Is the CHA 30 "epics bard" build broken?

[fragment]

I was levelling my 2nd bard, an "epics bard" (CHA 30, many epics), but stopped to level her since nearly all the epics were switched from casterlevel to primary ability. I feel this breaks my build, but don't know for sure, as I don't yet have the epics. Management declined to comment on my question if the epics bard build has a place in HG or not, so I'm asking the general public,

question 1: 2 or 3 people must have a bard build with 30 CHA/many epics, and I would like to know if the build is broken after the changes?

question 2: Other people have "caster bards", I presume these have CHA 48 or more to get a high DC, with 3 or 4 epics as usual for casters. Are these worth playing, or are they so squishy that you cannot properly curse the enemies in the front?

Thanks, regards.

[iamaqt]

I can only comment on question #2.
I have a caster bard with base CHA at 48. She is build with the Siren subrace. She is also Cania tagged.
I am able, with buffs, to run up to the front line and curse effectively, as well as stay 'near' the front to heal. However, when there are PF or erinyes or Narz, that's when I high-tail it back to the back due to KD issues. If I die, when I am rezzed I sing as quickly as possible and try to cast some sort of combo of EV, SS/EW (from items), and neg pot. Those can help me stay up - if the mob is under control. If the mob has become out of control - then I usually GS and start rezzing and singing to those who have died.

I have 3 epics.
Cry of the Heavens (Evocation) (red cloud one) - I don't use this in the hells all that much - mostly because I am too busy to think about using it and most people don't want another 'cloud' on the screen.

Hear me Roar (Enchantment) (stripped of silence/deafness) - I JUST started using this one in our attempts at Nessus. Very handy there, but the duration of it is very short IMO, even for a caster with 48 cha.

Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Transmutation) (KD immune +temp HP) - This one by far is the most useful in the Hells. Even with the reduction in time, I feel it's still an ok length - you can get maybe 2 good pulls during its duration (if your party is efficient). If you have a bard with only 30 CHA, then I don't know how that will affect the party.

I built my caster bard before the bards even had all these handy epics and upgrades, so that is why I have the Epics that I do.

So, to answer your question on squishiness - yes, she CAN be squishy at times.... but I have only found myself to be squishy when I have died and lost all my party friendly buffs.
Hope this helps.
-qt