----- Original Message -----
From: Kimes, Dean W. <Dean_Kimes@...>
To: <eqbards@onelist.com>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2000 11:59 AM
Subject: RE: [eqbards] EQ weekend update

> From: "Kimes, Dean W." <Dean_Kimes@...>
>
> 1. I too will /feedback the surf-nerf every time I log on, which may

Lots of folks are having the EQ Blues.

> 2. Great. Now I can look forward to being a portable manastone. Yay.

Well, yeah kinda. Do you know what a mana stone is worth? And you can regen
5 casters where a stone can only do one at a time (yeah, they do get passed
around but still.) Maybe it takes 35 to 40 levels for it to finally 'sink
in' or maybe mid levels is where the classes are finally maturing into more
distinct entities and their roles in groups are better defined because they
have acquired their main powers. And for bard that means a few specific
things:

Primary: Mana regen; Melee buff (Berzerker Krashendo! Woo hoo!); MR/CR/HR
buff.

Secondary: Melee attack ("with dual Yk's you do a fair amount of damage
[said in a surprized tone]"); after combat healing; misc duties to supplant
a missing primary (crowd control, chain/snare/root, debuff.)

And while it seems like you are 'forced' into a niche, it really is an
important role. Once you get to the point where you are in a group that has
synergy (the whole is greater than the sum of the parts), I think you will
be happy with the results. A good, well balanced group that has experience
working together can do some amazing things (like survive so hairy fights
['OMG! we lived!!!']) And 2 or 3 good groups working together can do some
amazing things. Dungeon crawl the old fashion way: Kedge Keep - 3 groups,
clear to the boss, win and gate out.

I am NOT un happy being the "portable mana-stone" at all. My groups love
me! "Hooray! we get the bard!!!" "Oh good! My bard is here!" "Great, we
will have lots less downtime now..." "King room looking for a Bard or
Enchanter!"

Sylly Songsynger
Bard of 42 songs
<The Pantheon>
somewhere on Innoruuk...