Bards are an exceptionally powerful choice on Outlands, offering a wide range of uses and playstyles. They are particularly recommended for players new to the game, as they provide a strong and effective PvM template. Not only are they relatively cheap and fast to train, but they also offer significant power, making them a great starting point for beginners.
The Beginner Template presented here is highly advisable for new players. It provides a solid foundation that allows for numerous advancement options as players become more experienced. Bards play a crucial role in team play, offering the best buffs through Bard Songs, though typically, one Bard in a group is sufficient to provide the necessary support.
One of the downsides of Bard Templates is their limited ability to fight back against Player Killers (PKs) and griefers. While defensive barding makes them difficult to kill, they lack offensive capabilities to effectively retaliate. To mitigate this vulnerability, players may consider incorporating 80-100 Tracking into their template. This allows them to passively track hostile players and avoid unwanted encounters.
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.