From: silky@...

>Strength is a question a good many bards will disagree with me on - many
>like to play tank, so to them, str is very important for carrying heavy
>armor and damage.
>As far as being a bard - bard - str isn't that important to our song
>capability.
>Take a look at the bonuses on Lambent - str is not nearly one of the most
>important staff Verant gave us - not that I'd automatically assume anyone
>there REALLY knows what a bard needs, hehehe.

I agree. Str is of primary importance at lvls 6-15 maybe, but after it
diminishes rapidly in favor of other area like agility, dexterity, and
charisma.

>Our hand to hand caps pretty low anyway, so don't ever think you're gonna
>do much more than scratch a mob with it.

Very true, another sore point with many bards. Doing a bit of everything
and nothing well can mean having a very difficult time as you go on in less
than a full group (or close).

>Here is one tip tho - you can tank in a pinch, but after awhile - you'll
>soon come to realize bards are NOT tanks, no matter how much some may wish
>they were.

A truer point probably could not be made. Especially considering Verant is
among those who think we are a tank by virtue of being a hybrid. Verant's
concept of a hybrid was initially "A primarily melee class with some spell
abilities like Paladins, Rangers, Shadowknights, and Bards" according to an
old press piece.

Kitasi