Minstrel

The Minstrel is the heart of a fellowship, a herald of hope, inspiration, and renewal. His knowledge of ancient songs and lore not only enable him to bolster fellowship morale, but also to provide motivation against the forces of darkness. When the Minstrel is alone, he becomes an intimidating opponent capable of demoralizing foes through an assortment of ballads, cries, and calls.
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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: 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 buffs that remain active indefinitely. You may freely switch between stances at any time.
Each Minstrel stance emphasizes a different role (Dissonance for DPS, Resonance for Healing, and Melody for a compromise mixing both damage and healing). Many of the Minstrel's abilities will change based on the current Stance. For example, in Resonance Major Ballad has three versions depending on the current stance of the Minstrel:
- While in
Resonance, the skill will heal the Minstrel's fellows.
- While in
Dissonance or
Melody, the skill will damage a single target.
For specific information see the individual article for each version:
- Major Ballad (Dissonance)
- Major Ballad (Melody)
- Major Ballad (Resonance) heals the group, while in Dissonance it damages enemies.
Ballads, Anthems, and Codas
A Minstrel has 3 distinct types of abilities that interact with each other to form a core part of the Minstrel 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 has three versions depending on the current stance of the Minstrel:
- While in
Resonance, the skill will heal the Minstrel's fellows.
- While in
Dissonance or
Melody, the skill will damage a single target.
For specific information see the individual article for each version:
- Major Ballad (Dissonance)
- Major Ballad (Melody)
- Major Ballad (Resonance), or
Perfect Ballad. Each Ballad applies a different buff to the Minstrel, and each buff can stack up to 3 times. You may mix the three buffs freely based on your preferred stat bonuses — for example, you can stack 3x Minor Ballad (for a total of +9% damage, +3% healing, -3% power costs) or 1 Minor + 1 Major + 1 Perfect (+5% damage, +5% healing, -5% power costs), and so forth. 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. Once a Minstrel has used 3 Ballads, she can (and should!) activate an Anthem to enhance herself (and possibly the group, too). By default, a Minstrel can choose between two anthems:
"The three of you are hereby banished from Edoras." —Gríma Wormtongue Obsolete Due to Update 33.2 - Wednesday September 21, 2022, this skill is now obsolete. |
Each of the Minstrel's specializations give access to a different Anthem skill:
- In The Watcher of Resolve trait tree,
Anthem of the Third Age - Resonance increases your healing and reduces your inductions.
- In The Warrior-Skald trait tree,
Lesser Anthem II - Dissonance (previously named 'Anthem of the Third Age - Dissonance') increases your call damage.
- In The Protector of Song trait tree,
Anthem of the Third Age - Melody increases your Fellowship's damage and incoming healing.
(which changes its effect based on your current Stance) andGreater Anthem II - War. Additional Anthems can be obtained in The Protector of Song (yellow) trait tree.
Codas
Coda is the Minstrel's "finisher" ability — it consumes your Ballad and Anthem 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 an Anthem active, then Coda will gain even more powerful effects (which will change based on which Anthem is consumed).
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.
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. Most healing skills are self-only while in Dissonance stance.
Skills | Category | CD | Level |
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Heal | 1s | 1 |
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Fear | 30s | 12 |
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Revive | - | 14 |
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Heal | 3s | 16 |
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AoE Cure + Buff | 10s | 16 |
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AoE Heal | 6s | 20 |
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Buff | 1m | 20 |
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AoE HoT + Cure + Buff | 2m | 30 |
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AoE Damage + Buff | 30s | 34 |
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CC | 3m | 34 |
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Heal | 12s | 38 |
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Threat | 2m 30s | 38 |
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Bubble | 1m | 42 |
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Combat Revive | 12m 30s | 45 |
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Bubble | 2m | 48 |
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Force Emote | 2m 30s | 50 |
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Bubble | 1m | 64 |
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AoE Revive | - | 68 |
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CC | 3m | 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.
Skills | Category | CD | Source | |
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Anthem | 25s | Specialization Skill | |
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HoT | 1.5s | Specialization Skill | |
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Heal | 5s | Set: | ![]() |
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AoE Heal | 2m 45s | Set: | ![]() |
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Anthem | 25s | Trait: | ![]() |
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Buff | 1m | Set: | ![]() |
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AoE Bubble | 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 | Skills | Category | CD | Source | |
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Anthem | 25s | Specialization Skill | ||
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Damage | 10s | Specialization Skill | |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 10s | Trait: | ![]() |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 10s | Trait: | ![]() |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 10s | Trait: | ![]() |
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Anthem | 25s | Trait: | ![]() | |
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AoE Damage + Corruption | 30s | Set: | ![]() | |
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AoE Damage + Debuff | 30s | 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.
