Bards -- why bother??

AliCat · 03-05-2001, 10:20 AM

I generally like making one of my characters a bard, but it is rather a disappointing career change. Why is it the one role in which one set of magic is much harder to gain than the other (ie, fiend magic)? The musical instruments are generally useful once you have enough skill to use them, but can't be used underwater, and the variety is limited (and they take up waaaaay too much space in the pack). My favorite instrument is the lute of tranquility, in which you can send some of the attacking monsters to sleep to deal with them each individually. But even with high level characters, I've never found any really unusual instruments ("this item not found in stores"). Has anyone else found a really neat musical instrument? Has anyone else found it really useful to be a bard?

STORM · 03-05-2001, 10:36 AM

Hi Alicat, I agree I am also kind of disapointed in my bards roll, however I will be starting her out as a assassin my next time around in a new game. I noticed you had mentioned that you do not find better items for the bard even with higher level bard's, does this lead me to beleive that as your characters get better you will find much better loot or is the loot the same in each game.

------------------

~~~~~~~ STORM ~~~~~~~

Wyvern · 03-05-2001, 01:34 PM

Back at the inn, I have a whole collection of instruments, but I have yet to make a Bard - never really seemed worth it. Next time I play, I will try to check what instruments I have collected and make a list.

Wyv

Nanobyte · 03-05-2001, 04:08 PM

You see, the problem with W&W's Bards is they don't sing. A Bard is the Singer of all RPG's. The only use for him in this game is a little magic (which most don't have, just tricks), and their singing (along with expertice with instruments). If they took more time in the Bard, I believe people would take the time to play one. I don't think any RPG, actually, takes the time to work on the Bard. Look at BG2's Bard, they SUCK. There is no use for them, except bonuses. Bards are supposed to be the "cleaner" thieves. Dressed a little nicer, and wouldn't kill to steal. Get what I'm saying?

(You know what, that spitting drink gif doesn't work, I just get

)

------------------

[This message has been edited by Nanobyte (edited 03-05-2001).]

AliCat · 03-05-2001, 10:06 PM

Storm,

Yes, you do get better loot the higher the level of characters you have. On my fifth time through the game, I got a Lance of the Lady. Never saw that one in previous games. Likewise for some swords and axes -- the higher your level, the better the loot.

As for musical instruments, I've seen the flute of fumes and flute of fire; lute of tranquility (sleep), lute of grace (bless), lute of health? (healrealm), lute of ... (I forget, but it's the silence spell), pipes of pain, pipes of illusion (summon creature), pipes of madness (dementia), pipes of poison. There are one or two others, sold usually at either the pawn shop or armory (for resale, anyhow). Nothing real stupendous or startling, or matching the more interesting weapons you can get. Granted, I'm not sure I've ever ended my game with a bard....

Nanobyte, the bards in the game might not sing, but the one in my story does! Check out the Wizards and Warriors story archive one of these days at http://www.seastop.com/ww.htm (This is a blatant ploy and advertisement for the website; a lot of fantastic writers there whose names you've seen on this forum many times).

gregger · 03-06-2001, 07:57 AM

You make Bard's sound bad. I hope mine turns out good. I'm in training now and looking for the Scroll of Trickery. By the way, where is the scroll of trickery?

Sazerac · 03-06-2001, 01:59 PM

Bards are a decent "stepping-stone" role...the ability to play musical instruments helps a lot on those "status" spells when you want to conserve your mana for other things...realize of course that it does deplete your stamina somewhat (Oh for a "Restfull" spell like Wizardry had!) It's also a quick way to get up in Moon magic and get a few lower-level Fiend magic spells. I usually make my Bard an Assassin, but I could go other ways with him as well. The Trickery and Iron Lung traits also come in handy, although Barbarians can learn Iron Lung as well. Your character will never lose the ability to play instruments, either, even after they change roles. I use the music playing abilities to keep my characters at Heroic Might (Pipes of Power) and Sleep (Lute of Tranquility). Realize that spells cast by musical instruments are cast at the level of MUSIC, not SORCERY, which can be trained up to level 12!

