Jester (Darkest Dungeon II)

Base = Upgraded =

"A murderous melody lingers long after the final chord has been struck."

- The Academic

The Jester is one of 12 Heroes in Darkest Dungeon II.

Class Description

 * ANY RANK
 * BLEED
 * STRESS HEAL
 * SUPPORT

Combat Skills
Jester will always start each run with: Razor's Wit, Fade to Black, Slice Off, Battle Ballad,  Inspiring Tune. All other skills must be unlocked through the Shrine of Reflection, after which they are permanently unlocked and available for subsequent playthroughs.

























Unique Trinkets
🔸Each Hero has their own 3 unique Trinkets, exclusive only to them.

Hero Paths
🔸 All Heroes Start The Game with No Hero Path. Each Hero has access to 3 unique Paths available only to them once they Invest into The Living City.

Strategy
🔸The Jester is a particularly mobile Hero, as most offensive skills of his skillset require him to change position around the team composition to unleash his full potential. Due to his rather erratic movements, the Jester may present risk when fit into a team who requires Rank consistency or lacks flexibility in movement. Notably, the Jester excels at applying Combo, possessing 4 skills that can inflict said Token in total, more than any other Heroes. Due to his highly flexible skillset with a good target reach, the Jester can reliably perform on any Rank, especially on middle Ranks. Jester has a more supporting role on Rank 3 where he can effectively Stress heal, buff his team or Pull targets, while on Rank 2 he can use  Finale to deal a strong blow on resilient targets.



🔸Offense: The Jester's skillset mainly revolves around movement, and as such, it it better to pair him with Heroes with high Rank flexibility to adapt to allies' movement (Highwayman,Grave Robber, etc.). While theLeper, who is severely lacking in terms of mobility, may seem like a bad companion for the Jester, he can use Bash to apply  Immobilize on himself to avoid being moved by Jester's said skills. At the same time, if used in a right way; Bash, as well as similar skills that apply  Immobilize (Hellion's  Toe to Toe orMan-at-Arms'  Hold the Line), can also lock the Jester in his place and give him extra chances to use certain movement skills. For example, if theLeper has Immobilize on Rank 1, the Jester can use  Razor's Wit on Rank 2 without losing access to it.


 * One of the Jester's primary offensive moves is the combination of Dd2 ability razorswit.png Razor's Wit and Dd2 ability fadetoblack.png Fade to Black, both of which move the Jester back and forth and reduce enemies' accuracy, potentially forcing them miss highly damaging attacks. Both skills can apply dd2 token combo.png Combo on enemies, which enable additional effects of allies' skills (Stun dd2.png Stun fromPortraits-manatarms.png-at-Arms or higher CRIT chance forPortraits-graverobber.png Robber).


 * Jester can utilize a combo of Dd2 ability solo.png Solo and Dd2 ability finale.png Finale to quickly take down tough enemies (especially large-sized ones). Dd2 ability solo.png Solo will be the prime move to inflict dd2 token combo.png Combo and apply Dd2 token dodgeplus.png Dodge+ on the Jester for defense, then followed by Dd2 ability finale.png Finale, which deals double damage to targets with dd2 token combo.png Combo . If Dd2 ability solo.png Solo is not available, use Dd2 ability razorswit.png Razor's Wit or upgraded Dd2 ability fadetoblack.png Fade to Black. To avoid spending a turn for Dd2 ability solo.png Solo, the player may want to bring Heroes with Combo -inflicting skills (Portraits-highwayman.pngayman,Portraits-manatarms.png-at-Arms, etc.). Notably,Portraits-highwayman.pngayman's Dd2 ability trackingshot.png Tracking Shot can both apply dd2 token combo.png Combo and remove all Dd2 token dodge.png Dodge and Dd2 token dodgeplus.png Dodge+ from Jester's targets, guaranteeing his destructive Dd2 ability finale.png Finale hit.


 * Sometimes, maintaining the Jester's position to avoid disrupting party compositions can be a better option. In such cases, use either Dd2 ability sliceoff.png Slice Off or Dd2 ability harvest.png Harvest to assault mid-Rank targets and apply Bleed dd2.png Bleed to them. While Dd2 ability sliceoff.png Slice Off does not apply dd2 token combo.png Combo like Dd2 ability razorswit.png Razor's Wit and Dd2 ability fadetoblack.png Fade to Black, it applies a Dd2 token vulnerable.png Vulnerable Token for a harder subsequent hit. Dd2 ability harvest.png Harvest can simultaneously apply dd2 token combo.png Combo on multiple targets, albeit with a significantly lower chance (25 - 33%).

