> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 16:44:55 -0700
> From: "Kimes, Dean W." <Dean_Kimes@...>
> Subject: Philosophy behind the Bard class
>
> Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this? It almost seems as if the
> Bard class was designed with two distinct, and antagonistic philosophies
in
> place.
>
> On the one hand we have our skill sets and equipment availability's.
These
> when viewed alone definitely seem to put the bard in a Jack-of-all-trades,
> completely self-sufficient, ultimate lone wolf mode. We can do a little
bit
> of everything skill wise but nothing really well and many things just
barely
> enough to maybe get by.
I tend to view the Jack-of-all-trade ability as benefitting a group more
than a "self-sufficient, ultimate lone wolf mode". The group doesn't have a
rogue, the bard can try to pick the lock (not that this ever happens). No
Ranger or Druid, then the bard can track. The group is caster heavy then
the bard can tank. The group is melee heavy, the bard can be the
buffer/healer. Then add in the utility songs, Selos, corpse locate, water
breathing and such. It's all of this that make the bard a
Jack-of-all-trades.
> On the other hand we have our spell abilities. These are definitely
> designed with bards as the ultimate party animals in mind. Our magical
> abilities magnify immensely with each member we add to our group, and are
> underpowered at best if we are alone with some notable exceptions.
Agreed. Bards songs do very well in a group environment.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't equate Jack-of-all-trade as
self-sufficiency. I view it more as an ability to fill different roles
depending on the makeup of the group.
Wayne