Bard's College as next Guild/Skill line?

Enkil · August 2018

Bard's College was officially codified under the Guild Act at the same time as the Fighter and Mage guilds.It could have some nice bard-style buffs/chants along with distinctive passives.

What do you think?

Taleof2Cities · August 2018

Maybe/Other

Bard’s College in Skyrim was actually a pretty cool questline.

Maybe not a combat skill tree ... but maybe a guild or crafting level line??

The idea has some merits.

TheShadowScout · August 2018

Yes, Please

Enkil wrote: »

What do you think?

This: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/387560/additional-guild-ideas-mk-ii

The relevant part being:

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Bardic Guild
The "Minstral Guild" is one of those mentioned in the guild act of 2E321, yet not seen in ESO at this time. That should be changed, I think!
I imagine, they could have a musical instrument as "special weapon" (another thing for woodworkers to craft!) and play toggle-able magical AoE spellsongs to support and buff your group, and maybe debuff (or perhaps even put to sleep) enemies that come in range?
Each song would be a different melody/lyrics, to be played with different sounds depending on equipped instrument – there could be choice of stringed instruments like lute, fiddle or harp, blown instruments like flutes, horns or bagpipes, and concussive instruments like drums… each available in racial styles for different type and visual goodieness… (So, the altmer stringed instrument might be a lyre, while the breton stringed instrument might be a lute, the khajiit stringed instrument might be a fiddle and the argonian stringed instrument might be a banjo… the bosmer blown instrument might be pan-pipes while the nord blown instrument might be bagpipes, the imperial blown instrument might be a trumpet while the dunmer might have a flute… etc.)
Some locations could even have large fixed-place instruments a bard could play to extend their buff beyond their usual AoE and throughout the whole area (big organs or magical crystal harmonium)
Said songs to be played on a toggle, continuously for an large AoE effect (as in, listening distance) for a very low magicka (or ultimate) cost – balanced by the fact that the bard is holding a dainty instrument in their hands instead of a weapon, and thus have no attacks with it – it would be entirely buff-debuff based effect from a bard practicing their craft. Naturally they could always swap weapons, ending their song to fight for their lives… And also, having an active song would make stealth impossible (duh), so no sneaking with background music, hear!
Also possible would be some "speechcraft" style passives…
And there could be daily missions usually available at the local master bard, like… playing in several different inns, one per homeland map… for guild advancement. Perhaps even a "hit that note" minigame…
Spellsong Ideas:
• Ode to the Fearless Fighter (critical chance and movement buff)
- Morph1: Ode to the Glorious Gladiator (+ weapon damage & stamina regeneration buff)
- Morph2: Ode to the Mighty Mage (+spell damage & magicka regeneration buff)
• Shieldwall Melody (physical defense & heath regeneration buff)
- Morph1: Ironclad Melody (+ critical resistance)
- Morph2: Wardcaster Melody (+spell resistance)
• Spiritbreakers Song (debuff enemy weapon damage)
- Morph1: Soulbreakers Song (+debuff enemy resistance)
- Morph2: Cursebreakers Song (+debuff enemy spells)
• Adventurers Hymn (all XP gain buff)
- Morph1: Warmongers Hymn (+ PvP currency gain buff – AP, TV-stones…)
- Morph2: Marauders Hymn (+ gold & item drop chance buff)
Ultimate: Oppresive Operah (snare all enemies in area)
- Morph1: Somnatic Symphony (+paralyze chance every second in area, broken by any damage)
- Morph2: Harrowing Harmony (+miss chance for all attacks)
Passives:
• Silver Tongue: can do "Charm" persuasive option on vendors to get better deals
• Enchanting Melody: Spellsong effects linger for a while after song ends / area left
• Slippery Songster: small chance to dodge attacks while musical instrument is active
• Golden Voice: increase bardic song area
• Tavern Ministrel: additional daily bardic guild missions become available in taverns

As for their tales, well, a guild of bards would fit right into most of semi-civilized tamriel… I am not quite sure if the Bardic College of Solitude already exists in the second Era, but it (or its predecessor) for example would make a perfect setting for this guilds DLC, if any – as for the questline, well… Bards might happily ask musically inclined adventurers to help them out when they find themselves faced with some problem they cannot charm. And seeing how Solitude is pretty close to the Reach… and the reachmen are pretty active in ESO already… they would make a credible threat to spin a questline around, would they not? Especially one aimed at traditional bardic endeavors, like carrying messages, spreading news, seducing ladies (or gentlemen), a little spying on the side and a lot of singing and music… with the occasional styleful swashbuckling stabbings of course.

