Useful in a party before 25. . .

[Balodoth]

In my personal experience, BRD rocks. I'm chugging along right now. At level 8 I'm looking forward to 11, when I can improve accuracy. There's only one problem, whenever I party with BRD in the dunes, they suck. By the time I get to Qufim, they're worth having in the party, and once in Kazham, they are truly amazing.

Obviously Ballad is a turning point in the career, and before that they are useful if only because they make more of the DD's hits land. Here's my question. . .

How do I not suck in the dunes? I have limited songs to use, and madrigal, which I think is the best at that point, is new and limited in its effectiveness. What is a good method of play that will allow me to speed up a party like BRD does just a few levels down the road?

[Malachite]

Raise your sword skill, eat some mithkabobs, buy a good sword and play your minuet/madrigal. Bards don't do as much at this level so you have time to melee, and frankly you have to melee to make up for your lack of options. With madrigal/minuet and mithkabobs you're already doing better DPS than some of the shitty warriors valkurm hosts.

[Balodoth]

Will do

I see how a higher level and skill makes Minuet stronger, I thought that Madrigal might be the same way. Is it strong enough to be noticeable right when I get it? Does it get stronger as I level? Also I did WAR, so I have maxed sword skill right now and currently use a Wax +1. Here's my plan.

Sheepfoe Mambo the WHM when I get the song. Minuet then Madrigal the DD's. Requiem the enemy and join melee. Throw in a Cure or two during the fight. Near the end sing a Paeon if the enemy has an AoE, two once I get the second one. Finally heal until the puller is on his way back. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Any flaws in this plan? I can make the enemy weak to light or dark if we have the right skill chain. Also, assuming I get a good party, would it be useful to Madrigal and Mambo to help the tank keep hate and lower WHM hate? And before you answer, I want to emphasize the word good--a good party that could get chain 3 or 4 with a subless pre-15 THF in my place.

[eviee]

i didnt worry about mambo hehe, i used harp for everything back then just because it didnt matter much, then when harp maxed i did wind instrument.

[Faranim]

Don't even bother wasting your time to put spells on the mages.

Use a Harp for everything because your party members will be stupid and run away from your songs. If you're singing mid-fight you can probably use a Cornette for Minuet, as long as you make sure you hit everyone that needs it.

Minuet + Madrigal for fight, Paeon right at the end.

You can either load up on Astral Rings, Pie, +MP and heal, or buy Melee gear a fight, either option is fine at such a low level.

[UnnamedGalka]

Yes, at the very early levels, just use a harp and hit everyone with your songs. When your string instrument skill maxes out, switch to flute for a while. When that maxes out, back to harp. Level up, rinse and repeat...

Of course, you'll be using your flutes a lot more than harps later on (and it will stay like that all the way through the end game)...but even so, do not get in the habit of neglecting your String Instrument skill.