Bard or Ranger for a 4 man group?

[SamwiseRed]

Originally Posted by Nytch [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Also remember a Ranger can step in and off tank if the enchanter runs oom and cant CC (bards can mez i suppose) Ranger can snare so no runners (this way the druid doesn't have to) Rangers can do very minor spot healing if they need to. Ranger can also use Snare Kiting and root to CC if you need to...

Bards will be better pullers and when shit hits the fan you can always AOE MEZ (until lvl 35 anyway).

As a Ranger you wont have to destroy your wrist and finger twisting songs.....

both have 40% XP penalty so that doesn't matter.

If you are started from zero a ranger will be easier to buy gear for, everyone has a bard alt to swarm kite so gear prices are a tad higher.

id argue that bards can hold agro just as well with their slow/snare song. mobs dont like that. also bard snare is superior to ranger snare speed wise and like i said above one of the snares has a slow component. although rangers can spot heal, in between pulls equipping a lute and playing your 2-3 regen songs will heal everyone up very quickly.

[Nytch]

But rangers can tank better than a bard in a situation where an off tank is needed. Especially with a druid healing....

[Laok]

Originally Posted by SamwiseRed [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

id argue that bards can hold agro just as well with their slow/snare song. mobs dont like that. also bard snare is superior to ranger snare speed wise and like i said above one of the snares has a slow component. although rangers can spot heal, in between pulls equipping a lute and playing your 2-3 regen songs will heal everyone up very quickly.

I unintentionally rip agro from SKs all the time. Selo's consonant chain and 1 chant, and someone would REALLY have to try hard to take agro from me. Bards can be a bit squishey, but really, the biggest part of tanking is holding agro and correctly positioning mobs so that the dps and pets are at its back (positioning is a huge pet peeve of mine lol). Bards aren't great dps on their own, so putting the bard in front of the mob isn't a big deal and putting the monk in back will improve his dps, and you'll out agro him all day long.