[Indemaijinj]

Yeah, the bard is sorta like a fighter/mage albeit with his own special ability and picking pockets.

There is a special set of elven chain (chain mail that allows spellcasting and thieving abilities) usable only by bards. You get it by doing the planar sphere quest.

Otherwise you'll have to decide whether you want to tank or cast spells previous to entering battle and equip your character properly.

Other elven chains in the game are (spoilers):

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If you chose to side with Bodhi you can loot one from Aran Linvail (this is the reason why he looks so spiffy and green).

You can also loot one from one of the duelling nobles in Trademeet if you chose not to follow the mayor's advice in the Waukeen's mantle quest.

The drow has numerous Adamantite elven chains, but these are only usable in the Underdark.

The last elven chain, the über-powerful bladesinger chain, is only gettable at the end of the game. It is looted from the corpse of Irenicus' pet black dragon.