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.

A male Human Captain

Class-infobox Classes Skills Traits Deeds Traceries Effects

Role

Captain is a Jack-of-all-Trades, and can fulfill nearly every role in the Fellowship. Captains are most commonly used as an offensive support class, with important abilities like Standard of War and Oathbreaker's Shame. If using Stand Alone, the Captain can deal considerable damage by themselves, but lose some of their group support capabilities. They deal their damage primarily through the usage of Bleed skills like Cutting Attack and Grave Wound that can be spread to multiple nearby enemies. Captains are also commonly found as tanks, using powerful defensive skills like Last Stand and At the Fore to withstand deadly attacks. They also provide defensive group support and empower the Fellowship's Healers. Captains can themselves specialize as Healers, relying on healing over time effects that while slow, generate a massive impact. Healing Captains have access to Shield of the Dúnedain, which will save a Tank in danger of being defeated.

Battle States

Captains have access to two battle states: Battle-readied and Battle-hardened. Being in either of these battle states grants the Captain important bonuses that help them fulfill their role in the fellowship. Battle-readied is applied by using Defensive Strike or Battle-shout, and grants the Captain a bonus to their damage. Captains can transition to the Battle-hardened state by using Pressing Attack or Devastating Blow, which grants both a defensive and healing bonus. Finally, Blade of Elendil can be used to remove Battle-hardened in exchange for granting the fellowship a strong buff and weakening the target's mitigations. Certain traits modify the effects of the battle states and their relevant skills, but the core system remains the same across all specializations.

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.

Active Skills	Category	CD	Source
Battle-shout	Tactical + Buff	15s	Level:	1
Sure Strike	Melee	3s	Level:	1
Devastating Blow	Melee + Buff	4s	Level:	1
Rallying Cry	Heal	15s	Level:	1
Cutting Attack	Melee + DoT	20s	Level:	4
Call to Arms: Herald of Hope	Pet	2m	Level:	6
Call to Arms: Herald of War	Pet	2m	Level:	6
Make Haste	Buff	2m	Level:	8
Routing Cry	Tactical AoE	15s	Level:	8
Pressing Attack	Melee AoE + Buff	4s	Level:	12
Withdraw	Buff	1m	Level:	12
Call to Arms: Herald of Victory	Pet	2m	Level:	12
Words of Courage	Heal	5s	Level:	14
Call to Arms: Archer	Pet	2m	Level:	16
Muster Courage	AoE Cure	10s	Level:	16
Motivating Speech	Motivated	1m	Level:	16
Blade of Elendil	Melee + Buff + Debuff	4s	Level:	18
Kick	Melee + Interrupt	10s	Level:	20
Cleanse Corruption	Melee + Corruption	15s	Level:	20
Escape from Darkness	Revive in-combat	5m	Level:	20
Inspiriting Call	Revive non-combat	3s	Level:	20
Grave Wound	Melee + DoT	15s	Level:	30
This page is about the Captain skill. For the Warden skill, see Defensive Strike (Warden).   Defensive Strike	Melee + Buff	15s	Level:	38
Command Respect	Force Emote	2m 30s	Level:	40
Improved Motivating Speech	Motivated + Buff	1m	Level:	46
Improved Sure Strike	Melee + Cooldown	3s	Level:	52
Improved Cutting Attack	Melee + DoT + Debuff	20s	Level:	62

Stand Alone Skills

When toggled, the skill  Stand Alone in the Lead the Charge trait tree modifies certain skills into new versions.

Stand Alone Skills
Active Skills	Category	CD	Original Skill
Courageous Heart	Buff	1m	Words of Courage
Cry of Fury	Tactical + AoE + Heal + Debuff	5m	Escape from Darkness
Inspire: Self-determination	Melee + Buff + Power	15s	Inspire (Blade-brother)
Masterful Strike (To Arms)	Melee + Buff	1m	To Arms (Blade-brother)

Hands of Healing

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

Active Skills	Category	CD	Source
Shield-brother	Toggle Buff	0.5s	Level:	10
Inspire (Shield-brother)	Melee + Heal	15s	Level:	22
Gallant Display	Melee AoE + Heal	5s	Level:	26
To Arms (Shield-brother)	Buff	1m	Level:	40
Valiant Strike	Melee + Heal	15s	Set:	Initial Skill
Revealing Mark	Heal	5s	Trait:	Revealing Mark
Cry of Vengeance	Revive + Buff	5m	Set:	Blood of Númenor
Standard of Honour	Standard	1m	Trait:	Standard of Honour
Reform the Lines!	Heal + Buff	2m	Set:	Reform the Lines
Shield of the Dúnedain	Buff	2m	Trait:	Shield of the Dúnedain
Gift of Spirit	Heal	3s	Trait:	Gift of Spirit