JD2013 · August 2018

Bard's College would be fun. I would certainly like to see Solitude.

Tipsy · August 2018

Yes, Please

I think even a bard class would be a nice addition forthe Nord homeland ,Atmora,for example

HappyLittleTree · August 2018

Yes, Please

I want something similar to this.
with skills that can be performed by 2 Bards synergizing^^

https://youtube.com/watch?v=F9hhaU17jpw

Enkil · August 2018

Yes, Please

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Enkil wrote: »

What do you think?

This: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/387560/additional-guild-ideas-mk-ii
The relevant part being:

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Bardic Guild
The "Minstral Guild" is one of those mentioned in the guild act of 2E321, yet not seen in ESO at this time. That should be changed, I think!
I imagine, they could have a musical instrument as "special weapon" (another thing for woodworkers to craft!) and play toggle-able magical AoE spellsongs to support and buff your group, and maybe debuff (or perhaps even put to sleep) enemies that come in range?
Each song would be a different melody/lyrics, to be played with different sounds depending on equipped instrument – there could be choice of stringed instruments like lute, fiddle or harp, blown instruments like flutes, horns or bagpipes, and concussive instruments like drums… each available in racial styles for different type and visual goodieness… (So, the altmer stringed instrument might be a lyre, while the breton stringed instrument might be a lute, the khajiit stringed instrument might be a fiddle and the argonian stringed instrument might be a banjo… the bosmer blown instrument might be pan-pipes while the nord blown instrument might be bagpipes, the imperial blown instrument might be a trumpet while the dunmer might have a flute… etc.)
Some locations could even have large fixed-place instruments a bard could play to extend their buff beyond their usual AoE and throughout the whole area (big organs or magical crystal harmonium)
Said songs to be played on a toggle, continuously for an large AoE effect (as in, listening distance) for a very low magicka (or ultimate) cost – balanced by the fact that the bard is holding a dainty instrument in their hands instead of a weapon, and thus have no attacks with it – it would be entirely buff-debuff based effect from a bard practicing their craft. Naturally they could always swap weapons, ending their song to fight for their lives… And also, having an active song would make stealth impossible (duh), so no sneaking with background music, hear!
Also possible would be some "speechcraft" style passives…
And there could be daily missions usually available at the local master bard, like… playing in several different inns, one per homeland map… for guild advancement. Perhaps even a "hit that note" minigame…
Spellsong Ideas:
• Ode to the Fearless Fighter (critical chance and movement buff)
- Morph1: Ode to the Glorious Gladiator (+ weapon damage & stamina regeneration buff)
- Morph2: Ode to the Mighty Mage (+spell damage & magicka regeneration buff)
• Shieldwall Melody (physical defense & heath regeneration buff)
- Morph1: Ironclad Melody (+ critical resistance)
- Morph2: Wardcaster Melody (+spell resistance)
• Spiritbreakers Song (debuff enemy weapon damage)
- Morph1: Soulbreakers Song (+debuff enemy resistance)
- Morph2: Cursebreakers Song (+debuff enemy spells)
• Adventurers Hymn (all XP gain buff)
- Morph1: Warmongers Hymn (+ PvP currency gain buff – AP, TV-stones…)
- Morph2: Marauders Hymn (+ gold & item drop chance buff)
Ultimate: Oppresive Operah (snare all enemies in area)
- Morph1: Somnatic Symphony (+paralyze chance every second in area, broken by any damage)
- Morph2: Harrowing Harmony (+miss chance for all attacks)
Passives:
• Silver Tongue: can do "Charm" persuasive option on vendors to get better deals
• Enchanting Melody: Spellsong effects linger for a while after song ends / area left
• Slippery Songster: small chance to dodge attacks while musical instrument is active
• Golden Voice: increase bardic song area
• Tavern Ministrel: additional daily bardic guild missions become available in taverns

