Question about Bard Instruments.
 

So far I've been able to play every song just by singing, even the ones that say they require an instrument, like Hymn of Restoration. I have 4 instruments in my backpack but none of them are seeing any use. So mainly my question is how exactly do they affect a song? If I were to use a lute to play Hymn of Restoration instead of just singing it, would it heal more? Are there songs that absolutely require an instrument to use?

Also, when/if I acquire the Singing Short Sword, will I ever need to carry instruments with me again?

Thank you very much for your time and insight; I appreciate it.

Instruments generally enhance the effects of the songs, so yes hymn of restoration heals more with a lute.

There are some songs that require instruments to be played (invis song)

Yes, the singing short sword (I think) is only a 1.5 song modifier. Your instruments at that point should be much more powerful. Singing short sword also works on "singing" types of songs as well though.

Where are you being told that Hymn of Restoration requires an instrument?

The instrument mod increases certain values of a song's benefit. Equipping a store-bought lute with a 1.8 stringed instrument modifier will increase the regeneration value x1.8. For example if your regen song adds 10hp per tick, having the lute equipped will increase it to 18 per tick.

Not all song effects are modified by the instrument modifier, haste and mana regeneration being the two most notable and often asked examples.

There are songs that require a specific instrument type to equip, such as the invis song and the group dispell. Come to think of it, that might be it.

The only instrument that I 100% banked after epic was wind. The drum and lute still see plenty of action and even the horn gets used often enough that I still keep it around.

So once I get a Party Haste I should pretty much put my weapon away and just play whatever instrument it requires to beef up everyone else?

I said haste values were specifically not increased by instrument modifiers.

Oh, I missed that one. So basically I can just sing haste while I'm fighting, and when the party is on downtime, break out the lute for heals?

Yes.

Also, check out this google spreadsheet.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...kJxTmZMSlp3R1E

Put in your level and your instruments modifiers. It calculates the new effect of the songs.

Pretty much. It's a PITA, but you can work on switching out instruments in and out while you're fighting to keep up some melee damage and still have the max song benefits, but that takes some practice and it's not always reasonable to try and do even when you are good at it.

Does a songs haste stack with an items haste? For example, if I'm wearing FBSS and singing Jonathon's Whistling Warsong, will the two haste values combine and stack?

Short answer: Yes, worn and song haste will stack.

Long answer