Lead the Charge

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

Active Skills	Category	CD	Source
Blade-brother	Toggle Buff	1s	Level:	10
Inspire (Blade-brother)	Melee + Buff + Power	15s	Level:	22
Gallant Display	Melee AoE	5s	Level:	26
To Arms (Blade-brother)	Buff	1m	Level:	40
Shadow's Lament	Melee	15s	Set:	Initial Skill
Telling Mark	Toggle Debuff	2s	Trait:	Telling Mark
Time of Need	Buff	2m	Trait:	Time of Need
Standard of War	Standard	1m	Trait:	Standard of War
Stand Alone	Toggle Buff	3s	Trait:	Stand Alone
Oathbreaker's Shame	Debuff	3m	Trait:	Oathbreaker's Shame

Leader of Men

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

Active Skills	Category	CD	Source
Song-brother	Toggle Buff	1s	Level:	10
Inspire (Song-brother)	Melee + Power	15s	Level:	22
Gallant Display	Melee AoE + Heal + Threat	5s	Level:	26
To Arms (Song-brother)	Buff	1m	Level:	40
Hammer-stroke	Melee	45s	Set:	Initial Skill
Elendil's Roar	Taunt	1m	Set:	Initial Skill
Threatening Shout	Taunt	15s	Trait:	Threatening Shout
Noble Mark	Debuff	3s	Trait:	Noble Mark
Last Stand	Buff + Heal	5m	Trait:	Last Stand
In Harm's Way	Buff	3m	Trait:	In Harm's Way
Standard of Valour	Standard	1m	Trait:	Standard of Valour
Strength in Numbers	Heal	1m	Trait:	Strength in Numbers
Song-brother's Call	Buff	1m 30s	Trait:	Shield-brother's Call
At the Fore	Buff + Heal	3m	Trait:	At the Fore

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: Red Dawn	Stance	1s	-	Quest:	Devastation in the North
Discipline: Riddermark	Stance	1s	-	Quest:	Devastation in the North
Discipline: Rohirrim	Stance	1s	-	Quest:	Devastation in the North
Cry Havoc	Tactical + Buff	10s	40m	Quest:	Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1
Cry Wrath	Tactical	16s	40m	Quest:	Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1
Measured Attack	Melee	4s	4.2m	Quest:	Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1
Oppressive Blow	Melee	4s	4.2m	Quest:	Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1
Rally the Riders	Heal	12s	4.2m	Quest:	Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1
Rider and Steed	Buff	18s	40m	Quest:	Vol. III, Book 8, Ch. 1

Passive Skills

Base Passive Skills

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

Armour Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Light Armour	1
Medium Armour	1
Heavy Armour	1
Shields	15

Weapon Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Daggers	1
One-handed Axes	1
One-handed Clubs	1
One-handed Hammers	1
One-handed Maces	1
One-handed Swords	1
Two-handed Axes	1
Two-handed Clubs	1
Two-handed Hammers	1
Two-handed Swords	1
Spear	10
Halberd	15

Instrument Proficiencies

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

Other Passive Skills

Proficiency	Level
Critical Defence	20
Armament Use	20
Improved Halberd Training	30
Summoning Horn Use	40

Trait Sets

Hands of Healing

Hands of Healing Heals allies while dealing melee damage. Hands of Healing Captains restore the morale of their allies by fighting on the front lines. Skills Earned:  Valiant Strike Sure Strike will bestow Focus to the Fellowship when used while Battle-readied. Focus: Restore 2% Max Morale immediately +5% Incoming Healing +3% Resistance +2% Tactical Mitigation Duration: 45s

Set Traits	Description	Source
Readied Strike	Improves skill Revealing Mark	Set:	5+ total ranks
Blood of Númenor	Changes Escape from Darkness to Cry of Vengeance	Set:	10+ total ranks
Elendil's Favour	Improves skill Blade of Elendil	Set:	15+ total ranks
Tactician's Prowess	Buff; Improves skill This page is about the Captain skill. For the Warden skill, see Defensive Strike (Warden).  Defensive Strike	Set:	20+ total ranks
Reform the Lines	Gain skill Reform the Lines!	Set:	25+ total ranks
Blessing of the Shield	Improves skills: Inspire (Shield-brother), To Arms (Shield-brother)	Set:	30+ total ranks
Gift of Spirit	Buff; Gain skill Gift of Spirit	Set:	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Reversal	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Skilled Hands	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Bolstered Resolve	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Lifting Words	Improves skill Words of Courage	Trait:	5+ ranks
Revealing Mark	Gain skill Revealing Mark	Trait:	5+ ranks
Rousing Cry	Improves skill Rallying Cry	Trait:	5+ ranks
Escape from Darkness	Improves skills: Inspiriting Call, Escape from Darkness, Cry of Vengeance	Trait:	10+ ranks
Astute Hands	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Relentless Optimism	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Honourable Blow	Improves skill Inspire (Shield-brother)	Trait:	15+ ranks, Revealing Mark (1)
Standard of Honour	Gain skill Standard of Honour	Trait:	20+ ranks
Rallying Roar	Improves skill Rallying Cry	Trait:	20+ ranks
Fellowship of the Shield	Improves skills: Inspire (Shield-brother), To Arms (Shield-brother)	Trait:	25+ ranks
Courageous Convocation	Improves skill Words of Courage	Trait:	25+ ranks
Shield of the Dúnedain	Gain skill Shield of the Dúnedain	Trait:	30+ ranks
Valour	Buff	Trait:	30+ ranks