As for their tales, well, a guild of bards would fit right into most of semi-civilized tamriel… I am not quite sure if the Bardic College of Solitude already exists in the second Era, but it (or its predecessor) for example would make a perfect setting for this guilds DLC, if any – as for the questline, well… Bards might happily ask musically inclined adventurers to help them out when they find themselves faced with some problem they cannot charm. And seeing how Solitude is pretty close to the Reach… and the reachmen are pretty active in ESO already… they would make a credible threat to spin a questline around, would they not? Especially one aimed at traditional bardic endeavors, like carrying messages, spreading news, seducing ladies (or gentlemen), a little spying on the side and a lot of singing and music… with the occasional styleful swashbuckling stabbings of course.

Good stuff!

hydrocynus · August 2018

Yes, Please

WTB Cacofonix as toon name for my Breton

RaddlemanNumber7 · August 2018

No way

No! Please, no! Aaaagh! Aaaagh! The pain.

I would rather not have to play this game with the sound turned off, thank you.

Enkil · August 2018

Yes, Please

RaddlemanNumber7 wrote: »

No! Please, no! Aaaagh! Aaaagh! The pain.

I would rather not have to play this game with the sound turned off, thank you.

Along with release can add option in audio “turn off bard song audio from other players”

CatchMeTrolling · August 2018

As a buff and debuff skill line sure

Darkenarlol · August 2018

No way

no bards!

what can be more stuped that start to SING during a hard boss fight?

or pulling your untuned lute and start to *** off your comrades?

there is a lot of crappy korean mmo filled with this nonsense allready

so please don't bring this abomination to ESo

Feanor · August 2018

No way

Please no.

Enkil · August 2018

Yes, Please

Darkenarlol wrote: »

there is a lot of crappy korean mmo filled with this nonsense allready

Bard has been around in RPGs since the pen and paper days. It’s a western RPG staple and
standard D&D class.

Urvoth · August 2018

No way

I'd way rather have a necromancer one.

Grayfax · August 2018

Maybe/Other

For roleplaying, I would totally love to see a skill line developed... but it would be a LOOOOTTTTTTTT of coding for just goofing around (and with mics, you can pretty much do that kind of thing now if you reaaaaally wanted to).
As a skill line for combat, I still have trouble with bards whipping out a lute in combat in my D&D games, much less being able to sing, play and do damage. Now... if you do it as a vocal line and no instruments, I'm ok with it. I'm also ok if you do a drumming technique with one hand and shield to go with a chant or song, cause let's face it "Stomp the Dragonknight" would be pretty epic (though it might get old pretty quick).
Now, bringing in a skill line and ability to acquire and customize Thu'um abilities would be cool and would fall in this category for me, but I don't see it happening in ESO.

Darkenarlol · August 2018

No way

Enkil wrote: »

Bard has been around in RPGs since the pen and paper days. It’s a western RPG staple and
standard D&D class.

yep we had it in ad&d where they was bad at melee bad at magic... just bad at everything except RP

moreover you can find that *class* in some western mmo too. it doesn't makes implementing it

to eso less stuped =D

LukosCreyden · August 2018

No way

No thanks. I get some people like the idea, but pulling out a lute in the middle of a vmol boss sounds daft to me. Tonal magic though? I would love some of that. Lore friendly and potentially very powerful.

Shraar · August 2018

Yes, Please

Oh, there was once a hero named Ragnar the Red,
Who came riding to Whiterun from old Rorikstead

And the braggart did swagger and brandish his blade,
As he told of bold battles and gold he had made.

But then he went quiet, did Ragnar the Red,
When he met the shield-maiden Matilda, who said;

"Oh, you talk and you lie and you drink all our mead!
Now I think it's high time that you lie down and bleed!"

And then came the clashing and slashing of steel,
As the brave lass Matilda charged in, full of zeal!

