The Complete Bard Minstrel Healer Build – Neverwinter Mod 24 Northdark Reaches

Welcome to our Bard Minstrel Guide, updated for Mod 24: Dragonbone Vale.

For the latest Neverwinter news, go to the MMORPG.GG Neverwinter Hub.

Do you want to be the life of the party? The Neverwinter Bard Minstrel is the perfect class for you! This guide will teach you everything you need to know about playing this fun and versatile class. We’ll cover everything from basics like stats and abilities, to gear, companions, and mounts.

So whether you’re a new player or just looking to brush up on your skills, read on for the best Neverwinter Bard Minstrel guide out there!

The Bard class is the latest edition of the class lineup in Neverwinter. The class was introduced in Mod 21, and uses songs to either deal damage or heal their allies.

The purpose of our class guides is not just to show you a build that you can copy and use on your character, but to show you a base build and teach you the mechanics and stats of the game, so you can understand and play your class to its fullest capabilities.

Try different gear, feats, and powers, and learn to tailor your own build for your playstyle. See our guide to making your own build for more info.

1. Basic Minstrel Info
   1. Best Minstrel Races
   2. Ability Score Priority
   3. Stat / Rating Priority
2. Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
   1. Combat Powers
   2. Feats
   3. Rotation
3. Boons
4. Weapons & Gear
5. Artifacts
6. Enchantments
7. Consumables & Buffs
8. Companions
9. Mounts

Basic Bard Minstrel Info

Below is all the basic information for the Minstrel from race choices to stats.

Other Bard Builds

• Bard Songblade DPS Build
• All Neverwinter Class Builds

Best Minstrel Races

What race you play doesn’t play a huge role, but will give you a small boost. Generally, I would advise you to play a race that you enjoy.

1. Aasimar – 2% bonus Power, Outgoing Healing, Defense and Hit Points. – +2 to any two stats – 2% bonus Hit Points to party members.
2. Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn – Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any two stats – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
3. Dragonborn – Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any two stats – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
4. Human – 1% Bonus to all ratings – +3 to any Ability Score
5. Wood Elf – 5% Critical Strike – +2 Dex and +2 Int or Wis – 20% Resistance to Slow

Minstrel Ability Score Priority

Put all your available Ability Scores into Charisma and Wisdom. Alternatively, put some points into Dexterity.

Minstrel Stat / Rating Priority

The Combat Rework introduced major changes to how stats and item level work, for more info see the official post.

Your cap for each stat is based on your item level. To cap a stat, the numbers of the stat need to be equal to or higher than your item level.

If your stat number is higher than your item level, you are wasting stats and should try to allocate stats differently.

For every 1000 points, a stat is lower than your item level you lose 1% in that stat.

You won’t be able to easily cap all stats, but capping your power is quite easy.

As a healer Outgoing Healing is your most important stat.

Bard Minstrel Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation

This part is all about optimizing the Minstrel with the best feats, powers, and boons.

Bard Minstrel Combat Powers

At-Will Powers:

• Arpeggio (Heal)
• Reprise (Damage)

Encounter Powers:

• Delayed Play
• Flourish
• Bassline or Serenade

Daily Powers:

• Inspiration
• Curtain Call

Songs:

• Rejuvenating Carol (Keep Up)
• Defender’s Minuet (Big Emergency Heal)
• Aurora Fantasia (For AoE and Soloing)
• Sheltering Etude (Backup Heal)

Class Features:

• Mystifying Strikes
• Starstruck

Bard Minstrel Feats

• Diminuendo
• Rhapsody of Arms
• Sudden Muse
• Desperate Finale
• Storyteller

Bard Minstrel Rotation

Bard Minstrel Boons

You should always choose boons based on what stats you currently need. Therefore a selection of several viable boons is available to you for each tier.

Tier 1 Boons

• Recruit’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
• Critical Strike – 0.2% Critical Strike Per Rank
• Critical Avoidance – 0.2% Critical Avoidance Per Rank
• Cultist Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
• Cultist Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. Cultists.

Tier 2 Boons

• Squire’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
• Armor Penetration – 0.2% Critical Severity Per Rank
• Lingering Medicine – Increase effectiveness of Healing Potions by 1%
• Defense – 0.2% Defense Per Rank
• Demonic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
• Demonic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. demons.

Tier 3 Boons

• Knight’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
• Combat Advantage – 0.2% Combat Advantage Per Rank
• Lingering Fortification – Increase effectiveness of Healing Potions by 1%
• Awareness – 0.2% Awareness Per Rank
• Dino Bulwark – 0.2 HP Per Rank
• Dino Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. dinos.

Tier 4 Boons

• Captain’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
• Accuracy – 0.2% Accuracy Per Rank
• Lingering Power – Increase effectiveness of Healing Potions by 1%
• Deflect – 0.2% Deflect Per Rank
• Necrotic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
• Necrotic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. undead.

