The issue is that FF 14 Bard is more "archer with bard skills" than the other way around. To add to this a pure bard doesn't work for the game as it is. Best we can see is maybe a gunner class that's long range sam maybe? were it is all about massive pot, while having minimal/none group utility. Personally i like the bard in ff 14 as it is "explained" into being (since i agree with some of your points about "bard" overall being a wacky idea in general for combat) So in that regard it is a ranged attacker that supports the troops as well :P