-Sazerac

Sazerac · 03-06-2001, 02:01 PM

Sorry, missed the last post...

The Scroll of Trickery is in the Wizard's Study above the library of the Serpent temple, in the same room where you find the Serpent's Wand. It's on the table on the left side of the room as you enter.

-Saz

Scronan · 03-06-2001, 02:17 PM

Hiya,

Saz, that's a cool tidbit on the Bard's, that their Music ability, not Sorcery is the power of their spells. Very useful, now can music be learned in a guild, or must it be increased manually like sorcery? The highest I ever got sorcery alone was level 10, then to 12 with Enlightenment.

I never chose a Bard, but I figured they would be good to learn some abilities to beef up your characters. I never did get Iron Lung, well except with the Necklace of Neptune which grants it to one party member if invoked.

I did find that instrument that casts Healing Realm, didn't seem like too bad of an instrument, that's a useful spell. I do miss the Bard from Bard's Tale, I remember getting a hold of a Flame Horn and roasting the hell out of the monsters. Not to mention the songs. I do agree with y'all, the Bard in WW was kind of a disappointment, but the Moon magic was useful...though it seems little different from the Ninja.

On that note...I never made a Monk either!

That's me!

Scronan

mammawlin · 03-06-2001, 05:41 PM

Hi Alicat, I totally agree with you! I had fun being a Bard - for a minute. I made a couple of my party Bards, enjoying the instruments and gaining training as they leveled up, but quickly advanced them on to something else, anything else actually. The spells seem so much better and quicker than the instruments do. But, I wouldn't have wanted to NOT try out being a Bard at one time or another!

------------------
mammaw's know all, see all, tell nothing

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03-05-2001, 10:20 AM	#1
AliCat Drow Warrior Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Waynesboro, VA, USA Posts: 255	I generally like making one of my characters a bard, but it is rather a disappointing career change. Why is it the one role in which one set of magic is much harder to gain than the other (ie, fiend magic)? The musical instruments are generally useful once you have enough skill to use them, but can't be used underwater, and the variety is limited (and they take up waaaaay too much space in the pack). My favorite instrument is the lute of tranquility, in which you can send some of the attacking monsters to sleep to deal with them each individually. But even with high level characters, I've never found any really unusual instruments ("this item not found in stores"). Has anyone else found a really neat musical instrument? Has anyone else found it really useful to be a bard?

03-05-2001, 10:36 AM	#2
STORM Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: March 3, 2001 Location: Wallkill, NY USA Posts: 13	Hi Alicat, I agree I am also kind of disapointed in my bards roll, however I will be starting her out as a assassin my next time around in a new game. I noticed you had mentioned that you do not find better items for the bard even with higher level bard's, does this lead me to beleive that as your characters get better you will find much better loot or is the loot the same in each game. ------------------ ~~~~~~~ STORM ~~~~~~~

03-05-2001, 01:34 PM	#3
Wyvern Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Rural Paradise, MI Posts: 5,701	Back at the inn, I have a whole collection of instruments, but I have yet to make a Bard - never really seemed worth it. Next time I play, I will try to check what instruments I have collected and make a list. Wyv

03-05-2001, 04:08 PM	#4
Nanobyte Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 2,890	You see, the problem with W&W's Bards is they don't sing. A Bard is the Singer of all RPG's. The only use for him in this game is a little magic (which most don't have, just tricks), and their singing (along with expertice with instruments). If they took more time in the Bard, I believe people would take the time to play one. I don't think any RPG, actually, takes the time to work on the Bard. Look at BG2's Bard, they SUCK. There is no use for them, except bonuses. Bards are supposed to be the "cleaner" thieves. Dressed a little nicer, and wouldn't kill to steal. Get what I'm saying? (You know what, that spitting drink gif doesn't work, I just get ) ------------------ [This message has been edited by Nanobyte (edited 03-05-2001).]

03-05-2001, 10:06 PM	#5