🔸Survivability: As the Jester has a particularly low HP, he mainly depends on his Dodge and  Dodge+ Tokens gained from  Razor's Wit and  Solo to avoid taking too much damage. Fade to Black is equally useful as well, applying Blind on enemies to make them miss their attacks.



🔸Support: The Jester can be considered to be among the most effective Stress healers. Inspiring Tune can be used on Jester himself and his teammates alike, healing up to 3 Stress and removing  Horror. However, the Stress heal only applies if allies have at least 5  Stress, a typical drawback of most Stress -healing skills.


 * Beside Dd2 token stress.png Stress heals, the Jester's arsenal offers skills that either move teammates forward or backward if they are displaced by enemies. Dd2 ability playout.png Play Out is primarily used to protect back-Rank Heroes, providing them with Dd2 token block.png Block or Dd2 token blockplus.png Block+, while also pushing them back if they are pulled to the front. Dd2 ability playout.png Play Out will have more use if the Heroes' party encounters enemies that tend to target back-Rank Heroes and deal a huge amount of damage to them, such as Arbalist. In contrast to Dd2 ability playout.png Play Out, Dd2 ability battleballad.png Battle Ballad pushes a Hero the front and applies a Dd2 token strength.png Strength Token for a stronger attack. It is preferably used on front-liners with limited mobility (Portraits-leper.png) or with skills that have strict Rank requirement but deals great damage (Portraits-highwayman.pngayman,Portraits-manatarms.png-at-Arms, and Portraits-hellion.pngon).


 * Dd2 ability echoingmarch.png Echoing March, unlike other similar skills, does not only pull enemies to the front, but also applies on them an additional Pull effect that triggers every time they begin their turns. As such, Dd2 ability echoingmarch.png Echoing March is highly effective against troublesome back-Rank enemies that always attempts to move away from the front if given the chance, particularly Cherubs. Furthermore, the constant Pull effect from the skill may disrupt enemy Ranks, preventing them from using certain effective skills.


 * Dd2 ability encore.png Encore is a quite unique skill among Heroes, being the only one that can grant extra actions. Dd2 ability encore.png Encore allows teammates to perform demanding skill combos within just a single turn. For example, thePortraits-leper.png can use Dd2 ability ruin.png Ruin and Dd2 ability withstand.png Withstand (or Dd2 ability intimidate.png Intimidate) to prepare a lethal hit. Similarly, the Portraits-hellion.pngon can use Dd2 ability bleedout.png Bleed Out and Dd2 ability bloodlust.png Bloodlust for extra damage onBleed dd2.png Bleed targets in the next turn. ThePortraits-manatarms.png-at-Arms can gain Dd2 token block.png Block and Dd2 token blockplus.png Block+ through various skills (Dd2 ability standfast.png Stand Fast, Dd2 ability holdtheline.png Hold the Line, Dd2 ability defender.png Defender, etc.) and immediately use Dd2 ability courageousabandon.png Courageous Abandon for massive damage against Rank 1.

Shrine of Reflection
🔸The Jester gains access to 6 skills over 5 Chapters through accessing memories in the Shrine of Reflection.

Barks
Combat =

Landing a CRIT

 * HA HA HAAAA!
 * Hee heee heeeeee!
 * HA!
 * AH-HA HA HAAAAA!
 * Truly amusing...
 * Slice, slice, slice!
 * Can't let things grow boring.
 * Got a little confident, did we?

Stalling

 * Nobody wastes my time but me!
 * Prefer to gamble with coin, not my life.

Bleed

 * Patch me up!
 * ... Perhaps more than a scratch.

Blight

 * Oh, I feel wretched...
 * Can't keep my stew down...

Burn

 * I have plans for this skin!
 * They're cooking me alive!

Horror

 * CEASE YOUR LAUGHING!
 * No way of knowin' if I'm already dead, is there?
 * What's that? Slice off the rest of my fingers?

Stress

 * No great loss if I fall - or vanish.
 * Never penned one song worth remembering...
 * I am mad already! Let the blows come!