Lead the Charge

Lead the Charge Uses Tactical and Melee attacks to deal damage. Lead the Charge Captains inflict heavy damage to their foes while enhancing their allies' prowess. Skills Earned:  Shadow's Lament Sure Strike will bestow Relentless Attack to the Fellowship when used while Battle-readied. Relentless Attack: +5% Damage +2% Critical Chance -5% Attack Duration Duration: 45s Scoring a Critical Hit causes your target to take 2% more damage for 10s. This effect stacks with Telling Mark and Oathbreaker's Shame.

Set Traits	Description	Source
Readied Blade	Buff	Set:	5+ total ranks
Cutting Edge	Improves skill Cutting Attack	Set:	10+ total ranks
Elendil's Boon	Improves skill Blade of Elendil	Set:	15+ total ranks
Lacerate	Buff; Improves skills: Grave Wound, Shadow's Lament	Set:	20+ total ranks
Stand Alone	Gain skill Stand Alone	Set:	25+ total ranks
Blessing of the Blade	Improves skills Inspire (Blade-brother), To Arms (Blade-brother)	Set:	30+ total ranks
Master of War	Improves skills: Inspire (Blade-brother), Standard of War	Set:	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
React To Battle	Improves skills Devastating Blow, Light of Elendil, Pressing Attack and Routing Cry	Trait:	0+ ranks
Deafening Shouts	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Martial Prowess	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Heightened Allies	Improves skills: Call to Arms	Trait:	5+ ranks
Make Them Bleed	Buff	Trait:	5+ ranks
Hardened Heart	Improves effect Battle-hardened	Trait:	5+ ranks
Telling Mark	Gain skill Telling Mark	Trait:	5+ ranks
Penetrating Cry	Improves skill Routing Cry	Trait:	10+ ranks
Time of Need	Gain skill Time of Need	Trait:	10+ ranks
Advantageous Attack	Improves skills Shadow's Lament and Telling Mark	Trait:	10+ ranks, Telling Mark (1)
Grievous Wounds	Improves skill Grave Wound	Trait:	15+ ranks
Arterial Strikes	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Impactful Blows	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Standard of War	Gain skill Standard of War	Trait:	20+ ranks
Restraint	Buff	Trait:	20+ ranks
Fellowship of the Blade	Improves skills Inspire (Blade-brother) and To Arms (Blade-brother)	Trait:	25+ ranks
Vital Stroke	Improves skill Grave Wound	Trait:	25+ ranks
Oathbreaker's Shame	Gain skill Oathbreaker's Shame	Trait:	30+ ranks
Elite Companions	Improves skills: Call to Arms	Trait:	30+ ranks

Leader of Men

Leader of Men Defends allies while wielding two-handed weapons. Leader of Men Captains shield their allies from harm and make them more resilient. Skills Earned:  Hammer-stroke  Elendil's Roar Sure Strike will bestow On Guard to the Fellowship when used while Battle-readied. On Guard: +2% Physical Mitigation +3% Parry Chance +5% Critical Defense Duration: 45s Partial Blocks, Parries and Evades grant the Captain a Defeat Event +15% Battle-readied Threat Mult

