[edit] Song Composition

Bards can only sing one song at a time. Songs are composed using several different component types. As you level you will gain access to new types of components and will be able to create more powerful songs.

[edit] Song Creation

So you have created the best song around...it is perfect in its efficiency and power...what now?

You need to name the song. You put in your own name. It will appear in everyone’s buff bar as YourName's Bard Song: <InsertTitleHere>. You can then save the song. It will be saved on the server, so where ever you play Vanguard from, you'll have your songs. You can save roughly 30 songs.You can also edits songs on the fly and press play again to get the new component.

[edit] Instrument Mods

Bards can get instruments...they each have a mod on them. Base instruments (store bought) instruments magnify the effects of your components. Have an embellishment that gives a 2-point damage shield? Doesn’t sound great, does it? Add 5 of them in all your slots for a whopping 10 points...still not so great. But equip an instrument or get an item that has an instrument mod of the correct type and with max mod that 10 becomes a 30 and you haven't even used a powerful component yet.

You can also stack most components. That is why they are small, because you can make the cumulative effects BIG. Take Mellarian's Victorious Finale (see below) for example. It adds 8 damage to your group. By itself, not very impressive – however, do some math magic ((8+8)*3.0) and you just added 48 damage to everyone in your group.

[edit] Component types

[edit] Melody

There is always a melody in a song. A song must have a melody to be played. The Melody is the backbone of the song and provides the theme. There is only ever 1 melody slot.

Example

Mellarien's Anthem of War

This melody inspires you and allies in battle.

• Component type: Melody
• Instrument type: Voice
• Increases strength
• Increases armor class
• Adds damage to all attacks and spells

[edit] Embellishment

Embellishments are minor additions. Small resistance buffs, debuffs and other minor buffs. There are potentially 5 embellishment slots.

Example

Illestine's Harmony of Warmth

This embellishment protects your and your allies from the ravages of the cold.

• Component type: Embellishment
• Instrument type: Wind
• Increases cold resistance
• 2 pt damage shield

[edit] Lyric

Lyrics provide many different things for all occasions. Low power effects. Slow, runspeed, weapon procs, levitation. There are up to 4 lyric slots.

Example

Gamael's Blades of Flame

This lyric adds additional fire damage to the attacks of you and your allies.

• Component type: Lyric
• Instrument type: Brass
• Instrument modifiers alter proc chance

[edit] Chorus

Higher powered lyric-like components. Misc effects. There are up to 3 chorus slots.

Example

Irion's Chorus of Shields

This chorus causes a curtain of sound to protect you and your allies.

• Component Type: Chorus
• Instrument Type: String
• Increases armor class
• Increases block skill
• Small amount of damage is absorbed each pulse

[edit] Verse

Higher powered components. DoTs, regens, snares. There are 3 potential verse slots.

Example

Cirel's Phrase of Renewal

This verse rejuvenates the bodies all nearby allies

• Component Type: Verse
• Instrument Type: String
• Increased health regeneration

[edit] Bridge

Very powerful components. Misc effects. There are up to 2 bridge slots.

Example

Naman's Ruinous Revolution

This bridge strips your opponent of arcane and elemental resistance.

• Component Type: Bridge
• Instrument Type: Brass
• Reduces fire, cold and arcane resistances

[edit] Coda

Very powerful components. Misc effects. There are up to 2 coda slots.

Example

Mellarien's Victorious Finale

This coda adds a small amount of damage to all attacks made by you or your allies.

• Component Type: Coda
• Instrument Type: Wind
• Increased damage

[edit] Rest

There is one more component type, but it doesn't add any power to the song. Each of the above components has an energy cost associated with them. Eventually they will be in the descriptions. A melody costs 2 energy per second - A coda costs 8 - two codas costs 16. A song composed using nothing but musical components would play for around 12 seconds at level 50 with decent gear – not so great. Enter rests…

Rests do not add anything to the song. Instead they negate some amount of energy consumption. Rests exist to allow you to create perpetual songs (ones that never stop due to energy levels). Using the above example (melody costs 2 energy per sec) a two point rest would negate the cost of a melody. This rest would cancel out 2 points of cost per second. There are various sizes of rests, from 2 to 12.

As you would assume, a lyric will only go in a lyric slot - components will only go in the slot they belong to. Rests can go in any slot, excepting the melody slot, of course. At 50 you may opt to use one of your lyric slots up with the 12point rest and put a 10 point rest where a coda went.

[edit] Combat

Bards are offensive fighters. They are able to deal out a lot of damage (in contrast to most other MMOG Bards) and are allowed to dual wield. They can enter different combat stances called Dances. (Source The riches of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes #31)

[edit] Known Dances

Dance of Blades

a combat stance that increases the Bard's damage output.

Careen of Cunning

a combat stance that increases the Bard's chance to land a critical hit.

Water Dance

a combat stance that increases the Bard's evasive capabilities (dodging).

[edit] Related Websites

[edit] Official Affiliate Website

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