Torch Decrease

 * I know a thing or two about tempting fate.
 * The darker it gets, so grow my jitters.
 * Dark enough I'm gettin' nervy.

Entering Death's Door

 * At last, the greatest joke of all...

Ally On Death's Door

 * It ain't over 'til it's over!
 * Nothing a sawbones can't fix.

Surviving Hit on Death's Door

 * Seems an encore is in order.
 * My lucky day.

Ally Surviving Hit on Death's Door

 * Afraid we need you alive.
 * Live - if only to spite them!

Hit by CRIT

 * I'll see the next one coming!

Ally Hit by CRIT

 * If you keep moving, you won't feel it.

Pushed by Enemy

 * Whew! Caught myself.

Meltdown (Resolute)

 * They declared me mad at court years ago!
 * I've played to tougher crowds than you!

Meltdown

 * HA... ... ha... *laughter becomes weeping*
 * I LISTENED to you all...! I DARED to hope...!

Fog Appears (Shroud)

 * TBA

Fog Fades (Shroud)

 * TBA

Repairing Coach
Positive Act Outs=
 * Let's pick up the tempo!
 * Hope I'm doin' this right...

Stress Healing Partner - General

 * There, there. You've had worse!
 * Didn't think you one to give up.

Buffing Partner - General

 * You hold this little crew together.

Healing Partner - General

 * I've seen you scraped up worse.

Combo Attack - General

 * You know where to land 'em.

Retaliation - General

 * Made you look.

Protection - General

 * Bah - I'm quicker anyhow!

Attacking Ally - General

 * If I break your knees, they'll get you first.

Praise for Support Skill - General

 * Impeccable timing.

Praise for Attack - General

 * Goodness you're fast.

Stress Heal in Coach - General

 * I'll keep goin' if you do - deal?

Stress Self in Coach - General

 * Lofty goals, folly all of it.

Stress Healing Partner - Hopeful

 * You'll land on your feet. Probably.
 * Ah, the songs we'll write together...

Buffing Partner - Hopeful

 * I'll conspire with you any day, heh heh.

Praise for Support Skill - Hopeful

 * Yes! More of that!

Praise for Attack - Hopeful

 * The worm turns!

Stress Heal in Coach - Hopeful

 * We should simply refuse to die here.

Stress Healing Partner - Amorous

 * I could play for you for hours.

Healing Partner - Amorous

 * A silly thing, infatuation. Yet here I am.

Protection - Amorous

 * And ruin my plans for you tonight?! Pfah!

Praise for Support Skill - Amorous

 * It pains me how fond I am of you.

Praise for Attack - Amorous

 * Love to watch you cut 'em down.

Stress Heal in Coach - Amorous

 * Look at you - shining while the world rots.

Stress Healing Partner - Respectful

 * Fastest fingers I've ever seen!

Retaliation After Partner is Attacked - Respectful

 * I've decided - you don't get to die.

Combo Attack with Partner - Respectful

 * That move always got a laugh at court

Praise for Support Skill - Respectful

 * Finally, a brain worth takin' hints from.

Praise for Attack - Respectful

 * I never know what you'll hit 'em with next.

Stress Heal in Coach - Respectful
Negative Act Outs=
 * You're growing on me.

Dealing Stress Partner - General

 * Always out of tune and off-beat.

Insult for Support Skill - General

 * You baffle me.

Insult for Attack - General

 * Kill them, don't tickle them!

Attacking Ally - Hateful

 * Who's laughing now?

Stress Damage Ally - Hateful

 * You bring out the worst in me.

Insult for Support Skill - Hateful

 * You rend my nerves to pieces!

Insult for Attack - Hateful

 * I hate you with particular gusto.

Stress Damage on Coach - Hateful

 * No one would miss you.

Stress Damage Ally - Suspicious

 * ''Sleep with one eye open.'

Stress Damage on Coach - Suspicious

 * ''Hands where I can watch 'em.'

Insult for Support Skill - Suspicious

 * ''Did that look sneaky to anyone else?'

Insult for Attack - Suspicious

 * ''I'd pity you if I trusted you.'

Stress Damage Ally - Resentful

 * ''About to interrupt me again?'

