Can't stop thinking about weak bards at high levels, haunted with the
premonition of myself sitting in the entrance of some dungeon, periodically
calling out I need to join a group, no answer, finally logging out after a
long night without having done a thing. Had an idea, though, tell me what
you think.

What bards need is more power at the higher levels. Perhaps the bards
should be able to "specialize" in one instrument type (not voice) at a given
high level, increasing damage / effects / duration of whatever songs falling
under the bard's specialty. Perhaps mana should slowly be drained when
playing songs with a bard's specialty instrument, for the songs would be
much more powerful now. If the mana were to be depleted, then the effects
would return to non-specialty levels. Perhaps a few new single
direct-damage songs would be added, similar in workings to bellow only for
each instrument type, even things out depending which instrument was chosen.
Could this help you think?

Imagine a 45 level bard who had mastered the Specialty of Stringed
Instruments. The bard plays good old Hymn of Restoration in the heat of a
dangerous battle, but now everyone's health bars noticeably begin to
skyrocket. The bard's mana quickly becomes depleted, yet giving everyone a
significant health boost. Enough to save the day and make bards wanted
(needed even) again at that level! Two bards of different specialties would
certainly add to a group in different ways.

Personally, I would like to see a really high level bard actually not much
good with weapons anymore, instead relying soley on their instruments. In
my mind, a mid-level bard is good with song and weapons and a mish-mash of
borrowed skills, but when they become greater in power and face greater
foes, should find the one thing unique about to the class, music, the
greatest weapon.

Ah well. Maybe I should /feedback this sometime. I gave up trying to use
EQVault's Dev Board. But I think my suggestion would probably be
complicated enough to implement it will never happen, and bards don't
complain enough like the other classes... so, just a dream.

Roop