At level 75, the Song of the Hammerhand appears to give exactly 1,980 morale shield. The only variable is how much it will cost to cast. If your power pool is bigger, it will cost more to cast. It will ALWAYS cost 5% of your power pool to cast and, if the bubble has a full duration and expires naturally instead of falling off from being hit, it will give you back exactly as much power as it cost you to cast it.
Can the bubble be healed during its duration, or does all healing go to morale?
Can the bubble be healed during its duration, or does all healing go to morale?
The bubble itself can not be replenished. Healing goes toward your morale. The new bubble is basically a get out of jail free skill. You pop it for emergencies if you get double crited or you need to heal right away. You hit the bubble and it buys you time to get a heal or two off. My experience with it shows that it lasts 2-3 hits from one enemy. If you have a group pounding on you, good luck. Feign might be the better choice in that situation.
Sometimes I use it to get agro off me in skirmishes. Encounter bosses hit HARD so I pop bubble then song of soothing since the bubble prevents any induction setbacks. Having it on a 1 minute timer is pretty nice. I wish there was a legacy for cooldown on gift of the hammerhand. My protector needs it often. LOL
<< Co-founder of The Firebrands of Caruja on Landroval >>
Ceolford of Dale, Dorolin, Tordag, Garberend Bellheather, Colfinn Belegorn, Garmo Butterbuckles, Calensarn Nimlos, Langtiriel, Bergteir
I will miss the old Gift of Hammerhand. I've taken such a huge liking in using it to punish people who insist on sitting in puddles and not potting out removable dots. It was such a fantastic gift of love.
Oh I really won't, I am a clicker for my buffs and if I'm a little tired or am getting distracted (which I am quite a bit :x) I often misclick(ed) and got the tank out of power, oopsie! (A)
Loves her puppies forever!♥ My Puppielooks!♥ White, Innocent, Cute, Brave, Perfect! *_*
I will miss the old Gift of Hammerhand. I've taken such a huge liking in using it to punish people who insist on sitting in puddles and not potting out removable dots. It was such a fantastic gift of love.
I will miss it as well, no better cure for the hunter who just can't seem to understand strength stance is for soloing than a gift of the bubble.
Re: AW: Re: Visual Guide To Minstrels in Rise of Isengard
Originally Posted by Farothhen
Oh, be careful with this! You can play a hunter in a group even with the strength stance. You only have to know how...
Indeed, I know for a fact the only reason my hunter buddy pulls aggro in Strength when I'm tanking is to screw with me, because he knows what he's doing with it.
Out of curiosity, what's the sound for the Minor/Major/Perfect Ballads like?
Do they have some variables? (Like sometimes they'll play one musical ditty, sometimes another) or are they static?
I kinda hope they're variable, but I'm guessing they won't be.
Either way, I'm kinda excited about the new changes. I wonder what it'll be like to level up a Minstrel from level 1?
I'm curious about this too. Are they using the same tunes that are on some of the current ballads? I get used to the little melodies that make up my normal rotation (and it reminds me to switch instruments if I've forgotten.) This will probably be one of the first things I try when the update goes live, get out all my instruments and try the new ballads.
Hmmm. I've just been through hell and back trying to adjust to healing changes with last WoW expansion (Cataclysm). The headlines for the changes to minstrel sounds horribly like the reasons put forward for the healing changes in WoW: make healers more active, give them more to do, force them make choices etc. The net effect was (until itemisation for raids corrected some of the problems) healers running out of mana and getting blamed for not keeping the party alive (often because dps/tanks were standing in fires etc etc). Loads of stress and pain initially and not at all fun.
I'm not saying LoTRO minstrel changes will turn out the same - but it does sound horribly familiar and will certainly stop me from coming back to play minstrel until the dust is well and truly settled.
Was looking forward to coming back to play RoI, but given that I am unlikely to ever be a "hardcore" LoTRO player again, the steep learning curve to get back into minstrelling will mean I'll be LM to explore the new landscape.
Just curious - were minstrels really complaining healing was too easy/boring before these changes?
the steep learning curve to get back into minstrelling will mean I'll be LM to explore the new landscape.
You have three choices of ballads, six choices of anthems, one coda to end them, and five heals.
