The Fanatical Swordsman

Orion made a post today about future changes to the Tier 7 crafted minstrel instruments.

Basically, he is addressing something I think should have been taken care of a long time ago. There was an update a while back to woodworking recipes to allow for multiple outputs with one recipe. Orion is trying to make the Tier 7 minstrel instrument recipes into multi-output recipes, that way you can have whatever instrument you desire paired with the buffs you want.

These changes are slated for Update 5, towards the end of the year.

The following combinations are the ones he is considering. He is pairing two regular buffs for each recipe, with a third buff available on critical success.

• First
  Ballad and Coda Damage
  Ballad, Cry and Coda Power Cost Reduction
  Critical success: Threat Reduction
• Second
  Healing Critical Bonus
  Threat Reduction
  Critical success: Anthem Power Cost Reduction
• Third
  Healing Critical Bonus
  Healing Power Cost Reduction
  Critical success: Threat Reduction
• Fourth
  Healing Critical Bonus
  Ballad and Coda Damage
  Critical success: Threat Reduction
• Fifth
  Healing Power Cost Reduction
  Anthem Power Cost Reduction
  Critical success: Threat Reduction

Below, I have outlined my own opinions on the styles of play for Minstrels that will likely use each instrument.

• First
  This is definitely the Warspeech/Soloing Minstrel’s best option.
• Second
  A Minstrel traited with the newly-revamped Protector of Song traitline will want this instrument if focusing on buffs and off-healing.
• Third
  This is the best healing instrument, so Minstrels traited for Watcher of Resolve will want this.
• Fourth
  This is a potent group DPS instrument that will help Minstrels traited in Protector of Song, but focusing more on DPS’ing trash and off-healing. This will probably see a lot of use in 3- and 6-mans if you aren’t the primary healer.
• Fifth
  This will be great in really long fights, such as in raid settings. It has a little bit of everything when it comes to conserving power, so a healing/buffing Minstrel might want to switch to it if power starts getting tight.

I am really looking forward to this change, as my favorite instrument to listen to is the Lute, and I could never get past not using the damage bonus that comes with the Drum or the threat reduction that comes with the Theorbo.