Playing bard in group

[astuce999]

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

I disagree with a lot of what you said but specifically that monks and rangers are better pullers than a bard. In a group I will be lining up pulls non stop, charming, mez/snare splitting and basically keeping the exp flowing far better than and monk or ranger could.

I agree with everything Savok said. But then again, he always speaks the truth!

cheers,

Astuce

[Jimjam]

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

I disagree with a lot of what you said but specifically that monks and rangers are better pullers than a bard. In a group I will be lining up pulls non stop, charming, mez/snare splitting and basically keeping the exp flowing far better than and monk or ranger could.

In fairness, most bards don't pull as well as you do either. So as a class they might technically be better pullers, as players it doesn't always work out that way.

[Wallicker]

Lol but let’s be real, after level 34 put away your weapons until you get your epic. Very very very few situations where the extra regen/mana , Runeage, etc. isn’t more beneficial then a SK pets worth of Dps... you can easily tank,pull,Metz, Cc, charm without weapons and your group will be better for it. Shaman or necro in your group that cantina is like double clarity for those guys and until 55 you can’t cantana with weapon equipped by then if you aren’t twisting shield of song for your tank well I can’t help you

[Wallicker]

Also single target snare at lvl 23 is significantly more aggro than pbaoe slow...

[Wallicker]

Sounds like you are a B+ in the bard category

[Quizlop]

Only reason Bards should melee past their 30s is if they're trying to proc something, have a Primary-slot instrument, or you have Epic.

If you need to DPS at higher levels, you'll probably be better off using chants with a drum.

[Meiva]

This has been most helpful. I thought I knew bards a bit, but I truly didn't. I rolled one a couple of days ago for fun, and I am really enjoying it. I think I would prefer the no melee 34+. Swapping between weapons and instruments is a lot of work. I'm getting a hang of it though. Only need to pull out the instrument just before the song ticks. Now to get to a 4-5 song twist. Probably won't quite get there until I can give up melee.

[Josa]

I made a macro so push Auto inventory and forage, then used a UI that allowed. Me to juggle without the inventory open. That way you only pick stuff up, you never put away.

[Kanuvan]

if you are in a tough camp and get multiple adds and pops just support your team with instruments and mezes/charms, if everything is safe and you are just fighting 1 or 2 mobs you can pull out the melee to get the mob down faster

[Talon]

Wow, Juana. You went on a lengthy two post rant after misreading my post. Impressive?

The original question is about when, or if ever, there is a time a bard should be meleeing. You say they should be. I say that it is very dependent on various factors, and that it is probably not worth it.

If you are the puller, and the group is mowing down mobs, it’s irrelevant because you should be chain pulling. If the group doesn’t have an enchanter, then you may be ccing as well if there are multiple mobs (which should be avoided if you are lulling properly, but there can be mistakes, repops, etc). No enchanter means no clarity so the boys in the back need some mana as well. Is it better to sing the chorus and whack on the mobs? Or should you bust the lute out and hit them with both the chorus and the cantana before rushing out to pull again? That all depends, but my money is on the latter.

If someone else is pulling then maybe you are strictly there for cc. If there are multiple mobs coming then you are probably going to be cycling through and mezzing them. Not much time for attacking here. If they are single pulls and mana is fine, then what the heck, go tickle the mob a bit. Is it more effective than providing more mana and slightly better bonuses to the dps? I don’t know. It probably won’t make that much of a difference either way.

You find yourself tanking? Well, holy fucking shit get ready to take a beating while you tickle them mobs from the front.

Is there enchanter in the group? YIPPEE! No one gives a fuck what you do! Why are you even here? Oh wait, you can slow the mobs too, right? But we already have a shaman actually. What’s that? Tank? Dude there is literally a warrior standing right next to you. Holy shit why are you not pulling? No, stop, stop hitting the mob. Go pull another one. Jesus.

My point is that, in my experience, the limited times in which I have had the opportunity to use my weapons I have wondered at their efficacy. It’s pretty much only when you are acting as the main CCer and the pulls are coming in smoothly. As stated elsewhere, this can change if you have an epic or primary slot instrument.