Bards desired in groups now?

[Zheta]

I haven't played in a year or so, but I really don't have nearly as much fun playing any other class as I do Bard. I don't mind the constant weaving and switching instruments. It's kind've a fun minigame. Bard was also my favorite class in FFXI.

With the XP penalties kiboshed, are Bards able to consistently get groups now? I used to try solo-kiting here and getting some decent XP at odd times, but generally it tends to piss people off. I prefer the group experience/making friends/etc.

Also, any room for Bards at all at the top end?

[Pyrion]

Can't speak for top end, but usually bards are welcome in groups. Bards also can make odd groups workable cause they can have many roles.

[MavstabYoudead]

if I can't find an enchanter i'd take a bard. bards are one of those classes where you can see a huge difference in player skill. a great bard can make/break a group and a lazy bard will do the very minimum and probably not even be worth his spot in the group.

as for need for bards at the top end, they are highly desired mana batteries/tank ds amplifiers, pullers, resists etc.

[dcbone86]

I can't ever find a group between WC and N. Ro at peak times at level 12. I've been playing on my laptop alot and it's harder to kite without a mouse. Granted I just /ooc lvl 12 bard lfg for a few minutes and log to my red toon, so maybe I'm not giving it enough time.

[Spyder73]

I have a 53 bard and have never swarmed kited a single time, grouped the entire way up. Getting groups has been pretty easy thus far...but as with any class that is not on the min/max list (IE Shaman/Cleric/Monk/Rogue/Chanter/Warrior) it is hit or miss if you can get into groups at higher levels. Bards are not frowned upon as they once were however due to XP penalties being more lax.

Bard mez starts to become non viable at a certain level range also - they can't mez mobs over level 54? Something like that. But to answer your question, Bards are a great class and most groups will welcome you if they don't have need of one of the min max classes

[Jotei]

I've yet to encounter a group that turned away a bard when a position was open. Bards are fantastic adventuring companions. Their abilities to inspire and comfort an adventuring party, while pacifying, cajoling and incapacitating their adversaries deserve great praise.

That being said, I have two minor complaints with regard to most bards.

The first is the failure of most bards to utilize any kind of signaling about what they are doing. Bard mez/charm can be particularly troubling when not accompanied by an announcement. Enchanters call out the targets they mez, bards ought to do the same.

The second is song aggro when splitting. Ideally enemies will not be split anywhere near camp, but it is often more efficient to split closer to camp so that subsequent pulls are shorter. In confined spaces some bard songs can be problematic if they are heard by the monk as she splits (it will cause the bard to pull aggro). Inexperienced adventurers may not even realize what the issue is.

This can be mitigated easily by splitting farther way, having the bard stand farther back from the pull location or by pausing your song on pulls. In a fast paced group the latter is very often impractical.

Ultimately both of these issues just come down to communication. Talk with your puller, your fighters and your enchanter. Let then know what you are doing and how you do it. No different than any other class in that regard )

[Swish]

Ideally enemies will not be split anywhere near camp, but it is often more efficient to split closer to camp so that subsequent pulls are shorter.

Best to pull with a mez on one mob (assuming no roamers will cross the pull spot in the meantime) and bring the rest...aoe mez on bard, or enchanter if there's one. Causes some aggro problems if there's a warrior tank but otherwise it's a safe method of multipulling.

[Spyder73]

Best to pull with a mez on one mob (assuming no roamers will cross the pull spot in the meantime) and bring the rest...aoe mez on bard, or enchanter if there's one. Causes some aggro problems if there's a warrior tank but otherwise it's a safe method of multipulling.

Obviously knows nothing about Bard mez mechanics