Minstrel

- Class Difficulty: Moderate
- Role: Healer
- Gameplay: Minstrels are known for their healing abilities, and are capable of dealing respectable damage with War-speech. They have a variety of support skills and special Ballads. Using a Ballad unlocks more potent Ballads, which culminate with powerful Anthems. In Fellowships, a Minstrel keeps allies healed and supported.
- 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.
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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
Healer/Buffer: The Minstrel is the master of maintaining the survivability of the heroes of Middle-earth. A Minstrel traited in the Warrior-Skald (red) tree can also provide respectable damage output when needed (or soloing) via light-based attacks in the forms of songs of power. A minstrel can perform excellently whether grouped or alone, however be advised that most groups will expect you to heal them.
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 DPS, 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 it damages enemies:
Major Ballad.
Ballads, Anthems, and Codas
There are 3 basic 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 3 Ballad buffs active. They can then use any number of Anthem skills to buff themselves and their Fellowship. The first Anthem (Anthem of the Third Age) is gained when choosing a specialization, other Anthems can be obtained by traits from The Warrior-Skald or The Protector of Song trait trees.
Codas
The Coda is the Minstrel's "finisher" ability — it consumes your Ballad buffs for a powerful final effect (then you can re-apply your Ballads and begin the process again). The effects of Coda will change depending on the Minstrel's current Stance: Coda of Fury (Dissonance),
Coda of Resonance (Resonance), or
Coda of Melody (Melody). Like Anthems, you must have 3 Ballad buffs active to use Coda. If you also have one or more Anthems active, the Coda will gain even more powerful effects.
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.
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.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Heal | 1.5 | 30m | Level: | 1 | |
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Damage + Buff | 1s | 35m | Level: | 6 | |
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Fear | 30s | 45m | Level: | 12 | |
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Revive | - | 30m | Level: | 14 | |
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Heal | 1.5s | 30m | Level: | 16 | |
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AoE Cure | 10s | 45m | Level: | 16 | |
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AoE Heal + Buff | 5s | 20.2m | Level: | 20 |
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Cure | 1m30s | Self | Level: | 20 | |
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AoE HoT + Cure | 2m | 20.2m | Level: | 30 |
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AoE Damage + Buff | 30s | 10.2m | Level: | 34 | |
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CC | 3m | 45m | Level: | 34 | |
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Heal | 10s | 30m | Level: | 38 | |
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Threat | 2m30s | Self | Level: | 38 | |
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Bubble | 1m | Self | Level: | 42 | |
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Combat Revive | 12m 30s | 30m | Level: | 45 | |
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Bubble | 2m | 30m | Level: | 48 | |
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Force Emote | 2m30s | 10.2m | Level: | 50 | |
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Bubble | 1m | Self | Level: | 64 | |
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AoE Revive | - | 25.2m | Level: | 68 | |
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CC | 3m | 45m | 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.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Buff | 25s | - | Set: | Initial Skill | |
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HoT | 1.5s | 25m | Set: | Initial Skill | |
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Heal | 5s | 25m | Set: | ![]() | |
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AoE Heal | 4m | 20m | Trait: | ![]() | |
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Buff | 25s | 30m | Trait: | ![]() | |
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Buff | 1m | Self | Set: | ![]() | |
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AoE Bubble | 2m | 20.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
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.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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Buff | 25s | - | Set: | Initial Skill | |
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Damage | 10s | 35m | Set: | Initial Skill |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 10s | 35m | Trait: | ![]() |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 10s | 5.2m | Trait: | ![]() |
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Buff | 25s | 30m | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Damage + Buff + Corruption | 30s | 40m | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 30s | 40m | Trait: | ![]() |
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.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |
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AoE Buff | 25s | Self | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Buff | 25s | Self | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Buff Heal | 3m 30s | 30.2m | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Buff | 25s | Self | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Buff | 7m | Self | Set: | ![]() |
Mentoring
Ability | Level | Range | Description | Acquired from |
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30 | 25m | Used with a mentor skill, creates a manual to teach instrument use | |
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30 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the clarinet. | |
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30 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the horn. | |
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30 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the pibgorn. | |
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36 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the cowbell. | |
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48 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the bagpipes. | Item |
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42 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the drum. | Item |
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46 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play the flute. | Item |
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25m | Instruct someone how to play the harp. | Item | |
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50 | 25m | Instruct someone how to play Moor cowbell. | Item |
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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.
