Bard is OP - or am I too noobish?

[TobiMcNamobi]

I played a bit with the first character (Cadence?) Unlocked Zone 2, ok. Now for fun I tried the Bard, and I think he is much, much easier to play. It's easier to maintain the gold multiplier for one thing. But compared to the standard character he can move at lightning speed!

Will he be nerfed in the future? Or will the Bard suck in Zone 3 and 4? Or is this considered some kind of "easy mode"?

[AchromaticSky]

Bard is easy mode. By this logic, Coda needs to be buffed.

[Stabbey]

I think Bard being easier is the point of his existence.

[Matthanic]

Bard is easy so people can practice at their own pace or for pro's to practice strats

[subjectiverealist]

You can also use the Bard to easily unlock achievements like getting 6000 gold or having 10 hearts. I'm currently using him to find ideal hardcore seeds for other characters, so I can have a chance of beating the game with someone else. -_-

[AchromaticSky]

I thought seeded runs didn't unlock achievements. Or at least they shouldn't.

[Pyronautical]

Bard acts as somewhat of an entry character. He has the functionality of allowing beginers to see future enemies and learn their movements. He's also an easy way to unlock everyhing (except half of the characters) in the game. I use him for both of these reasons considering the game is between 2 to 5 times as hard (depending on your skill with a complex game like this) when you have to follow a beat with bad equipment and enemies whose movements you don't know yet.

[Lunacy]

Bard is basically training wheels. Only thing I could possibly fathom doing all-zones with.

[Garlyle Wilds]

Bard is twofold in purpose.

As mentioned, he's definitely "easy mode". Although actually I've played so much of the other characters that sometimes it throws me off! But, the point is, there's no cap to your reaction time. You can stop, think, and consider your situation carefully, and it's great for learning the patterns and methods you need to be taking.

Interestingly though, he's potentially very, very challenging. Bard has no minimum speed to your play either - he plays literally as fast as you do. Once you get really good, speedrunning with him (aiming to clear the game as fast as possible) is absolutely crazy.

[Adriel]

Originally posted by AchromaticSky:

I thought seeded runs didn't unlock achievements. Or at least they shouldn't.

That is correct, seeded runs do not unlock achievements.

[fracturedorb]

Bard is the only way I seem to be able to play. The other characters frequently miss beats or won't move when I press in directions due to lag or something, I dunno.

[Garlyle Wilds]

Originally posted by fracturedorb:

Bard is the only way I seem to be able to play. The other characters frequently miss beats or won't move when I press in directions due to lag or something, I dunno.

Turn off Vsync in the settings, and then redo the calibration. It may also help to turn off steam overlay as well.

[neoman4426]

Originally posted by Stabbey:

I think Bard being easier is the point of his existence.

Well, from a gameplay perspective at least, there's also an in story reason

[William Shakesman]

Bard is half the game. If you only have half the game to manage, of course it is easier.

That said, it's a testament to how truly excellent Necrodancer is that it is still a solid, satisfying game when you are only playing half of it. A lot of games could stand having excess mechanics and fiddly nonsense cut but very few could have features as important as the rhythm cut and STILL be a fun, well-designed, challenging game.

[KingNothing2000]

It's easy mode alright, but watching bard's replays are so awesome. One looks like a PRO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09KwmpN2Mxk