Stress Damage Ally on Coach - Resentful

 * ''TBA'

Insult for Support Skill - Resentful

 * ''Heh heh. Just you wait.'

Insult for Attack - Resentful
Affinity=
 * ''You mock us, surely!'

Adding Buff

 * Oh, I'll cheer you on if I must.

Guarding Ally

 * Oho, not without a fight.
 * Allow me to draw their ire.
 * Relax. I'm sturdier than I look.

Adding Token

 * Look! A weak spot!

Follow Up Attack

 * What a pair, you and I.
 * I trained as a soloist, but...
 * On three...

Follow Up on Debuffed Enemy

 * Got one over on 'em!!

Healing Ally

 * I'll fix that if you stop bleeding on me.
 * You can't leave me short-handed.
 * We'll fix it up proper on the coach later.

Revenge Attack on Enemy

 * That'll do!
 * I'm touched. 

Moving Positions - Positive

 * And a one and a two...

Removing DoTs

 * Not your finest moment. Here.
 * Cuttin' it close, friend.
 * Fine. From my stash.

Stress Healing

 * Think on it - you ain't died yet.
 * Don't count yourself out.

Jealous of Buff

 * Am I a joke to you?

Jealous of Guarded Ally

 * Did I tick you off somehow?
 * I'll carry on alone, thanks.

Jealous of Token

 * We'll see who's laughing when you need help!

Jealous of Food (Unused)

 * You don't get to take this from me!

Jealous of Healing

 * I mistook you.
 * I'll carry on bleeding, then.

Moving Positions - Negative

 * What's the matter - don't trust me?

Jealous of DoT Removal

 * Think me useless, do you?
 * I'll sort myself out, then.
 * So it's come to this.

Positive Road Banter

 * Heh heh. Good one.
 * Tell you 'bout my travels? Suppose I can.
 * You're a good egg.
 * Can you carry a tune?
 * ... Good one.
 * Clever head on those shoulders.

Negative Road Banter
Inn Items=
 * Oh, you're no fun.
 * Goodness, who let you aboard?
 * Your presence is a drain on morale.
 * You exhaust me.
 * Entertain yourself. I'm done.
 * Won't let YOU of all people crash my pity party.

Armor Repair Kit

 * There is a breastplate under this.

Blasphemous Idol

 * I am desperate for inspiration.

Book of Bawdy Tales

 * Finally, one I haven't read yet.

BOOK: My time in the Desert

 * Endless wastes. Could distract me from these endless wastes.

Book of Creative Insults

 * It's a little insulting I have to read this.

Poetry

 * I only borrow, never steal.

Boxing Gloves

 * This'll be fun. Step right up.

Calming Incense

 * Had a patron named Neroli once. *sniff*

Candles and Chocolate

 * Usually I only need my lute...

Clarifying Poultice

 * For dancin' long into the wee hours.

Clotting Poultice

 * Prefer not to get nicked, choosy beggar that I am.

Dartboard

 * No sleights of no hands, I swear.

Ceremonial Drum

 * Most nights I have to play it all myself.

Slime Mold

 * Sure this wasn't growing on the real food?
 * (If full) - Had my fill of that slimy stuff.

Stale Bread

 * Which will grow older - this old bread or us?
 * (If full) - I know I appear starved, but no.

Apples & Cheese

 * A satisfying snack... Got more?
 * (If full) - A full belly! Luxorious.

Steak and Spuds

 * I prefer mine a little bloodier... heheh.
 * (If full) - Would that I could...

Flapjacks

 * Shall we sell these by the roadside next?
 * (If full) - Fed and fit for whatever awaits.

Holy Beads

 * Prayer - or poetry for desperate souls.

Impermeable Poultice

 * Snakes, spiders - a humiliating way to die.

Leeches

 * Think that one's lookin' at me.

Meditative Totem

 * What a weird little trinket! Who made you?

Mop and Bucket

 * The soft swish is most relaxing.

Nightshade Concoction

 * As if I needed to anger Death further...

Pipeweed

 * Sweet muse!

Playing cards

 * Why d'you lot always assume I'm a cheat?

Restorative Herbs

 * I did not actually wish to smell more of this place.

Roast Pig

 * Without the pageantry of a banquet? Even better.
 * (If full) - My stomach rumbles no more!

Songbook of Amorous Ballads

 * Careful - might write a new one for you.

