Quote:
quote:
"I was reading a few class reviews and it seems the bard peaks kind of early"
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Cornbread, that is only true if the Bard is developed poorly, focusing on only a small subset of her capabilities, or if you play way past the normal end of the game (smaller parties, going for level 50, etc.).
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Also, many players mistakenly think that the Bard has peaked at Level 18 (or earlier for certain instruments) when all Bard instruments can first be used, but those highest level instruments will not be played at Power Level 7 until several Levels later (somewhere in the 21-23 range). At that point the game is close to over.[/QUOTE]Apparently it's even higher than that. Everyone in my current "no magic" party is level 23 (except RFS-81), and the two Bards still have about a 30% fizzle rate and 15% backfire rate on the top instruments. I remember seeing a similar discussion on another site, and the number given for the level at which the Bard can consistently hit Power Level 6-7 on the top instruments with minimal problems was character level 25-26. As you point out, other than in much-reduced parties or games that are artificially prolonged, the game will be over long before the Bard "peaks" in her musical ability, much less other skills.