Clarification on Bard instruments

[Zehrikrom]

I noticed that instruments can't be used while wielding a weapon, so I usually just melee things to death while singing. This works fine so far, but I assume instruments serve some sort of purpose. I checked the wiki, but most guides were about kiting.

Anyway. My question is this: How do instruments affect songs, and when should I use an instrument vs. a weapon?

[falkun]

See this post and attached google sheet for song interactions with instruments:
Hello everyone,

I made a google doc that will show numerical values of various bard songs based on level.

Simply enter the desired level in cell A1 and change instrument modifiers and the spreadsheet should populate with songs available for that level.

http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/c...p3R1E&hl=en_US

The spreadsheet is open to the public through clicking this link, so you may want to make a copy of it if someone else is using it.
Use instruments for dependent songs (Occlusion of Sound (in Velious), invis, levi, EB all *require* an instrument to be equipped).
Use an instrument when you are not meleeing (running somewhere, DoT kiting, etc.)
For duo/trio, I tend to DoT outside melee range with an instrument.
For full groups, I tend to melee, and I'm generally too lazy to swap an instrument while pulling unless I absolutely have to.
For raids, I'm usually instrument only.
Note this all changes once you have your epic.

[Zehrikrom]

Oh cool, thanks for the info, helped a lot, etc. etc.
I'm bad at thank-yous, but this did help a lot. I still suck and can't twist, but I'll get better. (lies.)
By the way, some wood elf gave my bard some Mistmoore Battle Drums the other day, so if you're reading this, thank you!

[Darguth]

Oh cool, thanks for the info, helped a lot, etc. etc.
I'm bad at thank-yous, but this did help a lot. I still suck and can't twist, but I'll get better. (lies.)
By the way, some wood elf gave my bard some Mistmoore Battle Drums the other day, so if you're reading this, thank you!

I just rolled up my first P99 character yesterday as a Bard (level 3, yeah-boyzzz) and a generous Bard running through GFay handed me a backpack with a full set of bronze in it. Was a very nice surprise.

Between that and the generous people throwing out buffs on me as I ran around like an idiot trying to re-learn the game I'm definitely digging the atmosphere/community so far.

[MurderTZ]

What really helped me w/ twisting is mapping my songs to the numpad. Once I'm in Melee range w/ a target, I stop using a mouse & use my (R) hand twist w/ the numpad.

My typical group setup is: (keep in mind I'm only lvl 18 currently)

1. Haste - NUMPAD1
2. Regen - NUMPAD2
3. Resists - NUMPAD3
4. Bellow - NUMPAD Enter - will replace w/ snare/slow @23
5. AE Dot - NUMPAD4
6. Mez - NUMPAD+
7. Lull - NUMPAD0
8. Selo - R

I bind selo to "R" because I need to cast it often & don't want to have to let go of the mouse while I'm pulling mobs for a group. I'm Not sure why I bound mez & lull differently, but that's how I had it setup on my bard on Zek.

So to twist, once you have your mob in Melee range:
1. Tap NUMPAD1 twice - this stops your current song & begins haste.
2. Wait 3 seconds for the song to finish casting
3. Tap NUMPAD2 twice - stops haste & begins casting regen
4. Wait 3 seconds for the song to finish casting
5. Tap NUMPAD3 twice - stops regen & begins casting resists
6. Wait 3 seconds for the song to finish casting
7. Rinse & repeat

Once a mob is targeted & not running around, you don't really need the mouse, since you can still use Your left hand on the keyboard to move around & chase fleeing mobs. Once you get proficient at the timing, you can use the mouse for targeting & whatever else during the casting time of your songs.

This has worked very effectively for me over the years.

Happy Hunting!

Doya <Riddle> 18 wood elf bard - Blue
Murder <Discordia> 70 Human Bard - Zek

[Darguth]

So to twist, once you have your mob in Melee range:
1. Tap NUMPAD1 twice - this stops your current song & begins haste.
2. Wait 3 seconds for the song to finish casting
3. Tap NUMPAD2 twice - stops haste & begins casting regen
4. Wait 3 seconds for the song to finish casting
5. Tap NUMPAD3 twice - stops regen & begins casting resists
6. Wait 3 seconds for the song to finish casting
7. Rinse & repeat

You could also make macros like:

/stopsong
/cast X

For each of those and reduce the number of clicks you need for twisting by like a bajillion.