Class idea: The Mesmerising bard

ArchivedUser

I know a lot of people are wondering how useful the Bard class is going to be compared to the other classes, so I have an idea of how to make them more useful, at least in PvP combat. Way back in the days of the original Guild Wars, you had the mesmer class. It provided 2 core aspects. First it provided a lot of damage over time effects to wear an opponent down. More interesting though was its ability to completely shut down enemy casters by taking their mana and interupting their spells. Interruption spells had very short cast times (0.25 seconds) and could interrupt any other spell, as well as provide additional effects if you successfully interrupted a spell.

Since Guild Wars, I haven't known a single mmorpg that has copied this, which is a shame because I really loved the idea, and think it could work well with a class like the Bard that specialises in buffs and debuffs. Let's be honest, just having buffs and debuffs is quite boring, so giving Bards another job to do like shutting down enemy casters from range would give them a bit more of an interesting role to fill.

What are your thoughts on this?

ArchivedUser

I actually really like this. Even tho Intrepid did say that bards will be capable of bloodshed, I really do love the idea of being the king of interrupts. Maybe it's just the evil inside of me but I get joy watching an enemies cast bar almost finished just for me to interrupt it at the last moment. Maybe that's why it's not seen much anymore tho, "anti-fun" or something like that :P

I have super high hopes for what they are going to do with the bard class. It's one of my most theorycrafted classes. I hope it's the buffing/debuffing/interrupting creature you described.

Personally, I'm hoping for the ability to strip enemy buffs/debuffs for a touch of burst as well just to add a little more salt in their wounds. Perhaps as a bard augmented with mage.

ArchivedUser

When you mentioned the Bards and original Guild Wars I was thinking this topic was going elsewhere (Prot Monks!). I share your fondness for the game and the disruptive role of the Mesmer. Would love to see spell interruption and energy denial become a thing!

ArchivedUser

i loved the mesmers in gw but i disagree here. i dont think the bard should be an interupt class. bards are essentially enchanters. they fit in the buff/debuff catagory if compared to gw they would be a mix between the hex mesmer and shout paragons from gw.

though i would not complain if the bard could create a field in which cast times double because your enemy is distracted by your lute. haha

ArchivedUser

Always considered bards as a rogue-ish enchanter class. Melee dps, Leather armor, Buffing, De-buffing, Charm CC would all be in theme and make quite a powerful class.

https://youtu.be/PyAixUwx4Bg

ArchivedUser

Bards are one the most essential part of any mmorpg, support is always a great class in raids as well as making players happy.

- Regen Health & Mana
- Boost Speed & Haste
- Play Music that is pleasing to the ear and part of the games true lore [aka storytellers].
- Masters of Daggers & ShortSwords

There are so many aspects a bard can be put under, this is why it's a required class in Ashes of Creation.

Bards of the Past to compare:

- Everquest 1 & 2
- Lord of the Rings Online
- Dark Age of Camelot
- Vanguard (despite the fact the game failed hard due to internal issues)

Let's hope the developers come up with an interesting blend for Us Bard Lovers.

ArchivedUser

Mesmer = Charm (pied piper style)
And the whole point of the bard is to charm IMHO.
I wouldn't want them to be a one trick pony.
But I would expect such a thing to be a class defining feature.

They deal in moral.
So I would expect them to increase/decrease efficiency of skills.

ArchivedUser

In Ashes, each archetype will have a variety of different roles.
Interrupting spells could actually be a separate role from charming and enchanting... all under the bard archetype.

I'm hoping we get abilities to Unsummon summoned minions. I was expecting that would fall under Summoner, but I suppose could be an ability for bards as well.