Abilities

[Rhum]

Hi forum,
I'm new and i was just wondering if there was a way to find the specific details of our spells/skills. I've looked on the wiki and it doesn't say anywhere.
For example; how is Potency calculated?
What does bard's songs scale off of ?
ex: Mage's Ballad doesn't even tell you how much MP you give others -.-
"Refreshes MP of all nearby party members", Does it increase with weapon damage? DEX? MIND?

Just a few questions so that before i start building my character i would like to know the specs. I'm only a lvl 15 Archer right now :3

I more interested in the specs for the Bard songs.

[ShadowDan]

...before i start building my character...

I'm sorry to burst your bubble but you don't really have any customization to do on your character. Stat points go into dex to maximize dps and you wear the best gear you can, again to maximize dps, as that is the role you play when in parties. You'll want to level a few other classes to get some cross class abilities but when you become a Bard, choices will get narrowed down quite a bit. Sadly, there isn't all that much to differentiate one Archer from another. That being said, the class is a whole lot of fun to play.

[CalvatE]

I believe potency works as a multiplier of Weapon Damage * Potency.
i.e, 50 potency and you have 10 damage (after stats) is 50 damage. But, that's calculation I don't know. I just heard potency is times that number.

The information you seek wont be given in game, you'll have to do some researching... or googling.

Though for Mage's Ballad I always thought it was static numbers. Regardless what it is, use it lol! it helps.

[ForteXX]

I could be wrong, but I would think potency was a % (from your example, I think 10 damage with a potency 50 action would do 5 damage)

[CalvatE]

I could be wrong, but I would think potency was a % (from your example, I think 10 damage with a potency 50 action would do 5 damage)

Perhaps it was % and that * was wrong in my post...??

Ahh fudge cakes I don't remember anymore!

[Urthdigger]

Potency is simply another factor in the damage calculations, and is used to compare abilities against each other. It will always remain static in the skill description, regardless of your stat changes. Regardless of the specifics, you can generally assume a 200 potency ability is twice as potent as a 100 potency ability. To figure out further involves the following:

1: Anything with a potency is affected by weapon damage, the main stat for the class (strength for melee physical abilities, dexterity for archery abilities, intelligence for offensive spells, mind for healing spells), determination, and is subject to critical hits.

2: Certain abilities have an alternate calculation, covered in the ability description. Examples include Stoneskin covering 10% of the subject's max HP, and Lustrate healing for 20% of the subject's max HP.

3: Some abilities straight up can't be enhanced by stats. Shroud of Saints is one of them.

Mage's Ballad is quite possibly in the 3rd category.

[Rhum]

Sad face :[ So i cant be more of a support bard. Thanks for the info.

So there is no way to Customize your fighting style? Every Archer just shows up with the same build ?

[CalvatE]

Sad face :[ So i cant be more of a support bard. Thanks for the info.

So there is no way to Customize your fighting style? Every Archer just shows up with the same build ?

Everyone more or less has 'the same build'.

As an Archer I don't think you even have a choice, but for say, Tanks, you have a choice between STR or VIT. Healers, Spell Speed / Determination / Crit, etc.
I've only heard of Archers as being Dex and nothing more.

Though, don't feel bad about 'not being able to be more of a support bard', in 2.1 Bards will be 'nerfed', the facts behind how they'll be nerfed is questionable - but garuntee the class will drop in a slight number (maybe more!) which will then increase the amount of demand for BRD.

Just by being a BRD with intentions to actually support, you already do enough I think. A lot of BRD's just run it for the DPS and Kiting abilities and neglect to use songs.

[sinfull]

I've gone for full dex on my bard and opt to just gear that has crit hit over skill speed at end game for example I use AK hands and legs over darklight as the crit hit is a better option for blood letter resets.
If you opt to play tanking class I've gone full vitality and only have str from the gear that I wear as vit is more important then what str is.

[Rhum]

Haha can't for the next patch i guess, I wish the songs scaled on something else though :/