What is the point of a bard?

[contemptor]

Originally Posted by fastboy21 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

not sure what your disappointment is...you rolled a utility class and got...a utility class.

bards can't solo top named mobs like chanters, necros, and shamans (you'll never see one on the solo challenge rankings).

you do get track, speed, resists. you can CC, haste, slow, lull. you can "fit" in almost any group set up. you are needed on raids, even if "only" to do resists and mana.

bards are also the most "twitch" class in EQ imo. you have to actively play to play well, even in mundane situations (no spamming back stab or going afk to med between nukes). this makes the gap between shit bards and awesome bards huge, and almost entirely dependent on the player at the computer (not the gear).

doesn't sound like anything to complain about rlly.

you are far better off in balance then some other classes. if you want to be an all-star in EQ bard might not be the most shining class when it comes to being visible on raids, but you're certainly not worthless.

btw, bards are one of the classes that got better with time. classic server is not the kindest to bards in that respect. SoL and PoP are great expansions to be playing a bard...even still, you are a pretty cool class imo.

http://www.project1999.org/forums/sh...nis#post799603 !

[justin2090]

Bards and rangers are like the Tim Tebo's of EQ. Never gonna be that super bowl quality dps you need but the intangibles are off the chart. Mez/root , snares, sow / selo's and both are excellent pullers.

[Getsmurfed]

Yeah, I'm not really looking to draw hate, I'm just looking at a realistic view of what bards can do as a main character. I'm not going to be the most sought after class for groups, and soloing yes it's possible but is it practical? As a noob to EQ trying to experience the game, I'd be better served rolling a different class to truly feel the strengths of each specialized role. Don't get me wrong, I'm a former hardcore WoW player, I had countless server firsts, blah blah no one cares because it doesn't matter here, I'm down for a challenge but at the end of the day I'm kind of surprised as to how many external factors I'm subject to as a bard. If a group has a puller, and an enchanter am I really going to be useful as a last spot filler? Sure for mana, or haste / str / dps increases if the people in the group aren't 3rd gen characters with 8 fungis and a rogue epic at level 1. As a true newcomer to EQ, and starting fresh on a server that's what 3 years stagnant a bard isn't an ideal fresh start.

I grew up with World of Warcraft and kind of got used to "carrying" people. As a druid in the early expansions you were kind of in the same boat as a bard....You had massively utility without very much specialization. There, however, it's very easy for a single person to make up for a huge lack of DPS, or healing, or tanking, or CC....A single player had a much larger effect it feels than here.

So I guess most of my problem is more of an issue with the game. I'm spoiled being able to play a utility role, and then be able to solo, DPS well, whatever else I want. Goes hand in hand with how easy WoW is compared to EQ.

[-Catherin-]

This thread is amusing and proof that most people just don't get bards and what they are truly capable of, even most people that play bards [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[fastboy21]

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

http://www.project1999.org/forums/sh...nis#post799603 !

very nice. like i said, without even knowing this person, to make that kill list with a bard can only mean one thing...one hell of a player. good bards are very very rare and great to have around.

mediocre bards are a dime a dozen, and sit afk singing mana song at raids [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Sarius]

It really depends on setting and circumstances. In any dungeon, I would love to have a bard in my group when shit hits the fan. Some of the saves a bard can pull off are legendary and spectacular. Everybody expects and enchanter to be able to keep 4+ mobs CC'd, not many people expect it from a bard.

[Getsmurfed]

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

This thread is amusing and proof that most people just don't get bards and what they are truly capable of, even most people that play bards [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I think most people are misunderstanding why I'm even asking what the point of bards are. I'm more than capable of running multiple mezzes, I generally actually charm and triple mez while spinning Breath of Harmony procs in filler. I have ended up pulling instances with harmony, snares, and saved my groups by kiting adds. I'm not saying bards are god awful and entirely useless. I am asking for validation that bards are truly limited in a raid scene....Did I not emphasize that enough?

[Zolene]

Thankfully someone already composed a whole song about your plight.

[Sarius]

Most classes are pretty limited in a raid scene, why do you need a fact validated?

[-Catherin-]

and I think you completely misunderstood my post [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

the majority of people answering your question don't seem to know the class very well.

bards are valid in raids. very much so