Sunderfolk's Bard Class Explained

Bards are an iconic class in tabletop role-playing games, where all players know these merry musicians play tunes on the battlefield that can support their allies or confuse or harm their enemies. When it comes to the Bard class, Sunderfolk is no exception. The upcoming tabletop-inspired tactical RPG will feature a cheery bard who focuses on buffing their allies and controlling the map to ensure that the heroes always have the advantage against foes in Sunderfolk‘s mysterious Sunderlands.

For Game Rant Advance, we spoke to several Secret Door developers about Sunderfolk, including game director Erin Marek about its take on the support-oriented Bard.

Sunderfolk Developers Talk Making An Adorable World of Anthropomorphic Animals

Upcoming cooperative tactical RPG Sunderfolk features a rich world populated by uniquely designed animals representing classes.

Sunderfolk Bard Abilities Explained

Like bards in Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games, Sunderfolk‘s Bard plays their lute on the battlefield – although most bards aren’t tuxedo-wearing bats. “The Bard can do a bit of it all,” said game director Erin Marek. “They provide the boost needed, the extra wiggle room to overcome elements of risk or unpredictability.”

Marek also explained that the Bard class is suitable for all levels of experience:

“The Bard at its base is simple enough for most folks to pick up even if they aren’t familiar with the genre, but has a surprising level of depth and tactical skill that will make it that much more powerful in the hands of experienced players.”

Like all the other classes in Sunderfolk, the Bard has a passive ability: Two-Step, which lets them drop Music Notes on the battlefield after performing actions such as swapping spaces with another player. This gives the Bard a level of control over the battlefield that no other class in the game possesses. These Music Notes are powerful buffs that the Bard’s allies can utilize, boosting attack, movement, and more. In addition, as the Bard levels up, they will be able to gain several abilities:

Sharp Refrain: Deals damage to an enemy and summons a Music Note.
Siren Song: Enchants an enemy or ally to move towards the Bard, and lets the Bard move too.
Beat Drop: Allows the Bard to push enemies away and then move out of the fray.
Shield Sonata: Damages an enemy while also protecting nearby allies.
Power Chord: Damages multiple enemies, pushes them away, and buffs allies’ Strength.
Crowd Surf: Uses Two-Step to reposition the Bard, then deals damage based on how far they moved.

The Bard’s Ultimate Ability Is A Stunning Performance

All classes in Sunderfolk have access to an Ultimate Ability, and the Bard is no exception. The Bard’s is Mosh Pit, an energetic performance that allows them to move five entire spaces and then deal damage to the surrounding enemies. Even better, allies will also be inspired by the Bard’s performance and move towards foes and attack. It’s somewhat similar to Dungeons and Dragons’ Bardic Inspiration, but it takes effect immediately.

The Bard’s Cards: Fate Deck Explained

Instead of players rolling a D20 during battle, they draw from the Fate Deck in Sunderfolk. The card they pull can strengthen or weaken their attack, grant extra movement, or utilize a special modifier. Each class has a unique Fate Deck that players can customize as they level up and unlock more cards, and of course, the cards featured in each Sunderfolk Fate Deck synergize with the class’s existing abilities.

The Bard’s Fate deck is unique in that it allows them to generate more Music Notes, even if they pull a bad card, such as one that gives them -2 on an attack roll. Several cards in the deck also provide debuffs to the enemy, inspired by classic tabletop Bard abilities such as Vicious Mockery. In addition, the Bard can inspire allies to attack enemies and even heal them with a particularly lucky draw. This varied Fate Deck makes Sunderfolk‘s Bard a versatile character that could be of great use in any battle, and even outside of battle, where their gentle music and cheerful personality can charm the many NPCs that Sunderfolk‘s players will encounter along their journey.

Sunderfolk

Released: April 23, 2025
ESRB: E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
Developer(s): Secret Door
Multiplayer: Local Co-Op
Number of Players: 1-4
PC Release Date: April 23, 2025
Xbox Series X|S Release Date: April 23, 2025