Tier 5 Boons (Choose 2)

• Blessed Touch – 1% Outgoing Healing Per Rank
• Masterclass – 1% Forte per rank

Master Boons

• Blessed Advantage – 3/3

Guild Boons

• Offense – Power or Critical Strike Bonus
• Defense – Defence or Hit Point Bonus
• Utility – Group Heal Potion Bonus

Bard Minstrel Weapons & Gear

If you are new to Neverwinter and need to know how to get better gear and increase your item level, check out our Gearing Up Guide.

Note that the best in slot for your build might vary depending on what stats you have.

The best way to gear up in Neverwinter is by making a lot of Astral Diamonds, check out our Astral Diamond Guide to learn all the secrets of AD farming.

Head

• The Dark Maiden’s Rejuvenation Hood
• Rain-Catcher
• Petrified Bark Crown
• Serene Hood of the Dragon Hunter

Armor

• Tactful Leathers of the Dragon Hunter
• Superior Plate of the Dragon Hunter
• Raindrop Raiment
• Blessed Bone Devil’s Ribcage (Avernus Hunts)
• Enclave Medic’s Leathers (Seals Store)

Arms

• Superior Crushers of the Dragon Hunter
• Sharp Reachers of the Dragon Hunter
• Petrified Covers

Feet

• Serene Boots of the Dragon Hunter
• Faerie’s Steps
• Midnight’s Whispers
• Greaves of the Lightguard (Avernus Hunts)
• Forest Guardian’s Ward/Raid Cuisses(Vault of Stars)
• Weathered Wood Gaiters (Seals Store)

Weapons

• Masterwork Set
• Lionheart Set
• Scalebreaker’s Wrath

Main Hand Modification:

• Arpeggio

Offhand Modifications:

• AP Gain

Rings

• Soothsayer’s Ring of Absolution
• The Red Eye’s Glare
• Glowing Restoration Ring

Neck & Waist

• Beyond Death Set: Undying Brooch, Undying Clasp, Repurposed Phylactery
• Tiamat Set: Amulet of Tiamat’s Demise, Tiamat Sash, Tiamat’s Orb of Majesty
• Star Set: Starshard Choker & Twinkle of the Stars (Trickster’s Gift)
• Celestial Alacrity: Dragonsoul Brooch, Dragonsoul Belt, White Dragon’s Mark
• Insightful Alacrity: Dragonmind Charm, Dragonmind Clasp, Green Dragon’s Mark

Shirt

• Vibrant Dwarven Body Pattern
• Tainted Shirt of the Dragon Cult

Pants

• Defiant Dwarven Body Pattern
• War-Worn Pants

Bard Minstrel Artifacts

Primary Artifact

• Heart of the Black Dragon (With Set)
• Lantern of Revelation
• Frozen Storyteller’s Journal
• Staff of Flowers
• Wyvern-Venom Coated Knives
• Charm of the Serpent
• Sigil of the Devoted

Secondary Artifacts

Choose secondary artifacts based on the stats you are lacking.

• 3 Heart of the Dragon Artifacts
• White Dragon’s Mark
• Green Dragon’s Mark
• Repurposed Phylactery (For Set)
• Mythallar Fragment
• Neverwinter’s Standard
• Jewel of the North
• Demogorgon’s Reach
• Arcturia’s Music Box (For Set)
• Tiamat’s Orb of Majesty (For Set)
• Sparkling Fey Emblem (For Set)

Choose 2 Storyteller’s Journals for the bonus

• Frozen Storyteller’s Journal
• Flayed Storyteller’s Journal
• Darkened Storyteller’s Journal

Other Artifact Choices

• Arcturia’s Music Box
• Trobriands Ring
• Staff of Flowers
• Halaster’s Blast Scepter
• Shard of Orcus’ Wand
• Lantern of Revelation

Bard Minstrel Enchantments

When getting enchantments, always get the ones with the stats you are lacking in with your gear, boons, etc in mind.

For example, if you’ve capped Crit with your gear and boons, don’t get azure enchantments for your offense slots.

If you still need to refine your enchantments, see our Refinement Guide for tips on how to farm refinement.

Offense Enchantments

• Cobalt Enchantment
• Garnet Enchantment
• Citrine Enchantment
• Amethyst Enchantment
• Jade Enchantment

Defense Enchantments

• Amethyst Enchantment
• Garnet Enchantment
• Cobalt Enchantment

Utility Enchantments

• Jade Enchantment

Bonus Enchantments

• Recharge Speed Bonus

Combat Enchantments

• Battle Tempered

Overload Enchantments

• Rage of Flames or Devil’s Precision
• White Dragon Glyph

Armor Reinforcement Kits

• Power / Critical Strike or Severity / Accuracy Kit

Jewelry Reinforcement Kits

• Combat Advantage Jewel

Bard Minstrel Consumables & Buffs

Consider getting VIP for the Power of VIP HP buff if you aren’t already. Also always stand in campfires to get the +1 ability campfire buff.

