Many MMORPGs claim to be the best – but none of them are right. Because all major MMORPGs lack an important class, says MeinMMO author Benedict Grothaus. Fortunately, one game has come to the rescue: Neverwinter.
This class is missing (almost) everywhere: The best and most important class in any role-playing game is the Bard. Of course, this is purely subjective and you may disagree – but you would be wrong.
Since I started playing role-playing games and MMORPGs, I have always played Bards whenever possible. This was already my first class in Ragnarok Online, and now I also play Bards in three of my four pen-and-paper groups in various forms.
All the more frustrating is that many modern MMORPGs (and none of the biggest ones) do not offer the best class at all or – what annoys me even more – somehow mess it up:
- WoW never had playable Bards – even though they were announced as a hero class in an April Fool’s joke in 2008 (Bards! As an April Fool’s joke!).
- ESO has Bards as NPCs but not as a class.
- In Guild Wars 2, “the Bard” has even been downgraded to a weapon!
- Final Fantasy XIV does have a Bard class, but they are more singing Rangers and not the class that Bards rightfully should be.
Some MMORPGs that do not belong to the “big MMOs” in the West do offer the class such as Lord of the Rings Online or ArcheAge. At least some new releases like SOLO are trying to bring back Bards, but the distribution of the class is still limited.
I am all the happier that a game that has always had Bards should finally get the class: Neverwinter. But maybe the few art philistines among you are now asking: What the hell are Bards anyway? The answer is relatively simple.
Bards are the best class overall (and anyone who says otherwise is lying!)
What are Bards? “Bards” are basically people who earn their living through music and art. They play songs and tell stories to entertain people. They often travel from place to place and gather experiences that they can use to create their own tunes.
In most role-playing games, the class is sort of a jack-of-all-trades, especially in the famous Dungeons & Dragons. Bards can do a little of everything and do many things quite well, without being an expert in anything – except for entertainment. However, Bards can specialize in various things through so-called “schools,” such as:
- Rhetoric and persuasion
- Music and stories
- Lies, deception, and intrigue
- Combat and leadership
- Motivation and support
Even though some Bards are indeed fighters, they serve more as supporters in combat. Through their music, they can inspire (buff) their allies or even use magic to control enemies or heal friends. However, that is not their main strength.
What makes them so important? What makes Bards special is their high value of charisma. This is an attribute that is often criminally neglected in many games. Charisma indicates how well a character can persuade others, deceive, or how generally convincing they come across.
Especially in pen and paper, Bards can help a group avoid conflicts even before they arise… or they start conflicts if it benefits them. However, their most important moments occur in social interactions.
Bards provide the group with free sleeping places, discounts on goods, better rewards, or important information. In some cases, they even serve as leaders of a group, as their self-confident demeanor allows them to exhibit leadership qualities.
Why every MMORPG needs Bards
The role that has been custom-made for us Bards is that of the supporter. We do little ourselves and rather let others work for us – uh, I mean, we Bards support others in doing their work better and more pleasantly. We are not lazy or anything…
As supporters, Bards actually fit into every group and every constellation. Depending on the circumstances, they can adjust their strengths and thus help where needed. Alone, Bards are relatively weak, but what is an artist without an audience?
The problem is that many MMORPGs completely ignore support classes. Often, only the “Holy Trinity” of tank, DPS, and healer is needed – and Bards do not fully fulfill any of these roles.
Accordingly, it would be quite fitting to use them as spellcasters, melee fighters, or healers. Yet somehow, hardly any developer dares to do that. At least not until now.
Finally Bards in Neverwinter after 8 years
Neverwinter, the official MMORPG for Dungeons & Dragons, was released in June 2013. Now, eight years later, the Bard, one of the core classes of D&D, is finally coming to the MMORPG after players were actually sure that the new class would be the Druid.
On July 27, 2021, the “Jewel of the North” update for Neverwinter will be released on PC, which brings the Bard as a new class. PlayStation and Xbox will receive the update in the fall.
As a huge fan of D&D and a long-time Bard player, I was able to ask a few questions to Salim Grant, a senior designer for Neverwinter, who worked on the new class.
Developer Interview: The “Power of Music”
MeinMMO: Why do Bards have such a special role in D&D?
Salim Grant: What makes Bards so special in Dungeons & Dragons is their unique ability to combine the beauty of a song with the rhythm of battle to create enchanting ballads of adventures.
MeinMMO: What is the key to successfully playing a Bard?
Salim Grant: Practice, practice, practice.
