Bard healing gets no respect

[maddmatt70]

Shrug, Bards do not need respect they just do such that it is. Ignorance is not really a choice although those other players can choose not to play I guess which is a choice in a manner of speaking.

[Garvin]

I agree with Tuney, Bards are fun characters and very versatile, you want haste you got haste, you want added dps you get songs, you want rage/displace you get those as well, you want cc you got facin and dance balls, you want healing yeah sure throw in a heal specced bard you got yourself a noteworthy healer.

People always doubt coz they can't see beyond the surface area, but bards are great, some of the best players I know have a fav toon that is a bard (Aussie for example), and they play them like you wouldn't believe it.

[Blank_Zero]

I agree with Tuney, Bards are fun characters and very versatile, you want haste you got haste, you want added dps you get songs, you want rage/displace you get those as well, you want cc you got facin and dance balls, you want healing yeah sure throw in a heal specced bard you got yourself a noteworthy healer.

People always doubt coz they can't see beyond the surface area, but bards are great, some of the best players I know have a fav toon that is a bard (Aussie for example), and they play them like you wouldn't believe it.

But apparently 14 Bard is too gimped >.>

[Garvin]

But apparently 14 Bard is too gimped >.>

Heck thats better than a 14Cleric/6ftr anyday!!!

[Terebinthia]

I'm starting to feel the bard love

My completionist project, Tereana, is working on her barbarian life, and since I hate the concept of a barbarian, my solution was to go 8 bard / 2 rogue / 10 barb to make it as painless as possible (I don't want to use hearts of wood to change classes). Sitting at 14 now, with the rogue and barb levels frontloaded, and I keep on forgetting my barb rages because I'm having too much fun with the other stuff. At least I can sing while raged, lol.

I have access to a friend's 17 bard / 2 rogue / 1 barb Warchanter and that's also a hoot to play. May well roll up something similar once I'm done with this life.

[Hordo]

Yes, bards specced for healing, can in fact heal. Maybe not as well as well-geared divines, but certainly enough for SHROUD on NORMAL. And even that, a well-geared and well played bard outheals 99% of pug clerics. You don't have to leave the group just because we only have 1 divine.

Oh, you joined the other shroud LFM that was just posted? Congratulations on being inconsiderate and wasting everyone's time, especially the people who waited the whole time for the group to fill and were left out. How nice of you.

So true.

I've solo healed a shroud on normal on my bard Hordiva when she was healing specced 2 TRs ago...and I'm a gimp...ask anyone! LOL

I've also solo healed a shroud on hard and elite, with no bard &##$*, on my cleric Hordeau. Now THOSE were some brave souls in that group I can assure you!

Fact is, most folks know only that the Shroud as a much-talked-of rite of passage. The population currently is mostly POST level 16 forEVer capped elite shrouds being done short-manned on toons with no epic gear whatsoever to count on, thus we really learned the ins and outs of it. And, yes, many are not given the same chance to learn it like we did and still don't know what to do to make it a really simple, quick raid.

tl;dr version: Shroud is easy, can be healed with nearly anything, as long as folks have learned HOW to do it...so maybe give the new folks a break every now and then and teach it to them.

[Hordo]

But apparently 14 Bard is too gimped >.>

That is my favorite bard misconception! LOL

A level 14 bard has the SAME song bonuses as a 15-19 level bard, and if it is a 14warchanter it has the SAME song bonuses (and even a +1 to damage) over a 20 bard that is not a warchanter.

It's all in the Compendium folks...or attend one of my semi-annual bard clinics on Khyber...open to the public, but listed on the Loreseekers Guild website's public page.

[xSeverinax]

We've done All-Bard Shrouds on Argo with only one Bard doing "main healing" (i.e. fully specced out for heals) and one other Bard throwing back-up heals. You really don't need Mass Heal for any raid, and I know a lot of Clerics who heal Shroud using solely MCLW/MCMW.

Cool, my bard is only lvl 7, so I have a fair ways to go yet with him, and as I said, he is my first attempt. I went for the melee route as I wanted more solo ability to try and level faster. Let me know what you guys think of the build and any improvements you might select - along with why.... This doesn't include all my items, I have a +7 str and Chr item, +6 con item. mainly I am interested in feedback on feat / enhancement selection and the idea of a bard 12 / fighter 8 split.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Jelidan Lightfoot
Level 13 True Neutral Half-Elf Male
(6 Fighter \ 7 Bard) 
Hit Points: 249
Spell Points: 268 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 10
Will: 8

                 Feat/Enhancement
Abilities         Modified Stats
(34 Point)          (Level 13)
Strength                24
Dexterity               16
Constitution            18
Intelligence            12
Wisdom                  12
Charisma                16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                 Feat/Enhancement
                  Modified Skills
Skills             (Level 13)
Balance                  5
Bluff                   19
Concentration            7
Diplomacy               15
Disable Device           n/a
Haggle                   6
Heal                     1
Hide                     3
Intimidate               6
Jump                    12
Listen                   1
Move Silently            3
Open Lock                n/a
Perform                 19
Repair                   1
Search                   1
Spot                     1
Swim                     9
Tumble                   n/a
Use Magic Device        19

{\b {\ul Notable Equipment }} \par Minos Legens \par The Blood Stone \par  \par Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 4 (Fighter)


Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Khopesh Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 8 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 13 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III

[Tuney]

Though of the three Bard PrE paths... I love a zerging Virt bard. You only see them every 6 to 8 mins to refresh song buffs befor the disapear into the winds. You can see them wondering what took you so long to get there with stop watch in hand as they tap their foot in annoyance.

