Couple Bard Questions

[Altruist]

I'm a level 64 RDM/BLM and I've been playing bard lately and I really like it. Much more than I did as an RDM. I am open to the fact that my bard is only at level 23 so maybe bard changes a lot at later level's like rdm and I may dislike it. However, I like the pure support role a lot and I frequently find myself as an rdm wishing to do more. Either way I have some questions:

How important are +1 instruments, I only have the one for paeon, I know I'll need them for mad/minne as well, but are the ones for the other songs important?

There are a lot of RDM's at higher level's which makes it more difficult to get into a PT on the weekends, is the same true for bard?

Also as far as HNMs and dynamis will there be too many bards and not enough slots?

I only have Whm to level 12, probably should get it to at least 15. However level 32+ would it be an issue if I subbed rdm?

I'm not too concerned about level 1-60 since they go so quick when your not a melee, but since I'll be spending most of my time at level 60+ I would like to know more about the end game.

[mIze]

+1 instruments, *shrug*. If you can afford them all and dont mind switching in your macros, they are helpful. At 60+, Traversiere +1 is the only big one (Madrigal +1). Basically +1 instruments improve A) the stat boost given by that song type and B) the duration of the song. It's -minor-, not like double effect or anything. Your regen/refresh songs will only last longer with the +1 instruments, although there is no Ballad+ instrument. Post-60, you should carry Traversiere +1 for the melee, a R. Spearmen's/San d'Orian/Kingdom horn for ballad/debuffs, and Mary's Horn when you have to sleep. If you wanna be crazy about it you could carry the +1 for all your song types, but why .

HNMs and dynamis.. well considering I have no Dynamis experience I can't really comment on that. HNM's are more of an LS gangbang, so yeah bard would be less useful than rdm in that instance. You could still debuff and heal, buff whoever was in your party. I've never been in an LS with more than 3 bards

Generally there is always a greater need for bards than rdm's. The 60+ people (on my server anyway) preach about how much better XP is with a bard. Stacked madrigals just can't be topped by anything, and the ability to refresh multiple people plus a (although weaker) Dispel ability makes bard invaluable. Also lesser known, the Elegy (Battlefield at 39, Carnage at 59) slow debuffs are really good.

As for sub, whm is pretty much the default, but rdm is a good secondary for Fast Cast and healing. I think you and your parties will be much more appreciative of /whm for status cures, cure II/III at lower levels, and raise in case your whm dies. Really all /rdm gives you is fast cast, which is only marginally useful. You still have to wait until your bar is 90%+ to cast another song, it just goes off sooner.

Good luck..

~miz

[Bamce Sylph]

i did my whitemage leveling in steps, first to 16, seal and curaga are huge, then around the low 40's i leveld it to 21, b/c regen owns recentally i was 49 and leveled it to 25, for raise, and invis. redmage can work as a sub, but whitemage is soooo much better

as for in demand yeah, bards are popular, but not even the best bard can save the worst party. sometimes u may have to leave and find another.

+1 instruments, i'd only get like, minuet (cornette) madrigal (traverse) mary's horn (lullaby) sirens flute ? (the +2 requim), and horn +1 (elegy, slow) i havn't used the defensive songs since lvl.....7? the whole best defense is a good offense argument