Shaman or Bard viability/desirability.
 

So I'm absolutely torn.

Every mmo I ever play I end up getting altitis, it is a personality trait of mine to be interested in exploring different possibilities and experiencing things from different points of view, so I always have a million alts. But I really don't want to do that again on this server, so I need help settling down.

I've narrowed it down to Shaman or Bard (I WANT to be a Paladin, but the 40% exp penalty really is deterring me) , I like to be very busy in fights and I like to feel like I've really contributed something to a party (which I know can be said of any class, but you get what I mean).

I'm mainly wondering about these two classes population numbers at higher levels, as I don't want to play a densely populated class that will have a hard time getting into groups/raids. Ability to solo helps alot aswell, and I know Bards can kite mobs for insane exp but I am burned out on the whole kiting thing (my main on EQlive was a Wizard), and since I like to explore I'm more interested in being able to solo into a dungeon rather than solo mobs outdoors (Mage and Necro are off the table for me).

Any advice/insight is appreciated. :D

If you are using capitals and WANT to be a paladin, then exp penalty be damned.

Paladins do pretty well despite the xp penalty, and bards get a 40% penalty too.

Now as far as Shaman vs. Bards. There are a million shaman in the 50+ range, only a handful of active bards.

Bard population is on the rise because of the ease of leveling. Shamans are one of the best classes in the game, so they have mid numbers and high demand. You can never go wrong making a shaman, and bards are just pure fun.

shaman if you like to cast spells mainly, dots, slow, slower at soloing then a bard, but somethings we can do better in a dungeon at a higher lvl

bards can take hits better, since lvl 3 you have selo's, or may be a higher lvl, have a mix of utility to use, and usally is invited to groups all the time

^ True, but I also am deterred by not being able to solo worth a poop, and amounting to an low dps weak buff bot with pad heals anytime I'm not tanking. Plus Pallys are missing alot of fun spells like Cease/Desist/Valor of Marr/Instrument of Nife/Prexus healing wave, etc ( all Luclin era spells IIRC).

I played a Pally on live for a while, and saving peoples bacon with LoH and quick target swapping and stun spam was fun. Not being wanted at all after EXPing was done wasn't so much fun though.

Ahh I didn't realize Bards had a penalty aswell. Hmm.

Haha, maybe I will just go with a Pally then. I'm just worried about high level desirability (if I set aside nit picking and the exp penalty). I've always been a tank at heart.

Shaman is the only thing that fits all your criteria.

They are: Wanted on raids for their buffs/debuffs
They are: Wanted in groups for the same reason
They can: Provide good healing at 60 with torpor, but are pretty lax in it afterwards
They can: Solo without Kiting (very slow and difficult up till 34 when you get your pet)
They can: Dungeon crawl somewhat, at 60 if you do things right you could get some amazing stuns pulled off

However: Paladin will not have much trouble getting into groups. Can solo, just slowly. However, a raid that has 0 paladins on it aren't going to be hurting because they don't provide any crucial services that can't be found elsewhere. This isn't to say they aren't useful, they're just not key.

Also means you don't have much competition for pally-only loot. There aren't a whole lot of paladins around.