MeinMMO: How did you transfer Bards and their strengths from D&D to Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: We focused on the core elements that make Bards what they are: music and style.
With the power of music, Bards in Neverwinter can accomplish a vast number of things, such as healing other characters in their group or increasing their damage. When they are not playing music, they can stylishly take out their enemies in a way that other classes cannot. The combination of these two elements results in an exciting and powerful class that players, we believe, will quickly embrace.
MeinMMO: In D&D, schools are what make each Bard unique and give them the chance to become “everything.” What schools exist in Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: The concept of schools does not exist for our Bards. But Bards can choose one of two paragon paths, that of the Songblade, which specializes in dealing damage, or that of the Minstrels, which grants players access to unique songs and abilities.
MeinMMO: Will I be able to identify with the Bards in Neverwinter as someone who has played D&D (and Bards) for several years?
Salim Grant: The Bards have a unique role in our game and offer a new way to interact with our various systems. The same goes for Bards in the tabletop version of the game. I would say yes, playing a Bard in Neverwinter should feel familiar to someone who has played the class in D&D.
Create your own music
MeinMMO: How can players express their musical side as Bards in Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: Bards have access to a free performance mode, in which they can play notes at will and compose melodies. The Free Performance mode allows them to adjust octaves and use semitones to create their own music or play their favorite melodies.
Why did it take 8 years after the release to bring the best class to Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: We wanted to ensure that the Bard has its due time in the spotlight! But seriously, when we decided to create a new class, we opted for the one that promised the greatest potential to create a unique gaming experience in Neverwinter.
MeinMMO: Why should everyone want a Bard in their group (in D&D and Neverwinter)?
Salim Grant: The support abilities of Bards make them a highly valuable part of any group:
- As a Songblade, Bards increase the damage of their group and can use songs like the “Hero’s Ballad” and the “Witch’s Ballad” to inflict damage on their enemies, while abilities like “Fleet Steps” and “Volti Subito” allow them to zip across the battlefield.
- As Minstrels, Bards support their groups with passive healing, damage mitigation, shields, and dispelling damage effects, all the while joyfully playing their lute. After a victory, Bards make resting at a campfire a fun event with their songs.
“The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard?”
MeinMMO: Why should I play a Bard?
Salim Grant: The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard? Bards offer such an exciting and unique experience in Neverwinter that all players should try them out.
While the class has its defined roles, it does tend to lean towards a support role, which sets it apart from the other classes. Combined with stunning visual effects and slick combat actions, it becomes a very appealing choice. And of course, the musical abilities of a Bard are absolutely unique.
MeinMMO: Will it be possible for me to seduce the innkeeper?
Salim Grant: Unfortunately, not at this time… but who can say what the future holds for the Bard.
Hopefully, other MMORPGs will follow suit
As a perfectionist, I am still not entirely satisfied that only two “schools” will be available, but at least the Bard in Neverwinter is a good first step. I hope that the devs will continue to work on the class and, above all, that Bards will be well-received by players.
Especially the idea of free notes is very interesting. It worked well in LotRO and provided cool musical performances. With the right implementation and tools, one can certainly do quite a bit here.
If the Bard is as successful as it deserves, hopefully other developers will wake up and bring the most important class ever into their MMORPGs. Because let’s be honest: everyone wants to be accompanied by a lute in a dungeon or raid.
This was not a question, but a persuasive throw, and I rolled a “natural 20.” So I am right! And you will see it the same way from now on: You want lute-playing and Bards in your dungeons. No argument.
If you want to be convinced that I am speaking the truth, check out Neverwinter for yourself. Neverwinter is one of 8 free MMORPGs on Steam that also run on weak computers.
However, we could accomplish great things in every group through our versatility and help our fellow players to victory.
And how is that supposed to work? Quite simply: Is there a lack of damage? An inspiring song boosts morale. Is the group doing poorly? Softly woven melodies enhance the healing power of the priests. Is it progressing too slowly? A brisk march makes the feet quicker.
Even in the “Holy Trinity,” Bards could function if implemented correctly. Their music is technically considered magic, and many Bards are skilled with rapier and dagger.
Accordingly, it would be quite fitting to use them as spellcasters, melee fighters, or healers. Yet somehow, hardly any developer dares to do that. At least not until now.
Finally Bards in Neverwinter after 8 years
Neverwinter, the official MMORPG for Dungeons & Dragons, was released in June 2013. Now, eight years later, the Bard, one of the core classes of D&D, is finally coming to the MMORPG after players were actually sure that the new class would be the Druid.