Stance | Active Skills | Category | Cooldown | Range | Source | |||||
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Discipline: Rohirrim | ||||||||||
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Buff | Toggle (1s) | Self | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Buff | 10s | 40M | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Heal + Buff | 1s | Self | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Heal + Buff | 4s | Self | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Heal | - | 40.2m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage + Buff | 16s | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage + Buff + Heal | 4s | 4.2m/40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
Discipline: Red Dawn | ||||||||||
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Buff | Toggle (1s) | Self | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Buff | 10s | 40M | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Buff | 1s | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage | 8s | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage | - | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage + Buff | 16s | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage + Buff | 4s | 4.2m | Level: | 75 | |||||
Discipline: Riddermark | ||||||||||
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Buff | Toggle (1s) | Self | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Buff | 10s | 40M | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Buff + Damage | 1s | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Buff + Heal | 10s | 30.2m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage | - | 40.2m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage + Buff | 16s | 40m | Level: | 75 | |||||
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Damage + Buff + Heal | 4s | 4.2m | Level: | 75 |
Passive Skills
Armour Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
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1 |
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20 |
Weapon Proficiencies
Proficiency | Level |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
Musical Instruments
Ability | Requires | Category | Description |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 25 | Instrument | |
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Level 1 | Instrument | |
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Level 5 | Instrument | |
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Level 10 | Instrument | |
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Level 15 | Instrument | |
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Level 15 ![]() |
Instrument | |
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Level 20 ![]() |
Instrument |
See also:
- Minstrel Items Index for instruments available at various levels.
- Instruments
Trait Trees
The Watcher of Resolve
Shields and heals your allies with Song.
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Set Bonus | Description | Source |
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+3% Ballad healing bonus. Ballads reduce Cry of the Chorus cooldown. | Set: 5+ total ranks |
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Healing skills build a stacking buff. At maximum (7) stacks, you can use a powerful heal. Skills Earned: Perfect Ending |
Set: 10+ total ranks |
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A portion of Bolster Courage's heal is also applied to nearby Fellows. | Set: 15+ total ranks |
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Grants access to Triumphant Spirit, which allows you to instantly heal your fellowship. Skills Earned: Triumphant Spirit |
Set: 20+ total ranks |
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Grants access to Call to Ioreth, which causes your next heal to be a critical heal. Skills Earned: Call to Ioreth |
Set: 25+ total ranks |
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-300 Rally! Cooldown | Set: 30+ total ranks |
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+100% Chord of Salvation Healing | Set: 35+ total ranks |
Trait | Description | Source |
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Increases Critical Healing. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Increases the potency of Heals. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Increases the Crit chance of heals. | Trait: 5+ ranks, Poignant Phrases at rank 3 |
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Improves Raise the Spirit | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Improves Major Ballad (Resonance) Power restoration. | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Bolster Courage delivers a more potent heal. | Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Scoring a Critical Hit with Resonant Piercing Cry increases the Bolster Courage and Raise the Spirit around the target. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Improves Chord of Salvation and gives it a fellowship-wide heal. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Enhances the potency of the bubble from Song of the Hammerhand. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Critical Heals decrease healing skill induction time. | Trait: 20+ ranks, Strong Appeal at rank 3 |
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Lowers skill induction time, letting you heal faster. | Trait: 20+ ranks |
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Earns and improves the skill: Greater Anthem I - Compassion | Trait: 20+ ranks |
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Coda of Resonance briefly reduces incoming damage. | Trait: 25+ ranks |
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Ballads have a chance to build a stacking enhancement for Coda of Resonance. Each stack will cause Coda of Resonance to add 3% Outgoing Healing, up to 15%. |
Trait: 25+ ranks |
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Improves Soliloquy of Spirit mitigations and gives +15% to damage bubbles. | Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45 |
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Earns the skill: Legend of Helm Hammerhand | Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45 |
The Warrior-Skald
Uses harsh words to damage foes.
