I played a bard up to 40 on Blue and I always just felt like a sub par enchanter; rerolled an enchanter and didn’t regret it one bit. Bards are good pullers, but it’s not like you’re ever going to get fade AA and monks have FD so I’d say bard pulling is niche at best. Shaman can solo and will always be a welcome addition to groups with their ability to haste and slow (the latter being almost necessary in Kunark+ when mobs start to hit really damn hard). Personally I’d go Shaman. Easier to level, no annoying song twisting (carpal tunnel anyone?), and great buffs/debuffs that are at least on par with bard songs, if not better (bard slow caps out at 35% and shaman is 70%).
Edit: Also I remember when I got mana song a lot of groups would want me to just stand next to the casters the whole time since the range is abysmal. Very exciting gameplay. On raids I remember seeing bards grouped with 5 clerics and then just standing their playing mana song the whole time. I think if you want to play bard you have to be very passionate about the class or it’s going to be very boring for you.
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