Minstrel

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Healer

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

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.

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

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.

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
Strike
	Dissonant Strike	Melee + Buff + Corruption	5s	3.5m	Level:	1
	Hero's Strike	Melee + Heal + Buff + Corruption	5s	3.5m	Level:	1
	Healer's Strike	Melee + AoE Heal + Buff + Corruption	5s	3.5m	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
Cry
	Dissonant Piercing Cry	Damage + Interrupt + Corruption	10s	40m	Level:	4
	Piercing Cry	Damage + Interrupt + Corruption	10s	40m	Level:	4
	Resonant Piercing Cry	Damage + Interrupt + Corruption	10s	40m	Level:	4
Theme of Battle
	Timeless Echoes of Battle	DoT + Debuff	Toggle (2s)	35m	Level:	8
	Echoes of Battle	DoT + Debuff	Toggle (2s)	35m	Level:	8
	The Melody of Battle	Buff	Toggle (2s)	35m	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 + Cure	1m 15s	Self	Level:	54
	Improved Cry of the Chorus (Melody)	Buff + Cure	1m 15s	Self	Level:	54
	Improved Cry of the Chorus (Resonance)	Buff + Cure	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	1.5	30m	Level:	1
Perfect Ballad	Damage + Buff	1s	35m	Level:	6
Invocation of Elbereth	Fear	30s	45m	Level:	12
Enlivening Grace	Revive	-	30m	Level:	14
Bolster Courage	Heal	1.5s	30m	Level:	16
Story of Courage	AoE Cure	10s	45m	Level:	16
Inspire Fellows	AoE Heal + Buff	5s	20.2m	Level:	20
Spirit of Freedom	Cure	1m30s	Self	Level:	20
Fellowship's Heart	AoE HoT + Cure	2m	20.2m	Level:	30
Call of the Second Age	AoE Damage + Buff	30s	10.2m	Level:	34
Song of Distraction	CC	3m	45m	Level:	34
Chord of Salvation	Heal	10s	30m	Level:	38
Still As Death	Threat	2m30s	Self	Level:	38
Story of the Hammerhand	Bubble	1m	Self	Level:	42
Rally!	Combat Revive	12m 30s	30m	Level:	45
Gift of the Hammerhand	Bubble	2m	30m	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	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.

Active Skills	Category	Cooldown	Range	Source
Lesser Anthem I - Resonance	Buff	25s	-	Set:	Initial Skill
Soliloquy of Spirit	HoT	1.5s	25m	Set:	Initial Skill
Perfect Ending	Heal	5s	25m	Set:	Snowball
Triumphant Spirit	AoE Heal	4m	20m	Trait:	Triumphant Spirit
Greater Anthem I - Compassion	Buff	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of Compassion (Trait)
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	Buff	25s	-	Set:	Initial Skill
Call to Fate	Damage	10s	35m	Set:	Initial Skill
Call of Oromë	AoE Damage + Debuff	10s	35m	Trait:	Call of Oromë
Call of Eärendil	AoE Damage + Debuff	10s	5.2m	Trait:	Call of Oromë
Greater Anthem II - War	Buff	25s	30m	Trait:	Anthem of War (Trait)
Cry of the Valar	AoE Damage + Buff + Corruption	30s	40m	Trait:	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	AoE Buff	25s	Self	Trait:	Anthem of Composure
Greater Anthem III - Prowess	AoE Buff	25s	Self	Trait:	Anthem of Prowess
Song of Aid	AoE Buff Heal	3m 30s	30.2m	Trait:	Song of Aid
Anthem of the Free Peoples	AoE Buff	25s	Self	Trait:	Anthem of the Free Peoples
Call to Greatness	AoE Buff	7m	Self	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

Set Bonus	Description	Source
Resonant Ballads	+3% Ballad healing bonus. Ballads reduce Cry of the Chorus cooldown.	Set: 5+ total ranks
Snowball	Healing skills build a stacking buff. At maximum (7) stacks, you can use a powerful heal. Skills Earned: Perfect Ending	Set: 10+ total ranks
Bolster Our Courage	A portion of Bolster Courage's heal is also applied to nearby Fellows.	Set: 15+ total ranks
Triumphant Spirit	Grants access to Triumphant Spirit, which allows you to instantly heal your fellowship. Skills Earned: Triumphant Spirit	Set: 20+ total ranks
Call to Ioreth	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
Rally!	-300 Rally! Cooldown	Set: 30+ total ranks
Chord of Legend	+100% Chord of Salvation Healing	Set: 35+ total ranks

Trait	Description	Source
Poignant Phrases	Increases Critical Healing.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Soothing Voice	Increases the potency of Heals.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Strong Appeal	Increases the Crit chance of heals.	Trait: 5+ ranks, Poignant Phrases at rank 3
Raise Our Spirits	Improves Raise the Spirit	Trait: 5+ ranks
Pause for Breath	Improves Major Ballad (Resonance) Power restoration.	Trait: 5+ ranks
Improved Bolster Courage	Bolster Courage delivers a more potent heal.	Trait: 10+ ranks
Resonant Piercing Cry	Scoring a Critical Hit with Resonant Piercing Cry increases the Bolster Courage and Raise the Spirit around the target.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Improved Chord of Salvation	Improves Chord of Salvation and gives it a fellowship-wide heal.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Improved Song of the Hammerhand	Enhances the potency of the bubble from Song of the Hammerhand.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Follow Up	Critical Heals decrease healing skill induction time.	Trait: 20+ ranks, Strong Appeal at rank 3
Quick Melody	Lowers skill induction time, letting you heal faster.	Trait: 20+ ranks
Anthem of Compassion (Trait)	Earns and improves the skill: Greater Anthem I - Compassion	Trait: 20+ ranks
Improved Coda of Resonance	Coda of Resonance briefly reduces incoming damage.	Trait: 25+ ranks
Inspiring Finish	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
Inner Strength	Improves Soliloquy of Spirit mitigations and gives +15% to damage bubbles.	Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45
Legend of Helm Hammerhand	Earns the skill: Legend of Helm Hammerhand	Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45

