The best thing about Bards is that our songs for the most part all "grow up" with us, whereas most spells only "grow" in their level sphere before they are replaced.

Chords of Dissonance is an *excellent* example of this. At level two, when you receive this spell, you'll be doing 1-2 points of damage, each tick. At my current level, 28, I'm doing 9 while singing, and an impressive 27 while using a regular mandolin. With a Princess Lute or Seven-Stringed Lute, you can well imagine the sheer power of this song.

Chords also provides another outstanding example of a Bard's power with dots. This song *will* in fact "stack" with the level 18 power-house dot, Denon's Disruptive Discord. If you've skill enough to change instruments AND songs at the same time (it's not all that hard, but does require a mouse), you can lay up to 50-80 points of damage per tick (not song duration, mind you!) by your mid-twenties. Over a course of duration, this adds up to 240+ damage per 9-10 seconds (standard song duration), with only two songs being played.

Consider this when at best bet your damage output with weapons in this duration will be around 100-150 around your mid-life, and 200-300 in the late game (haste not withstanding.)

Also consider that this damage is added to ANY damageable NPC (or PC if you're +pvp) in the area, with almost no limit. This is a boon (BIG damage), and a bane (you're the one ticking off all those monsters, remember), but with backup (tanks, chain stuns), has the potentional for use throught your career.

Remember this, younglings, when you're grouped with casters (enchanters especially) and healers, and they're expecting you to tank. Using AOE becomes a very attractive option in your mid-twenties and beyond, especially with someone that can stun the mobs so they can't hit back.

Keep your lute tuned and drums crisp, fellows!

Many times I saw a young bard hanging out at W. Freeport gates playing the "wincing" song. Before I can react, the Guards bark "Bards like you are an affront to my senses!" and an early lesson is learned. Before you get close to town, or any NPC's first make sure this song is turned off. You do not see an icon showing its effect, so you'll have to double-check this song is turned off. Either do a /stopsong, or make sure your song gems are all inactive and greyed out. Then you can run to the guards with confidence. Also, if you are out fighting away from town, if is helpful if you change your views often, so you don't pick up any unwanted visitors.

For this bad experience early on, many bards put this song away, and never want to take it out again. With caution, you can turn these disgraceful chords to your advantage. It does better and better damage as you grow older. I still use this song in my 30's, as it stacks with Hymn nicely, and I can use Strings for full effect. It doesn't get resisted as much as the level 17 song Denon's Disruptive Dischord, so if you're fighting in a group that often finds itself surrounded by more than one MOB, twist Hymn and CoD and a few other songs of your choice for faster kills, faster healing, and overall reduced downtime.