Bard
The Bard is a control-based archetype that manipulates enemies while actively participating in combat.
Unlike pure support roles, the Bard must rely on a combat skill to deal damage, while enhancing performance through music and debuffs.
Uses the Codex of Harmony
Combat Style
The Bard fights by combining control abilities with a combat discipline:
- Fencing → fast melee combat
- Archery → ranged pressure
- Magery → hybrid spellcasting
- Animal Taming → indirect damage through pets
👉 Bard abilities amplify damage rather than replace it.
Core Bard Build (Balanced)
Skills
| Value | Skill |
|---|---|
| 100.0 | Musicianship |
| 100.0 | Provocation |
| 100.0 | Peacemaking |
| 90.0 | Fencing |
| 80.0 | Tactics |
| 70.0 | Anatomy |
| 70.0 | Healing |
| 50.0 | Resist Spells |
| 40.0 | Focus |
👉 Total: 700.0 Skill Cap
Stats
| Value | Stat |
|---|---|
| 90 | Strength |
| 100 | Dexterity |
| 35 | Intelligence |
Variants
Archer Bard
A safe ranged controller with consistent pressure.
Skills
| Value | Skill |
|---|---|
| 100.0 | Musicianship |
| 100.0 | Provocation |
| 100.0 | Peacemaking |
| 90.0 | Archery |
| 80.0 | Tactics |
| 70.0 | Anatomy |
| 70.0 | Healing |
| 50.0 | Resist Spells |
| 40.0 | Focus |
👉 Replaces Fencing → Archery
Mage Bard
Adds magical utility and hybrid spellcasting.
Skills
| Value | Skill |
|---|---|
| 100.0 | Musicianship |
| 100.0 | Provocation |
| 100.0 | Peacemaking |
| 90.0 | Magery |
| 80.0 | Meditation |
| 70.0 | Evaluating Intelligence |
| 70.0 | Healing |
| 50.0 | Resist Spells |
| 40.0 | Focus |
👉 Replaces Fencing → Magery
👉 Converts physical scaling into magical scaling
Tamer Bard
A PvM-focused build using pets as primary damage.
Skills
| Value | Skill |
|---|---|
| 100.0 | Musicianship |
| 100.0 | Discordance |
| 90.0 | Animal Taming |
| 80.0 | Animal Lore |
| 80.0 | Veterinary |
| 80.0 | Peacemaking |
| 70.0 | Healing |
| 50.0 | Resist Spells |
| 40.0 | Focus |
👉 Replaces Fencing → Animal Taming
👉 Converts direct combat into pet-based damage
Codex of Harmony
The Codex of Harmony generates Sparks through bard actions.
Sparks are gained by:
- Applying bard effects
- Controlling enemies
- Maintaining combat presence
The Codex uses a 5-slot system:
- 3 Core Abilities
- 2 Bolt-On Abilities
Core Abilities
| Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Crescendo | Increases effectiveness of bard debuffs. |
| Discord Pulse | Applies AoE resistance reduction. |
| Forced Duel | Forces enemies to attack each other. |
Bolt-On System
The last 2 slots can be filled with abilities unlocked via skills.
👉 Only 2 Bolt-On abilities can be equipped at once.
Harmony Bolt-Ons (Musicianship)
| Requirement | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 Musicianship | Silence | Disables enemy abilities temporarily. |
| 100.0 Musicianship | Grand Symphony | Applies multiple bard effects in an area. |
Melee Bolt-Ons (Fencing)
| Requirement | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 Fencing | Tempo Strike | Increased attack speed on controlled targets. |
| 100.0 Fencing | Resonant Blades | Bonus damage vs debuffed enemies. |
Ranged Bolt-Ons (Archery)
| Requirement | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 Archery | Piercing Melody | Attacks reduce enemy resistances further. |
| 100.0 Archery | Tempo Shot | Increased attack speed scaling with debuffs. |
Magic Bolt-Ons (Magery)
| Requirement | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 Magery | Arcane Chorus | Enhances bard effects with spell scaling. |
| 100.0 Magery | Mana Resonance | Restores mana on successful effects. |
Tamer Bolt-Ons (Animal Taming)
| Requirement | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 Animal Taming | Beast Harmony | Pets deal increased damage to controlled enemies. |
| 100.0 Animal Taming | Pack Resonance | Pets gain scaling bonuses. |
Codex Progression
The Codex begins gaining experience once Musicianship reaches 80.0.
Important Notes
- Total skill cap is 700.0
- Builds can mix multiple skills as long as the cap is respected
- The Bard requires a combat method to deal damage
- Only 2 Bolt-On abilities can be equipped
- Bard gameplay focuses on control and amplification, not raw damage