Summary
See a showcase of tested, viable Progression Paths for the Bard Archetype. Please read the following Notes:
- Bards are a very powerful choice on Outlands with varying uses and playstyles.
- The shown Beginner Template is highly recommended for players starting on Outlands as a PVM Template.
- Cheap and relatively fast to train.
- Very powerful.
- A lot of options to advance.
- Bards offer the best buffs to team play through Bard Songs (usually one Bard is enough, though).
- A downside of Bard Templates is a clear lack of ability to fight back against PKs / Griefers. Through Defensive Barding, they are tough to kill but lack the offensive capability to fight back.
- Consider squeezing 80-100 Tracking into a template to passively track hostile players (PKs) so you can avoid them.
Basic Peaceadin (700 Skillpoints)
Stats:
- 100 Strength
- 100 Dexterity
- 25 Intelligence
Skills:
- 100 Musicianship
- 100 Peacemaking
- 100 Discordance
- 100 Fencing or Macefighting
- 100 Tactics
- 100 Chivalry
- 100 Tracking
Playstyle:
- Peace and kill enemies one by one.
Starting Skills:
- Chivalry 50, Fencing or Macefighting 49, Discordance 1
Training Credits:
- Musicianship 50, Peacemaking 50
Recommendations:
- Aspect: Lyric
- Weapon: Burst or Grinding (Medium) weapon
- Armor: Platemail
- Needed Codices: Chivalry Book, Fencing or Macefighting Codex, Bard Codex
Misc:
- Highly recommended for newer players as a great early-game build (cheap, strong).
- It also performs well as support in groups.
Advanced Tri-Bard (Solo) (720 Skillpoints)
Stats:
- 100 Strength
- 100 Dexterity
- 25 Intelligence
Skills:
- 120 Musicianship or Provocation (Self-Taught)
- 120 Discordance
- 120 Peacemaking
- 100 Tactics
- 80 Archery or Macefighting or Fencing
- 80 Healing
- 80 Anatomy
- 20 Alchemy
Playstyle:
- Peace and kill enemies one by one.
Gear Recommendation:
- 2H Burst or Grinding (Medium) weapons
Book/Codice/Kit Required:
- Matching Weapon Skill Codex, Bard Codex, Healer's Codex
Aspect Recommendation:
- Lyric, Fire
Link Recommendation:
- Effective Barding, Damage to Barded, Dungeon Slayer
Misc:
- Balance between Bard and Weapon Codex to find a good Accuracy value.
- Bard Codex Self-Taught allows you to drop Musicianship.
Advanced Tri-Bard (Group) (720 Skillpoints)
Stats:
- 100 Strength
- 100 Dexterity
- 25 Intelligence
Skills:
- 120 Musicianship or Peacemaking (Self-Taught)
- 120 Discordance
- 120 Provocation
- 120 Chivalry
- 100 Tactics
- 80 Archery
- 60 Focus
Playstyle:
- Multitasking needed. Most efficient when you provoke multiple pairs of enemies.
Gear Recommendation:
- 2H Burst or Grinding (Medium) weapons, Platemail
Book/Codice/Kit Required:
- Archery Codex, Bard Codex, Chivalry Book
Aspect Recommendation:
- Lyric
Link Recommendation:
- Effective Barding, Damage to Barded, Dungeon Slayer
Misc:
- When playing solo - Healer's Codex offers more healing/damage.
- Bard Codex Self-Taught allows you to drop Musicianship.
Provo Necro (720 Skillpoints)
Stats:
- 100 Strength
- 25 Dexterity
- 100 Intelligence
Skills:
- 115 Musicianship
- 115 Provocation
- 110 Discordance
- 120 Necromancy
- 100 Magery
- 80 Evaluating Intelligence
- 80 Spirit Speak
Playstyle:
- Multitasking needed. Provoke multiple pairs of enemies, use low circle grim spells.
Gear Recommendation:
- Material Spellbook for Mana Regeneration
Book/Codice/Kit Required:
- Bard Codex, Necromancy Book, Summoner's Tome, Wizard's Grimoire
Aspect Recommendation:
- Lyric, Death, Command Book
Link Recommendation:
- Effective Barding, Effective Necromancy, Follower Damage
Misc:
- Choose a suitable pet for different situations, may need to change tanks in different places.