And the braggart named Ragnar was boastful no more...
When his ugly red head rolled around on the floor!
- Karita, Dawnstar's Windpeak Inn, Skyrim

Grayfax · August 2018

Maybe/Other

To be fair, the job done on the bards in Summerset has been pretty outstanding. I just sat and watched one for half an hour one night. The fingers all work independently, the mouth synced well with the words. I was amazed at all of the little details that went into the performance that most people just run by and never see.

The crowds around some are bad (clapping and cheering), but there is a little bar area between the stables and the main market of Alinor that sits up in an alcove and has chairs that you can sit in and just enjoy the music.

I'm ok if we the players never get a skill line, but if the bards keep increasing their skills as in-game performers, I am going to want some more quality venues, and quite likely a way to purchase one in the Crown Store. There are just some areas of large houses that a bard would enhance nicely to set a better mood.

rexagamemnon · August 2018

Maybe/Other

I don't understand how the skills of a bard would translate into battle. I mean what would a bard do, sing at a drauger until it dies?

Starlock · August 2018

Maybe/Other

Maybe. If nothing else, it would lend credibility to the phantom bard music all throughout Tamriel.

Shraar · August 2018

Yes, Please

rexagamemnon wrote: »

I don't understand how the skills of a bard would translate into battle. I mean what would a bard do, sing at a drauger until it dies?

A few carefully woven words and a melody can translate into feelings, and feelings can motivate your corporeal form to take action. Action can change the world. Action can level you up.

Bards, songs, writers, playwrights, poets, movies, books, video games... They can inspire, terrify, mystify, confuse, heal or harm. That's why you're here. On a forum. Reading words. And your reality changes. You carry something new with you because you read someone else's words.

"Words have power. Words are power. Words can be your power.
You can change a life, inspire a nation, and make this world a beautiful place.
Isn't that what we all want? Isn't that why we are all in this hall?
Your mouth can spit venom. Or it can mend a broken soul." - Mohammed Qahtani

Edit: Also very loud noises can burst your eardrum.

Sylvermynx · August 2018

Yes, Please

I'd love it.

ezio45 · August 2018

Maybe/Other

Never really understood the interest in bard class/ skill line, why do ppl want this so much and what is it even?

RebornV3x · August 2018

Yes, Please

My thoughts on a hard skill like would be active abilities that give long term buffs 30 minute to 1 hour buffs like a morale booster not much of a buff but something like

Song Of the Mage as long as this ability is slotted and activated it gives your group up to 12 players X amount of spell damage or mag recovery for 30 minutes

each skill would have a unique tune when the skill was activated as well since these a lack of any long term buff in the game this would be cool.

Sporvan · August 2018

Yes, Please

Yes, forever yes!

Red diamond! Red diamond!

Zardayne · August 2018

Yes, Please

Would be awesome if they could import the music system from Lotro. It was pretty cool to walk into the prancing pony in Bree and have a group of minstrels there jamming out.

Enkil · August 2018

Yes, Please

Well as a skill line it would be 5 skills including maybe some point blank persistent aoe buffs, a charm? sleep? and some appropriate passives.

Since some people seem to have never played a western mmo with a powerful bard class take a look at the Shadowbane Bard which was a full support class always wanted in groups.

Swomp23 · August 2018

Yes, Please

First when I saw the title I thought ''Hell no, this would be crappy'' and didn't even read the thread. Then I went to read a couple of threads about the inefficacity of healers in this world of one-shot mechanics and it gave me an idea.

Make it a new buff/debuff skill line focused on the healer's role to buff the group. To prevent dps from running the 1-2 most powerful buffs, make it so that it requires an instrument (new ''weapon'') equiped to use the spell. That way, healers can run resto/lute for healing and buffing purposes, increasing their usefulness.

Sailor_Palutena · August 2018

Yes, Please

Darkenarlol wrote: »

no bards!

what can be more stuped that start to SING during a hard boss fight?

Try listening to "We Need a Hero" from Bonnie Tyler during one. You will change your mind. If not, then beat Saints Row 3 (or watch the final mission) and you will see what I mean.

I also believe that Persuasion should be Passive from Bard not Mage. Makes no sense. Mage could have something else like Glibness. Thieves guild could get Streetwise.

The Elder Scrolls Online

Bard's College as next Guild/Skill line?

Bard's College as next Guild/Skill line? 276 votes