Hey all,
Just figured I'd post some suggestions I had to make the Bst job more viable for end game groups and/or fun.
Obviously all of these changes don't need to be incorporated, just whatever direction SE feels like taking BST, because as of right now there's really no need to bring a bst into a group over a summoner.
First, I'd love them to remove the nerf to Ready range. Not because it effects how bad or good BST is, as its easy to weave in and out using Ready moves. Its just not fun to play with. Even if I melee with me pet, if I'm standing on the opposite side of a monster as my pet, I'm out of range. In very rare situations do I want to even be on the same side of my pet, as my pet is usually taking the hits. It doesn't have to be summoner range, but just an extended range would be nice. Its just an unfun mechanic to have to work around.
Option 1: Meleeing with Pet
I feel if SE wants BST to melee with their pet they need to give us a 119 version of Charmer's Merlin. Not using Charmer's merlin is a rather large DPS loss, meaning we have to swap weapons, which means we lose TP every ready move, making there no real reason to melee. The alternative would be a shield version of Charmer's Merlin. I'd prefer this option so we aren't required to sub Dancer or Ninja.
We would also need a 119 version of Anwig Sallet and Desultor's Tassets. I think adding in quests to upgrade those two items to 119 variants would not only persuade people to do that content, but allow BST to melee more. Anwig is a very powerful item with 10% DT, but the risk to the BST prevents them from meleeing due to a rogue AoE. Desultor's Tassets is a swap in, but still having a 119 version, possibly adding additional augments would be nice.
Add buffs to pets, similar to how Avatar's Fervor works. I believe adding a buffing aura to each 119 pet would make BST a more attractive option to bring to content, and persuade them to melee with their pet more. Have the buffs focused on melee stats. You have the option of making them permanent buffs, buffs only active while Familiar is active, or giving us a 3 minute duration, 5 minute recast ability that activates the buff.
Option 2: AoE Tank
Since Puppetmaster is the single target tank, beastmaster can become an AoE tank. They can't tank as effectively as puppetmaster, but they can tank multiple monsters.
Add in a new 119 pet, an Adamantoise. The Adamantoise would have three abilities. An AoE damage that reduce enemy defense, and builds lots of threat. A defense boost ability and an ability that does AoE damage and weakens enemies attack. Perhaps even a damage shield added to him.
Change Snarl so its AoE around the caster, and transfers threat of all targets around the caster to the pet. This will allow a bst to pull multiple targets and immediately transfer them to the pet.
Option 3: Damage
Well, since Unleash is outclassed by the Summoner SP, perhaps combining Heavy Artifice with Unleash. Allow Unleash to also activate a SP ability for the pet depending on their job, and give you unlimited Ready charges. Imagine a Mighty Strikes warrior pet spamming 3000 TP ready moves. I feel then Unleash will be of the same Caliber as Summoner's burst.
New pets, perhaps some pets that can make darkness/light skillchain solo, or skillchain and magic burst to give us some more options.
Give the frog pet a movement speed boosting aura.