Are Bards strong enough/sturdy enough to solo in melee combat?

[Saisu]

Bizarre thread, seems like it could have been reworded “I am determined to melee on a bard and will not listen to answers”. That’s fine, but I’m not exactly sure what you’re expecting from this conversation thread? I’ll echo others, is it possible? Yes (with the understanding it is slow). Will you enjoy it? Who knows.

From my experience as a bard who started fresh on blue with no gear or coin, and went 1-58: I expected melee to be more prominent than it actually was. As you go up in levels, mobs just start trashing you (unless as stated by others, you are very twinked with fungi, high AC, etc). It quickly becomes apparent that it’s a slow and painful method, and in my opinion, a tragic underuse of the bard toolkit.

It’s like asking “can I be a melee Necromancer? I’ll snare and fear the mob, and then hit them with my staff!”. Well, yes I guess you physically could, but of course it’s a lackluster way to play a Necromancer. Go have a ball with it, but I don’t think I’d endorse it!

The joy of a bard is it is the only class in the game with instruments, a crazy big toolbox fit for any situation, and fun combinations and twists of songs. I found the class really clicked for me when I treated myself more as a caster and less like a melee. Use your speed to your advantage, and being able to “cast” while moving. Charm creatures, break camps, pull at the speed of light, lock down a bad pull with CC, or load up a mob with DoTs. All from a safe and cozy distance.

I’m telling you this because it sounds like you haven’t started or played a bard before - and I’d like to highlight the awesome things bards have going for them. I’d say plate is more fashion than function for me! At least until Saisu gets in some much stronger armor. So go into this knowing you *could* play melee combat, but you’ll almost always have better, more interesting options instead.