If you want to kill a bard by permalag, a giant basher spec or shig-ru orc would work nicely. (The idea here being defense against songs doesnt matter much if he never gets a chance to sing).
If you want to consistently overmatch a bard, drow whip/dagger has skillset that would work very well.
If you want to be virtually immune to bard maledicts, try elf/gnome (and to a lesser extent, drow)
Fiendish ice devils are ridiculous, and this is just one small example of that. Not only do they melee you to pieces and cast spells like lightning, but they are hard as hell to cure off or resist.
A powerhouse (evil) conjurer is definitely on par with a well fed AP or Mummy.
A more obscure branch of the Cult is dedicated to the aspect of Scarabaeus
known as Saraba the Great Wild Beast. Very few priests have been chosen as
Initiates of the Beast, as this path of spiritual devotion is common only to
the barbarian cultures of the Outlands. Saraba, the patron of the Animal
Cults of the Ma'rin, is worshiped through blood sacrifice and the devotees'
r
Maran:
Mantle? Get prot/fly potions.
Zeal? Get a frenzy pot.
Lightforge? Learn to gear yourself properly.
Cry of deliverance is unique, and underused due to its cost and limitations.
Eyes of flame is often more liable to get you killed than secure a kill.
Acolyte:
Favor is unreliable.
Spirit sight is... niche as hell, but quasi-useful.
Spiritual link is arguably the best of the bunch -
Buddy logs on, fights, and beats ass singlehandedly on a fairly consistent basis.
Just because Fort stomped your character doesnt mean you need to take your frustrations out on the boards.