Songbook of Touching Dirges

 * *gentle, melanchony strumming*

Songbook of Rousing Tunes

 * *fierce strumming* I can hardly keep up!

Soothing Poultice

 * I do fear I'm dreadfully flammable.

Speed Bag

 * My timing is impeccable.

Invigorating Stew

 * And here I was going to make my stomach do the singing.
 * (If full) - A second bowl? Where would I put it?

Stimulating Poultice

 * Who you callin' slow?

Stitching Kit

 * My skin is a patchwork of scars by now...

The Wine

 * A rare treat, pilfered from some louche estate.

Tinned Delicacies

 * So this is how the other half travels.
 * (If full) - TBA

Knotted Tug Rope

 * I'm stronger than I look.

Wax Inoculant

 * Whatever keeps the voice box clean.

Whetstone

 * This is going to take a while.

Whiskey Barrel

 * Let's gather round for... A round...

Whiskey Bottle

 * You won't regret splittin' this with me...

Whiskey Flask

 * A nip to loosen our over-tight strings.

Whittling Tools

 * A pipe, perhaps. Could always use another.

Wild Tea

 * They say symphonies are written on this stuff.

Morbid Joke

 * ... ... ... Heh.

Improvised Strategy

 * Ah, forethought, my old nemesis.

The Very Best

 * TBA

Experimental Remedy

 * You're 'hilarious'.

War Paint

 * TBA

Tar-Filled Colambre

 * ''TBA'

Oddly-Tuned Lute

 * Liven up, would you?
 * I love a captive audience.
 * *melodious humming*

Precious Collection

 * Shiny.

Guided Meditation
Hero Shrines=
 * Here, I'll strum a few notes...

Shrine 1

 * That accursed melody was a trap beyond all cunning.

Shrine 2

 * That song found ambition buried dead in my heart and made it dance...

Shrine 3

 * And so the trap snapped shut on me.

Shrine 4

 * Just as it was meant to, the song loosed the leash of my inhibitions... 

Shrine 5

 * Ask any animal if it was worth it to gnaw off a limb for freedom.

Shrine 6
Locations=
 * I'll get my audience in the end...

Oasis

 * Something reeks most foul. Is it me?
 * *glug* Oh, look. My flask has run dry.
 * We shall march to our deaths smelling of soap.
 * And risk making myself ill?

Exiting Oasis

 * Eugh. My stockings got wet...
 * I daresay that was almost pleasant.

Creature Den

 * Reeks of musk and critters. (Fight)
 * I've tangled with street curs. They're no tougher. (Fight with Advantage)
 * Surely we've more interesting foes ahead. (Flee)

Resistance Encounter

 * Ah, bloodshed, my muse. (Fight)
 * A rousing ballad, for the charge! (Fight with Advantage)
 * A retreat ballad? Why not? (Flee)

Resistance Encounter Success

 * Ahh, the melody of murder is on the wind...

Resistance Encounter Retreat

 * ... anyone for a song?

Assistance Encounter

 * Relics. Gold. Silver. Give it here. (Steal)

Exiting Assistance Encounter

 * Heh heh. So long, then.
 * To their tenuous survival. Hear, hear!

Valley Assistance Encounter

 * TBA

Region Gate

 * TBA

Exiting Crossroads

 * TBA

Exiting Hospital

 * She should lighten up a little.
 * Infirmaries - all the same.

Exiting Hoarder

 * All that and no accordion? Ridiculous.
 * More clutter, eh? Just what we need!

Exiting Valley Hoarder

 * A full flask and a foolish quest!
 * The epics I'll write if we survive this...

Exiting Watchtower

 * *quiet, off-kilter laughter*
 * A beautiful day, wouldn't you agree? Heheh.

Exiting Academic's Study

 * Must've dozed off...
 * *yawn*

Cultist Encounter

 * Ah, bloodshed, my muse. (Fight)

Cultist Encounter Success

 * That melody... I've killed to it before...

Cultist Encounter Retreat

 * What's that ringing in my ears?!

Tangle Lair Success

 * How very like soldiers - dying in rank.

Tangle Lair Retreat

 * That drumming... it's IN my HEAD...!

Foetor Lair Success

 * You won't be dining on us tonight, fiends!

Foetor Lair Retreat

 * *sniff* Skin blackening over meat...

