1012 and ambush question

[chowell]

Just started my first bard and am currently within my 30 days, really enjoying it thus far. I'm trying to decide whether to stick with the polearm path or go sword/board. I'm Looking long term and had a couple of questions, first might be a no brainer but can you stow your sonic weapon to loot or would I have to renew the song each time? Second question is, does anyone use open aiming? I like quick kills and especially like the idea of sword/board + 1035 to make speedy aimed shots with hopes of quick kills. I just didn't know how effective this is or if this is a waste of TPs? Seems to me that having 1005 and 410 could make this fairly effective. Any help would be great, thank!

[Suppressed Poet]

You can't stow 1012 without losing it, but you can wear your sonic shield for a little bit to pickup your loot.

I looked into aimed shots...its very difficult with a bard. To be effective at aiming, you need to train some in ambush and be over 1x cman. The cost is ridiculous.

You are better off and will be more effective mstriking. The idea of sword and board is centered around the flares. Always train in 1x air lore...no exceptions with s/b. The benefits to 1009, 1012, and 1035 are amazing. Eventualy you will get to the point of swinging double flaring shortsword in 1 sec, with a sonic tower shield that has the dodge penalty of a buckler.