EQ,EQ2,VG Bards

[jasntess]

Having played a bard on all three of the games, I must say that I am most impressed withe the VG Bard. Granted, I have only been at it for a very, very short period of time, and perhaps it is the newness of Vanguard itself, but I have been completely sucked in by the possible depth of my song-playing possibilities. With both EQ and EQ2 you knew exactly what songs / abilities you were going to be playing / getting at what level and what you would do when you got them. I realize that the songs and abilities still come at specific times, but the ability to compose your songs for a different tune by swapping this for that is something I am truly looking forward to. I am also incredible impresssed with the meleeability (if that's even a word) of VG bards. Even the best equipped bards of EQ1&2 are not meant to melee but instead fight from the back not saying much of anything (can't type and twist 5 songs). Perhaps the VG bard will end up being a support class at the higher levels as in the other games; still, I can't wait to see what I'll be able to do.

I look forward to this new adventure and hope to be able to help others via these posts and look forward to dealing with my fellow bards.

Take care,
Tatianya Chernyenko
Half Elf Bard
"Can't type, must keep twisting....sheesh!"

[Naiya]

I love my bard and she is level 19 atm. Working on 20. I approach her with the same mentality I have approached bards in the past "Do not fear me for what I am capable of. Fear me for what I can inspire others to do." It seems to work.

Niaya teams with her Pally buddy McTaggard. Together the two of them are a force. As long as they pull intelligently they can take on +4 two dots. I composed a healing song that has two different heals per pulse (one is the melody and the other a refrain - sorry I can't remember the exact term at the moment) and buffs damage and weapon speed. He heals when one of us gets low, using his lay on hands for me and his castable heal on himself. Only using Lay on hands on himself when needed.

I flank - always - without exception. If you are a light fighter that teams with a tank (esp a pally) I cannot tell you the importance of flanking - you provide them with bonus damage (they have abilities that require flankers to get dot's or bonus damage - love your tanks - flank with them). My specials seem to pop a LOT more often when I flank - could be coincidence - but that is my experience.

I run Humming blades, it never seems to make a difference to my energy base. Depending on your needs flipping between your dances can be essential. Know what to use when. I used the accuracy dance when both Taggy and I switched weapons (me to Longsword from daggers and he to a two handed axe) once our skills go up there I moved back to the damage dance. I've never used the dodge dance, but I'm sure I will later.

If you are a Thestran human, your racial abilities are STELLAR as a bard. It's yet another team buff.

Niaya's particular build is strength based. Every level I pop 5 points into strength and 5 into dex. The remaining 4 go into vit. Every piece of armor (and both weapons) add to either STR or DEX and sometimes to both. Most will add HP to compensate for not pumping the con. She pulls with throwing daggers rather than other weapons. This was a flavor choice. There are min/maxing reasons to go with bows, I simply could not justify it (RP wise) for this toon.

I'm a little concerned that eventually I will regret not adding to my con, but the recharge I get to my Energy due to a high Vit has actually kept Taggy and I alive in times my song might have dropped (with the one spell that bards have at level 19 that requires energy, sometimes you end up getting low on blue juice in combat if your song is high on cost)

this team is pretty offensive. We are built on dropping whatever we can as fast as we can. We can deal with adds as long as we get no more than 3 and they are no more than +1.

This is getting pretty long so I'll close with - this is just ONE build possibility and it is built with the idea that she will NEVER solo. She will ALWAYS team with her tank. There are so many other wonderful possibilities out there for Bards

I hope your love for this class continues to grow as mine has! Best of luck with your bard!

[jasntess]

Wanted to say thanks Naiya. Appreciate the advice and insight.

Sounds like I am taking the same path as you have. I had nothing to base my decisions on except for what I had focused on in other games. Now, with your insight, I realize I am focusing on the path I wish to take. Though I don't know all the mechanics of VG (still very low level) I "assumed" that like EQ1, my goal would be to not get hit. Since bards don't have the luxury of running in circles while playing 4 or 5 different DoT songs in VG, I need to find my style of play quickly to better prepare myself for the future. Songs and dances will help fill in some of the gaps, but I can see that your choice of stats can greatly change your strong and weak points.

I know that none of that is earth-shatteringly new and may even seem evident by more experienced players. This is still a huge learning process for me so please forgive me for what seems like ignorance.

Thanks again Naiya.

[Naiya]

no problems at all. I went this route only because I happened to read a statement in the test channel

"You're right! I went strength focused on my bard and I'm *much* happier now."

if it had not been for that, I would have had no idea where to start or what to do.

I know someone on test made a solo bard as well. I can't remember who it was though It would be nice to get their take on the build process

[Ysharros]

Can't have been me. I don't have a bard and I don't have any crafters. :P

Even if I did, they're too low level for any opinion I might have to matter.

Excuse me, I'm suffering from a touch of bile this morning.

[capricious]

*Hands Ysh an antacid*

[Ysharros]

Ugh thanks. My poor husky yerked all over the floor last night (a LOT of yerk!!) which might have something to do with it. Waking up and having to clean that up was..... fun. :/