>I was wondering if anyone has been experiencing the same things that I
>have been as of late. To start off I remember when I finally reached
>level 6 and got hymm of restoration, I was a hot commodity in just about
>any group. However now that I am at lvl 16 no one seem to want a bard in
>their party. Perhaps it is because of my hunting in unrest, but I would
>think a bard would be a useful addition to any party there. However, it
>seems a bard's utility is my undoing. People either want a tank, or a
>healer or a burner and I can never be any of them. Many parties seem to
>forget the advantages of some of the bard songs. With anthem, my friend a
>lvl 14 Druid and I were able to mow down Tormented after tormented with
>next to no downtime. In fact my friend rarely cast a spell because the
>two of us could melee the TDs without too much trouble. I was armed with
>a Combine Long Sword and he a runed Totem Staff. Now I can imagine how
>effective Warriors would be with Dual wield and dual attacks and all tanks
>in general. Does partying get worse from here on out? I have started a
>mage and had more luck partying at level 13, than I did with my bard which
>doesn't make too much sense to me.

Aye, you're finding the earlier version of the problem I've had in low 30's
lvls.

One solution is to find (or create) a semi-permanent group. People you are
with most of the time, who will agree to keep you as a member of the "core"
group.

Throughout the game, there are points where one class's star dims, and
another's rises. Spell casters are hot for first level or two after new
spell level. Bards are hot after certain songs and a few abilities (such as
tracking at 35). You just have to keep going until you hit another hot
level for bards. Your next one should be at either lvl 18 (discord) or 19
(sleep).

Linako