The Bard in Dark and Darker may seem unconventional with its focus on passive buffs and music-based abilities, but when used effectively, it can greatly enhance both solo and team play. Here's a comprehensive guide on the best perks, skills, and songs for the Bard to help you make the most out of this unique class.

How to Play as a Bard

Playing as a Bard involves a blend of support and combat roles. Bards excel at providing buffs to allies and can also hold their own in melee combat. The key to mastering the Bard is to balance your role as a support character while also being capable of defending yourself and your team.

Here's a rundown of essential Bard skills:

Skills

Dissonance

Effect: For 3 seconds, the Bard produces an unpleasant sound that silences enemies, preventing them from using spells. This is useful for disrupting spellcasters and creating opportunities for your team.

Encore

Effect: The next song played will continue to the end without requiring additional inputs, and it will play at 50% increased speed. This allows you to maintain buffs and debuffs with minimal effort

Music Memory

Effect: Allows you to store up to 5 sheets of music, giving you the flexibility to switch between different songs as needed during combat.

Music Memory 2

Effect: Same as Music Memory but with enhanced capacity. Stores 5 additional sheets of music, providing more versatility in your song choices.

Party Maker

Effect: Removes drunk effects from allies, ensuring they remain effective in combat without the penalties of intoxication.

Best Bard Perks

To maximize the Bard's potential, focus on perks that enhance your support capabilities and improve your effectiveness with instruments. Here are the top perks for Bards:

Reinforced Instruments

Effect: Increases your physical power bonus by 50% when using an instrument as a weapon. This makes your instrument-based attacks more potent.

Melodic Protection

Effect: Increases physical damage reduction by an additional 30% while playing an instrument. This perk enhances your survivability during combat.

Superior Dexterity

Effect: Speeds up the switching between utility items and weapons by 50%, allowing for quicker adaptation to changing combat situations.

War Song

Effect: Boosts weapon damage for you and your allies within 4.5 meters by +3 for 6 seconds when playing an instrument. This perk enhances your team's damage output significantly.

Best Bard Songs

Bards use instruments to play songs that provide various benefits. Choosing the right song for your situation can be crucial. Here are the best songs for each instrument:

Beats of Alacrity

Instrument: Drum

Effect: Grants +5/+7/+9 flat move speed for 30/60/120 seconds. This does not stack but provides a substantial movement speed boost.

Range: 3/4.5/6 meters

Persuasiveness: 2x/4x/8x

Total Cast Time: 2.4s (Intervals: 1.2 > 0.6 > 0.3 > 0.3)

Piercing Shrill

Instrument: Flute

Effect: Deals 15/20/25 physical damage to an enemy and applies a 3-second echo effect if the target is another player.

Range: 5.5 meters

Physical Damage: 100%

Total Cast Time: 6.2s (Intervals: 1.0 > 1.0 > 1.0 > 1.0 > 1.0 > 1.0)

Song of Silence

Instrument: Lute

Effect: Prevents enemies from using magic for 1/1.5/2 seconds. This is useful for neutralizing enemy spellcasters.

Range: 4.5 meters

Total Cast Time: 3.83s (Intervals: 0.8 > 1.0 > 1.0 > 1.0)

Tranquility

Instrument: Lyre

Effect: Restores 1 recoverable health every 10/20/30 seconds. This provides a steady healing effect over time.

Range: 3/4.5/6 meters

Persuasiveness: 0.667x/1.333x/2x

Total Cast Time: 3.38s (Intervals: 0.8 > 0.8 > 0.8 > 0.4 > 1.1)

Final Thoughts

The Bard class in Dark and Darker offers a unique blend of support and melee capabilities. By focusing on the right perks and songs, you can enhance both your own effectiveness and that of your allies. Whether you're providing buffs, debuffs, or playing a key role in combat, mastering the Bard's skills will make you a valuable asset to any team.

Stay tuned for more tips and guides on Dark and Darker, and if you're looking to further optimize your gameplay, consider investing in the best Dark and Darker items and gold to equip your Bard with top-tier gear.