I hold the belief that SE no longer has any idea how they can improve on bard other than songs. Having played the job some
I have posted before, that SE did not think that the game would progress past 75 and
have written themselves into a corner for where bard is concerned and have no real idea how to improve the job as any more boost would make bards too powerful.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...rry-Emp-2-gear
SE put no upgrades for Gjallarhorn and Daurdabla, and Carnwenhan at 119 has the same type of buffs as any of the 119 REM buffs, skill to the weapon, parry or guard, and magic accuracy (except for Nirvana(smn), which SE went out of their way to buff). Which yes the ONLY stat that applies to the true nature of bard is the magic accuracy(non DD bard).
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...for-Carnwenhan
Gjallarhorn increases quality of songs.
Daurdabla increases the quantity of songs.
Carnwenhan increases duration of songs.
The ONLY stat left possible that I can think of IF SE does not wish to go past +4 on Gjallarhorn and +2 more songs on Daurdabla and 60s increase on Carnwenhan is song cast time, which already is covered by alot of gear(fast cast included)
So what else is left for bard other than songs.(Yes I am still a 3 song bard but am working on the 4th song)
I can think of only 3 songs that will benefit bard at the current state of game(delve + beyond).
1) Massacre elegy(100% slow)
2) 3rd tier march(although this seems not needed IF you have 99 Gjallarhorn, as BRD/WHM can cap magical haste with 2x march + haste(from whm sub))
3) A regain song(TP x amount per tick)
Based on this I believe we bards are stagnant, as from SE's previous adjustment they've wrote themselves into a corner with very few options left to go without bard becoming more powerful than it already is.
Granted yes, few bards will reach this level(main reason it takes so long to get Carnwenhan), but on Asura I believe we have around 10 Carnwenhans completed. So there are some of use who have hit this wall, but would still like to improve furthur.
And yes some say, "well it's time to level another job". But for me bard is the ultimate support job already and the one I want to play. Anyone that obtains REM for one job probably enjoys playing the job alot.