Should I reroll?

[dcbone86]

My bard is 12 and with the hybrid penalty being lifted later on I've been wondering if I should reroll for the time being since I'll just be leveling 40% slower than I can another class. There isn't some sort of exp bonus given to make up for the penalty when it's lifted is there?

[Riotgirl]

This is more a reflective question: what is important to you? Think about the reasons that you rolled a Bard - do those reasons relate to a fundamental aspect of the class or for ones that you can achieve with another (non-hybrid) class?

[Babass]

Hello, I m a little bit concerned, I m just back to EQ, and among all the things I might have forgottent is this xp penalty for bards.
I indeed rolled a bard, so I have a xp penalty of 40% ??
The OP is speakin of a lift of this penalty, when is it planned ? For the velious upgrade ?

[username17]

Class (but not racial) XP penalties will be lifted come Velious. However, I do not believe they are lifted Day 1 Velious. I want to say it's something like 6 months in.
That being said, if you learn to swarm kite bards are absolutely the fastest class to level to the low 50s. Even with the 40% xp pen. So if your goal is to be 50 ASAP then Bard is the class you want.

Once you're 50+ you can focus on groups or you can kite with a partner in places like burning wood.
Bards are needed in groups and the 40% penalty doesn't typically have any impact on getting invites because of your usefulness.

Should you reroll because of the 40% xp pen? Hell no. Bards are useful in groups at all levels and you can level super fast by swarm kiting.

[dcbone86]

I rolled mostly because of group utility, soloability (if I wanna group, I can group, if not I can solo) and I never played one many years ago.

I haven't quite gotten the swarm kiting down to where I trust myself kiting more than a few mobs at a time, but I'm also not 18 yet where I get the higher range one which I understand is where swarm kiting really picks up and get's a bit easier. So I've mostly been grouping for the time being.

I just wasn't sure I was wasting my time unless there is a 1x exp bonus when the penalty is lifted to make it up - I thought i had read that somewhere.

[Darkatar]

Originally Posted by Babass [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

so I have a xp penalty of 40% ??

Originally Posted by username17 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Even with the 40% xp pen.

Bards are needed in groups and the 40% penalty

Should you reroll because of the 40% xp pen?

I thought bards had a 50% pen? Not that it matters, love bards. Just sayin.

[webrunner5]

IF you are really good at playing a Bard they are the fastest class on here to level by far. They really ought to get about a 80% XP Penalty compared to some other classes on here. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Stay with it if you can play one. They are a great overall class. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[username17]

Yeah I'd say stick with it. If you get good at swarm kiting and do it often you should be able to hit 50 before Velious drops. And even if you go slow you won't hit the really slow levels until after Velious at which time the XP Pen will be lifted.

[Babass]

Thanks for the answer !
One last question, a little off topic, when is a bard able to kite effectively ?
IS there any gear required for that ?

[username17]

You can do it with the level 2 song. But level 18 is officially when it starts. All you need are the appropriate instruments to each song. Other than that you can do it naked.
Having a fungi and HP gear slightly increases your survivability should you mess up. But these items aren't necessary.