Bard's Place in a Party

[Veraticus]

Hello everyone!

I'm a 26 Elvaan WHM considering my options post-30. I'm interested in getting out of WHM -- as long discussions on the WHM board have led me to the inevitable conclusion that I'll be subpar due to mana problems at higher levels -- and so I was hoping I could assault you all with a couple questions relating to the singing profession.

Firstly, I spend a good deal of time grouping in JP groups. I die much less, I get tons more XP than if I were in NA groups, and I get to practice my Japanese. ^^ In all JP parties I've been in (from about 20 to now, 26), the group makeup has been more or less precisely this:

Three Frontrow (two people with provoke and one THF)
Three Backrow (WHM, BLM, RDM without variation)

Now, as a Bard, I'm going to have to group a ton, and I was wondering where Bards fit into this picture. Where do we fit? Who can we replace?

Secondly, I was curious if Elvaan would make an excellent bard. While there didn't seem to be much consensus on this topic, I was considering going BRD/WHM (though I have 20 levels of WAR and could go BRD/WAR), and I didn't want to be as horrendously gimp as my WHM is slowly becoming.

Thirdly, are BRDs wanted in parties -- at least, as much as WHM are? It is very convenient to stand in Jeuno for 5-10 minutes and receive numerous party invites, and that's a trend that I'd like (if possible) to continue.

I guess that's all for now. If I can think of anything else I'll post it later. Thanks for any information you have!

[StarRealms]

Above 55 or so bards are in top demands for parties. Search awntawn's posts and look for the PT line up thread. The "ideal" PT almost always includes a bard.
BRD replaces a mage. Usually after 55 having rdm + brd is really good.

Elvaan whm with +mp items do fine at high levels in my opinion, especially with mp regen spells. They have enough mp to play with.

[Russta]

Past 60, WHM, BRD, RDM, RNG, THF and PLD.

Best.
Formation.
Ever.

[ajg126]

I'm not sure if their responses helped answer your question about a bard's role, but if you cou8ldent tell from the ideal lineup they gave you, bard replaces a mage. Bard yes can use dagger and sword, but similar to redmage their melee skills only deteriorate as you progress. Also very good bard weapons with +chr (monster signa) are very weak so you wont be meleeing. Bard is absolutley phenomenal support for the party, if the bard knows what they are doing they can drop two sets of spells, one on the mages and one on the melee and it makes partying much easier. I played bard to 40 in beta and it was great. Once you get to level 25 and get an mp regen song for the mages in your pt its easier for you to have a pt with 2 mages and a bard, but also if in the low levels you use bard and sub whm (which you should be subbing at all times) your pts will still run smoothly with you as a backup healer (I would recommend some +mp items though at low levels like hairpins or astral rings). PLaying bard is pretty easy to get a party because it is such a unique roll in a party. The most similar job to it is a redmage but the great thing is that eventually a good party will contain a bard AND a redmage menaing your compeitton is eliminated! If you like supportiung parties and such bard is good for you. In retail now im also elvaan brd/whm and its good. Brds need chr which elvaans have a lot of and also the high mnd rating on elvaans helps a lot with whm sub.

O and when i said always sub whm it may be smarter to sub warrior when you solo from 1 to 10. Just buy some kabobs and get a nice sword and leveling will go so fast. Also at 5 you get an mp regen song which means less rest. But subbing whm works too

[TheJingle]

How well do bards pt at the lower lvls like 15-30 or so? I am thinking about being a bard ( with whm sub) , do they get them easy at low lvls too or do they sit around lfg alot til they get mana song and stuff?

[Teffie]

As a BRD in Retail...
I Got PT'd pretty much the second I logged on
(seriously)
I log on in Jeuno, I was just browsing the AH (without seekflag up) Suddenly I get a /tell "PT Kumimasenka?" and right after "You lookin for a PT?"

I honestly have yet to have waited more than 10 minutes without being snatched up by a PT :D

BRD's seem to make leveling go 2x Faster.
During the Fight, Madrigal+Minuet
After the FIght, Paeon II + Paeon I
While the Puller is running out into the Field, he practically regen's all his HP. All the WAR's standing at the camp Regen their HP as well. The WHM has more time to regen MP, meaning much large Chains. And Larger chains means More Exp!!