Originally Posted by Adiktus
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.

Quite the opposite I think.
Having a main char who can do many things well means you have more freedom with party management.
Take whatever companions you like most and specialize your main char on what is missing.
If you miss a melee char, focus on animal form or combat buffs like fire sword.
If you miss a healer, select the best spells and attack in human form from the distance.

Thats why I want to have a bard as main char.

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