Captain Traits

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published by Valdurion on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 10:23

TRAIT SETS

Mines of Moria introduced the idea of Trait Sets, which allow classes to perform varying, specialized roles in a group. Slotting a certain number of traits within a trait line also provides additional bonuses to specialized roles, with more traits resulting in more bonuses. Additionally, slotting the maximum number of traits within a particular trait set (5) grants the ability to equip special, powerful, trait-set legendary traits that compliment the line. Note: The pre-Moria legendary traits continue to function as before, and do not require specific traits to be pre-slotted for use.

Traits can be mixed and matched as the class sees fit. And while you do get certain bonuses for focusing on one trait set, versatility does have its own usefulness. Also, trait choices can be heavily affected by the make-up of the fellowship, so it's best to keep some degree of revolvabilty within your trait and trait set choices. Traits are ultimately malleable, so you might want to try them all out and see what suits your play-style the best.


Leader of Men
The "Leader of Men" trait line focuses on the captain's original, utility strengths and flexibilities, including his ability to markedly strengthen his fellowship, and beef up his heralds with his incomparable buffs and support.
Equipped Bonuses
2
  • -10s Mark skills cooldown.
3
  • -15% Shield Brother Skill Power Costs.
4
  • 10% chance for "Kick" to initiate a Fellowship Maneuver.
5
  • Can equip "Master of Oaths" legendary trait.

Blood of Numenor
  • Acquire: Save allies from the brink of death 100 times.
  • Effect: Allies renewed by “Escape from Darkness” will return with full Morale and more Power.

Tip: This trait makes a very useful, in-combat rez skill even better. Recommended.

Captain of War
  • Acquire: Use "War-cry" 300 times

  • Effect: Increases the attack speed buff of “War-cry,” and reduces the cooldown on your Mark skills.

Tip: This trait is generally recommended, in allowing you and your fellowship to be buffed for even greater attack speed.

Composure
  • Acquire: Use "Time of Need" 50 times.
  • Effect: "Time of Need" becomes even more useful by resetting the cooldowns on all your Cry skills.


Captain’s Victory
  • Acquire: Summon your Herald of Victory 60 times.

  • Effect: Improves the Power buff effects of the Captain's Herald or Banner of Victory by a fair percentage.


Defiance
  • Acquire: Level 30 Class Quest

  • Effect: Longer “Last Stand,” duration, and also increases Fear Resistance.

Tip: It is strongly suggested you equip the trait, "Defiance" as this will make “Last Stand” last for 25 seconds instead of 15, and also give you a Morale heal at end, so that after such a heroic act, you don’t go and die unheroically.

Loyalty
  • Acquire: Complete Level 15 Class Quest
  • Effect: Increases Heralds armour and Fear Resistance.

Tip: This is a good trait to equip, especially during early levels, when you will depend on your herald often as an off-tank.

Precise Ally
  • Acquire: Summon your Archer 100 times.
  • Effect: Your herald or archer can now do an additional +20% damage.

Tip: Acquiring this trait isn't quite as easy as it sounds. First you have to acquire the traits "Captain's Hope," "Captain's Victory," and "Captain's Valour," and then summon your herald 100 times to get the trait.

Tactical Prowess
  • Acquire: Use "To Arms!" 300 times.
  • Effect: Your "To Arms!" skill, a powerful +25% to damage buff, lasts 5 seconds longer, going from 10 seconds to 15. Those few seconds are sometimes all it takes to make the difference.


Master of Oaths

Legendary
  • Acquire: Achieve Kindred standing with the Iron Garrison Guards.
  • Access: Equip 5 skills from this set.
  • Effect: Equipping the legendary "Master of Oaths" to this trait line will greatly increase the damage and survivability of your heralds archer, as well allow you to equip the Oathbreaker armamant, which grants your heralds/archer additional sturdiness, as well as a cool, ghostly Oathbreaker appearance.
Tip: Once you attain Kindred reputation with the Iron Garrison Guards in Moria, you must buy the book "The Master of the Charge" from the Guard merchant, in order to get this trait. Currently the book states that it is the final trait in the "Lead the Charge" trait line, but this seems to be an error because it also states it grants the "Master of Oaths" trait.


Hands of Healing
The "Hands of Healing" trait line substantially ups the healing talents of a captain, allowing him to breech the gap between his more usual role of back-up healer and that of a main healer, when the need arises.
Equipped Bonuses
2
  • +10% Vocal skills healing.
3
  • -10% Healing Skills Power Cost.
4
  • +10% Melee Skills Healing.
5
  • Can equip "Hands of Healing" legendary trait.

Captain’s Hope
  • Acquire: Summon your Herald of Hope 60 times.

  • Effect: Improves the effects of the Captain's Herald or Banner of Hope.

Tip: If you equip this trait, the Morale bonuses are significantly increased, and you and your fellowship also get a +1 bonus to your Hope. It is generally recommended you equip this trait.

Deeds Before Words
  • Acquire: Use "Inspire" 1000 times.
  • Effect: Your Shield-brother skill "Inspire" will restore more morale. This could be a helpful trait in helping you keep your Shield-brother going with a minimum amount of effort.


Fear No Darkness
  • Acquire: Use "Words of Courage" 500 times.

  • Effect: Improves "Words of Courage."

Tip: Equipping this trait will significantly boost your “Words of Courage” main heal, which is helpful in all situations, especially for a captain with a healing-focused build. Recommended.

Now for Wrath
  • Acquire: Use "Rallying Cry" 600 times.

  • Effect: Increases Power, “Rallying Cry” now also heals Power.

Tip: Every captain should equip this as soon it becomes available to bring a steady pulse of background power to himself and his fellowship.

