I am having a hard time chosing which way to go with my Naturalist. I like the Warden, but I don't think I understand how well the Druid will handle solo. I tend to solo because of the wierd hours I play, but I will group whenever a good one presents itself.

I'm curious about the Warden, Druid and Bard. Specifically solo.

Warden I have tried, it seems a little slow (specced Nurture with no styles) auto-attack and wait. Maybe that will change once I get some levels beneath my belt.

Druid looks interesting, but I don't want to spec for healing or buffing if I plan to solo. So obviously I'm looking at Nature. I'm a little curious how effective the pets are if Nature only grants pets, a single DOT, DS and roots. I am using the Catacombs character builder for this information so if it is out of date, please let me know.

I don't see the ability to spec in blades or blunt, but I see that Druids have the ability to use them so I'm very curious if they are effective in any way.

The Bard confuses me when I look at the character builder. My real issue with the Bard is that I like so much of the abilities, but they're spread out over the different spec lines. And then you need to try to find room for a weapon spec?

These three classes are very interesting to me, but I cannot decide. And realisticly if my short experience with Wardens is an example of what I will see his entire career, I don't think I would be able to stand it.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

If you want to play either of these three and you're after a good solo xp'er I think your best bet is a Warden.

A nature druid can offer u a DoT and a pet. DoT dmg is okay but the pet doesn't really help that much. Soloing you'll spend ages killing mobs. Downtime is minimal though and a fun class to play in RvR aswell.

A melee specced Bard should be a small improvement yet again even killing yellows will take u some time. With a decent music spec you have a DD to aid you but still hardly a killing machine. Again no downtime.

So for a Warden. I've been soloing my Warden aswell and if I can understand that you find it boring the lower levels, he will improve. With your self-haste, dmg add, endu regen, decreased style-cost and heals I find myself working through mobs at a steady pace and withouth any downtime. Just spec enough points in blades or blunt and killing mobs shouldn't take long.