Okay, so I did some digging into stickies and what-not, and I just want to ask this, mostly because the game has changed a lot since most of the information I have read was written, most people aren't having many issues with magic accuracy any more for instance, thanks to the cap raise.
From what I understand, Wind = Smaller area, higher magic accuracy. String = Larger Area (That starts small and gets larger as you rise in string skill over some sort of number assigned to each song) but lower magic accuracy.
My GF has started playing Bard, and so I'm curious to know so I don't feed her miss information, I'm not worried about skilling them up, so I don't need any "it's easier to skill up just wind" crap, both will be skilled, I'm just wondering about their uses. And here's what I understand...
Defensively: Use string when you don't care if the buff hits the entire party, or when you want to hit the entire party and they're relatively spread out, especially (obviously) if the song's enhancement is on a string instrument. (See: Paeon) Exceptional case is, obviously, if you have a wind instrument with the song, and no string, you ought to go with wind, and just try to get everyone through positioning.
Offensively: Use string (Read: Nursemaid's) when you are trying to sleep a large number of spread out enemies, use wind (Mary's) when you're more concerned about not getting resisted. Seeing as there appears to only be one AoE offensive song, I'm guessing this is really the only situation where string wins out. Though I understand Threnody is on a harp, which leads to my other question...
Regarding differences in accuracy, how bad are they? Now with the cap 85, soon to be 90, and string skill always being cheaper gear to purchase, has anyone got some numbers or just general eyeballing on how bad string is? I guess you can take it in tiers to answer the question, but for offensive spells like Threnody, Lullaby, etc...
What's the hit rate like on a normal T-IT mob like the average Abyssea exp mob
What's the hit rate like on a mid/low tier Abyssean NM
What's the hit rate like on a high level Abyssean NM
At any point if Threnody is desirable, should a Bard stop using string (if it's capped, and they have string skill gear) in favor of potency, and switch to wind in favor of accuracy? I guess this question is probably going to generate the most debate (if any do) but I'm wondering about people's experiences. If you still land 90% of the time with good gear, I guess my question is why not use string to enhance the potency.
The other reason I ask about this is, I've been considering duoing with my GF's BRD when it is the appropriate level on my BLM, doing the "pull a huge group of aggressive Abyssean mobs" and -ga > sleep > -ga them. And I figure it'd be much safer and easier to just have her Lullaby right as my Nukes land, and I'm assuming the Harp would be the best choice, to make sure none are missed, so those would be average Abyssean mobs, would she get resisted fairly often?
Thanks for the feedback, I've never really leveled Bard myself, so this whole string vs wind thing is actually something I was only vaguely aware of, and I apologize if I missed a sticky, or a recent post discussing this.