Strength from Within
  • Acquire: Use "Muster Courage" 350 times.
  • Effect: "Muster Courage" will now provide you with a self-heal, at the cost of being unable to summon a herald or archer. Standards are still an option, however.


Strong Voice
  • Acquire: Use "Muster Courage" 200 times.

  • Effect: The power costs of your cries and shouts are reduced.

Tip: This can be useful to help conserve a captain's power pool if he's often in intense situations that find him at a lack.

Subtle Command
  • Acquire: Use your cries to good effect 2,000 times.

  • Effect: Increases Fear Resistance, reduces your threat.

Tip: Although a captain often wants to generate threat, he can also choose to make himself less noticeable if he is focusing on being the backup, or main healer.

Hands of Healing

Legendary
  • Acquire: Complete Level 58 class quest.
  • Access: Equip 5 skills from this set.
  • Effect: You receive +10% Healing from all Healing Skills and your powerful "Valiant Strike" attack and accompanying group heal are greatly improved.

Lead the Charge
The "Lead the Charge" trait line at last gives captains the long sought-after ability to deliver significant DPS, generate and hold Threat, and efficiently fill in the role of the all-important tank/off-tank when necessary.
Equipped Bonuses
2
  • +15% Melee Skill Critical Multiplier.
3
  • -5% Melee Skills Power Cost
4
  • "Grave Wound" will force your target to attack you for a limited time.
5
  • Can equip "Master of War" legendary trait.

Adherant of Elendil
  • Acquire: Use "Blade of Elendil" 350 times.
  • Effect: Your "Blade of Elendil" damage is increased by 15%, making this powerful chain attack skill even harder hitting.


Battle-master
  • Acquire: Use "Devastating Blow" or "Pressing Attack" 300 times.
  • Effect: Your "Pressing Attack" and "Devastating Blow" will now do 10% more damage. This can add up to a significant amount, when you consider the high criticals of "Devastating Blow" and the multiple attacks of "Pressing Attack."


Captain’s Valour
  • Acquire: Summon your Herald of War 60 times.

  • Effect: Improves the Agility and Might benefits of the Captain's Herald/Banner of War by 10%.

Tip: good trait to equip when you are grouped with DPS classes, and want to take down enemies quickly.

Expert Attacks
  • Acquire: Land critical hits with "Devastating Blow" 100 times

  • Effect: Increases Critical chance to Melee, Range, Tactical skills, and Might.

Tip: This is an excellent trait that gives a significant boost (5%) to all your critical skills, and allows greater chance for the high damage criticals of "Devastating Blow."


Focused Strikes
  • Acquire: Land blows with "Defensive Strike" 500 times.

  • Effect: This trait helps reduce your miss chance, while increasing Fear Resistance.


Intimidation
  • Acquire: Use "Threatening Shout" 600 times.

  • Effect: Improves the threat generation of “Threatening Shout” and "Grave Wound."
    If you make frequent use of a captain’s threat skill chain, or often fill in the tank role, you can equip this trait to help increase your threat effectiveness.


Renewed Voice
  • Acquire: Use "Battle-Shout" 650 times.

  • Effect: Increases Might, reduces Battle-shout cooldown.

Tip: This is also a useful trait because it allows you to return to a Battle-readied state more quickly, which is necessary for using some of your more powerful skills.

Turn of the Tide
  • Acquire: Afflict enemies with "Routing Cry" 250 times.

  • Effect: Your "Routing Cry" deals more damage and stuns foes for 3 seconds. Also increases Might.

Tip: This is a very good trait for soloing, to help you manage and control several enemy targets at once, especially at the earlier levels.

Master of War

Legendary
  • Acquire: Complete "Volume II: Mines of Moria Books 1-6."
  • Access: Equip 5 skills from this set.
  • Effect: The damage done by your "Shadow's Lament" increases significantly, and your "Noble Mark" will generate and even higher Threat over Time, drawing sharp attention to you in battle, and helping you to efficiently tank/off-tank when needed.

SHADOWS OF ANGMAR LEGENDARY TRAITS

Defy Corruption

Legendary
  • Acquire: Complete The Candle's Flame book.
  • Effect: Your Escape from Darkness ability is greatly improved, and your Cry of Vengeance will revive one additional ally.

Tip: If you are lacking a minstrel, and find yourself having to fill on the main healer’s role, or if you find yourself or your group in a particularly tough instance and are having trouble surviving, you might want to beef your rez ability with this trait.

Book 14 Update

Defy Corruption will now grant temporarily increased ability scores to any fellowship member revived by the Captain's “Escape from Darkness” skill. Fellowship members will now revive with a hearty buff that will temporarily make them much sturdier in the face of danger.

Oathbreaker’s Shame

Legendary
  • Acquire: Complete Book of Oaths book.
  • Effect: You levy a curse upon your foe which increases the damage you can do to it.
Tip: A very good choice for your secondary legendary, after In Defense of Middle Earth, because every class can benefit from it. Its increase to a fellowship’s (or your) damage will help bring down enemies quickly.

Shield of the Dunedain

Legendary
  • Acquire: Complete Treatise of Valour book.
  • Effect: You are able to afford protection to one of your companions, but at the cost of half your power.
Tip: Slot this trait for more specific situations, as when your group may not be as solid as it needs be, and you need to help keep the minstrel, etc. alive. Otherwise, it’s not as overall useful as other legendary traits.

In Defense of Middle-Earth

Legendary
  • Acquire: Complete the level 50 class quest.
  • Effect: Your very presence inspires those around you to perform better in combat.
Tip: Without a doubt, this in the essential captain legendary trait, hands down. The only time you’d not want to slot it is if you are grouped with another captain who has the trait, as they do not stack—in which case you should choose another legendary to benefit your group with.