Consider the Bard!

[Dane_McArdy]

Please put more consideration into the items for bards! it really currently feels like most of the items out there are not at all considered for the bard first, but as an after thought. I say this because currently, I'm working on the M5 rewards, and while they are all nice, I do notice that none of them are geared first to bards!

The helmets, shields and weapons all work for a bard, and you can pick that which you feels improves the bard in the way you want.

But I don't see anything that speaks directly to being a bard! If an item is meant for a caster, it tends to be fully functional for the sorcerers and wizards out there, and then also good for a bard.

In fact, that's a pretty good way to sum it up. Also good for a bard, as if it's a second thought about the item.

Where are items that sing out, BaaaAAAaaarrd! Where are the items that improve our unique bard abilities? Every class/skill/ability has something to increase it! We would like the same! Where is the item that increases how long our songs last? Yes, resoance will increase the damage our songs do! The two of them! We can get that from potency can't we?

Why not an item that increases the effect of our songs! Why can't we have something that ups the bonus our songs give! Or expand the bonus! Such as instead of just a bonus to fear and charm, but maybe a +1 bonus to will saves!

Sing out bards! Let the mighty Crescendo of our voices send a message loud and clear!

[bnrilfun]

/signed

[MysticTheurge]

Well that's cause, obviously, Bards are already too uber without any bard-specific items.

[Dane_McArdy]

Well that's cause, obviously, Bards are already too uber without any bard-specific items.

Shush you malcontent!

[marcosoneghett]

It's really a shame turbine doesn't do some REAL CLASS ORIENTED items. And not only for bards, but for instance for rangers and paladins.

[GuitarHero]

Well that's cause, obviously, Bards are already too uber without any bard-specific items.

MT's got a point there, Dane...

Besides, while most casters out there are kinda cookie cutter and static in what they need, there is no such thing as a cookie cutter bard. I mean, take Gwylan's Blade. This was an attempt at a bard friendly item, right? But on a run in Gwylan's with 5 bard, these things couldn't be GIVEN away! Nobody would use them, and they didn't do anything useful anyway. Bards are already pretty uber, and if they made gear for bards, and everyone realized how uber bards are, then they'd start trying to nerf them, just like when they realized how awesome rogues were, they nerfed that!!!

[Serpent]

mod 6 bards get martial wep porf for 14 to 16 mins depending on level. Get a deathnip. problem solved.

[Dane_McArdy]

While a nice spell, it still doesn't say BARD~!

What good are effects that improve abilities, when you don't have those abilites? There are effects that increase every type of magic school and damage type. Fire, cold, acid, you name it.

There are effects that increase all kinds of fighter abilities. Rogue, ranger and barbarian abilities. Cleric paladin, you name it. Every ability, there is an item that will increase it, give it, make it better.

Not for bards. Many of our class unique abilities are not touched in anyway.

Perhaps we are too uber. Though honestly, we tend to make others more uber then ourselves being too uber.

EVERY class wants to feel there is something meant for them. As you pointed out, there is that sword, but well, no one wants it.

[Serpent]

While a nice spell, it still doesn't say BARD~!

Master's Touch

* Divination
* Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
* Range: Personal
* The caster gains proficiency with all simple and martial weapons for one minute per caster level.

says bard to me

and if you get dispelled. your a bard hit DP, songs and shrug off the -4 penalty.

[GuitarHero]

Master's Touch

* Divination
* Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
* Range: Personal
* The caster gains proficiency with all simple and martial weapons for one minute per caster level.

says bard to me

yeah, but any bard who wants martial weapon proficiency already likely has it (warchanters), and anyone who doesn't is probably using a longsword or rapier, two very effective martial weapons that the bard gets for free without a spell. Yes, the spell is THERE, but that doesn't mean its likely to make it into many bards' spell selections.

[~Jules921]

I completely agree. We see items that give weapon proficiencies like precision and parry. Lots of items for Clerics' and Pallys' turning abilities. Spell penetration and potency increases for casters. We need some bard specific items. My bards are feeling rather neglected.

Jules

[Dane_McArdy]

Master's Touch

* Divination
* Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
* Range: Personal
* The caster gains proficiency with all simple and martial weapons for one minute per caster level.

says bard to me

and if you get dispelled. your a bard hit DP, songs and shrug off the -4 penalty.

I think you might misunderstood, yes, it's a bard spell. However, the ability to use any weapon isn't a feature of the bard. It gives me a wider range of weapons to use. But again, weapons with effects that increase your abilities that you don't have...

The bard has abilities that get no benefit from anything, unlike all the other abilities that other classes enjoy to their abilities.

[Serpent]

The bard has abilities that get no benefit from anything, unlike all the other abilities that other classes enjoy to their abilities.

Ah i see. Well there are perform rings. There is the reaver napkin, helps dance ball as well as reaver stick does the same. A bard is Jack of all Trades. Therefore other trades ie classes have itmes that a bard can use. I'm not sure the class was intended to get a specific thing because any thing can be used by them. UMD ftw.

[gpk]

So...youwant a Raid Lute ?

[Dane_McArdy]

Ah i see. Well there are perform rings. There is the reaver napkin, helps dance ball as well as reaver stick does the same. A bard is Jack of all Trades. Therefore other trades ie classes have itmes that a bard can use. I'm not sure the class was intended to get a specific thing because any thing can be used by them. UMD ftw.

As jack of all trades, we do benfit from many items. However, we do have abilities that are unique to our class.

As for something like the reaver napkin. That's a great item. However it still falls into the And also good for bards. Wizards will benefit most from it. Sorcerers and rogues and bards as well.

And it's a good example. Many times items are good for several classes equally. But some how, the bard is left in the also good for, catagory time after time.

[Dane_McArdy]

So...youwant a Raid Lute ?

It has been suggested. And why not?

[GuitarHero]

A) Perform Rings do nothing. As of right now, perform only matters what your ranks are. Yeah, its coming up they're gonna change that, but for good or ill.

B) Does it have to be a lute? How about a tabor? Maybe a Lyre? Maybe each race plays their own instrument. Some variation over the standard fare would be great. I get chuckles from my party every time my raging killing machine of a dwarven warchanter pulls out his lute to play himself a little diddy.

[Serpent]

As jack of all trades, we do benfit from many items. However, we do have abilities that are unique to our class.

As for something like the reaver napkin. That's a great item. However it still falls into the And also good for bards. Wizards will benefit most from it. Sorcerers and rogues and bards as well.

And it's a good example. Many times items are good for several classes equally. But some how, the bard is left in the also good for, catagory time after time.

I think this what the designers of the bard intended. That bards are not individuals, they are mimics. But we may see it differently.

[Dane_McArdy]

I think this what the designers of the bard intended. That bards are not individuals, they are mimics. But we may see it differently.

We mimic, but we also have that which is unique. It is the unique part that doesn't get attention.

The one thing that sets us apart from other classes.

[MysticTheurge]

We mimic, but we also have that which is unique. It is the unique part that doesn't get attention.

The one thing that sets us apart from other classes.

Dane. Which unique bard skills/abilities would you like to see enhanced, and how?