Greetings and Welcome to the EQ Bards Mailing List, a mailing list
dedicated to all for and about the Bard in EverQuest
Thanks to all the helpful suggestions, we now have a nice list of rules and
frequently asked questions. This will be posted semi-regularly, and
updated as often as is needed. If you have any suggestions, or any
frequently asked questions, please don't hesitate to point them out.
First, some basic rules:
(Common sense stuff, really)
1) Stay on Topic (as much as possible). While we do often stray off the
path of Bard-related stuff, lets try and keep the material "of-interest" to
our readers. Ex: Discussions of DoT nerfing are acceptable, because Bards
have DoTs. Discussions of Rogue Poison recipes are not. Discussions of
Quests and items are okay, as long as you make an attempt not to spoil
someone else's fun. Use [Spoiler] in the heading, or put spoiler space
(several blank lines) to let people know in advance.
Deliberate spam will NOT be tolerated, and any person doing so will be
immediately reviewed
for warning, removal or banning.
On a related note, if you notice that your topic is straying from the
original thread, please change the subject header. Example: RE: Mistmoore
Battle Drums becomes:
re: Fighting undead as a Bard (was RE: Mistmoore Battle Drums)
For those of you receiving the digest version, if you can make an attempt
to change the subject field to something appropriate, that would help those
of us not digesting our mail better pass it ;)
2) No Flaming. Not all of us share the same opinion as you do, but please
be considerate of one another. Take a moment to read through, and then
make sure someone hasn't already responded before posting hastily. We're
all human, and no one likes to be called names. If you simply MUST insult,
badger or degrade someone, DO IT PRIVATELY.
3) There is no Rule Number 3.
4) Watch for "KABONG!"s. KABONG! is an old list-term for a thread that is
being forcibly killed. This sometimes happens when a thread has
degenerated sufficiently off-topic to no longer be valid for this list, or
when the subject matter has become too inflammatory to be discussed.
Kabongs generally only occur in extreme situations.
5) No Attached Files! If you wish to share with us your latest picture,
some nifty article or the Happy99 worm, please simply include a link within
your email to an appropriate place online. If you have no access to such,
email the file to me, (except viruses ;) and I will post it for you, and
follow up to the list with the URL. Small infractions will probably be
overlooked, but let's try to be considerate of our European readers who
have to pay by the minute to download their mail.
6) Be Considerate of Others! Please keep "me, too!" posts to a minimum, and
try not to quote more of the message than necessary (although you should
always make sure that the message you are sending is properly referenced,
so that people reading the messages out of order are not completely lost.
And try not to abbreviate too much, or use strange "slang" or
incomprehensible euphemisms. Plain, clear speech is much more effective,
and will cause fewer "WTF?!" messages... Also, use spoiler headings and/or
spoiler spaces when presenting Quest hints or weapon details.
Okay, enough rules. Now for some Frequently Asked Questions!
Q: I keep seeing all these abbreviations: "DoT", "DD", "PGT", "FBR" - What
do they all mean?!
A: Well, the best way to learn is to check out the EverQuest Glossary at
http://amtgard.pinkpig.com/bards/eqglossary.htm (shameless plug). Briefly,
those four terms mean "Damage over Time" (refers to spells/effects that do
damage every few seconds for a while, instead of all at once), "Direct
Damage" (refers to spells/effects that do all their damage at once),
"Polished Granite Tomahawk" a nice weapon, and "Flowing Black Robes"
something casters love.
Q: What song do I get at <foo> level? What does this song do?
A: Well, again, shameless plug time: The EverQuest Bard's Guild
(
http://amtgard.pinkpig.com/bards/eqbard.htm) has a list of spellsongs,
however, most people seem to prefer detailed statistics, so let me refer
you to
http://www.harpers.net/bard/index.htm - an EQ Bardic Guide. Also,
the Soerbaird is a wonderful site:
http://www.soerbaird.com/
Q: What do instruments do?
A: Some songs have associated instruments. Playing this instrument will
generally enhance the song by as much as 50%, but this is also related to
your relative skill with the instrument. Also, instrument skill is
partially responsible for failure rate of related songs. To avoid
"fizzling" (missing notes) even when singing, keep your instrument skills
maxed out.
Q: Are there any magical or "Unique" instruments for Bards?
A: Yes, there are several known "special" instruments in the world.
The Mistmoore Battle Drum (found in Mistmoore), which increases the
effects of most drummed songs by 10-15%
The Lute of the Gypsy Princess (also found in Mistmoore) which has no
discernible special effect (this is in dispute at this time).