[Roguewiz]

Bards are indeed completely misunderstood. Most people, at least in my experience, expect us to just buff them and don't die. They generally don't expect us to bring much more to the group. My Warforged Warchanter (15) gets strange looks all the time. Most of the groups I've encounted expect me to ONLY buff and heal. When I inform them that while I have the capability to heal, I am better suited for buffing us up and tearing our enemies a new one. Power Attack w/full buffs with my greatsword yields a +45 to damage.Unfortunately, you can't expect people to read up on other classes. That reminds me of a comment I had in one of my groups that Melee FvS are worthless and should only stand back and heal. Much like Bards, Favored Souls are versatile. The can Heal, Nuke, or Melee. Even then, if you consider the fact that they get bonuses to their diety weapon, weapon focus, and weapon spec; they can easily heal/nuke and/or melee.

Sorry, back on topic. I generally avoid groups that don't understand my class. It makes life more simple. Stick with guildie groups and/or grouping with friends. Less headache, trust me.

[Blank_Zero]

That is my favorite bard misconception! LOL

A level 14 bard has the SAME song bonuses as a 15-19 level bard, and if it is a 14warchanter it has the SAME song bonuses (and even a +1 to damage) over a 20 bard that is not a warchanter.

It's all in the Compendium folks...or attend one of my semi-annual bard clinics on Khyber...open to the public, but listed on the Loreseekers Guild website's public page.

It's true, but Mil gives me hassle about not having IH on Warcrye

[Garvin]

It's true, but Mil gives me hassle about not having IH on Warcrye

Thats only cause he is trying to get his 100ac, don't listen to him and ignore his pleas for IH, coz he seriously don't need it, he has enough ac as it is

[Blank_Zero]

Thats only cause he is trying to get his 100ac, don't listen to him and ignore his pleas for IH, coz he seriously don't need it, he has enough ac as it is

I'm tempted to make a healer bard to semi-pike though...but idk how I'd lvl it unless I dual boxed it =P

[Garvin]

I'm tempted to make a healer bard to semi-pike though...but idk how I'd lvl it unless I dual boxed it =P

Lol whats wrong with a healer bard? nothing! didn't hordo just said a lvl 14 bard has the same cajun sauce as a lvl 20 bard? lol if no one runs with you look me up.

[SirValentine]

I guess you could make the argument the argument that a bard does not have enough burst healing to keep up with incoming DPS. However, i don't think this is true. Assuming ardor, empower, empower healing and maximize, mass cure moderate hits for ~200, cure light hits for ~170 - nearly half the HP of most shroud pugs. This is all before healing amp, which most people have some of, and spell crits.

Both these spells are on a short cooldown (4 and 5 seconds), so you can spam them back to back; doing so is potentially MORE healing than a divine spamming mass heal on recharge, with no overhealing problems.

I haven't played a bard, but I'm convinced you are right. On my first Cleric life, (and first character at all,) I was very poorly built, and of course not yet geared up. But I healed plenty of Normal Shrouds just fine using only Mass Cure Light and Mass Cure Moderate, with only Empower Healing and Superior Potency. Using Superior Ardor instead, and Maximize and Empower might be overkill.

[butcheredspirit]

It's true that bards are often overlooked by ill informed players.

I'm not a bard I played a cleric to 20, from my point of view bards can make excellent healers.

The fact that some bards have songs that heal the group, only furthers this point.
Not many classes can heal without sp or consumables.


I defiantly believe bards who say we don't need to bother waiting for a cleric/favoured soul. (I'm a sorcerer now)

And the bards I grouped with always do an excellent job and are great at multitasking.

[Miahoo]

What I like with bards is: When you have nothing to do, and cannot benefit to the group in any way - just sing! and all will love you.

[NaturalHazard]

Bards are indeed completely misunderstood. Most people, at least in my experience, expect us to just buff them and don't die. They generally don't expect us to bring much more to the group. My Warforged Warchanter (15) gets strange looks all the time. Most of the groups I've encounted expect me to ONLY buff and heal. When I inform them that while I have the capability to heal, I am better suited for buffing us up and tearing our enemies a new one. Power Attack w/full buffs with my greatsword yields a +45 to damage.Unfortunately, you can't expect people to read up on other classes. That reminds me of a comment I had in one of my groups that Melee FvS are worthless and should only stand back and heal. Much like Bards, Favored Souls are versatile. The can Heal, Nuke, or Melee. Even then, if you consider the fact that they get bonuses to their diety weapon, weapon focus, and weapon spec; they can easily heal/nuke and/or melee.

Sorry, back on topic. I generally avoid groups that don't understand my class. It makes life more simple. Stick with guildie groups and/or grouping with friends. Less headache, trust me.

sounds like my level 14 wf warchanter.

[MartinusWyllt]

and here I thought there was going to be a Rodney Dangerfield joke.

[KillEveryone]

Lol whats wrong with a healer bard? nothing! didn't hordo just said a lvl 14 bard has the same cajun sauce as a lvl 20 bard? lol if no one runs with you look me up.

When I leveled Quickymart, it did take a while to find a group willing to accept bard as the healer. Too many bard misconceptions. It also didn't help that I played at off hours then when the population was smaller. I did find that if I couldn't find a group in 15 minutes, it was just quicker to multi-box.

There are players that do understand, just have to find them. It also helps to be on at times when there is a larger population. If I got her in the evening EST, I could find Shrouds that understood that I was capable of filling that healer role. I usually tossed up my own LFM but sometims I don't feel like being the leader. That time of day there is a larger population of players so the chances of getting people that knew and understood was greater.