50% solo, 50% small group, 0% raid. Which bard for me?

[Athri]

<DIV>*cross-posted on dirge forums for completion's sake*</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Howdy folks. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>After playing the game for a month or so now, I realize I miss the versatility and groupability of my bard in EQ1. Everyone I have talked to says they are one of the most sought after characters in groups, as well as being fairly unique.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm wondering, though, which bard is best for me. I know these boards are riddled with that question, but I've failed to find anything specific to my tastes. As you can see above, I enjoy soloing and guild-grouping in about equal proportions. Raiding isn't my thing, however, and I really only do it if I have a number of friends that invite me along.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On that note, what do you folks think is best for me? On the outside, I can see the differences in the bard classes, but I'm not sure how they translate into actual gameplay. Dirges seem to have far superior debuffs, more melee attacks and lifetaps, as well as melee-focused buffs. Troubs seem to have far superior CC, more spell attacks, HP regen instead of lifetaps and some nice caster-focused buffs as well as Jester's Cap, which seems to be a pretty good catch-all ability. I could see either of them being very useful in any situation, but, from my first impression, I'd have to think that the troub might edge ahead, simply because of survivability in fighting groups and harder monsters. Charm and mez together were a powerful combination in EQ1, and I expect it's the same here. Besides, charm adds a lot of flavor and potentially more versatility to the class. Dirges, however, get Cacophony of Blades, which, besides having the coolest name of any ability in the game, looks like an awesome skill considering you can keep it running 20% of the time, pretty much obliterating mobs that rely on spells when they are fully debuffed.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I guess, in conclusion, I have no idea! Thus I am asking you for help. Thanks in advance for anything that you can do :smileyvery-happy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV>

[Pathos311]

<div></div><p>If you are looking to solo bards are by no means the best.  As a 70 troub I can kill yellow names as long as I can mezz em but solo bard dps in general is low and as a post 50 troub you have to be real pacient,  wait you have to be willing to go really really slow.   Pre 50 I believe dirges solo much better because they are more melee based and their life taps but post 50 the line gets fuzzy unless you are trying to kill difficult mobs.As far as group both bards have their strengths but are fairly balanced.  I do have to say that dirges stoneskin proc is awesome compared to our [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] spell requiem of reflection.  Bards are not as strong in eq2 by any means but you don’t have to twist :p.  Raid is a diff story a dirge is almost a must and a troub is a nice to have.  That’s because of the dirges hate increase to the MT witch effects the entire raid and the troubs hate reducer that only works in group and doesn’t do anything to fighters.  That and dirges stoneskin proc and str/agi buff while ours is a stg/sta buff I find sta is much easier to max especially if you have a crusader as MT for that night.But I say play the class you will have the most fun with personally I wish I had rolled an illusionist because they are useful all around solo WAY WAY better while still being useful in group and raid.</p>