Brahm's Horn (found in the Gorge of King Grobb) which has no known
discernible effect.
Drums of Selo's March (Found on Cazic Thule?) which increases the
effects of most drummed songs by 20%
McVaxius' Horn of War (unknown) which adds +9 INT, +9 DEX, +15 CHA and
increases Brass song effects by 15%.
Minotaur Horns found on minotaurs in Steamfont and the Gorge of King
Grobb are wind instruments with no known special effect. They are,
however, lighter than flutes, and don't cause that awful animation.
The Lizard Scout Fifes are rumoured to be non-magical wind
instruments, but this still remains to be proven.
Q: What's the difference between a Lute and a Mandolin?
A: Weight and cost. Mandolins are lighter, but a little more expensive.
Q: When I get Dual Wield, will I be able to play an instrument while
swinging a sword?
A: Unfortunately, no. While instruments are off-hand only items, they are
also considered two-handed. Besides, it's ever-so-much more fun to bash
monsters with your lute, dontcha think? (Sylly! WEP!)
Q: What's the best weapon/armour/equipment for <foo> level? Where should I
hunt at this level?
A: Okay - time to ask the list ;)
Q: What are "Hotkeys" and how do I create them?
A: You'll notice that in the lower left side of the screen you have 6 empty
boxes with the number "1" and two arrows above it. This is the "hotkey"
box. Initially, hotkeys default to the numbers 1-6 on your keyboard, but
you can reconfigure that through the options settings. Songs, spells, the
spellbook, socials, and inventory boxes can all be made "hotkeys". To
create a "hotkey", LEFT click on the box/spell/icon you want and HOLD it
down. After a second, the box will magically "lift up" and attach itself
to your pointer. Simply "drop" the new box onto the appropriate hotkey
slot, and blammo! Instant hotkey. Now, whenever you press the associated
hotkey button, you will activate the song/spell or action in that slot.
Inventory boxes do NOT "activate", putting them in your hotkey bank is
simply to avoid having to open your inventory to swap items in combat.
Q: Why would I want to swap items in combat?!
A: Well, not just in combat, but by placing inventory slots (General
inventory slots, or worn/wielded slots will work. Bag slots will NOT) into
your hotkey bank, you can grab (for example) your sword and swap it with an
instrument in order to heal faster, run faster or whatever. PRACTICE THIS
MANEUVER. You *WILL* drop your weapon or instrument at least once, and
more likely several times, so practice practice practice! And if you *do*
accidentally drop something, don't panic, just back up, grab the item and
run like crazy.
Q: Why can't Bards do <foo> as well as <other really buff class>?
A: Well, simply put, we're the "Jack of all Trades, Master of None." This
means that, while we can do so many different things (sneak, dual wield,
pick locks, safe fall, etc. etc.) we're not meant to be masters in any of
them, so you may notice certain skill caps (such as 40 for Forage and
Sneak, etc.) that mean that you will never be incredibly good at these
skills. Be thankful that you get them at all.
Q: Is it true that The Jig of Vigor song increases mana regeneration
speed for your party members?
A: No. What the Jig does is increase the rate of Stamina Regeneration
every six seconds and hence the display of the Stamina, Health, and Mana
bars to show this increase. Without the song playing the bars are refreshed
every eight seconds. The ultimate effect of this is that the mana bar
"moves" every six seconds instead of every eight seconds so it APPEARS to be
moving FASTER. In actuality - it is moving 75% of the distance it would
move if it waiting the other two seconds. So bottom line, it LOOKS like it
is regenerating faster but it does not. If you don't otherwise have a need
to regenerate stamina, you are wasting a memorized song slot.
Q. Why can I never gain any experience in 2-handed slash or 2-handed blunt?
A. Although Bards have these skills, and even though they appear on the
trainer, you can never train 2-handed skills as a Bard. This is apparently
a piece of virtual duct-tape to allow GMs and Guides to play Bards and
still wield 2-handed equipment (like their special staff).
Q. What are the most important stats as a Bard?
A. Well, because no matter what I answer, someone will disagree with me, I
will say this: No matter what your starting stats, odds are, you will
eventually be able to balance any deficiencies out with magic items and
jewelry.
Okay, well, this FAQ is pretty long as it is - and I've run out of ideas.
If anyone has any suggestions for the next version, please feel free to
send them my way.
Talies the Wanderer
Moderator