Bard weapon suggestions, new alt.

[Linfang]

I rerolled an alt to a bard. I played a bard to 54 on live so know the ins and outs. I solo a lot on my main here so this bard is for grouping in peak hours.

I have a bag full of really crummy bard only weapons. Like 20p 50p a piece. Not sure if bard only weapons are worth it like a wrist snapper? Also many bard weapon procs are like level 50ish

I want to spend about 600-800. I do have a SK and Pally alt also so if they can use it also that's an extra bonus.

On a good note I have a Guard Captain's Mallet which I plan to use but would like an additional weapon, especially with dual wielding.

[Toxigen]

all you need is a lute and a drum, maybe buy a vendor lute for invis and a horn just to have

Mistmoore Battle Drums and Lute of the Gypsy Princess - both killer bang for the buck

forget the weapons, bards that melee before epic are just kidding themselves

group settings at peak hours you're going to be pulling and supporting the group with CC and whatever is needed to fill the gaps in group composition (slows, haste buff, mana regen, etc)

[Linfang]

all you need is a lute and a drum, maybe buy a vendor lute for invis and a horn just to have

Mistmoore Battle Drums and Lute of the Gypsy Princess - both killer bang for the buck

forget the weapons, bards that melee before epic are just kidding themselves

group settings at peak hours you're going to be pulling and supporting the group with CC and whatever is needed to fill the gaps in group composition (slows, haste buff, mana regen, etc)

The Gypsy Lute and MM battle drums were the first thing I picked up. Any idea if updated the Sharkskin drum for the extra point in percussion worth it?

[Crede]

The Gypsy Lute and MM battle drums were the first thing I picked up. Any idea if updated the Sharkskin drum for the extra point in percussion worth it?

Try to save up some more pp and get the walrus skin drum. It’s the best thing you can buy. Charm plus a good drum for dots is all you need for solo 30+. Gypsy lute and vendor stuff is good otherwise. I also agree with Toxigen, wait to get the epic or siren dagger proc for melee.

[Toxigen]

The Gypsy Lute and MM battle drums were the first thing I picked up. Any idea if updated the Sharkskin drum for the extra point in percussion worth it?

Like Crede said, Walrus Skin Drum is stellar but you really only need it if you're going to solo (for DoTs) or if you need to take off running w/ selo's.

As you said you'll be focused on grouping at peak hours, which you will be using the lute the entire time. Hymn of resto gets a big boost to healing and at 34 Cantana is string required. May as well get used to it now.

It may be out of your price range right now, but The Eye Pulling Helm (https://wiki.project1999.com/Singing_Steel_Helm) was my favorite bard item. You can keep playing mana song in your group and go pull w/ the eye and deal with the mobs that come roaring into camp like a boss.

[Ripqozko]

Try to save up some more pp and get the walrus skin drum. It’s the best thing you can buy. Charm plus a good drum for dots is all you need for solo 30+. Gypsy lute and vendor stuff is good otherwise. I also agree with Toxigen, wait to get the epic or siren dagger proc for melee.

Pretty unneeded , if ya gonna save for anything get jboots so ya can kite without selos. You can be naked with store bought just fine.

[Toxigen]

"this bard is for grouping in peak hours"

hope this helps

[Crede]

Pretty unneeded , if ya gonna save for anything get jboots so ya can kite without selos. You can be naked with store bought just fine.

Easy to farm ac. You can’t farm walrus on a bard. Charm to 40s for solo ac is better.

[Vivitron]

I rerolled an alt to a bard. I played a bard to 54 on live so know the ins and outs. I solo a lot on my main here so this bard is for grouping in peak hours.

I have a bag full of really crummy bard only weapons. Like 20p 50p a piece. Not sure if bard only weapons are worth it like a wrist snapper? Also many bard weapon procs are like level 50ish

I want to spend about 600-800. I do have a SK and Pally alt also so if they can use it also that's an extra bonus.

