Troubadour vs. Dirge

[resipsaloq]

<div><div>I am new to EQ2 and am trying to figure out the difference between a dirge and a troubadour.  What I know so far:</div><div> </div><div>Dirge debuffs, troubadour buffs.  Dirge is a bit more melee oriented, troubadour is a bit more magic oriented.  Dirge rezzes, troubadour mezzes.  Here is what I would like to know:</div><div> </div><div>Which class solos better?</div><div> </div><div>Are dirges still desires in groups?</div><div> </div><div>Thank you in advance.</div></div>

[ForgottenFoundling]

<div></div><div>both classes buff and debuff (dirges edge out on the debuffs)</div><div> </div><div>soloing: pre-50 dirge, post 50 troubador (neither are very efficient, IMO)</div><div> </div><div>both are needed/wanted for grouping</div><div> </div><div>at least 1 dirge is a must for a raid, generally 2-3 troubadors could be utilized well</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Bard classes are fun to play, but take quite a bit of experimenting to be very effective soloing/grouping.  They provide decent utility to raiding and grouping, but individual dps is really kinda lame (dirges have a small advantage over troubs in individual dps).</div><div> </div>

[Dali]

In my experience:- Dirges sacrifice versatility for more personal DPS. This only becomes apparent near the current level cap. A dirge can offer nothing to a caster group (besides their aggro increaser for fighters and power regen, which we both share), whereas a Troubador still has some buffs that are useful to melees: haste, power regen, STR/STA, defense (avoidance, about 7% at AdeptIII eventually) and aggro reduction for non-fighters.- On raids: Dirges get picked for MT groups, unless the mobs have elemental AE's. If there are several, a Dirge will rock the melee groups, while Troubadors spike caster groups' damage.- In groups: a Troub is better for balanced and caster groups, whereas a Dirge is best in melee groups.- Solo: patience is key for the post-50 Troubador. Careful selection is below 50. For Dirges, I'm not so sure. They can tank better than us and have higher personal DPS, though.