Bard or Chanter End Game

[azeth]

Depending on the bard's skill with her/her class, I'd have to favor the highest end Bard over the highest end Enchanter.

Bards are just irreplaceable when played correctly. You'll move so fast through grind mobs your head will spin.

As far as soloing, consider a Bard as a guarantee for 1.) ability to kill most anything you'd call an exp mob 2.) do it with little to no risk.

The real downside with bards is the exp penalty, but realistically I think it'd offset again if the Bard is on their toes pumping the group with stellar tunes.