I would have gone the 'shatter item' vein of training, which allows you to shatter instruments (mostly made of wood and stuff, easy to break materials). Without an instrument, bards suck.

Spam practice shield cleave, with a buddy carrying a ton of shop bought shields if you can. As far as I know, the 'hold onto your instrument' edge doesn't affect shattering - and I think it unlikely to fire on shieldcleave anyway.

Note you're unlikely to kill a bard taking these tactics. But over time they'll have no choice but to fight you with easily gained instruments which will be substantially weaker. Combine with resist mental, some svm gear and always maledict the imperial bard first. Anything to nerf his defenses, even just a bit (so, er, whirl? :P) although I respect the risk you take getting distorted. Might want to work up to getting the 'overcome distortion' edge too.

Edit: Just in case you're not aware which one I meant, though I suspect you've likely thought it up when choosing axe spec, it's this edge:

Ambidextrous Sunderer: You can destroy off-hand items with shield cleave.

It'd be handy to know what the requirements are if you figure it out.

Yhorian



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2008 04:31AM by Yhorian.