Dark and Darker: Ultimate Bard Guide
The Bard class in Dark and Darker is a unique and versatile character option that offers players the chance to create powerful offensive, defensive, and support strategies, all depending on the music they choose to play. However, mastering this class is no easy feat. With his wide range of abilities and skills, the Bard requires a high level of expertise to unlock his full potential. This guide covers everything you need to know about building and playing the Bard, including the best skill setups.
Bard Class Overview
The Bard stands out in Dark and Darker due to his reliance on music-based abilities. Whether you're playing solo or as part of a party, his songs can debuff enemies, buff allies, and provide a range of support skills. When used correctly, the Bard can be a game-changer, turning battles in your favor by carefully selecting the right tunes to play.
When you're solo, offensive songs that hinder enemies can be particularly effective, allowing you to control the battlefield. But when you're in a team, the Bard truly shines as a support character, boosting health, increasing attributes, and enhancing the overall performance of your group.
Pros and Cons of Playing the Bard
Pros:
Offers a range of buffs, debuffs, and self-healing skills.
Can use Ale to boost healing, substituting it for Potions of Healing.
Effective in both melee and ranged damage setups.
Highly adaptable, able to switch between offensive and defensive roles.
Cons:
Lower health pool compared to other classes.
Can be easily overwhelmed if ambushed or caught off-guard.
Requires high skill and precision to maximize potential.
Bard Starter Build
For new players, it's recommended to focus on the Bard's melee capabilities before venturing into musical skill setups. Begin with the Rapier Mastery perk to enhance your weapon damage, and use Wanderer's Luck to boost your chances of finding high-quality Dark And Darker Items. If you're in a party, swap Wanderer's Luck for Story Teller to boost your allies' attributes.
Your skill choices should include Music Memory and Encore at the start. As you get more comfortable with the timing and execution of musical abilities, replace Encore with Music Memory 2 to store more songs and create a broader range of buffs and debuffs.
Best Perks and Skills for the Bard
Perks:
Charismatic Performance: Upgrades a “good” performance into a “perfect” performance, ensuring you always get the maximum benefit from your songs.
Dancing Feet: Increases flat movement speed by +10 when holding an instrument, allowing you to quickly reposition yourself in combat.
Rapier Mastery: Boosts weapon damage and action speed, making it easier to deal damage when you're not playing music.
Reinforced Instruments: Increases the physical power bonus when attacking with a musical instrument, making it viable for offensive plays when necessary.
Jolly Time: Grants additional healing and speed when using Ale, effectively transforming it into a healing potion.
Skills:
Dissonance: Creates a disruptive noise that silences enemies within a certain area, preventing them from casting spells for 3 seconds.
Encore: Automatically plays the next song to the end without any input and at maximum speed, ensuring efficiency during critical moments.
Music Memory 2: Expands your ability to store up to 5 music sheets, allowing for greater versatility during battles.
Party Maker: Removes the drunk effect from all allies, ensuring that no one is hampered by negative status effects.
Max Level Bard Build
Once you reach level 20 and have access to all perk slots, consider this late-game build to maximize your Bard's potential:
Rapier Mastery: Essential for maintaining high damage output in melee situations.
Charismatic Performance: Ensures your musical performances hit the mark every time.
Reinforced Instruments: Offers offensive power even when you're wielding an instrument.
Jolly Time: Lets you use Ale as a healing source, making your inventory management more efficient and cost-effective.
Must-Have Songs for the Bard
Here are some of the best songs for the Bard that can turn the tide of any battle:
Beats of Alacrity: Increases flat movement speed by +5/+7/+9 for 30/60/120 seconds. Useful for quick getaways or closing the distance on enemies.
Harmonic Shield: Grants +15 flat Armor Rating and Magic Resistance to yourself and allies, making everyone more resilient in prolonged fights.
Rousing Rhythms: Boosts all attributes of nearby allies, making your team stronger and more capable in battle.
Accelerando: Gradually increases movement speed for yourself and allies over 8 seconds, stacking up to three times.
Best Equipment for the Bard
When selecting equipment for your Bard, prioritize finding high-quality weapons and gear that complement your playstyle. Use Dark And Darker Gold to purchase better Dark and Darker Items, such as stronger rapiers or more powerful crossbows for ranged engagements.
For instruments, look for upgrades beyond the starter set to maximize your song's effectiveness. Armor and headgear should focus on increasing durability and survivability, as the Bard can be vulnerable if caught off-guard. Always be on the lookout for green or blue items that provide additional stat bonuses.
Conclusion
The Bard class in Dark and Darker is one of the most challenging yet rewarding classes to master. With the right build and strategy, you can become an indispensable asset to your team or a formidable solo adventurer. Make sure to invest in Dark and Darker Gold to acquire top-tier Dark and Darker Items, optimizing your character and enhancing your chances of survival. Keep practicing, experiment with different song combinations, and enjoy the unique experience of playing the Bard in Dark and Darker.