Hiya I made a bard 5 or so years ago, back when healing and fencing suddenly had value. I returned to the game after a long break and have been playing with my bard and wondering if I should update her template? I had my tush handed to me multiple times by a changling and I just feel kinda weak. I know I need to work on peacemaking etc but was thinking maybe I should drop healing and pick up chivalry, disco or something? Any advice would be great!

Fencing 103
Tactics 100
Anatomy 99.7
Musicianship 97.1
Provocation 91.2
Healing 82.6
Peacemaking 66
Magery 25 (for recall scrolls)

Her stats are
Strength: 110
Dexterity: 83
Intelligence:42

Any tips?

Assuming this is a PVM temp by the changeling comment.

I'd dump the 25 Magery it seems unecessary if you are using recall scrolls there is no reason you can't just dump the recall scrolls into runebooks and use the runebook 'charges'. It also weighs less.

Since you are a returning player ... you're probably Human and may not be hip to Mondains Legacy (ML) changes.

Human 'Jack of All Trades' (JOAT) is a Human racial bonus added with ML. JOAT gives all Humans a base of 20 in ANY skill, even if you have 0-19.9 of points in that skill. So there is 20 points of Mage for you to play with.

Assuming you have a 720 cap that should allow you to raise the rest of your temp to 100 each, and have some points left over - 17 I think. Lower Fencing to 100, now you have 20 points to play with.

I've never played a bard but it seems the extra 20 could be split between provo and peace, giving you 110 in each.

To comensate for the loss of the 3 points of fencing get some fencing/dex jewels to try and raise your Fencing to your Power Scroll Max and the dex for quicker heals (read stratics for the bonuses you get at 100 heal, 100 anat, and dex speed bonuses to quicken your heal rate).

Don't like the 20 points on peace and provo? Pick two others

And to wax a changeling quick buy a pixie swatter, but careful with the area effect.

Thank you so much for the reply. There are so many changes to the game I am learning something new each day!

You are going to want a minimum of 100 music. Also, since they've eliminated 8x8 and anti-macro code, it should be fairly simple to GM peacemaking with a piece of paper stuck in your keyboard and a good book. Get a backpack full of exceptional instruments and all you'll have to do is occaisionally target a new one.

Please don't do it at the bank though. People who do it there are why I play without sound.

~M

Thank you so much for the advice (wow so many smiles to choose from). I am torn between picking up magery (I have gotten a lot of advice to do this) or keeping fencing, dropping healing and picking up a little chiv and some others. I have a feeling it will be harder to play a fighter/bard than a mage/bard. But it took me SO long to get my fencing high *laugh* I am still thinking....