discipline: Riddermark
Mocking Taunt
Take a Breath
Rohirrim
Discipline: Rohirrim
Mocking Taunt
Take a Breath

Passive Skills

Base Passive Skills

For details see Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Hobbit, River Hobbit, Man, or Stout-axe

Armour Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Light Armour	1
Medium Armour	1
Heavy Armour	1

Weapon Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Battle-gauntlets	1

Combat Characteristics

Proficiency	Level
Battle Flow	1

Instrument Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Clarinet Use	1
Lute Use	1
Specialized Equipment	1
Bassoon Use	5
Fiddle Use	5

Specialization Sets & Traits

The Fulcrum

The Fulcrum
Focuses on steadfast defence.

Powerful strikes and brash challenges will ensnare the attention of your foes.

Skills Earned:

Come At Me

The Best Defence

+5% Physical Mitigation

+10% Base Maximum Morale

-7 Ignore Pain Cooldown

You may block incoming attacks without a shield.

Set Traits	Description	Source
Innate Strength: Inner Resilience	Buff	5+ total ranks
Bellicose	Improves skills Brash Invitation, Come At Me	10+ total ranks
Innate Strength: Deflecting Technique	Buff	15+ total ranks
Eager Challenger	Improves skill Come At Me	20+ total ranks
Innate Strength: Intimidating Presence	Buff	25+ total ranks
Strong Jaw and Nimble Feet	Improves skill Slip Free	30+ total ranks
Tactical Mitigation	Buff	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Vitality Increase	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Brash Invitation	Gain skill Brash Invitation	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Brash Invitation - Attack Speed Debuff	Improves skill Brash Invitation	Row 1 (0+ ranks), Brash Invitation (1)
Parry Chance	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Brash Invitation Cooldown	Improves skill Brash Invitation	Row 2 (5+ ranks), Brash Invitation (1)
Joy of Battle - Heal	Gain skill Joy of Battle - Heal	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Clever Feint	Improves skill Quick Feint	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Retaliatory Intensity	Buff	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Bracing Guard	Gain Skill Bracing Guard	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Retaliatory Precision	Buff	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Bracing Guard Healing	Improves skill Bracing Guard	Row 4 (15+ ranks), Bracing Guard (1)
Defensive Posture	Gain skill Defensive Posture	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Healing Increase	Buff	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Plant Feet	Gain skill Plant Feet	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Invite Mayhem	Improves skills Brash Invitation and Come At Me	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Enhanced Guard	Improves skill Weather Blows	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Gut Punch	Gain skill Gut Punch	Capstone (30+ ranks)
Mettle Shield	Gain skill Mettle Shield	Capstone (30+ ranks)

The Maelstrom

The Maelstrom
Focuses on powerful offensive strikes.

The Maelstrom is a dynamic fighter, capable of engaging small groups but truly shining at single combat.

Skills Earned:

Pummel

Shattering Fist

+[2,390 at Level 150] Might (this value increases with player level)

+3% Melee Damage

Set Traits	Description	Source
Innate Strength: Raw Power	Buff	5+ total ranks
Flurry of Blows	Improves skill Pummel	10+ total ranks
Innate Strength: Clever Technique	Buff	15+ total ranks
Like a Stinging Nettle	Buff	20+ total ranks
Innate Strength: Precision	Buff	25+ total ranks
Light and Devastation	Buff	30+ total ranks
Enhanced Battle Flow	Improves trait Battle Fury	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
First Strike	Gain skill First Strike	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Set-up Attack Damage	Improves skills Low Strike, Dextrous Hook, Sinister Cross	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Dextrous Hook Training	Improves skill Dextrous Hook	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Might Increase	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Critical Chance Increase	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Revel in Victory	Buff	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Joy of Battle - Damage	Gain skill Joy of Battle - Damage	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Fulgurant Strike Cooldown	Improves skill Fulgurant Strike	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Latent Light	Buff	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Aggressive Posture	Gain skill Aggressive Posture	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Latent Light Chance Increase	Buff	Row 5 (20+ ranks), Latent Light (1)
Devastate Damage Increase	Buff	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Overhand Smash - Incoming Healing Debuff	Improves skill Overhand Smash	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Light Damage Increase	Buff	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Fist of the Valar	Gain skill Fist of the Valar	Capstone (30+ ranks)
Battle Fury	Gain skill Battle Fury	Capstone (30+ ranks)

The Fundament

The Fundament
Useful traits whether Fulcrum or Maelstrom.

Though the Brawler cannot specialize in The Fundament, it contains traits and techniques that are indispensable regardless of combat style.

Note: Some traits in this tree have an increased cost in Trait Points in order to acquire and/or rank up, regardless of specialization.

Set Bonus	Description	Source	Cost Per Rank
Battle-wise	Improves skills Low Strike, Dextrous Hook, Sinister Cross	Row 1 (0+ ranks)	1 Point
Vulnerability Chance	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)	1 Point
Lasting Weakness	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks), Vulnerability Chance (1)	1 Point
Evade Chance	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)	1 Point
Tactical Mitigation	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)	1 Point
Max Targets	Improves AoE skills	Row 2 (5+ ranks)	1 Point
Rush	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)	1 Point
Trail Food Boost	Improves effect of Trail Food	Row 2 (5+ ranks)	1 Point
Strike as One!	Gain skill Strike as One!	Row 3 (10+ ranks)	1 Point
Strike as One! Damage Increase	Improves skill Strike as One!	Row 3 (10+ ranks), Strike as One! (1)	1 Point
Deft Feint	Improves skill Quick Feint	Row 3 (10+ ranks)	1 Point
Well Fed	Improves effect of Cooked Food	Row 3 (10+ ranks), Trail Food Boost (1)	1 Point
Share Innate Strength: Quickness	Gain skill Share Innate Strength: Quickness	Row 4 (15+ ranks)	1 Point
Share Innate Strength: Balance	Gain skill Share Innate Strength: Balance	Row 4 (15+ ranks)	1 Point
Share Innate Strength: Heavy	Gain skill Share Innate Strength: Heavy	Row 4 (15+ ranks)	1 Point
Efficient Strikes	Gain skill Efficient Strikes	Row 5 (20+ ranks)	1 Point
Hasten Powerful Techniques	Improves skills The Best Defence, Weather Blows, Plant Feet, Battle Fury, Joy of Battle - Damage, Joy of Battle - Heal, Efficient Strikes	Row 5 (20+ ranks)	1 Point