Bard should have been something like this...

[Airget]

I think one thing that could help BRD is if they had specific song effects alter some of their abilities such as.

Army Paeon:
Raging Strike: 500 MP execution, becomes an AOE effect
Misery's End: 500 MP execution, AOE with high crit chance to surrounded targets if deals killing shot
Hawk Eye: 250 MP, increases STR/DEX for those around user

Foe Requiem:
Shadowbind: 250 MP execution, becomes AOE bind with double duration


Mage's Ballad:
Quelling Strike: 500 MP execution, grants enmity down for targets around user and doubles duration
Hawk Eye: 250 MP, increases INT/MND for those around user

--

Something basic like the above would at least add more utility to the songs since from my experience playing bard none of those abilities really come in handy except as someone noted for WHM since unlike the other mage classes they do lack a reservoir of MP regeneration.

[ArcheustheWise]

you defend this generic game on all accounts don't ya? lol No wonder this game will not go anywhere with people holding it back.

Oh its already on the 6 month counter for me. Sorry 8. I'll give thier IP a bit more umph. Something about their desire for people to rush to the endgame and seeing endgame is just a classic gear grind.

[Pandastirfry]

All I'm saying is that bard should be something like this.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNRkkVJiuVE Bard kinda sucked on Mabinogi, but it was the best implementation of it I have ever seen. That's all I did in Mabinogi was bard, had soo much fun with it.

But as a bard I have 3 useful songs, and they are not even a song.... What kinda bard is this?

Yarg... That's exactly what I want to do... Sit in a group and endure MIDI versions of someone's atrocious taste in music

[Arkghyom]

What other game has bards that shoot with a bow? I can't think of one.

Think again. Ragnarok Online~

http://irowiki.org/cl/images/e/ee/Bard.jpg
http://irowiki.org/wiki/Bard

Bards can equip bows,instruments,and daggers. Also, they have cool songs and duets.

[Risae]

So go play mabinogi then?

Stay classy.

[Panthan]

All I'm saying is that bard should be something like this.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNRkkVJiuVE Bard kinda sucked on Mabinogi, but it was the best implementation of it I have ever seen. That's all I did in Mabinogi was bard, had soo much fun with it.

But as a bard I have 3 useful songs, and they are not even a song.... What kinda bard is this?

So more like this?

[Diavolo]

Nah, I'm happy with my bard as he is.

[genbatzu]

Bard + Instrumental Weapon +

or

= awesome and unique (afaik)

[AyaneKiwara]

It's not silly. it's not a healing class. Bards didn't heal in Dungeons & Dragons, pretty much the original western roleplaying experience. Even in XI healing wasn't native to the job, it's simply what people chose to sub on it.

Which version are you refering to? 3.0, 3.5, and even pathfinder had bards with healing spells. Consulting my 3.5 handbook at this moment:
1st level: cure light wounds
2nd level: cure moderate wounds
3rd level: cure serious wounds
Etc
etc

Also, as an aside, bards in everquest had AOE health regen songs. It wasnt that potent, but it helped. Figured since you brought up other sources, I might too.

[Seraphe]

What other game has bards that shoot with a bow? I can't think of one. I love the design of the Artemis bow especially, I wish that all BRD bows were set up like that- bow harps. original weapon design, original class design.

Ragnarok Online