I remember being frustrated around 10th level, and I also chose
Steamfont to level up in. Let me first say that Steamfont is a great
place to gain experience. I spent alot of my time grouped with a friend
who is a cleric, and we did quite well, dying extremely infrequently.
The trick with groups is that many people do not understand the benefits
of a bard on a party. Part of that is because some bards (namely ones
that don't read this list *smile*) don't give our class a very good
showing. They may not twist songs, or use their songs effectively. They
also may not have good weapons or have weak armor (examples would be a
L20 bard still wearing patchwork leather with some banded). Also keep in
mind that your damage in battle will significantly increase when you get
Bellow. It's like getting a kick that always hits (unless resisted).

The wonders of bards to me seem to be more subtle. We are neither the
nuking mage nor stereotypically the tank (although perioidcally I do
more damage then the tanks in our group, and take more hits).Our healing
song is a more subtle heal then that of the cleric, etc. However, given
a perceptive group they will know the benfit of the bard. Especially
once you leave, and they realize just how long their downtime is without
Hymn of Restoration healing 8-10 ever 5 seconds.

Suffice to say, hang in there, and start by finding 1-2 people that are
good to group with, then go from there.

Ariell Thunderwolf, Karana

Tanthalias wrote:

> Lately, I'm having serious trouble finding a group. I'm a level 10
> bard on Tarew Marr. Lately I've been hunting in Steamfront Mountains.
> I'm always looking for a group to hunt mino's (great exp, and their
> axes sell for 4pp to other players). Whenever I do a "/ooc Level 10
> Bard looking for a group" I get no response. Even when there are other
> level 9-11 players in the area. Are we bards no longer a valuable
> asset in a group? Has anyone experienced this?