Active Skills | Category | CD | Source | |
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Anthem | 25s | Trait: | ![]() |
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Anthem | 25s | Trait: | ![]() |
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AoE Heal + Buff | 3m 30s | Trait: | ![]() |
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Anthem | 25s | Trait: | ![]() |
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AoE Skill Reset | 7m | Set: | ![]() |
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 |
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Discipline: Rohirrim |
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Discipline: Red Dawn |
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Discipline: Riddermark |
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Mentoring Skills
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.
Passive Skills
Base 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 5 | 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 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
Minstrel
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Skills • Traits • Traceries • Effects • Deeds • Guide • Armour Sets • Items • Quests |
Trait Trees
The Watcher of Resolve
Shields and heals your allies with Song.
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Set Traits | Description | Source |
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Buff | 5+ total ranks |
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Gain skill Perfect Ending | 10+ total ranks |
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Improves skill Bolster Courage | 15+ total ranks |
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Gain skill Triumphant Spirit | 20+ total ranks |
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Gain skill Call to Ioreth | 25+ total ranks |
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Improves skill Rally! | 30+ total ranks |
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Improves skill Chord of Salvation | 35+ total ranks |
The Warrior-Skald
Uses harsh words to damage foes.
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Set Traits | Description | Source |
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Buff | 5+ total ranks |
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Buff | 10+ total ranks |
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Buff | 15+ total ranks |
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Buff | 20+ total ranks |
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Buff | 25+ total ranks |
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Gain skill Cry of the Valar. | 30+ total ranks |
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Improves skills: Coda of Fury, Coda of Melody, Coda of Resonance | 35+ total ranks |
The Protector of Song
Spins tales to motivate allies to great feats.
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Note: Some traits in this tree have an increased cost in Trait Points in order to acquire and/or rank up, regardless of specialization.
Tree Traits | Description | Source | Cost per Rank |
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Improves skills: Dissonant Strike, Hero's Strike, Healer's Strike | Row 1 (0+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Improves skills: Timeless Echoes of Battle, Echoes of Battle, The Melody of Battle | Row 1 (0+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Improves skill Inspire Fellows | Row 1 (0+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Gain skill Lesser Anthem III - Composure | Row 1 (0+ ranks) | 2 Points |
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Buff | Row 2 (5+ ranks), Of All Trades (1) |
1 Point |
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Buff | Row 2 (5+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Improves skill Invocation of Elbereth | Row 2 (5+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Improves skills: Coda of Fury, Coda of Melody, Coda of Resonance | Row 2 (5+ ranks) | 2 Points (1) 1 Point (2-5) |
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Buff | Row 3 (10+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Gain skill Greater Anthem III - Prowess | Row 3 (10+ ranks) | 2 Points |
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Improves skill Story of Courage | Row 3 (10+ ranks) | 2 Points |
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Improves skills: Song of the Hammerhand, Gift of the Hammerhand, Legend of Helm Hammerhand | Row 3 (10+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Buff; Improves skill Cry of the Chorus | Row 4 (15+ ranks), Extended Anthems (3) |
2 Points (1) 1 Point (2-5) |
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Buff | Row 4 (15+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Buff | Row 4 (15+ ranks) | 1 Point |
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Buff | Row 4 (15+ ranks) | 2 Points (1) 1 Point (2-3) |
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Gain skill Song of Aid. | Row 5 (20+ ranks) | 2 Points |
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Gain skill Anthem of the Free Peoples. | Row 5 (20+ ranks), Extended Anthems (1) |
2 Points (1) 1 Point (2-3) |
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Buff | Row 5 (20+ ranks), Songs of Woe (3) |
2 Points |
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Buff | Row 5 (20+ ranks), Perfect Performance (1) |
2 Points |
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Buff | Row 6 (25+ ranks), Anthem of the Free Peoples (3) |
3 Points |
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Gain skill Call to Greatness. | Row 7 (30+ ranks) | 3 Points |
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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Minstrel
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Skills • Traits • Traceries • Effects • Deeds • Guide • Armour Sets • Items • Quests |