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Righto, first things first - The specs you can choose to use!
61 Bard - The only bard spec you should be using in PVE content, any other spec (e.g. tactbard) loses out on your main cd's which is bad and should be looked at as such, so this is the only spec for bard you should use in raids.
For Max dps you could use either http://rift.magelo.com/en/soultree#!ak1g/vkGGBiGllay/y or http://rift.magelo.com/en/soultree#y/vkGGBiGllay/!agxg|XKXw depending on the fight, if you can be in melee for most of the fight use the second version, the rotation slightly changes and includes Mirrored Strike and Strangulate into the rotation, whilst using some bard finishers to refresh motifs. Remember - Virtuoso does not work on non-bard abilities so use coda of wrath when you use it.
- http://rift.magelo.com/en/soultree#A90w/vkGGBiGllay/wu|XJT0 F2P version of this spec! - If you're using this spec apply the buff Ranged Combat Mastery from Marksman.
Why don't we use bard hybrids?
Any hybrid of bard loses out on your main cooldown's, the exact reason you bring a bard to the raid in the first place, you have to remember that you're job in the raid is to provide extra damage and raid cd's for the raid, not personal dps, personal dps always comes second to raid dps. Whatever dps you can do whilst providing raid with all the cd's and motifs etc, is just great.
What about Power Chord?
Power Chord is a funny ability, whilst the tool tip does make it sound really awesome, buffing Cadenza damage and giving a shield based off your AP (a shield equal to 9% of your AP), its actually a dps loss to use. But! That doesn't mean i don't recommend having it on your bar, thanks to your level 61 mastery, Planar Replenishment - Power Chord will pop all of your motifs, so if they run out, you can click power chord instead of wasting 3 gcd's to re-apply them. The shield is also quite tasty and can be used to help out healers in situations!
We will start by running through all your main abilities, explaining what they do, then go into the general rotation.
Builders/Finishers (damage)
Verse of Agony - 20 second CD, large damaging ability - to be used off cd as its a main part of your dps, dont macro it with Cadenza unless you wanna make the rotation feel really clanky.
Cadenza - The only other builder you're going to use, Cadence is now useless and Cadenza procs invigorated soul (where your heals from from)
Riff - Instantly gives 5 combo points
Coda of Wrath - Standard ST Dps Finisher
Coda of Fury - Standard Aoe DPS finisher
Buffs and Debuffs (finishers highlighted in blue)
Motif of Regeneration - Small HoT and gives all party or raid members 5% increased healing recieved
Motif of Tenancy - Reduces damage taken by 5% for all party or raid members
Motif of Bravery - Sp and AP increase by 275 and a 1% crit chance increase on all party or raid members
- All motifs are refreshed by bard finishers
Fanfare of Power - Increases Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom and Intelligence by 85 to all raid members
Fanfare of Vigor - Increases Endurance to all party or raid members by 85
Verse of Purity - Cleanse Ability, up to 10 players and will cleanse twice, once on use and again 3 seconds after.
Coda of Jeopardy - Causes the enemy to take 1900 physical damage every 3 second for every attacker. You will need to have 100% up time on this buff, it is your responsibility to keep it up on the boss and adds unless told otherwise.
Coda of Cowardice - Causes the enemy to take 5% more physical damage on the enemy and nearby enemies - It is your job to apply this to trash mobs - The Archon should apply their version of this to the boss, so dont overwrite it on the boss
Coda of Distress - Causes the enemy and nearby enemies to take 7% increased non-phys damage - Your job to apply this to trash and aoe fights, dont use it on ST fights as it will overwrite the Archon buff, which is better.
Cooldowns
Orchestra of the Planes - Our main damage increase cooldown, does not stack with Lava Field, so in a perfect raid situation, you would use this ability as soon as Lava Field runs out. Not before unless you want an angry raid team!
Verse of Joy - restores charge, mana, power and energy to all party or raid members for 15 seconds, in a raid situation this is to be used when Lava Field is dropped.
Verse of Occlusion - Small Shield given to all party or raid members, to be used when needed - Wish i could make it more clear but you just need to learn the fight and know when aoe damage is incoming, and use it appropriately.
Virtuoso - Causes Combo points to stay when using BARD finishers, doesn't work with anything other than bard finishers.
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Rotation/Macros
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The rotation for bard is fairly simple, always try to start with 5 combo points, as this will make your life a lot easier.
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Opening Rotation.
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From 5 combo points - Pre-apply Energy Manipulation - Pre-apply Motifs - Coda of Jeopardy - Riff - Virtuoso - Verse of Joy (should be used with Lava Field) - Coda of Wrath spam - Orchestra to be used as soon as Lava drops off
From this point on your cooldowns *should* match up with the Archons allowing you to use them off cooldown if the fight permits it (some fights may need you to hold your cooldowns, that would be discussed with the RL/Archon)
After the opener you go into your standard rotation which is Cadenza to 5 combo points - Verse of Agony off cd - Coda of Wrath or Jeopardy if it needs to be re-applied. Riff when off cd + coda of wrath.
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If at any point your motifs run out use Power Chord instantly to re-buff them.
