Bard AAs

NOTE: See the category page for the standard tree view of Bard AAs.

The Bard Tree begins with the required starter skill

• Bard's Luck: Heroic Opportunity starting abilities have their reuse timers sped up by 100%. Additional points in this ability increase the Bard's stamina and agility by 4 points per rank.

The Bard Tree's 1st branch is for "Strength"

• Turnstrike: (Originally required equipped sword in primary) A melee attack that briefly renders you immune to most AOE effects; Turnstrike has a melee attack element, with damage scaling for each rank

• Bladeturn: Group Bard songs that increase avoidance skills are more effective (scales each rank). Affects the Troubador's Graceful Avoidance series and the Dirge's Jael's Mysterious Mettle series.

• Bladesing: Group Bard songs that increase attributes are more effective (scales each rank). Affects the Troubador's Raxxyl's Rousing Tune series and the Dirge's Harl's Rousing Tune series.

• Bladedance: Grants the prefix title BLADESINGER; For a short duration, the Bladesinger's group is protected against area effect abilities that do not directly target them.

• Improved Reflexes: Reduces reuse time of Bladedance.

The Bard Tree's 2nd branch is for "Agility"

• Bump: (Originally required equipped dagger in primary) Steals an item from a humanoid target with a % chance of success (scales each rank); Applies shroud on termination; Bump has a melee attack element, with damage scaling for each rank; Must be flanking or behind to Bump

• Wayfarer's Watch: Increase parry of caster (increases per rank); Grants a chance at avoiding non-direct area effect spells by 1% (spell level resistance scales each rank)

• Poison Concoction: On a successful attack this spell has a (scaling per rank) % chance to cast Poison on target; Lasts 24.0 seconds; Inflicts one-time and 4-second tick poison damage on target (scales each rank)

• Dodge and Cover: Grants the prefix title WAYFARER; Instantly places the Wayfarer's group into stealth for a short duration. The next non-combart art melee attack made against an ally will be avoided. Vanishing act can be used while in combat.

• Stealthy Ambush: Increases the base damage of Bump and reduces the recast.

The Bard Tree's 3rd branch is for "Stamina"

• Round Bash: (Requires equipped round shield); Round Bash has a crushing damage attack element, with damage scaling for each rank; Applies Knockdown for a (scaling) amount of time if it hits.

• Skald's Defense: (Requires equipped round shield); Increases the Skald's blocking ability and Multi Attack chance (increases per rank).

• Fortissimo: Increases group members Multi Attack (increases per rank).

• Lend Shielding: Grants the prefix title SKALD; (Requires equipped round shield); Allows you to block the next attack that would strike you or an ally.

• Song of Shielding: Grants the bard a chance to avoid an attack for the target of the spell. This does not stack with similar spells granted through Alternate Achievements.

The Bard Tree's 4th branch is for "Wisdom"

• Messenger's Letter: (Requires equipped bow); Messenger's Letter has a ranged attack element, with damage scaling for each rank; The attack also increases threat to the target of your target.

• Harbinger's Sonnet: Increases group movement speed; Increases in-combat group movement speed

• Allegro: Increases Casting Speed of group members.

• Don't Kill the Messenger: Grants the prefix title HARBINGER; Increases critical chance of group members by 7.5%

• Swift Voices: Allegro will also grant recovery time to the group.

The Bard Tree's 5th branch is for "Intelligence"

• Rhythm Blade: (Originally required equipped rapier in primary) Increases Focus, Disruption, Ministration, Ordination, Subjugation, Slashing, Piercing, and Crushing of caster (scales each rank); Rhythm's Blade has a melee damage attack element, scaling for each rank

• Minstrel's Aria: Bard group songs that affect combat skills or casting techniques are more effective. Affects the Troubador's Song of Magic series and the Dirge's Songster's Luck series.

• Minstrel's Melody: Bard group songs augmenting attack speed or damage per second have an increased effect. Affects the Troubador's Allegretto series and the Dirge's Riana's Relentless Tune series.

• Heroic Storytelling: Grants the prefix title MINSTREL; Increases the effectiveness of all heroic opportunities by 50% (permanent group buff, no concentration required)

• Precise Blades: Rhythm Blade gains an additional component which increases the bard's accuracy and reduces the chance a spell can be resisted.

The Final Ability

• Rhythmic Overture: Rhythmic Overture monitors the bard's damage on the target over a short duration. Once the overture has been completed, the bard may cast Victorious Concerto which adds a portion of that damage as an additional effect to the group. Additional ranks improve the damage amount. This Alternate Advancement grants two abilities.