In Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited (DDO), which is developed by Turbine, Inc., players have the ability to choose between eleven unique classes that fill a variety of roles. Every class has its own purpose and excels in different situations, so no class should be thought of as "worthless".
The Bard Class of Dungeons and Dragons Online
Specialist classes are those which excel at specific activities. They can tide the turn of battle with their unique abilities and can also access areas of dungeons that other classes cannot access. If a player wants to play a class that can adapt to every situation with their skills, but not play in a group, these classes are not for them. The Bard is one of these classes.
The bard is described by DDO as "Using spells, skills, and powerful magic songs, bards are the ultimate support characters, simultaneously strengthening friends and weakening foes."
The description of bards by DDO can be a little misleading. It makes it sound as if bards can only function as a support character in a party. This is not true. Bards possess proficiency with a large number of weapons and can excel in a fighting style that is a mix of song and fighting. The weapons they can use include all of the martial and simple weapons, and then they can also use light armors and shields.
If players wish to play a bard to uses spells and doesn't fight in hand-to-hand combat, they may chose to do so. Bards can use both healing and damaging spells, so they are quite useful in battle. In addition to the spells that they can use, bards are also granted songs that have various effects. One of the most useful effects of the beginning songs is immobilizing an enemy so that it can do nothing. A full list of spells and feats can be found here: http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Class:Bard
Bards can also be effective scouts in battle. They can effectively blend into the shadows and sneak around enemies, but not as well as a rogue. If a bard chooses to go this role, most likely, depending on what skills they pick, they will function best with a group.
Basic Stat Points of a Bard
(Please note that these stats are based on the recommended path for the class, by DDO. Depending on which path the player picks, or if they customize their path, the stats will change. Also, please note, that depending on what type of bard the player wishes to play, the important of the stats will change.)
A level 1 bard's stats are as follows:
- 10 STR (Strength affects the chance to hit and how much damage is done. This is important for a bard that wishes to fight in hand-to-hand combat, but not for a bard that wishes to focus on spells.)
- 10 DEX (Dexterity affects armor class, reflex saves, and the chance to hit with ranged weapons. This can be important to a bard if they wish to fight in hand-to-hand combat or wish to use throwing daggers.)
- 14 CON (Constitution affects how many health points the character has and fortitude saves.)
- 10 INT (Intelligence has no direct affect on a bard, unless it is with a multi-class ability.)
- 8 WIS (Wisdom has little to no effect for bards, unless it is with a multi-class ability.)
- 18 CHA (Charisma is arguable to bard's most important stat. It affects which spells they can access, how many spell points they have, and the power of their spells.)
Is the Bard a Good Class?
The bard can be a good class, in the hands of the right player. Because the bard has so many different play styles, there is no "ideal" bard for players to base themselves on. Also, groups must recognize that bards have a variety of styles to their play, so they should not expect a certain type of bard in their group when they invite a player.
Depending on the style of bard the player chooses, the ability to solo dungeons will vary. Over-all, the bard is a good class if players are looking for a unique blend of spell and sword.
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