Skald is the best and most natural bard kit in BG2. I agree with you completely.
Except on the topic of spells. A bard has a different spell advancement table, and while magi can learn spells of up to level 9 (excluding ToB)while a bard can only learn spells of level one to six. They also start a level later and don't get as many new spell sots per level (but they do get a lvl 4 spell at lvl 11, one level before the mage
)
But still, a bard can help out your other spellcasters during a magical fight and can do other things magi can not.
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The last arrow of Legolas kindled in the air as it flew,
and plunged burning into the heart of a great wolf-chieftain.
All the others fled. -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
