Skald
THE VOICE OF BRAGI
Everything within this guide should ultimately only be treated as suggestions, as there are many ways to play and I encourage you to experiment and find your own playstyle.
AVAILABLE ON: Eden, Blackthorn, Live
When the Valkyries come to judge the dead of Midgard for their allotted afterlife, it is the Skalds who record their decisions and compose the dirges which immortalize these warrior. The carry songs they compose with them out into the battlefield, inspiring friends and allies to fight with all their might, knowing that the glories they earn in life will earn them a spot at Odin’s side in Valhalla.
Skalds are Midgard’s equivalent to the instrument-wielding Bards and Minstrels of Hibernia and Albion respectively. However, unlike their counterparts, Skalds do not require the use of instruments to perform their songs, using instead only their voice and leaving their hands free to swing their weapon of choice on the frontline.
PvE
Skalds perform decent enough while soloing in PvE. Their regeneration songs, both health and power, keep their rests short in between fights. Just bear in mind that Skalds are not as tough as Warriors even if they do wear Chain Armour as well, nor are they as strong as Berserkers.
In groups, Skalds provide a wide variety of buffs which are all easy to maintain, with the only risk of them disappearing being if the Skald runs out of power. Simply avoid that while doing as much damage as possible and you’ll do fine.
RvR
Skalds are among the strongest duellists. They have access to the highest movement speed buffs, meaning they will outrun all other solo players, while still being able to wield their two-handed weapons, crowd control, instant direct damage and strong support songs.
In groups, Skalds bring a multitude of support songs and operate as frontline disruptors with their instant direct damage spells, snare and mesmerization. Cycling between targets and applying the most appropriate spell to disrupt the enemy will become a crucial skill in organized play, allowing a single Skald to potentially shutdown 3 or more enemy spellcasters or healers. Keep in mind though that Skalds do not have access to the Shield skill line, nor do they have high health pools, meaning that melee engagements can quickly prove perilous and caution should be exercised.
Racial differences
| Skald | Primary: Charisma | Secondary: Strength | Tertiary: Constitution | Dexterity | Empathy | Intelligence | Piety | Quickness | Racial Resistance 1 | Racial Resistance 2 | Racial Resistance 3 | Racial Resistance 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norse | 60 + 45 | 70 + 23 | 70 + 15 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 2% Crush | 3% Slash | 5% Cold | |
| Troll | 60 + 45 | 100 + 23 | 70 + 15 | 35 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 35 | 3% Slash | 2% Thrust | 5% Matter | |
| Dwarf | 60 + 45 | 60 + 23 | 80 + 15 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 2% Slash | 3% Thrust | 5% Body | |
| Kobold | 60 + 45 | 50 + 23 | 50 + 15 | 70 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 | 5% Crush | 5% Energy | ||
| Minotaur | 60 + 45 | 80 + 23 | 70 + 15 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 40 | 4% Crush | 3% Heat | 3% Cold |
Character planners
Eden: https://eden-daoc.net/charplan?c=Skald
Blackthorn: https://blackthorn-daoc.com/class/Skald
Live: https://daoc.gg/charplanner/overview#c=SKALD
Stat allocation
10 Constitution / 10 Strength / 10 Quickness
10 Strength / 15 Quickness
Class skills
50 Battlesongs, 39 Hammer, 18 Parry (Standard / Solo)
46 Battlesongs, 44 Hammer, 17 Parry (Variant which trades support for higher attack style)
Realm skills
Purge
Speed of Sound
Determination*
Ameliorating Melodies
Anger of the Gods**
Passives to fill stat gaps (Augmented Str, Dex, Con, Mastery of Parrying etc.)
*Stoicism on Blackthorn
**Fury of the Gods on Blackthorn
Champion skills
Backfire
Kickback
Graceful Fall
Hardened Soul
Force of the Abyss
Fungal Diffusion
Spore Scatter
Disease Spores
Lesser Recovery
Lesser Reparation