On July 27, 2021, the “Jewel of the North” update for Neverwinter will be released on PC, which brings the Bard as a new class. PlayStation and Xbox will receive the update in the fall.
As a huge fan of D&D and a long-time Bard player, I was able to ask a few questions to Salim Grant, a senior designer for Neverwinter, who worked on the new class.
Developer Interview: The “Power of Music”
MeinMMO: Why do Bards have such a special role in D&D?
Salim Grant: What makes Bards so special in Dungeons & Dragons is their unique ability to combine the beauty of a song with the rhythm of battle to create enchanting ballads of adventures.
MeinMMO: What is the key to successfully playing a Bard?
Salim Grant: Practice, practice, practice.
MeinMMO: How did you transfer Bards and their strengths from D&D to Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: We focused on the core elements that make Bards what they are: music and style.
With the power of music, Bards in Neverwinter can accomplish a vast number of things, such as healing other characters in their group or increasing their damage. When they are not playing music, they can stylishly take out their enemies in a way that other classes cannot. The combination of these two elements results in an exciting and powerful class that players, we believe, will quickly embrace.
MeinMMO: In D&D, schools are what make each Bard unique and give them the chance to become “everything.” What schools exist in Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: The concept of schools does not exist for our Bards. But Bards can choose one of two paragon paths, that of the Songblade, which specializes in dealing damage, or that of the Minstrels, which grants players access to unique songs and abilities.
MeinMMO: Will I be able to identify with the Bards in Neverwinter as someone who has played D&D (and Bards) for several years?
Salim Grant: The Bards have a unique role in our game and offer a new way to interact with our various systems. The same goes for Bards in the tabletop version of the game. I would say yes, playing a Bard in Neverwinter should feel familiar to someone who has played the class in D&D.
Create your own music
MeinMMO: How can players express their musical side as Bards in Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: Bards have access to a free performance mode, in which they can play notes at will and compose melodies. The Free Performance mode allows them to adjust octaves and use semitones to create their own music or play their favorite melodies.
Why did it take 8 years after the release to bring the best class to Neverwinter?
Salim Grant: We wanted to ensure that the Bard has its due time in the spotlight! But seriously, when we decided to create a new class, we opted for the one that promised the greatest potential to create a unique gaming experience in Neverwinter.
MeinMMO: Why should everyone want a Bard in their group (in D&D and Neverwinter)?
Salim Grant: The support abilities of Bards make them a highly valuable part of any group:
- As a Songblade, Bards increase the damage of their group and can use songs like the “Hero’s Ballad” and the “Witch’s Ballad” to inflict damage on their enemies, while abilities like “Fleet Steps” and “Volti Subito” allow them to zip across the battlefield.
- As Minstrels, Bards support their groups with passive healing, damage mitigation, shields, and dispelling damage effects, all the while joyfully playing their lute. After a victory, Bards make resting at a campfire a fun event with their songs.
“The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard?”
MeinMMO: Why should I play a Bard?
Salim Grant: The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard? Bards offer such an exciting and unique experience in Neverwinter that all players should try them out.
While the class has its defined roles, it does tend to lean towards a support role, which sets it apart from the other classes. Combined with stunning visual effects and slick combat actions, it becomes a very appealing choice. And of course, the musical abilities of a Bard are absolutely unique.
MeinMMO: Will it be possible for me to seduce the innkeeper?
Salim Grant: Unfortunately, not at this time… but who can say what the future holds for the Bard.
Hopefully, other MMORPGs will follow suit
As a perfectionist, I am still not entirely satisfied that only two “schools” will be available, but at least the Bard in Neverwinter is a good first step. I hope that the devs will continue to work on the class and, above all, that Bards will be well-received by players.
Especially the idea of free notes is very interesting. It worked well in LotRO and provided cool musical performances. With the right implementation and tools, one can certainly do quite a bit here.
If the Bard is as successful as it deserves, hopefully other developers will wake up and bring the most important class ever into their MMORPGs. Because let’s be honest: everyone wants to be accompanied by a lute in a dungeon or raid.
This was not a question, but a persuasive throw, and I rolled a “natural 20.” So I am right! And you will see it the same way from now on: You want lute-playing and Bards in your dungeons. No argument.
If you want to be convinced that I am speaking the truth, check out Neverwinter for yourself. Neverwinter is one of 8 free MMORPGs on Steam that also run on weak computers.