This has simplified the system that previously existed. After everyone puts away their undamaged umbrellas when they realize the sky didn't fall, they'll realize it's not a steep learning curve.
Improved Enlivening Grace
This skill has been updated so that we can revive 5 targets instead of just one. However, I’m unsure if we will be able to revive people outside of our own Fellowships. If we cannot… well, there goes half my time spent in the Ettenmoors right there. Actually it might be nice to tell people begging for a rez that I can’t oblige. This will require further testing.
Has there been any news on whether this skill rezzes across groups and outside of fellowships/raids? I would think so since currently I am able to rez the poor souls I come across lying in a pool of their own blood , but I am looking for clarification.
Has there been any news on whether this skill rezzes across groups and outside of fellowships/raids? I would think so since currently I am able to rez the poor souls I come across lying in a pool of their own blood , but I am looking for clarification.
It rezzes your target and up to 4 additional people from your raid that are within 120m of that target.
You have three choices of ballads, six choices of anthems, one coda to end them, and five heals.
This has simplified the system that previously existed. After everyone puts away their undamaged umbrellas when they realize the sky didn't fall, they'll realize it's not a steep learning curve.
I disagree with you here. The new system is NOT simplified. We have only 3 Ballads now, but they are a completely different system of play then we've had before. The Coda is a completely different system of play. The complexity of the class has increased, not decreased.
HOWEVER, I do agree that the sky is not falling. I think it will take about three hours of test playing for a level 65 Minstrel on launch day to start getting a feel for the class again. On log-in it took me about an hour to read through all my traits and skills tooltips and rearrange my quickslots, then a couple of hours soloing to get the hang of the new rotations and figuring out and remembering what the Coda does when used under the various Anthem modifiers. Then, my first healing experience under the new system was a steep learning curve, too, especially trying to be something other than a Bolster-bot.
But I think everyone should go ahead and give it a try before they wash their hands of the class. It really is quite fun to use the new system after awhile.
Narlinde, level 85 Minstrel, Rank 10, Member of Trucido ~ Windfola
I hope that someone has done extensive testing on the changes in the Ettenmoors. Please chime in and tell me we are not going to be even weaker in the Moors as healers than we already are. I'm already dreading tanking 20 greenie reavers let alone with weakened escape skills and power regen problems.
L a n d r o v a l | Aethrien || Aerlise || Mumsy || Aethirien |
I disagree with you here. The new system is NOT simplified. We have only 3 Ballads now, but they are a completely different system of play then we've had before. The Coda is a completely different system of play. The complexity of the class has increased, not decreased.
HOWEVER, I do agree that the sky is not falling. I think it will take about three hours of test playing for a level 65 Minstrel on launch day to start getting a feel for the class again. On log-in it took me about an hour to read through all my traits and skills tooltips and rearrange my quickslots, then a couple of hours soloing to get the hang of the new rotations and figuring out and remembering what the Coda does when used under the various Anthem modifiers. Then, my first healing experience under the new system was a steep learning curve, too, especially trying to be something other than a Bolster-bot.
But I think everyone should go ahead and give it a try before they wash their hands of the class. It really is quite fun to use the new system after awhile.
An excellent guide, but I have to ask: What in blazes was wrong with the class before? I've been here since the beginning, and they just keep screwing up the Minstrel.
Well, I've had it. I'm sick of it. I'm done. I'm tired of getting yanked around over and over and over.
Mandli: Now I know how the elves feel. All the magic is leaving Middle Earth.
An excellent guide, but I have to ask: What in blazes was wrong with the class before? I've been here since the beginning, and they just keep screwing up the Minstrel.
Well, I've had it. I'm sick of it. I'm done. I'm tired of getting yanked around over and over and over.
I've played the changes. Its not that complicated and to be honest, IMO, its MORE fun. The class has become slightly more complicated while at the same time become even more "OP". Once everyone is familiar with how the new system works, bubbles, slows, etc I honesty think most will prefer it over the old system.
Stacked HoTs while bubbled and kiting a slowed/feared/stunned mob is going to make PvE a joke while at the same time making creeps cry rivers of tears...
