Bards viability now?

[Gilraen]

...but I mostly use Peon for myself, thats it.

Bards aren't affected by their own songs. You know that, right? The reason that Bard asked for Ballad was to keep their song going for far longer than if they were using their own MP. I've done this a few times for other Bards who were using Foe's. Makes it last for a long time, longer if Battle Voice'd. The only time I use Paeon is if a fight is going long and there's no casters in the party. Again, your songs don't affect you. Never have.

Well, except for Swift Song. But that's a special case. And Minuet isn't really a song, it's a stance.