AliCat Drow Warrior Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Waynesboro, VA, USA Posts: 255	Storm, Yes, you do get better loot the higher the level of characters you have. On my fifth time through the game, I got a Lance of the Lady. Never saw that one in previous games. Likewise for some swords and axes -- the higher your level, the better the loot. As for musical instruments, I've seen the flute of fumes and flute of fire; lute of tranquility (sleep), lute of grace (bless), lute of health? (healrealm), lute of ... (I forget, but it's the silence spell), pipes of pain, pipes of illusion (summon creature), pipes of madness (dementia), pipes of poison. There are one or two others, sold usually at either the pawn shop or armory (for resale, anyhow). Nothing real stupendous or startling, or matching the more interesting weapons you can get. Granted, I'm not sure I've ever ended my game with a bard.... Nanobyte, the bards in the game might not sing, but the one in my story does! Check out the Wizards and Warriors story archive one of these days at http://www.seastop.com/ww.htm (This is a blatant ploy and advertisement for the website; a lot of fantastic writers there whose names you've seen on this forum many times).

03-06-2001, 07:57 AM	#6
gregger Dungeon Master Join Date: March 3, 2001 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 60	You make Bard's sound bad. I hope mine turns out good. I'm in training now and looking for the Scroll of Trickery. By the way, where is the scroll of trickery?

03-06-2001, 01:59 PM	#7
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 61 Posts: 7,387	Bards are a decent "stepping-stone" role...the ability to play musical instruments helps a lot on those "status" spells when you want to conserve your mana for other things...realize of course that it does deplete your stamina somewhat (Oh for a "Restfull" spell like Wizardry had!) It's also a quick way to get up in Moon magic and get a few lower-level Fiend magic spells. I usually make my Bard an Assassin, but I could go other ways with him as well. The Trickery and Iron Lung traits also come in handy, although Barbarians can learn Iron Lung as well. Your character will never lose the ability to play instruments, either, even after they change roles. I use the music playing abilities to keep my characters at Heroic Might (Pipes of Power) and Sleep (Lute of Tranquility). Realize that spells cast by musical instruments are cast at the level of MUSIC, not SORCERY, which can be trained up to level 12! -Sazerac

03-06-2001, 02:01 PM	#8
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 61 Posts: 7,387	Sorry, missed the last post... The Scroll of Trickery is in the Wizard's Study above the library of the Serpent temple, in the same room where you find the Serpent's Wand. It's on the table on the left side of the room as you enter. -Saz

03-06-2001, 02:17 PM	#9
Scronan Zhentarim Guard Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 315	Hiya, Saz, that's a cool tidbit on the Bard's, that their Music ability, not Sorcery is the power of their spells. Very useful, now can music be learned in a guild, or must it be increased manually like sorcery? The highest I ever got sorcery alone was level 10, then to 12 with Enlightenment. I never chose a Bard, but I figured they would be good to learn some abilities to beef up your characters. I never did get Iron Lung, well except with the Necklace of Neptune which grants it to one party member if invoked. I did find that instrument that casts Healing Realm, didn't seem like too bad of an instrument, that's a useful spell. I do miss the Bard from Bard's Tale, I remember getting a hold of a Flame Horn and roasting the hell out of the monsters. Not to mention the songs. I do agree with y'all, the Bard in WW was kind of a disappointment, but the Moon magic was useful...though it seems little different from the Ninja. On that note...I never made a Monk either! That's me! Scronan

03-06-2001, 05:41 PM	#10
mammawlin Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: March 3, 2001 Location: Columbus, Ohio USA Posts: 650	Hi Alicat, I totally agree with you! I had fun being a Bard - for a minute. I made a couple of my party Bards, enjoying the instruments and gaining training as they leveled up, but quickly advanced them on to something else, anything else actually. The spells seem so much better and quicker than the instruments do. But, I wouldn't have wanted to NOT try out being a Bard at one time or another! ------------------ mammaw's know all, see all, tell nothing

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