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

Set Bonus	Description	Source
Discordant Ballads	All Ballads now grant you a Tactical Damage Buff.	Set: 5+ total ranks
Piercing Calls	The chance to resist your Cries and Calls is reduced by 10%.	Set: 10+ total ranks
Concentration	Increases the Minstrel's attack speed by 10%.	Set: 15+ total ranks
Haste	Ballads reduce the active cooldown of your Cries and Calls by 1s.	Set: 20+ total ranks
Freedom	Calls have a chance to trigger the ability to use a single healing skill from another stance.	Set: 25+ total ranks
Cry of the Valar	Earns the skill: Cry of the Valar.	Set: 30+ total ranks
Encore	There is a small chance that a Coda will not consume Ballad Buffs.	Set: 35+ total ranks

Trait	Description	Source
The Fundamentals	Increases the damage of Ballads and Codas.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Concussive Shout	Critical Hits with Piercing Cry will stun the target for 5s.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Critical Strikes	Increases Critical Chance and Critical Damage.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Piercing Ballads	Increases the Critical Chance of Ballad skills and improves Finesse Rating.	Trait: 5+ ranks, The Fundamentals at rank 3
Discordant Cries	Increases the damage of Cries and Calls.	Trait: 5+ ranks
Call of Oromë	Earns the skills: Call of Oromë and Call of Eärendil.	Trait: 5+ ranks
Emboldening Finish	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
Improved Call of Oromë	Call of Oromë affects more targets and deals more damage.	Trait: 10+ ranks, Call of Oromë at rank 1
Enduring Morale	Increases max Morale. At rank 3 Call of the Second Age gains a short Stun effect.	Trait: 10+ ranks
Anthem of War (Trait)	Earns the skill: Greater Anthem II - War.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Song of Arda	The Minstrel's Light damage is improved.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Cacophonous Echoes	Increases the damage done by Echoes of Battle.	Trait: 20+ ranks
Herald's Strength	Dissonant Strike steals Morale from the enemy on a Critical Hit.	Trait: 20+ ranks
Fierce Cries	Your critical Cry and Call damage is increased.	Trait: 25+ ranks
Improved Coda of Fury	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
Echoes	All damaging Cries and Calls can echo in your enemies' ears, dealing extra damage.	Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45
Cry of the Wizards	Earns the skill: Cry of the Wizards.	Trait: 30+ ranks, Character Level 45

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

Trait	Description	Source
Improved Strikes	Increases damage and healing done by your Strike skills.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Memories of Battle	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
Improved Inspire Fellows	Inspire Fellows costs less Power, heals more Morale, and now benefits from the Inner Strength trait.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Anthem of Composure	Earns the skill: Lesser Anthem III - Composure.	Trait: 0+ ranks
Change of Pace!	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
Of All Trades	Increase damage and healing.	Trait: 5+ ranks
Gripped by Fear	Invocation of Elbereth break on damage grace period is extended.	Trait: 5+ ranks
Thunderous Codas	Adds unique effects to each Coda. Buffs Codas.	Trait: 5+ ranks
Tactical Mastery	Increases Tactical Mastery rating.	Trait: 10+ ranks
Anthem of Prowess	Earns the skill: Greater Anthem III - Prowess.	Trait: 10+ ranks
Song of Restoration	Improves Story of Courage to remove additional fear effects around its target.	Trait: 10+ ranks
Word Spreads	Improves Gift of the Hammerhand targets by 1.	Trait: 10+ ranks
Invigourating Anthems	Improves Anthems and at rank 5 Cry of the Chorus resets Anthem cooldowns.	Trait: 15+ ranks Requires Extended Anthems at Rank 3.
Extended Anthems	Increases Anthem duration.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Songs of Woe	Increases critical chance of ballads.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Perfect Performance	Your ballads provide a portion of their bonuses to your fellowship. Improves Perfect Performance duration at Rank 3.	Trait: 15+ ranks
Song of Aid	Earns the skill: Song of Aid.	Trait: 20+ ranks
Anthem of the Free Peoples	Earns the skill: Anthem of the Free Peoples.	Trait: 20+ ranks Requires Extended Anthems at Rank 1.
Sharing a Story	A critical hit with a ballad will reset Piercing Cry cooldowns.	Trait: 20+ ranks Requires Songs of Woe at Rank 3.
Strike a Chord	Improves Ballads in Melody - Stance	Trait: 20+ ranks Requires Perfect Performance at Rank 1.
Tale of Tales	Improves Anthem	Trait: 25+ ranks Requires Anthem of the Free Peoples at Rank 3.
Call to Greatness	Earns the skill: Call to Greatness.	Trait: 30+ ranks