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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/ProfessorFichte/Bards/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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Your first bard character

This guide will get you playing as a Bard quickly, covering the basics of equipment, spells, and playstyle.
This guide assumes you’ve already installed Bards RPG and all required dependencies.

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Step 1: Craft your starting gear

1

Gather wool for armor

Bard armor is crafted from wool. Collect at least 24 wool blocks (any color) to craft a full set of Entertainer’s Garb.Recipe: Use standard armor crafting patterns with wool instead of leather or metal.
2

Craft a basic weapon

Choose your starting weapon type:
  • Iron Rapier - For melee-focused combat (3.6 damage, -2.0 attack speed)
  • Wooden Lute - For balanced Arcane/Healing spells (+3.5 to both schools)
  • Golden Lyre - For healing-focused support (+1.75 Arcane, +5.25 Healing)
Start with a Wooden Lute for the most versatile playstyle.
3

Find or craft a Bard spell book

The Bard spell book contains all bard spells. You can:
  • Find it as loot in chests
  • Craft it using the recipe (check JEI/REI for details)
  • Get it from Creative mode inventory

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Step 2: Equip your character

1

Wear your bard armor

Equip all four pieces of Entertainer’s Garb:
  • Entertainer Hat (helmet)
  • Entertainer Garb (chestplate)
  • Entertainer Trousers (leggings)
  • Entertainer Boots
Each piece grants:
  • 15% Arcane spell power
  • 15% Healing spell power
  • 3% movement speed
2

Hold your weapon

Equip your lute, lyre, or rapier in your main hand. This determines your combat style and spell power.
3

Access your spell book

Keep the Bard spell book in your inventory or hotbar. This gives you access to all bard spells.

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Step 3: Learn the spell system

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Accessing spells

Bards use the Spell Engine spell system:
  1. Open the spell selection wheel - Default keybind: R (check your controls)
  2. Select a spell slot - Move your mouse to choose a slot
  3. Assign a spell - Click on a spell from your available spells
  4. Cast spells - Use the cast keybind (default: C) to cast your selected spell
You can assign different spells to multiple slots for quick access during combat.

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Your first spells

Start with these beginner-friendly spells:
Tier: 1
Type: Area buff/damage
Range: 5 blocksYour defensive foundation. Channels a song that:
  • Deals damage to nearby enemies
  • Reduces incoming damage by 5% per stack (stacks up to 3 times)
  • Affects all allies in range, including yourself
Best for: Surviving difficult fights, protecting your partyUsage: Cast before engaging enemies to build up defensive stacks
Tier: 2
Type: Projectile
Range: 20 blocksYour primary damage dealer. Launches magical ballads that:
  • Pierce through up to 3 targets
  • Deal solid Arcane damage
  • Buff allies hit with +2.5% Attack Damage and Spell Power per stack
Best for: Dealing damage while supporting alliesUsage: Aim at groups of enemies to maximize pierce value and ally buffs
Tier: 3
Type: Area damage/support
Range: 12 blocksYour utility spell. Instantly affects a wide area:
  • Damages all nearby enemies
  • Reduces active spell cooldowns for allies by 20%
  • No channel time - instant cast
Best for: Helping your party spam spells, burst damageUsage: Use after allies cast expensive spells to reset their cooldowns
Tier: 4
Type: Buff
Range: 5 blocksYour advanced support spell. Creates a powerful buff:
  • Buffs nearby allies for 8 seconds
  • When YOU damage enemies (melee, arrows, or spells), allies gain stacking damage bonuses
  • Effects scale with your Healing spell power
Best for: Coordinated group play, boss fightsUsage: Cast on your party, then actively fight to trigger the stacking buff

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Step 4: Combat basics

Bards combine three combat styles:

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Support playstyle

1

Position near allies

Stay within 5-12 blocks of your party members to include them in your area spells.
2

Maintain buffs

Keep Troubadour’s Minuet or Army’s Paeon active on your allies during fights.
3

Use Encore strategically

Time Encore casts after allies use major cooldowns to help them cast again.

