What is the point of a bard?

[Tecmos Deception]

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

So it was pretty stupid to roll a bard as a main, it'd make a good alt for utility is pretty much what I'm catching.

I didn't mean to give you that impression.

I dunno. I guess I'm bad at explaining it.

Bards can do all kinds of stuff (melee, cc, mana, regen, haste, slow, pull, freaking damage shields and runes and dispels and resists, tons of stuff), but at the same time the things they're best at are incredibly specialized (stacking attack songs in melee group, stacking mana songs in caster groups, stacking resist songs on AE bosses).

None of the specialized things really have a place in a normal group because you very rarely have 4-5 casters who are in desperate need of mana such that ALL you do is twist mana songs, and you very rarely have 4-5 melee such that it is the best use of your time to sing attack songs, and normal mobs aren't so hard to resist (or so important to resist) that you need to spend your time making sure resist songs are up and never dropping. In a raid, even just a 3- or 4-group raid, the odds are pretty good that you can be doing one of these things though.

[Getsmurfed]

Has nothing to do with the impression you've given, you've all confirmed what I thought to be true. A bard main can only truly solo by swarming which can be a reputation killer, it tends to be a pain in the ass to obtain groups because you pick such a niche role, and in raids you're around for dragons, a random fight here, and mana song.

[Deuces]

People prefer them over rangers and paladins at least [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Ajkuhuun]

To be awesome. Observe the bards in the picture below;

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[fastboy21]

not sure what your disappointment is...you rolled a utility class and got...a utility class.

bards can't solo top named mobs like chanters, necros, and shamans (you'll never see one on the solo challenge rankings).

you do get track, speed, resists. you can CC, haste, slow, lull. you can "fit" in almost any group set up. you are needed on raids, even if "only" to do resists and mana.

bards are also the most "twitch" class in EQ imo. you have to actively play to play well, even in mundane situations (no spamming back stab or going afk to med between nukes). this makes the gap between shit bards and awesome bards huge, and almost entirely dependent on the player at the computer (not the gear).

doesn't sound like anything to complain about rlly.

you are far better off in balance then some other classes. if you want to be an all-star in EQ bard might not be the most shining class when it comes to being visible on raids, but you're certainly not worthless.

btw, bards are one of the classes that got better with time. classic server is not the kindest to bards in that respect. SoL and PoP are great expansions to be playing a bard...even still, you are a pretty cool class imo.

[mtb tripper]

bard is a very good addition to the group if they are good songweaver

[BiscuitBandito]

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

Has nothing to do with the impression you've given, you've all confirmed what I thought to be true. A bard main can only truly solo by swarming which can be a reputation killer, it tends to be a pain in the ass to obtain groups because you pick such a niche role, and in raids you're around for dragons, a random fight here, and mana song.

Bards on live were pretty rare in the Kunark and Velious eras, based on what I saw. They seemed to be played by people who truly enjoyed playing them, ups and downs included. There seems to be a large amount of bards on p99 who discover they're really easy to level and/or twink, but dismayed when they can't always find a spot.

Not saying you're one of them, but the added competition probably doesn't help.

If you want a "always have a spot, regardless of situation" you are better off with another class.

If you just love the hell out of bard, flaws and all, then keep playing. Things get better with the epic, and you'll eventually find some people to love you.

[indiscriminate_hater]

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

I rolled a class that is completely useless to solo with and only useful in the rare raid scenario

I don't mean to sound condescending, but have you actually tried soloing something with your bard, or given a decent effort in a group? Or have you just been AOE kiting your way up through the levels?

If you have looked at every single bard song available to you and still can't find a way to be useful in any solo or group situation, in any zone, then perhaps you should re-roll. During the lower levels I was able to take down mobs 12 levels higher than me by finding clever ways to use my songs (hint: you don't need to cast a single song on the mob you're trying to kill).

A competent bard is pretty damn useful in groups. However, it does take a bit of effort to be truly efficient as a bard, something which most people on this server didn't sign up for. If you're not pulling via snare, lull, mesmerize, charm, etc., then you're hanging back with your group and absolutely blasting your casters with mana regen (1 cantana, 4x cassindra's, rinse and repeat).

Switch in niv's melody via a clicky BoH proc for extra hp regen as well. During the fight, spam slow, haste, attack/str, and even cantata to keep the mana flowing. Resists if necessary. Spam mesmerize and brusco's/denon's bereavement while whacking away with your Melodious Truncheon's to interrupt casters. Mesmerize adds or charm them to whack at your target. Dispel. Fear. Mana Drain. Throw in your AOE DD nuke if shit gets ugly, or drop your group invincibility song to give you time to bail in event of emergencies.

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

A bard main can only truly solo by swarming which can be a reputation killer, it tends to be a pain in the ass to obtain groups because you pick such a niche role, and in raids you're around for dragons, a random fight here, and mana song.

Playing a niche role could not be farther from the truth, as evidenced by my previous paragraph.

If you haven't discovered charm killing by now -- which I confirmed at level 59 is the fastest exp for a bard at the level, including BW kites -- then I don't believe you've ever actually played your character the way it was meant to be played. Take a break from the AOE killing and go experience the fascinating life of a bard.

/rant

[Valere]

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

I don't mean to sound condescending, but
If you haven't discovered charm killing by now -- which I confirmed at level 59 is the fastest exp for a bard at the level, including BW kites -- then I don't believe you've ever actually played your character the way it was meant to be played. Take a break from the AOE killing and go experience the fascinating life of a bard.

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[indiscriminate_hater]

By the way, old-school swarm kiting -- where a swarm of like-minded mobs who socially aggro on your pet and beat it down -- isn't entirely broken on this server. There are ways around the initial lack of aggro transfer. Try it out and you'll see what I mean.