"...FF is still the best server period, its like the Texas of Lotro"-Bace
With the new system, you spend a lot less time casting skills that don't actually heal anybody (ballads), and instead concentrate on actual healing. Coda's are situational/optional, so unless you are casting those, you can just cast your healing ballad three times and spend the rest of combat with healing and the occasional anthem. You don't have to bother with Ballad Tiers, it doesn't matter if your Ballad is resisted or not, you don't have to work around 10 second cooldowns -- just cast your healing ballad three times and start healing.
Some players will prefer smaller heals keeping folks topped off rather then big heals -- so for them, they will cast the power-saving ballad three times and get on with the business of healing. They might also take this approach if they traited a higher crit rate for heals since more frequent heals with a lower power cost could be quite effective with a high crit rate. You can mix and match if you want -- slightly reduce your heals for more power savings or vice versa. In this respect, the expansion will be a bit more complicated then on Live since you will now have a choice between larger more expensive heals, or cheaper smaller heals.
And what about us Warrior Skalds? I've spent a small fortune getting medium armour, and perfecting my combat style so I can enjoy the character.
They keep pulling the rug out from under me, and I'm sick and tired of it. If I wasn't a lifetimer, I'd quit. I've become so disillusioned and frustrated with the direction this game has taken over the last year or two that I can hardly stand to start the game up. I feel betrayed.
And this is coming from someone who sang the praises of the game up and down and every which way to all my friends. I've stopped singing. Now, I just feel like crying.
Mandli: Now I know how the elves feel. All the magic is leaving Middle Earth.
I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. If everything we've read holds water, Warrior-Skald minstrels will be more powerful than ever before. And we'll be able to heal ourselves in War-Speech again, just like we used to.
Let's give the changes a try before we decide anything.
LotRO is a game, but none-the-less a business, the dev's are paid employees of that business who get paid to develop the game within their specific area's, the minstrel as is, is practically perfect other than a much needed healing output boost to bring us back in line with the main healing class of the LotRO world.
In real life I am a computer technician, if a perfect world scenario occured and I fixed every computer in my charge so as it was perfect, never needing any attention at all, my services would be seen as surplus to requirement and I would quickly find myself looking for a new career. So we sell new computers, that need installing, updating, tweaking and perfecting, therefore generating work for ourselves.
So now we are entering Minstrel MKII, to all intent and purpose you might as well delete the class and create a new class, the changes are so radical that the Minstrel will no longer feel the same to play. and THAT is the intended purpose, new goals, new idea's, new bugs to be fixed, creases to iron, complaints to be dealt with, you sell a new idea to keep yourself viably and constantly employable. Flogging a dead horse gets you nowhere, bring in a new horse and flog to your hearts content.
See it as change for the better or worse as you will, the changes are coming, and they had to, Minstrel MKI was nearing the end of its development cycle and had little place to go. Orion does an amazing job with the Minstrel in this game, whilst I am not happy about the radical changes, I for one am pleased that it is HE who is heading up this new class, who better to perfect it.
Orion you do an amazing job, keep up the good work and congratulations to the both of you on the new addition to your family, make the most of your paternity leave take the time to enjoy the moments that can never be lived again.
I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. If everything we've read holds water, Warrior-Skald minstrels will be more powerful than ever before. And we'll be able to heal ourselves in War-Speech again, just like we used to.
Let's give the changes a try before we decide anything.
Fair enough, I suppose, but I still want my Medium Armour. I'm a WARRIOR Skald, not a librarian.
Mandli: Now I know how the elves feel. All the magic is leaving Middle Earth.
And what about us Warrior Skalds? I've spent a small fortune getting medium armour, and perfecting my combat style so I can enjoy the character.
On Beta, you have a trait that you can slot that takes all your armor and boosts it by 20% -- I believe that effectively gives you more mitigation then medium armor did. On top of that you can heal yourself with NO penalty for being in Warspeech and you have a Morale bubble you can pop once a minute on top of all that. The survivability of the Warrior Skald has vastly improved over what we currently have.
Given that you will be gaining 10 more levels, you are going to be replacing all your armor anyway -- so the fact that you spent a bunch of money on your current armor is rather moot.
Have you actually played on Beta and tried combat as a Warrior Skald, or are you just convincing yourself you won't like it without the benefit of having actually tried it? And if you have tried it, what about it don't you like?
