TemplatesBard

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
- alot of Options to Advance
Bards offer the best buffs to Teamplay through Bard Songs (usually one Bard is enough though.)
A downside of Bard Templates is clear lack to fight back Pks / Griefers. Through Defensive Barding they are tough to kill but lack the offensive to fight back.
Consider squeezing 80-100 Tracking into a template to passively track hostile players (PK's) so you can avoid them.

100 Strength
100 Dexterity
25 Intelligence

100 Musicianship
100 Peacemaking
100 Discordance
100 Fencing or Macefighting
100 Tactics
100 Chivalry
100 Tracking

Playstyle: Peace and kill Enemies 1 by 1
Starting Skills (Advanced): Chivalry 50, Fencing or Macefighting 49, Discordance 1
Training Credits: Musicianship 50, Peacemaking 50
Recommended Aspect: Lyric
Recommended Weapon: Burst or Grinding (Medium) weapon
Recommended 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

100 Strength
100 Dexterity
25 Intelligence

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 1 by 1
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

100 Strength
100 Dexterity
25 Intelligence

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 provo 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 - Healers Codex offers more healing/damage
Bard Codex Self-Taught allows you to drop Musicianship

Playstyle: Multitasking needed. Provo 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 suitable pet for different situation, may need to change tanks in different places