Set Traits	Description	Source
Two-handed Prowess	Buff	Set:	5+ total ranks
Last Stand	Gain skill Last Stand	Set:	10+ total ranks
Elendil's Fortune	Improves skill Blade of Elendil	Set:	15+ total ranks
Defensive Blade	Buff; Improves skill This page is about the Captain skill. For the Warden skill, see Defensive Strike (Warden).  Defensive Strike	Set:	20+ total ranks
Song-brother's Call	Gain skill Song-brother's Call	Set:	25+ total ranks
Blessing of the Song	Improves skills: Inspire (Song-brother), To Arms (Song-brother)	Set:	30+ total ranks
Exemplar	Buff; Improves skill: At the Fore, Strength in Numbers	Set:	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Situational Awareness	Improves skills: Devastating Blow, Pressing Attack, Light of Elendil, Routing Cry	Trait:	0+ ranks
Steeled Resolve	Buff	Trait:	0+ ranks
Call Them Out	Improves skills: Cutting Attack, Grave Wound	Trait:	5+ ranks
Threatening Shout	Gain skill Threatening Shout	Trait:	5+ ranks
Noble Mark	Gain skill Noble Mark	Trait:	5+ ranks
Terrifying Bellow	Improves skill Routing Cry	Trait:	10+ ranks
Shrug Blows Aside	Buff	Trait:	10+ ranks
In Harm's Way	Gain skill In Harm's Way	Trait:	10+ ranks
Demand Attention	Improves skill Grave Wound	Trait:	10+ ranks
Turning Point	Improves effect Enemy Defeat Response	Trait:	15+ ranks
Absorb Momentum	Buff	Trait:	15+ ranks
Standard of Valour	Gain skill Standard of Valour	Trait:	20+ ranks
Strength in Numbers	Gain skill Strength in Numbers	Trait:	20+ ranks
Fellowship of the Song	Improves skills: Inspire (Song-brother), To Arms (Song-brother)	Trait:	25+ ranks
Unwavering	Improves skill Last Stand	Trait:	25+ ranks
Brother's Keeper	Improves skill Song-brother's Call	Trait:	25+ ranks
At the Fore	Gain skill At the Fore	Trait:	30+ ranks
Elendil's Fury	Improves skill Elendil's Roar	Trait:	30+ ranks

Trait Tree

Hands of Healing Heals allies while dealing melee damage. Hands of Healing Captains restore the morale of their allies by fighting on the front lines. Skills Earned:  Valiant Strike Sure Strike will bestow Focus to the Fellowship when used while Battle-readied. Focus: Restore 2% Max Morale immediately +5% Incoming Healing +3% Resistance +2% Tactical Mitigation Duration: 45s	Lead the Charge Uses Tactical and Melee attacks to deal damage. Lead the Charge Captains inflict heavy damage to their foes while enhancing their allies' prowess. Skills Earned:  Shadow's Lament Sure Strike will bestow Relentless Attack to the Fellowship when used while Battle-readied. Relentless Attack: +5% Damage +2% Critical Chance -5% Attack Duration Duration: 45s Scoring a Critical Hit causes your target to take 2% more damage for 10s. This effect stacks with Telling Mark and Oathbreaker's Shame.	Leader of Men Defends allies while wielding two-handed weapons. Leader of Men Captains shield their allies from harm and make them more resilient. Skills Earned:  Hammer-stroke  Elendil's Roar Sure Strike will bestow On Guard to the Fellowship when used while Battle-readied. On Guard: +2% Physical Mitigation +3% Parry Chance +5% Critical Defense Duration: 45s Partial Blocks, Parries and Evades grant the Captain a Defeat Event +15% Battle-readied Threat Mult
0/2 0/6 0/5 0/5 0/1 0/3 0/2 ↓ (1) 0/6 0/3 0/3 0/5 0/5 0/3 0/1 0/1 0/1	0/3 0/3 0/3 0/3 0/5 0/3 0/1 ↓ (1) 0/3 0/1 0/1 0/5 0/4 0/3 0/5 0/3 0/2 0/1 0/1	0/5 0/4 0/5 0/1 0/1 0/3 0/5 0/3 0/1 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/2 0/3 0/3 0/1 0/1 0/1

Heralds

Heralds are allies in battle, and grant minor bonuses to the Fellowship, or apply damage of their own. If defeated, they can be re-summoned in the midst of battle. At level 26, you gain the ability to trade Armaments for Receipt of Armament Exchange. This can then be exchanged for a cosmetic appearance for your chosen Herald.

• Herald of War - A Herald of War carries your banner, increasing Melee, Ranged and Tactical by 3%.
• Herald of Hope - A Herald of Hope carries your banner, increasing Physical Mitigation and Tactical Mitigation by 2%.
• Herald of Victory - A Herald of Victory carries your banner, reducing Power cost by 7.5%.
• Herald Archer - A herald Archer carries a Bow to assist you with range in combat.

See Also

• Class Guides
• Captain Deeds
• Captain Effects
• Captain Legendary Legacies
• Category:Captain Legendary Items
• Captain Items Index: Captain Crests, Captain Tonics, Captain Armaments, Captain Banners, Captain Legendary Emblems
• [https://forums-old.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?528697-Player-Guide-Class-Changes-Summary-Captain/page5 Player Guide to Update 12.x changes