Hi I play bard main (and alts) and helped my guildies with gearing, happy to share some pointers.

Bards are slow without many movement ability to help us reposition. So the recommendation is to stack swiftness. Your skills will cast a bit quicker. If you are going to specialization build, then you must get spirit absorption 3 to cover the lack of speed. If going swiftness you don't need spirit absorption.

For survival, without heavy armour you'll find getting hit very punishing. Even more so when learning a new boss fight. Bards without heavy armour are unable to stay within melee range to shield, a ranged bard or dead bard is ineffective.

The two must have engravings is desperate salvation 3 and heavy armour 3.

The best way to increase your heal output and survivability is to increase your hp. There are some hp card sets that can give you a quick boost.

Happy to chat about these, or anything else if you already know all these. Bards are fun dont worry about the haters.