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Set Bonus | Description | Source |
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All Ballads now grant you a Tactical Damage Buff. | Set: 5+ total ranks |
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The chance to resist your Cries and Calls is reduced by 10%. | Set: 10+ total ranks |
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Increases the Minstrel's attack speed by 10%. | Set: 15+ total ranks |
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Ballads reduce the active cooldown of your Cries and Calls by 1s. | Set: 20+ total ranks |
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Calls have a chance to trigger the ability to use a single healing skill from another stance. | Set: 25+ total ranks |
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Earns the skill: Cry of the Valar. | Set: 30+ total ranks |
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There is a small chance that a Coda will not consume Ballad Buffs. | Set: 35+ total ranks |
Trait | Description | Source |
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Increases the damage of Ballads and Codas. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Critical Hits with Piercing Cry will stun the target for 5s. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Increases Critical Chance and Critical Damage. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Increases the Critical Chance of Ballad skills and improves Finesse Rating. | Trait: 5+ ranks, The Fundamentals at rank 3 |
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Increases the damage of Cries and Calls. | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Earns the skills: Call of Oromë and Call of Eärendil. | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Ballads have a chance to build a staking enhancement for Coda of Dissonance. Each stack will cause Coda of Dissonance to add a +5% damage buff, up to 25%. |
Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Call of Oromë affects more targets and deals more damage. | Trait: 10+ ranks, Call of Oromë at rank 1 |
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Increases max Morale. At rank 3 Call of the Second Age gains a short Stun effect. | Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Earns the skill: Greater Anthem II - War. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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The Minstrel's Light damage is improved. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Increases the damage done by Echoes of Battle. | Trait: 20+ ranks |
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Dissonant Strike steals Morale from the enemy on a Critical Hit. | Trait: 20+ ranks |
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Your critical Cry and Call damage is increased. | Trait: 25+ ranks |
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Coda of Fury has a chance to reset the cooldown of all Cries and Calls. You cannot gain this effect more than once every 25s. | Trait: 25+ ranks |
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All damaging Cries and Calls can echo in your enemies' ears, dealing extra damage. | Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45 |
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Earns the skill: Cry of the Wizards. | Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45 |
The Protector of Song
Spins tales to motivate allies to great feats.
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Set Bonus | Description | Source |
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Increases the bonuses offered by Anthem of the Third Age - Melody. | Set: 5+ total ranks |
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The 'break on damage' Grace Period for Invocation of Elbereth is extended by 3s. | Set: 10+ total ranks |
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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 |
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Call of the Second Age offers improved bonuses. | Set: 20+ total ranks |
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Grants access to Tale of Tales, a powerful Aura which carries different buffs based on what stance you are in. | Set: 25+ total ranks |
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Grants access to Song of Aid, which gives each member of your fellowship a unique buff based on their class. | Set: 30+ total ranks |
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Further increases the bonuses offered by Anthem of the Third Age - Melody | Set: 35+ total ranks |
Trait | Description | Source |
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Increases damage and healing done by your Strike skills. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Echoes of Battle further reduces the enemy's Resistance, and The Melody of Battle has a chance to raise the target's Outgoing Threat when hit. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Inspire Fellows costs less Power, heals more Morale, and now benefits from the Inner Strength trait. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Earns the skill: Lesser Anthem III - Composure. | Trait: 0+ ranks |
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Offensive skills may grant a buff that causes the next heal to crit. Healing skill may grant a buff that causes the next Offensive Skill to crit. | Trait: 5+ ranks; Requires Of All Trades |
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Increase damage and healing. | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Invocation of Elbereth break on damage grace period is extended. | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Adds unique effects to each Coda. Buffs Codas. | Trait: 5+ ranks |
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Increases Tactical Mastery rating. | Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Earns the skill: Greater Anthem III - Prowess. | Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Improves Story of Courage to remove additional fear effects around its target. | Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Improves Gift of the Hammerhand targets by 1. | Trait: 10+ ranks |
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Improves Anthems and at rank 5 Cry of the Chorus resets Anthem cooldowns. | Trait: 15+ ranks Requires Extended Anthems at Rank 3. |
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Increases Anthem duration. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Increases critical chance of ballads. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Your ballads provide a portion of their bonuses to your fellowship. Improves Perfect Performance duration at Rank 3. | Trait: 15+ ranks |
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Earns the skill: Song of Aid. | Trait: 20+ ranks |
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Earns the skill: Anthem of the Free Peoples. | Trait: 20+ ranks Requires Extended Anthems at Rank 1. |
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A critical hit with a ballad will reset Piercing Cry cooldowns. | Trait: 20+ ranks Requires Songs of Woe at Rank 3. |
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Improves Ballads in Melody - Stance | Trait: 20+ ranks Requires Perfect Performance at Rank 1. |
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Improves Anthem | Trait: 25+ ranks Requires Anthem of the Free Peoples at Rank 3. |
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Earns the skill: Call to Greatness. | Trait: 30+ ranks |
Trait Tree
Shields and heals your allies with Song.
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Uses harsh words to damage foes.
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Spins tales to motivate allies to great feats.
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Class Quests
Minstrel Class Quests |
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