On a good note I have a Guard Captain's Mallet which I plan to use but would like an additional weapon, especially with dual wielding.

Guardian's Mace and Di'zok Wristsnapper both seem worth considering for pairing with the Mallet. (Edit: I had weapons in your mind reading your post. Rereading it you probably want to buy some armor though.)

No practical weapon for your bard is going to be a good option for a knight after the knight hits 20 or so. And for those early levels the Guard Captain's Mallet is already competitive with the other options your bard is considering. (Edit: HP / tank gear like hp rings probably has good overlap though.)

Out of the level 50ish effect weapons you mention, Breath of Harmony may be most notable. It is not a proc it's an instant click -- which is nice for a stacking regen. Clicking it instead of singing the song means you don't get the instrument mod on the regen, but it's a song that you might not have in your twist. It's good but more appealing at blue prices than green.

For stuff to look forward to long term I like the SS helm and Jboots as much as the other posters. Lute of the Howler too: you can pop in a prime hand instrument right as a song lands while meleeing, so you can melee and still get an instrument bonus. And the click is an okay spell haste and str/atk buff.

[Trelaboon]

Pretty unneeded , if ya gonna save for anything get jboots so ya can kite without selos. You can be naked with store bought just fine.

But unless you’re kiting mobs like tigers or wolves you don’t even need a speed boost. Strafe is easier and fast enough

[Toxigen]

the op literally said the bard is for peak hours grouping

all he needs is a lute basically

[Crede]

the op literally said the bard is for peak hours grouping

all he needs is a lute basically

Yep. Good lute, drum, and singing steel helm for eye pulls until epic.

[fortior]

Not to hijack the topic but seems the OP got his answer. I'm making a half elf, max starting dex bard for soloing coz I need to look at an iksar ass all day or I die, and I made all the real iksar classes already. I've got some toys to play with, sboz etc, but is all of that just literally useless compared to vendor tier instruments? Wild

[Vivitron]

Not to hijack the topic but seems the OP got his answer. I'm making a half elf, max starting dex bard for soloing coz I need to look at an iksar ass all day or I die, and I made all the real iksar classes already. I've got some toys to play with, sboz etc, but is all of that just literally useless compared to vendor tier instruments? Wild

The "level asap" option is to run in circles and ae kill at least at most levels, and you don't need the weapons for that.

But if you want to stop and smell the roses, try out alternate bard solo methods, group, see what you can solo at 60, melee similar to a summoned pet on raids*, etc., you'll have fun with the weapons too. If that's more what you want out of your bard you can use the ae option as a fast forward button to pass level ranges you aren't feeling.

If you like meleeing on the bard snag a lute of the howler too. Pop it in prime hand right as your string songs land and you can melee without losing your string mod. The right click is a great melee buff too** after 40 but you would lose your iksar ass.

* Similar to a summoned pet for three reasons. No one brought you to the raid to melee. You often can't do it but occasionally it's free damage. And geared up it's a similar amount of damage.

** https://wiki.project1999.com/Illusion:_Werewolf

[Snaggles]

Grouping a bard needs very little plat for gear. I soloed one to 60 charming with a walrus drum in Guardian armor. Slower than swarming but my ping and my wrists wouldn’t allow it.

All the toys certainly help. With a SS bp, howler loot and drums of the beast your melee game gets way better. It’s just not necessary to efficiently kill blues or add to a group.

[Crede]

Not to hijack the topic but seems the OP got his answer. I'm making a half elf, max starting dex bard for soloing coz I need to look at an iksar ass all day or I die, and I made all the real iksar classes already. I've got some toys to play with, sboz etc, but is all of that just literally useless compared to vendor tier instruments? Wild

Yea I’d sell all the weapons, try to get a drums of the beast if you can so you can equip a nice shield. Howler lute as well so it’s an easy swap. From there you’re good just stack hp/resists/ac to eventually prepare for offhand epic.