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Remember, Orchestra does not stack with Lava Field, and Lava Field will always be used first as it aligns better with players personal cooldowns. Don't overwrite Lava Field (unless you want your raid to hate you).
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As for macros these are the only ones I suggest using;
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#show Cadenza
suppressmacrofailures
cast @self Energy Manipulation
cast Cadenza
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Verse of Agony can be put in the macro if you don't spam the macro, otherwise it will cut off Cadenza and cause you to get drained after a little while.
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#show Orchestra of The Planes
suppressmacrofailures
cast Orchestra of the Planes
ra Using Orchestra because Ani said to
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Healing With Bard.
Bard has a decent arsenal of healing/shielding abilities.
Verse of Vitality - 20 second cooldown heal that hits 5 players
Coda of Restoration - Healing Finisher
Verse of Occlusion - Shield that hits all raid members.
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Harmonic Distortion - Consumes 1 Stack of Harmonic Energy (which you get from using finishers, 20% chance) and heals an ally for x amount of health. Using this ability sacrifices 2% of your damage per stack you use (5 stacks max)
To heal as a bard it will take practice to know the fight you're doing, and to know when damage will happen (e.g. large aoe phases you can use Verse of Occlusion). Just because you're not a healer it doesnt mean you dont have to use these abilities, your role is "support" so support your healers as much as you can without sacrificing too much dps (basically dont spend the entire fight spamming coda of restoration but use it if its needed)
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Buffs/Debuffs that don't stack
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Each category is a separate stacking group, separated by lines in priority order, for example:
Category
Power A
Power B
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Power C
In this example, Power A and Power B will overwrite each other (no priority between them), and either of them will overwrite Power C.
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As a support you will need to know what abilities can be used with what, in order to maximise raid dps, always talk with your raid team about who is using what buffs to get a better idea of what is needed from you
Endurance Buff 1
Fanfare of Vigor (Rogue/Bard)
Boon of Vitality (Cleric/Oracle)
Stat Buff 2
Resonance (Rogue/Bard) +5% Str/Dex/Int/Wis/End at 5/5
Vital Inspiration (Cleric/Oracle) +5% Str/Dex/Int/Wis/End at 5/5
Strength Buff
Fanfare of Power (Rogue/Bard)
Boon of Resurgence (Cleric/Oracle)
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Focus of Body (Warrior/Paragon)
Dexterity Buff
Fanfare of Power (Rogue/Bard)
Boon of Resurgence (Cleric/Oracle)
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Combat Preparation (Rogue/Bladedancer)
Wisdom Buff
Fanfare of Power (Rogue/Bard)
Boon of Resurgence (Cleric/Oracle)
Wisdom of the Ages (Cleric/Purifier)
Intelligence Buff
Fanfare of Power (Rogue/Bard)
Boon of Resurgence (Cleric/Oracle)
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Flaring Intellect (Mage/Pyromancer)
Armor/Resistance Buff
Arcane Aegis (Mage/Archon) self aura, with 3/3 Empowered Aegis
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Bond of Shelter (Warrior/Beastmaster) self aura, toggled
Anthem of Glory (Rogue/Bard) self aura, toggled
Defensive Favor (Cleric/Oracle) self aura, toggled
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Spiritual Protection (Cleric/Inquisitor) self aura, toggled
Heart of the Frozen Sea (Cleric/Shaman) self aura, toggled
Damage Buff
Lava Field (Mage/Archon) with 2/2 Lava Spout
Orchestra of the Planes (Rogue/Bard)
Defend the Fallen (Cleric/Oracle)
AP/SP Buff
Motif of Bravery (Rogue/Bard) with Bardic Inspiration
Inspiration of Battle (Cleric/Oracle)
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Granite Salvo (Mage/Archon)
Crit Chance Buff 3
Motif of Bravery (Rogue/Bard) with Bardic Inspiration
Inspiration of Battle (Cleric/Oracle)
Reduced Ability Cost
Anthem of Fervor (Rogue/Bard) self aura, toggled
Living Energy (Mage/Chloromancer) self aura, toggled
Marshaled Favor (Cleric/Oracle) self aura, toggled
Healing Received Buff 2
Motif of Regeneration (Rogue/Bard) with Improved Motif of Regeneration and Bardic Inspiration
Inspiration of Survival (Cleric/Oracle) with Benevolent Inspiration
Increased Non-physical Damage Taken 1
Crumbling Resistance (Mage/Archon)
Coda of Distress (Rogue/Bard) requires combo points, with 2/2 Extended Grief
Spiritual Deficiency (Cleric/Inquisitor)
Curse of Consumption (Cleric/Oracle)
Damage Proc
Spotter's Call (Warrior/Beastmaster) with 2/2 Hunt Master
Illuminate (Mage/Archon)
Coda of Jeopardy (Rogue/Bard) requires combo points, with 2/2 Extended Grief
Thorns of Ire (Cleric/Druid)
Corroded Defense (Cleric/Oracle)
Addons to use!
http://mods.curse.com/addons/rift/chocos-cooldowns
If you're new to support souls i recommend getting this ability, that way it can track other raid cd's like Lava Field so you dont overwrite it with Orchestra!
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