I'm not saying I don't like the class - far from it. Offers some real alternatives in gameplay and forces you to evaluate combats differently. I imagine the same will be true (perhaps more so) for the bard.

I just don't think it's the ideal class for a beginner, as there are too many options with all the spells and abilities and wild-shaping, and it makes party balance a lot harder. Who do you drop - fighter, cleric, rogue or spellcaster? (I'm trying my first run without Shadowheart and Gale, but am missing Shadow's bless and mid-combat heals a lot; stocking up on meat helps, but takes up a lot of inventory space). Next time for my Circle of the Land run I'll dispense with Wyll and Gale and see how a spell-light party fares.