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Home/Classes/Bard |
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Description
The Bard is the heart of any
adventuring party, capable of motivating even the most disheartened companion.
They specialise in using instruments to play songs which have a magical aura
that can range from benefiting their own parties strength and stamina, to
causing damage to their surrounding enemies. Bards have the greatest spell range
of any of the Arcane professions and are unrivalled in their flexibility and
ability to fit into almost any situation. In a pinch they can act as a healer
and even regenerate their parties mana but most commonly use their songs to slow
their opponents attacks and speed up their own. This great flexibility does have
its down side, Bards are unable to compete on an equal level with any profession
that specialises in an area their songs cover.
Due to their wide range of
abilities and magical songs Bards are quite capable of adventuring alone but are
for more effective in a party. Almost all of a Bards songs work in a party with
a generous area of effect, this means they are more efficient the greater number
of members in the Bard's group. One of a Bards great advantages is the ability
to switch songs quickly and mix (known as 'twisting') their effects together,
they are the only class capable of casting every spell almost instantly and
using more than one spell in this way.
The Bards most famous song is
known as 'Selos', it grants them the fastest movement rate of any spell or
effect and when used to its full strength allows them to outrun even the fastest
horses on Norrath. This kind of speed allows a Bard to 'kite', staying ahead of
the creature chasing them and using another song to harm the creature as it
follows. It can take a considerable amount of time for a Bard to finish a battle
in this way but they are able to fight multiple enemies at the same time. This
is the only effective way for a Bard to gain combat experience alone and
requires a great deal of space and concentration. |
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Bard Races
Half Elf, Human, Vah Shir, Wood Elf |
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Stats
Bards make great use of their
dexterity and it is essential for a Bard to have this statistic high in
order to reliably control their instruments and in turn their songs. In addition
a Bard must be charismatic to motivate and entertain, any effective example of
their profession must have a high charisma to successfully function and
effectively perform their role.
The songs a Bard plays in combat
may have a calming or steadying effect to their own party, but often have the
opposite to the enemies they face. Bards fast attract the attention of even the
stupidest of creatures and must wear highly protective armour to protect
themselves when under attack. This armour is often heavy, requiring a strong
Bard to wear it comfortably and still have space for loot and supplies.
Investing in building their strength and stamina is never time
wasted and many Bards choose ability boosting equipment with this in mind. |
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Tips
1. Raise your dexterity and
charisma equally at creation and try to choose equipment which benefits
these stats throughout your career as a Bard.
2. A high stamina will
raise your total hit points and allow you to last longer in a fight while your
strength will give you a better carrying capacity when wearing your heavy
plate armour.
3. Bards often have to carry
multiple instruments and weapons so investing in a big weight reducing
backpack may help you early on.
4. Learn how to use macros
(keys that when pressed do pre-set actions) effectively and try to fit the keys
you use fairly close together, so your fingers don't tire and ache.
5. If in doubt ask your party
what they want you to sing, you have such a wide range of songs there maybe a
class they need you could help fill in for quite effectively.
6. Don't neglect your
instruments, you are capable of doing a reasonable amount of damage with
your weapons at low levels but sometimes using your instrument will be a better
use of your talents. Songs are your specialisation and most important tool in a
party, your weapons are only secondary and most useful when they can double as
an instrument. |
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Screenshots
With thanks to Chillicex (Dark Elf),
Fasis (Half Elf), Renolgon (Human), Kittisong (Vah Shir) and Naeria (Wood Elf) of the Karana server for being the
Bard screenshot models! |
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Sites
Casters Realm -
http://eq.crgaming.com/menu/bard.asp
Huge amount of Bard related
information, including an epic walkthrough and very easy to use spell/song list.
EQ Diva -
http://www.eqdiva.com
The site for all things Bard,
information on songs, epic, alternate advancement, guides and a thriving Bard
community. If you want to talk with fellow Bards this is a great place to join
them.
The Concert Hall -
http://p201.ezboard.com/btheconcerthall
Bard related forums and another
large Bard community, a good place to find discussion on the songs and quests
available to a Bard.
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