Best solo melee class?

[zelld52]

Patch notes from October 2001:

- Bards have had their 1h blunt and 1h slash skill caps increased to
250. Their piercing skill cap has been increased to 240. Their Offense
skill cap has been raised to 252. Bards are also being moved to the
same combat table with all the other melee and hybrid classes (save
monks who have separate tables after level 55). Bards Parry skill cap
has been raised to 185 as well. Finally, the Singing Shortsword can now
be equipped in the off hand and still give full song enhancing
benefits.


Prior to October 2001, bards were not on the same melee tables as other classes.

They were not originally meant to be played as melee characters, but as casters in plate.