Just a tish bit late to this, but maxed out bard here to help.
Bard is a pretty flashy class in my personal opinion, op did make this post before Endwalker though so some of the flashy stuff wasn't there
As for glam I have no issue in finding glam. Just check out the Ophiotauroskin top! Ironwood Longbow is pretty nice looking too.
" normally die in 1-2 hits cause super squishie but as long as you kite all is good "
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That sounds like a skill problem more than anything else.. considering I've done wall-to-wall pulls unsynced as Bard and survived using Second Wind and Nature's Minne.
While it does take time to see the beauty in playing as Bard, I do think op was a little biased in their post considering at the time of the post you hadn't even given the job a shot according to Doru Nintendan
" If you don't even play the job, and last time I checked your character out, YOU DON'T, why even bother complaining about it so much? "
. I do think Bard does need a little bit of a boost damage-wise, but it's not as bad as you make it seem to be. I honestly think if you try it out, max out the job, you'll grow to like it within time. :)
( I'm also taking this with a grain of salt since you play Arcanist lol )