Pick one from each of the categories below depending on the stats you are lacking.

Invocation Blessing: Grace of Battle / Gift of Awareness / Righteous Boon / Gamber’s Fortune

Stronghold Food: Seared Tuna / Prime Rib / Ratatouille

Event Food: Watermelon Sorbet / Hotwings / Squash Soup / Mochi

Elixir: Wild Storm Elixir

Potion: Superior Flask of Potency +1

Reusable Item: Awakened Forger’s Box > Empowered Chain of Scales > Adorable Pocket Pet > Tymora’s Lucky Coin

Bard Minstrel Companions

Summoned Companion

For your summoned companion you have the choice between using Augmented companions which will make it easier to cap stats or an active combat companion which will do damage.

Augment Companion Choices

• Butterfly
• Golden Bulette Pup
• Stalwart Golden Lion
• Deepcrow Hatchling
• Owlbear Cub
• Ioun Stones
• Quasit

Active Companion Choices

• Spined Devil
• Drizzt Do’Urden
• Tutor
• Stalwart Golden Lion

Enchantment Power

• Reinvigorate
• Any stat you might need

Companion Powers

Below is a selection of viable companion powers.

Offense Powers

• Golden Bulette Pup (Golden Bulette Pup’s Presence) – 7,5% Outgoing Healing
• Baby Deep Crow (Baby Deep Crow’s Presence) – 7,5% Power
• Deepcrow Hatchling – 7.5% Power
• Tamed Valociraptor (Raptor’s Instincts) – Part of the Pack (Good in Groups)
• Quickling – 10% Outgoing Healing and 2000 Critical Strike
• Neverember Guard – 10% Outgoing Healing and 2000 Awareness
• Siege Master (Siege Master’s Discipline) – Combined Rating – Increases the power of your At-Will powers by 11% (Doubled on Stronghold Map)
• Black Dragon Ioun Stone (Black Dragon’s Insight) – 7.5% Critical Chance
• Staldorf (Staldorf’s Presence) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
• Razorwood (Twigblight’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Accuracy
• Hawk (Hawk’s Insight’s) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Critical Chance
• Armored Orc Wolf (Orc Wolf’s Instincts) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
• Batiri (Batiri’s Wisdom) – 11% Damage Versus Bosses
• Dancing Blade (Dancing Blade’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Combat Advantage
• Flame Sprite (Flamesprite’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy

Defense Powers

• Polar Bear Cub – 3.8% Outgoing Healing and Defense
• Rebel Mercenary – 3.8% Outgoing Healing and Accuracy
• Ioun Stone of Radiance – 3.8% Outgoing Healing and Deflection
• Minstrel – 3.8% Power and 3.8% Awereness
• Phasespider (Phasespider’s Presence) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
• Fire Archon (Fire Archon’s Insight) – 10% on At-Will use to increase Combat Advantage for 10 seconds

Utility Powers

• Alpha Compy (Compy’s Insights) – 7,5% Power
• Ghost (Ghost’s Wisdom) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Power
• Wolf (Wolf’s Instincts) – 7.5% Critical Strike
• Fawn (Fawn’s Instincts – 3.8% Critical Chance & Power
• Alchemist Experimenter (Alchemist’s Discipline) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage

Companion Equipment

Double offense slotted “Of the Companion” gear

Companion Enchantment

• Companion Enchantment

Bard Minstrel Mounts

Bolster

When it comes to mounts, you should focus on getting them all to Mythic quality to increase Bolster.

Bolster Contribution depends on the quality of the mount, with Mythic mounts contributing 10% Bolster, this again increases the values of your Equip Power and Combat Power.

Mount Insignia Bonuses

All classes and specs should consider using Wanderer’s Fortune and or Traveler’s Treasures before you have refined all your gear and enchantments, for extra refinement every day.

Insignia bonuses are mostly down to preference. Some boost damage a bit, and some boost survivability, while others add utility.

Insignia Type

• Insignia of Brutality or Dominance
• Insignia of Aggression
• Insignia of Skill

Mount Collars

• Supportive Regal Collar
• Wayfaring Crecent Collar
• Wayfaring Regal Collar
• Unified Regal Collar
• Supportive Crescent Collar

Bard Minstrel Mount Powers

Mount Equip Power:

• Armor Breaker (Critical Severity)
• Ferocious Predator (Power & Critical Severity)
• Runic Aura (Power & Defense Party Buff)
• Rapid Accuracy (Accuracy)
• Precision (Critical Strike & Severity)
• Ruthless Efficiency (Critical Strike
• Dominant Force (Power)
• Opportunistic (Combat Advantage)

Mount Combat Power:

• Magnificent Inspiration (Pegasus)
• Aureal Armament
• Swarm (Bat Swarm)
• Eclipsed Armament

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Neverwinter Bard Minstrel guide, please leave a comment below!