On Fri, Aug 13/99, Kyle <ksibbald@...> wrote:

> From: "Kyle" <ksibbald@...>
>
> It is like that with some 2H Slash weapons as well.
> When I had first started in release and all the big stuff started getting
> found I sorta comlained a bit that there were no real bard specific weapons
> or armor (cept now for the Fear Plane). Then one of my friends pointed
> something out, something that I've been noticing more and more. Even though
> bards don't have specific things, I think they can use more stuff than
> anyone. I think it's the staff of writhing or observer that is NEC WIZ MAG
> ENC and BRD. BRD? WTF? Many more things are like that too. Why can a bard
> use it? I think that's our benefit that goes right along with our JOAT
> trait.
> My thought anyway...

Actually, while we can weild a couple of 2H weapons (glowing staff and
2H dwarven axe come to mind) our skill can never go past 1 in them. I
have heard 2 explanations for this, one that they were marked that way
so GM's could wield them for show, and the other that it was an accident
that they listed bard but as our skill couldn't raise no one could be
bothered fixing it.

The benefit your friend pointed out can also be looked on as a curse. As
we are only one of several classes who can weild various weapons, and it
is well known that our combat skills are not up to other classes, it is
very unlikely we will get the first of anything found on an expedition,
so if you want a ykesha for instance, you will need a group of friends
who will help you who already have them if they can use one, or some
very fair minded people to adventure with. We were in better shape
before when we shared exclusive use of some rogue weapons like the bone
dirk, as our chances of getting one of those in a group were a lot
better than they are for a Ykesha where every warrior and ranger seems
to also want one.

Also, if charisma is important to us, the staff of writhing becomes a
lot less useful weapon to us, as it gives a big charisma hit. Personally
I thought it was a terrible weapon for a bard image wise anyway so I
don't mind.

I sure would have liked to see that new dragon's claw list BRD as one of
the classes instead of warrior and ranger but I guess there's no hope of
that. I don't think there's one bard specific weapon in the game at this
point.

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