Overview[]
Glory teams have cemented themselves as some of the best teams in the current metagame, and with Multi-Might, Multi-Glory, and double Heroic Party, one would think that Bard would be at the top of this list. However, monsters like Tanuki and Raduga have somewhat usurped Bard as the greatest buffers; Tanuki has incredible debuff removal and sturdiness Bard can only sing a ballad about, and Raduga has Phoenix Affinity and the ability to bypass Protect teams as it's always attacking. That doesn't prevent Bard from being an incredible buffer in its own right, but being an amazing buffer also makes it a huge target that can be easily removed due to its frailty. As such, it needs to maximize its output to a team in the time it's on the field.
Standard Buffer[]
Equipment[]
- Warhorn
- Drum
- Tambourine
- Ocarina
Food[]
- Banana x3
Build Details[]
Bard has the skill point economy to fit both Riot and Full Offense in its repertoire, and it has a case for using both of them. Full Offense is the buff of choice when buffing one DPS or if the DPS in question really needs the Sidekick or Channel buff. Riot, on the other hand, is very solid on a team of Might monsters who can share buffs with each other through Shared Might or the Enlightened shift passive.
As Bard is frail and loaded with great auras, it would like to come in after another supporter has been KO'd, so that it doesn't become an immediate target and let the double Heroic Party bonuses go to effect immediately. If it's not buffing, then it's using Minnesang to remove harmful stacks (especially Blind) or using Life Wave to keep the team healthy. Its equipment choices are pretty non-optional, as Patron Chord and Support Chord grant damage reduction and an increasing chance for an extra buff for each instrument Bard equips, and the equipment above is the best instrument selection for a healing support monster like Bard.
Team Options[]
- Bird tribal teams are very good, no matter the metagame, in large part because of how great Bard is. Raduga is the bird that keeps the flock together, as its Glorious Plumage exclusive increases the strength of buffs for every Bird on the line. Silvaero and Spectral Eagle are the DPS of choice on these bird teams, and Dodo is a great buffer and healer with Taunt to give the team time to accumulate buffs.
- Any monster with the aura Improved Assault love to get multiple Might and Glory boosts, though note that Thanatos also has these Multi-Auras and thus gives Bard competition. As such, Bard is best paired with monsters who really need its Blind stack removal, such as Brawlish, who has Sure Strike and thus cannot miss unless it has Blind stacks on it.
- Might teams enjoy having Bard around to take advantage of Riot with Shared Might and supercharge their physical attacks, and often have magic-weak monsters like Kame who don't want to double up on the weaknesses Thanatos brings. Bard's shielding and stack removal really helps Kame avoid Blind stacks and set up Shield Burst, an otherwise undodgeable move used to take out monsters resistant to physical damage as a whole.
Checks and Counters[]
- Bard's frailty sets it back from staying on the field more than a few turns, especially if the opponent realizes that Bard can just buff the next DPS that comes in anyway. As such, it's not really designed for the lead position if going second, as a fast team can easily KO it before it can do anything.
- Debuff teams, and Weakness teams in particular, can use spread attacks to give the entire team debuffs, and with Bard's frailty, it can be KO'd without even being targeted by a monster.