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Damage playstyle

1

Spam Magical Ballad

Use your lute to fire piercing projectiles at enemy groups.
2

Weave in melee attacks

Between spell casts, use your rapier for quick melee damage.
3

Manage resources

Watch your exhaustion (mana) bar. Don’t spam all spells at once.

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Hybrid playstyle

1

Start with defensive buffs

Cast Troubadour’s Minuet before engaging.
2

Engage with projectiles

Use Magical Ballad from range to soften enemies.
3

Finish with melee

Switch to rapier for mobile melee cleanup.

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Step 5: Progression path

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Early game (Iron/Gold)

  • Craft Iron Rapier or Wooden Lute
  • Wear Entertainer’s Garb (Tier 1 armor)
  • Learn Troubadour’s Minuet and Magical Ballad
  • Focus on exploring and gathering resources

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Mid game (Diamond)

  • Upgrade to Diamond Rapier, Diamond Lute, or Diamond Lyre
  • Craft Troubadour’s Garb (Tier 2 armor) - requires wool and better materials
  • Add Encore to your spell rotation
  • Start farming for enchantments

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Late game (Netherite)

  • Craft Netherite weapons and Netherite Troubadour’s Garb (Tier 3)
  • Master Army’s Paeon for group play
  • Optimize your spell power with enchantments
  • Consider mod compatibility content (Ruby, Aeternium, Aether weapons)

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Endgame (Unique/Storyteller)

  • Hunt for boss-themed unique weapons (requires Loot N Explore/Arsenal):
    • Dragon’s Rapier (Ender Dragon)
    • Siren’s Lyre (Elder Guardian)
    • Withered Rapier (Wither)
    • Glacial Rapier (Ice boss)
  • Craft Storyteller’s Garb (requires Armory RPGs mod) - Tier 5 armor with 30% spell power
  • Perfect your build with max-level enchantments

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Important mechanics

Your spell damage and healing scale with:
  • Weapon bonuses - Lutes give balanced Arcane/Healing, Lyres favor Healing
  • Armor bonuses - Each armor piece adds 15-30% spell power depending on tier
  • Enchantments - Spell power enchantments multiply your effectiveness
Full Entertainer’s Garb with a Wooden Lute gives you:
  • ~60% Arcane spell power bonus (15% × 4 pieces)
  • ~60% Healing spell power bonus
  • 3.5 bonus Arcane/Healing power from the lute
Each piece of bard armor grants movement speed:
  • Entertainer: 3% per piece = 12% total
  • Troubadour: 4% per piece = 16% total
  • Netherite Troubadour: 5% per piece = 20% total
  • Storyteller: 6% per piece = 24% total
This makes bards highly mobile, perfect for supporting allies across the battlefield.
Many bard spells stack:
  • Troubadour’s Minuet: Up to 3 stacks of damage reduction
  • Magical Ballad: Up to 3 stacks of offensive power
  • Army’s Paeon: Up to 3 stacks of damage bonus
The maximum stacks are affected by your spell power. Higher spell power = easier to reach max stacks.
Spells consume exhaustion (mana). Each spell costs:
  • 0.2 exhaustion (20% of your mana bar)
This means you can cast 5 spells before depleting your mana. Exhaustion regenerates over time.

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Tips for new bards

Stay mobile

Use your movement speed bonus to kite enemies and reposition for optimal spell range.

Manage cooldowns

All spells have 10-second cooldowns. Don’t wait - cast on cooldown for maximum impact.

Group synergy

Bards shine in groups. Your buffs multiply your allies’ effectiveness.

Experiment with weapons

Try all three weapon types to find your preferred playstyle.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Don’t overlook your armor - Bard armor provides massive spell power bonuses. Never fight without a full set equipped.
Don’t spam spells - With 10-second cooldowns and exhaustion costs, plan your casts carefully.
Don’t stand still while channeling - Bard spells allow movement during channeling. Stay mobile!

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Next steps

Weapons guide

Deep dive into all weapon types and their stats

Spells reference

Complete spell documentation with mechanics and numbers

Armor sets

Learn about all armor tiers and their bonuses

Progression guide

Learn about equipment tiers and advancement

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