New Bard Needing Advice

[Galaxia]

Hello Everyone

I have had Bard job open for awhile but never really played it. At the moment it's still lv 1. Last night I got the chance to party with a Bard and I thought you was truly amazeing they run around quite aloit singing songs and showing Pt where to stand for which job they had. I was watching the little Bard doing all the cool spells and helping Pt alot I really wanna try out this job although it's supposrt it's not like whm that stand in a certain area most of them time. Was wondering if you lot would mind giveing my some advice about Bards. Things like what kinda staff they can do, What equip,ent do I go for, Can I wear some of the melee armors or will Pt's not like that? I haven't really seen many Bards because Pt's seem to snatch them up right away but the one we had was so fun to watch(I'm a SMN I get alot of free time between BloodPacts) So would be a REALLY big help if you could share with me some of your exprences and Pt outcomes. Also is it easy for Bard to get Pt? I would be subbing WHM to it anyway so dunno if thats a good idea or not Hope it is. Also will I be ok doing Solo to about 12-13 then going to Valk for a Pt? Anyway hope you all can help


Thank you for taking time to read this

[Teffie]

Re: New Bard Needing Advice

Originally posted by Galaxia
I was watching the little Bard doing all the cool spells and helping Pt alot I really wanna try out this job although it's supposrt it's not like whm that stand in a certain area most of them time.

BRD's move around alot! Your rarely ever standing in one spot, so it helps if your an expert at walking around with your char. (Personally, I am terrible with WSAD or Numpad Moving... that's why I use my PS2 Controllers Analog Stick)

what kinda stuff they can do

BRD's are a pure support class. All their skills boost the PT's attributes tremendously, and in the long run they make EXP PT's level 2-3 times as fast. Early on (till around lv.30) BRD's song benefits are not THAT great. They are still amazing, but not life changing like their sons are once you hit 55.

What equipment do I go for

+MP and +CHR. Have two sets of equipment. the +MP for your overall helping out the WHM's with Healing/Poisona/Etc.. The WHM's will love you just because say your entire PT gets Blinded, you'll be able to Blinda with him/her. the +CHR Equipment is for landing debuff-type songs on the monster. Lullaby (Put it to sleep song), Elegy (Slow Enemy Atk. Speed Song), and Requiem (Damage over time Song) all rely on this stat. So whenever you are casting them, you hit your change equip macro to your CHR items, and then cast it.

But in terms of equipment, you shouldn't be that worried. Just go for regular Doublet-type equipments till you can wear full RSE. Then wear that until you get your AF Armor. BRD's are a VERY inexpensive job, so you shouldn't have to worry.

Can I wear some of the melee armors or will Pt's not like that?

If you mean melee armors as in +10 Attack armor, I don't think your party will care, but at the same time it doesn't benefit you at all. You could literally be naked, but as long as you had your songs, your PT would adore you. (Since your equipment/stats have NO effect on Song Bonus') at around level 55 and above, you'll BARELY have enough time to Melee the monster. At lower levels, you don't have as much to do. Cast 2 songs, then help fight. But at higher levels, you have to Cast 2 songs on the Melee, then 2 songs on the Mages. By then the Monster is usually dead, or has around 10% HP left.

if you could share with me some of your exprences and Pt outcomes.

As I said earlier, BRD makes an EXP PT go 2-3 times as fast, with almost no down time. People will love you.

Also is it easy for Bard to get Pt?

TOO EASY! Last night, I had the comment "Go Away" in my Search comment, and I wasn't even seeking for a PT, and someone asked me if I would like to join a PT.

I would be subbing WHM to it anyway so dunno if thats a good idea or not Hope it is.

WHM is -the- Best sub for BRD. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are a terrible BRD. Other acceptable subs are RDM (for gimper heals and no status cures, but fast cast) and SMN (for Aerial Armor now and then.. but your MP is so low, so who cares?)

Also will I be ok doing Solo to about 12-13 then going to Valk for a Pt?

Enjoy

[Galaxia]

The armor I mean't things like Leather set things like that because I think they look so cool ^^ hehe Also the stuff from Conquest points guy that people wear that seems really cool afew MP+ and Hp+ on them would they be ok?

[Theiry]

First off, I'm sorry if I'm off on any of what I'm about to say. The highest I've ever had Bard is level 12. But I think I can answer some of your questions.

Originally posted by Galaxia
Also will I be ok doing Solo to about 12-13 then going to Valk for a Pt?

My advice for you here is to sub Beast Master to solo those low levels. At least, that's what I did. At really low levels you can tame monsters extremely well, and can level fairly easily. The higher you get though, the harder it becomes to solo like this. (I took Brd/Bst to 10, and it started to get really tough to level, so I started partying then) It seemed like a much better soloing combo than Bard/White Mage or any other combo I tried. (Bard/Summoner might work the same, but don't take my word for that. I've never even unlocked the Summoner job..)

If you don't want to do that, I'm sure you could find some Warrior or something that would be happy to party with you at low levels. Not sure if that would speed things up any or not though. You can also just solo to 12 or 13 with any other sub, but you'll have to get used to dieing allot =) (I died a few dozen times before I hit level 5 =P )

Originally posted by Galaxia
The armor I mean't things like Leather set things like that because I think they look so cool ^^ hehe Also the stuff from Conquest points guy that people wear that seems really cool afew MP+ and Hp+ on them would they be ok?

This question I can't really answer like other Bards can (since I can only answer up to level 12), but my guess is that the Conquest stuff would be just fine. The MP+ would be nice. The HP+ wouldn't really do much, since you won't take that many hits, but it doesn't really hurt either =)

About using the Leather armor because you like the looks, I think that would be okay as well. Of what I've heard (like Teffie said) Bard's don't really need anything special for their equipment until really high levels. So you could just wear whatever you like the looks of best. (Though you should probably use as much MP+ and CHR+ gear as you can, there's still plenty you can do just for looks.) And you should probably never use any equipment with CHR- on it (lowering your charisma I mean) even if it does look cool, unless you plan to take it off every time you cast an attack song.

Anyway, sorry again if I'm wrong. I won't even try to answer most of the questions (even though I'm pretty sure I know the answers), since I can't speak from first hand experience. But I hope I could help some. (Also, I'm kinda wondering about bards wearing things just for looks too. I'd love to wear the Clothcraft glasses as my Head equipment =P I love those things.)

[Neverynt]

For soloing, go with the good looking leather or as high as you can get it. Most party situations won't have you taking anything more of a hit than an AOE. And get used to running, it takes a lot of practice to get down your songs area of effect so you don't accidently hit the ninja with ballad. (Just an "Oh crap!" offense, but not that bad.) All partys want me to do anyway is double ballad and then take a nap. And the best thing to remember is to have fun, sweetheart.