Very rarely do I disagree with more points in a single post than this one.
>But we are not
>designed for soloing like the Ranger or Paladin are. Frankly, anyone who
>complains about not being able to solo well as a Bard is missing the point
>to being a Bard. You want to be alone? Play a Ranger.
I'm level 23, and I soloed to 23 with no problem. Why? Because Bards are
simply an awesome solo class. We heal fast so we can engage in battle much
more rapidly without relying on a healer or the ability to "sit this battle
out" for healing. We run fast so we can escape the battles we are going to
lose, eithout relying on a party to save us. The Level 8 song allows us to
take single handedly a camp which would require a large group. We have a
decent fighting ability, and plenty of HP. I'm sure soloing gets harder and
harder after level 23, but the game is supposed to get harder as one goes
along anyhow, I'm up for the challenge.
>Well, frankly,
>if you're grouping, you should be gaining experience faster. True, each
>kill gives you less, but the overall result of being able to kill
>repeatedly in shorter periods of time, or handle multiple creatures at a
>time balances that out.
I gain so little exp in a group it isn't even funny. This is why I don't
group, because the exp is AWFUL. Anyone else had the same experience? If
you haven't tried soloing, I suggest you try it. You may never want to go
back.
>And my final point of the night: (And here's where I expect to work on my
>dodge skill:) I think Bards should be denied Plate Mail. Already I can
>hear the Battle Bards winding up - but hear me out: The Bard was never
>intended to be a grunt-class. The big burly types should be the ones
>soaking the damage and such, not us. Of course, before they make any
>changes like this, they should also fix that tiny little bug that makes us
>the primary target ALL the time :(
When I do group, I find one of my main selling points is "I can't dish out
the damage, but I sure can take it". It seems to me that platemail is a
perfect way to counter-balance the relatively small amount of damage we can
do. Very few classes do less raw damage, but I can solo because even the
toughest creatures find it difficult to dent my bronze platemail. And in a
group, the combination of my platemail and ability to attract the attention
of the mobs, makes me a great tank, taking the damage whilst the
spellcasters dish it out. From a roleplay perspective (oddly necessary for
some of you) . . . don't get an image of the Bard as some sort of
wandering weakling artist. Our skill may lie in singing, not fighting, but
we are strong surviving types. We are used to braving the dangers of the
wild, and can take a beating, as well we should.
-Musil Tearsong