Trying out a Bard, Halllpp! Any pro Bards here?

[Fryhole]

Some newb solo advice: at level 8, you can learn stringed instruments. Grab a lute, and instrument swap when you play chords of dissonance. It'll kick the damage up to 8/tick instead of 4. You only need the instrument in your 2ndary slot when the song plays - after that, equip your weapon. You can also do it for the regen song, but that's a lot of weapon swapping. It might just save your life though. (using Sarok's velious UI w/extra pack makes this easier - unless someone knows of a macro to equip/unequip)

[Lazortag]

Originally Posted by megman87 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Alright so I am going to try a Bard since everyone says they are a pretty hard class to play and when I did a /who all Bard 30 50 in game, I saw 1 level 32 Bard online lol.

However, I don't know much about Bards at all, only that "Twisting is super hard and Bard is not good for players who aren't pro". So I was wondering if some of you could give me some basic info / tips and or advice for playing one. I've got some friends on here who can help out with some money / gear so I am not too worried about that.



I was thinking of doing Wood Elf or Half Elf, how should I do my starting stats?

What kind of gear do I get for a Bard? HP/Mana stuff? Str stuff? Cha stuff?

What type of weapons should I try and find?


Im sure Ill have more questions but I think Ill leave it at this for now and see how many people respond, Thanks!

I came onto P99 having only played a noob DE shadowknight waaay back in 2001. I decided being a Bard looked fun from knowing nothing but what I knew from grouping with them. Over time I learned all the tricks that separate the men from the boys, it just wasn't that hard to figure out. So long as you don't put your starting stats into Wisdom (lol) you'll probably be fine. The game is more enjoyable when you're figuring things out for yourself (this is all meant non-offensively etc., I'm just suggesting what I think is more fun and trying to show that playing a Bard really isn't very stressful. Most of the advice in this thread is good except for anything that says anything negative about Bards).

Also, one more thing: bards are a ridiculously powerful class both grouping and soloing. They can't solo things at the same speed as a Necro or a Mage but that's almost made up for by the fact that they can break camps better, and they have tools for CCing and other failsafes for things get rough. Really if you want to have a lot of variety and a very flexible range of play-styles, Bards are amazing for you. The class has allowed me to really explore and appreciate the game a lot more easily than any other class would have.

[Savok]

As an eleven+ year Bard vet all I can say is: hp, hp, hp, HP, HP! for classic. Go Sta for as much as you can and then either dex, agi or cha depending on your starting race. Resists and other stats are secondary if you sing the right songs. I played Half Elf but I really wished I had gone Wood Elf back in the day.

Bards are the least dependent class on gear. The only thing you need to get are good instruments as said above and learn how to twist songs and instruments as needed, your groups productivity will fly. Remember to try to fill your role around the group that you join - your the jack of all trades, master of none. As a stand alone your very weak but you make groups shine. Learn which songs stack and which best fit the class of each member of the group.

Take time out of groups to learn about proximity pulling as well as lull splitting from lvl 8 and how to best use the faction song from level 11, it will make you invaluable for groups later on.

[wc4482]

What good is the faction song from level 11?

[Savok]

Cinda's Charismatic Carillon. Social mobs generally all share the same faction - I'll let you work anymore out.

[Tehwoot]

I am so excited to see this server, I have not played EQ in years and will most likely be rolling a Bard like I played in Kunark / Velious. I probably wont be much help though in regards to the class as to its been about 8 or so years since I have played EQ :-x

[Calamitous Oeuvre]

haah bubbles, get over yourself man.

[Bubbles]

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

haah bubbles, get over yourself man.

I'm good for one rant a month. Today was that day =P.

[erasser]

Focus on HP / AC / STA / Resist gear (for raids). CHA is barely used and overrated.