Bard class is very cool, and also bard kits are very funny. My favourite is Skald because Jester's bard song is only confusing and you can find bardic instruments which can confuse enemies. Also, I'm not a jester!!
Blade is like a fighter kit so if you want a fighter character then why bard try cavalier or kensai something else. A Bard is a bard, a bard without an increasing bard song, low lore, pickpocket abilitiy etc then he's not a bard anymore. Skald is a REAL bard because its bard song effect is increaing as you advance level. Also you can use any weapon in the game, so it's very good idea to use bow. Bard's HP's are not great so they can be a little weak in melee fighting.
Bard's roleplay is very intersting and exciting. You're a ministrel, a great poet from the heart, teller of grand tales, lover of beatiful women, master of six string also you're more charismatic than even Clinton.
But I think Bard's need more specialty. For example, different spells which they can cast with only their instruments more bardic instruments, different bard songs can make this character more original. Think about it, during a battle your bard plays "Kelin`s Lucid Lullaby" , "Lyssa`s Lugubrious Lament" ,or he plays a march or crescendo which berserks/bloodlust your party etc can be very interesting.
One more thing, did you noticed that bards advances level faster than mages when a mage is level 15, a bard can be 20 or 21. And when they both cast a spell, guess whose spell will long last?
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"A silent blade does not cut always best..
A tender touch from the heart may heal the wounds of my friends..
Or a song from the heart..
A duet with nymphs..
Forget 'bout nymphs, let's play KISS!!"
-Yngwie J. Amadeus Zoltan