Sprawl Lair Success

 * Talk about a pyrrhic victory. Heheh.

Sprawl Lair Retreat

 * *slow, discordant humming*

Shroud Lair Success

 * Bon voyage!

Shroud Lair Retreat

 * I prefer to die where they can find my corpse!

Exiting Oblivion's Ingress

 * Ha HA! Time for a song!

Exiting Academic's Cache
Quirks/Diseases= TBA Travelling Stress=
 * Will any of this stuff even matter?
 * Where are we going to put all this?

Travelling Stress Heal

 * Perhaps there is hope for us yet...
 * We are not so dissimilar...
 * I accept you. We all do.
 * Chin up, shoulders back. We can do this.
 * The road is tough but we're going to make it.
 * Let us share tales of merrier times.
 * Come what may, we are united!
 * Hang in there. 
 * Can I get you anything?
 * It's a long road, but we've got each other.
 * Want to share? I've got extra...
 * You're even tougher than you look.
 * I'm glad you're here, for what it's worth.
 * You're going to live. I won't hear otherwise.
 * At least we aren't facing this alone.
 * Maybe all hope is not lost...
 * There are times I almost feel hopeful.
 * I had a pleasant dream, for once...
 * Whatever comes, we are united.
 * Perhaps we'll find glory after all...
 * This world is worth saving.
 * We are making a difference out there.
 * Hope is seductive, isn't it?
 * We're making good time.
 * If this is my fate, I'm content.
 * All is not lost.
 * We will best these fiends!

Travelling Stress Damage

 * 'Buffoon!
 * 'We're not going to make it, are we?
 * 'Everywhere, the world comes undone...
 * 'Stuck in a coach with the likes of you - feh.
 * 'I'm hungry and tired!
 * 'This cursed coach is a bouncing racket!
 * 'Let me out of this blasted coach!
 * 'Here we are, four corpses in a rolling coffin...
 * 'I can't bear to look out the window...
 * 'It's like a nightmare out there.
 * 'Like rats in a trap...
 * 'What if it's all for nothing...?
 * 'Can I really trust you to have my back...?
 * 'Can't sleep. Awful food. Worse company.
 * 'A waking nightmare...
 * 'We never seem to make any progress...
 * 'Just leave me by the roadside.
 * 'This was all a mistake...!
 * 'We're driving in circles...
 * 'Are we lost?
 * 'This is not the life I dreamt for myself...
 * 'Everywhere we pass - ruin, destruction...
 * 'Fools, fools we are...
 * 'We were damned before we set off.
 * 'Why us? Why me?
 * 'I'm not crying...! Look away!
 * 'I grow so weary of this fight.
 * 'Would it be so bad to give in...?
 * Won't let YOU of all people crash my pity party.

Travelling path type reaction=

Safe path

 * Perhaps I'll write something new...
 * Quiet along this route... odd.
 * *quiet strumming*
 * Take a good break when it comes.

Rough path

 * Watch my lute!
 * Ouch!
 * Mind the lanterns!
 * This is worse than any bandits.

Hazardous path

 * Cheap trick, I say!
 * Heh heh. You get used t'this on stage.
 * Is that the ruins of another coach?
 * A curious art form.

Combat path

 * No rest for the wicked.
 * Need to stretch the legs anyhow.
 * They're upon us!
 * Someone else take point.

Oblivion tear

 * hahaHAHAH!
 * N-not that song! NO!
 * Cease your laughing this instant!
 * What do you mean? This mask is my face.

Trivia

 * The Jester is one of the eleven Heroes returning from Darkest Dungeon, and one of the first nine Heroes to be available in the sequel.
 * The musician that the Jester encountered in his Chapter 2 memory bears some resemblances to the Squiffy Ghast in the first Darkest Dungeon. The musician's appearance in a cemetery suggests that he is a spectral entity of some sort. He sits on an object in the same manner as the Squiffy Ghast and also carries a violin. Interestingly enough, the Squiffy Ghast will always attempt to target Jester if he is present in a Hero party. It is highly unlikely that the musician from the Jester's memory and the Squiffy Ghast are the same entity however.
 * Jester's final Shrine of Reflection describes him cutting off his own finger, which is accurately depicted in his character model. He is missing the tip of his left pinky finger.
 * His predetermined name is Sarmenti.