On Beta, you have a trait that you can slot that takes all your armor and boosts it by 20% -- I believe that effectively gives you more mitigation then medium armor did. On top of that you can heal yourself with NO penalty for being in Warspeech and you have a Morale bubble you can pop once a minute on top of all that. The survivability of the Warrior Skald has vastly improved over what we currently have.
Given that you will be gaining 10 more levels, you are going to be replacing all your armor anyway -- so the fact that you spent a bunch of money on your current armor is rather moot.
Have you actually played on Beta and tried combat as a Warrior Skald, or are you just convincing yourself you won't like it without the benefit of having actually tried it? And if you have tried it, what about it don't you like?
You make fair points, and I haven't tried it since I'm not in beta testing. I'm just very, very tired of constantly having my character pulled out from under me. While actual mitigation may be better, there's something intangible about using Medium Armour that makes me feel more like a warrior. Perhaps that I can equip medium armour in cosmetic slots will ameliorate the feeling of loss.
We'll have to see.
Mandli: Now I know how the elves feel. All the magic is leaving Middle Earth.
I really do appreciate all the effort in creating this guide. It has helped, although I will admit that actual game play is still confusing to me. I am struggling to figure out the new mechanics of how the system works. In some ways I feel not very useful. I have discovered that the changes made to the minstrel class pair very well with the new changes to the Captain class. Looks like we will have to find ourselves a pocket cappy to make us even more efficient healers. Luckily I already have one.
A few questions for those who've played with the changes.
With the new power cost of heals does the blue Capstone seem more appealing now?
Is there anyway to reduce the power cost of tales? And if not do the improved tales from yellow Capstone feel worthwhile to maintain?
Also, do codas clear the effect of anthems? I'm not quite clear on their exact functionality.
Since it's introduction, I have tried again and again to like the Soliloquy of Spirit/Legendary Spirit capstone, but I truly feel that it just doesn't do ENOUGH to warrant slotting it. If it increased the SoS HoT AND did something like +10% healing crit multiplier or +5% outgoing healing, or SOMETHING, then it would be worth slotting. As it is, even with the increase in power costs and decreases in base healing, I still don't think I'd ever slot this. On the other hand, the higher level LI weapons are giving us more +pulses to SoS making it easier than ever to maintain this HoT on two people, so YMMV. It is still out most power-efficient heal... I'm just not sure it's worth slotting 5-blue + capstone to get it, especially when slotting the capstone forces you to give up Symphony of the Hopeful Heart, which I feel is situationally more useful.
There is no way to reduce the power costs of tales. Tale of Heroism will ALWAYS cost 3 power per second and the other tales will ALWAYS cost 4 power per second. On the otherhand, the yellow capstone does not now increase the power costs of the tales to 6... Tale of Frost and Flame's Battle, for example, still only costs 4 power per second. I think it will be worth it to maintain the capstone tales, yes, especially since you don't get the Improved versions of the tales by only slotting 4-deep anymore. If you want Improved Tale of Warding for the extra mitigation, you'll need to slot the capstone and you might as well just run Tale of Warding and Heroism. I think I can deal with the loss of 180 to 240 ICPR and keep running my Tales, but this might be a problem in endurance fights without opportunities for power restores.
And yes, using a Coda clears ALL of the buffing effects of both the Ballads and the Anthems. If, for example, you have the Anthem of Composure buff up for the extra Resistance and Mitigation bonus it provides your Fellowship, as soon as you use the Coda that buff is cancelled, no matter if it still had time left on it's duration. Your outgoing healing, damage, and -power cost Ballad buffs are also cancelled. However, when you use the Coda under the effects of Anthem of Composure, you get a post-Coda buff, in this case, a power restore called Vigour of the Minstrel. Different Anthems give the Minstrel different post-Coda buffs.
Hope that helps!
Narlinde, level 85 Minstrel, Rank 10, Member of Trucido ~ Windfola
These are the HoT and PoT buffs you can maintain in battle. It's pretty nice actually as it gives you more time to DPS instead of spam healing in a tough fight.
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Originally Posted by Cloudie-wan
Adaaon (Minstrel), Gwydionn (Hunter), Tarrann (Burglar)
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Loves her puppies forever!♥
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, but I am looking for clarification.
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Re: Visual Guide To Minstrels in Rise of Isengard
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