how does it play btw? tbh i never ever played with Bard (not even in group) in 3.0 & 3.5 based CRPGs... But i loved them in 2nd edition games...
It plays good. I've not got dual-wieldin' yet though so it's only halfway there (at Highcliff Castle).
The best things about the Bard seem to be: really strong bard songs (curse song is immense, for example), permanently on inspirations like regeneration, +attack and damage, +skills, strong use any item ability, strong tumble, and lingering song.
I have low HP (only 12 con = 7 HP per lvl) but I never get hit because my armour class is 23. With Weapon Finesse and an elemental damage sword I'm hitting as often as Khelgar and doing some decent damage each time.
Once I get two weapon fighting I will switch to a rapier in the main hand and a dagger or something in off hand (both light weapons for Weapon Finesse, rapier is considered heavy in the off hand, though). Booyeah 18 to 20 critical chance.
Once I get Song of Requiem (a long way off) it'll be even more awesome. It does sonic damage each round to all enemies equal to perform skill times 2. It's divded accross all enemies with minimum damage of 1/3 of perform. And Hymn of Requiem makes it heal your party in the same way while it damages enemies.
At the moment though, Khelgar, as a pure fighter, is stronger. Especially with Great Cleave. But that will become useless later.
One thing I can do is tank enemies that slaughter the rest of the team (including Khelgar), because of my AC + Mirror Image.
I have the game on the hardest difficulty but it still seems far too easy. I wish my characters could actually die. It'd make it more fun.