Bards seem just really lousy this update especially melee bards

[Dingleburr]

Browsing through other threads, I just noticed some good news for bards:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=384619

While looking into the gameplay experience of healers, we’ve determined that a number of tools available to you are not performing to a satisfactory degree in higher level play. To that end, we are increasing the amount of Spell Power that the following spells benefit from: Cure Light Wounds (115%), Cure Moderate Wounds (115%), Cure Serious Wounds (115%), Cure Critical Wounds (115%).

While somewhat minor, this is clearly a bard buff.

[Aashrym]

You guys really like singing Inspire Excellence with its 30 second cooldown and overlapping cooldown with Inspire Courage? I love +1 damage and everything but my parties just don't move that slowly ...

I skipped it at 21, and the bards I've played with have performed pretty badly because of how they are in the song animation so much and can't use that time to fight or heal.

The cooldown sucks but if it's only 1 or 2 stats that make a difference for DC's in the party I tend to add that, or at least for myself. I add STR for longer fights if we have a lot of melee and it might make a difference.

If the party wants a lot of stats and requests them I'll do more, but quite often it is only one stat. Versatility in which stat is something I like.

[mourne]

My Bard is a Dwarf. 16 bard, 2 ftr, 2 rog. I dump stat CHA (my cc is songs, irresistible dance). I am a Virtuoso.

Depending on Destiny w/o buffs I am between 640 and 720 hp (not uber but acceptable for me)

Feats Tough, TWF, PA, ITWF, GTWF, I/C slash, Ext, Emp Heal, Stunning Blow, +4 Song.

I use Dwarven Axes.

I am happy with Stunning blow (works on EE ftr about 85%) almost never fail on Casters and trash (destiny help and Combat Mastery, PL etc)

I can heal. My guild 4 and 5 manned every quest in the new content EE first time through (for streak) and I was the healer. Drank some pots, it worked out.

I certainly wouldn't complain if they gave bards some melee DPS luv, but I'm very happy with my bard. I fill whatever role the party needs DPS (again it is pretty good (- healer, some CC, and traps/locks.

Not the best at all the above, but am **** good. Oh and did I mention? I sing a song every now and again that increases everyone's dps (even casters INT/CHA/WIS whatever is needed).

I think everyone would like more of whatever they do, I don't think bards are gimp at all. In fact I felt that their destiny was spot on. Twist in some DPS, AC/Dodge, or Healing depending on the party and content and away ya go.

I do agree Sustaining Song needs something....like allow empower healing to effect it or something to boost it

It is frustrating that song of capering breaks on melee, but it is a save so I can live with that. What I needs to be fixed is the instant save.

FIX CASTER LEVEL SO I CAN DROP EXTEND. And allow my character level to effect my song length.

Lastly, fix the Dwuegar (sp?) Axe!!!

Phear, Sarlona

[mourne]

Naw bards are lousy. I have been playing my other characters (my tank/dps, healer/insta killer, archer) more then my bards and they are better just saying. A bard can not do the dps of the melee and the gap widens further you must be playing with some what have yous or playing on epic normal or hard where it does not matter what you play just show up and win...

Oh and I respecced my songs and they are longer and my haste length has increased so shrug.

Never said it was top DPS, just that mine suits. Dual wielding D Axes and leaning into the dreadnaught tree will get you a respectable amount of melee DPS....

Just sayin (-: