Lackluser iLvl for Carnwenhan

[VoiceMemo]

Carnwenhan's ilvl 119 was lackluster(this argument could also apply to whm mythic) for support bards, analysis below:

Carnwenhan
-----------------------
Original 99
DMG:48
Delay:186
Magic Accuracy+25
Increases song effect duration V
"Mordant Rime" Aftermath: Increases Acc./Magic Acc. Occ. attacks twice or thrice

119
DMG:92
Delay:186
Magic Accuracy+25
Dagger skill +242 Parrying skill +242
Magic Accuracy skill +228
Increases song effect duration V
"Mordant Rime" Aftermath: Increases Magic Acc./Acc. Occasionally attacks twice or thrice

Difference
DMG: 44 Increase
Delay: No change
Magic Accuracy: No change
Dagger skill, parry skill, magic acc skill: New
Increse song effect duration V: No change
Mordand Rime aftermath: no change


Based on these changes the only real thing that affects is the Magic Accuracy skill for our offensive songs. Though it could be said that the magic accuracy isn't really an upgrade just for Carnwenhan, as magic accuracy was applied to every single REM. Bards can utilize magic accuracy, but I have always viewed bard as a buffer of the party with a side of enfeebling the enemy. Hence why majority of our songs are AOE. Aside from boosting offensive songs the only other reasons for these upgrades I can see is that SE wants us brds to be DD., to sub either nin or thf and dual wield Carnwenhan and Izhiikoh or Mandau.

Nirvana comparison
-----------------------
Original 99
DMG:104
Delay:402
Accuracy+30
Avatar perpetuation cost -8
Avatar: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+40
"Garland of Bliss" Aftermath (Incl. Avatars): Inc. Acc./Atk., Occ. attacks 2-3 times

119
DMG:200
Delay:402
Accuracy+30
Magic Damage+217
Staff skill +242 Parrying skill +242
Magic Accuracy skill +255
Avatar perpetuation cost -8
Avatar: Lv+2 Increases "Blood Pact" damage
"Garland of Bliss" Aftermath (Incl. Avatars): Increases Accuracy and Attack Occasionally attacks twice or thrice

Difference
DMG: 96 increase
Delay: No change
Accuracy: No change
Avatar perpetuation cost: No change
Avatar MAB: removed
Magic Damage: New
Staff,parry, magic acc: New
Avatar Lv+2 increses blood pact damage: New
Aftermath: No change


When you compare the changes that Summoner got for Nirvana. The changes indicate that SE wants their Avatars to do more dmg to be a dd. I've always thought that summoner should be a dd with a side of party buffing and the changes seem to reflect this.

I would have prefered SE have changed Carnwenhan to have more song duration since thats what Carnwenhan is about. Or as others have suggested being able to casts songs on other parties when in alliance without party swapping. The current duration caps are:

base + mythic99 + gjallar99 + Emp neck + Emp body + Marduk legs+1 + spec songs + BardAF feet+1
120s + 50% + 40% + 10% + 10% + 10% + 10% + 10%
120s + 60s + 48s + 12s + 12s + 12s + 12s + 12s = 288 sec

(spec songs are minuet, madrigal, scherzo, march, paeon(with new Brioso Roundlet)) (ballad is at 276s because ballad+1 is on legs so unable to use Marduk legs+1)

To get to 300s(5 min) which doubled with troubadour for 10 min songs(equalling the recast time) you would need to sub dnc or nin and use the Legato Dagger for the last 12s.

Neither sub is ideal for a bard unless they are focusing on DDing. For a support brd(which I believe brd is the ultimate support class) the ideal sub is whm.

So based on the differences between lvl 99 and ilvl 119 Carnwenhan does this indicate they have always intended bard to be a DD. The changes clearly do not point to a support job. Yes the magic accuracy will help offensive buffs, but again the magic accuraccy was added to ALL REMs so it is considered a general buff not a job specific buff.

Neither Gjallarhorn nor Daurdabla got any buffs, they already cover Quality of songs and Quantity of songs respectively. The only thing left is duration for Carnwenhan. If summoner can get boosts to stats to help them in their intended role as dd, why can't bard get boost to help them as a buffer. Yes the gear is out there to get to 10 minute songs for a bard that is Carnwenhan 99 and Gjallarhorn 99 but at the expense of a sub that does not compliment them as a support job. Aside from ilvl 119 being a better DD weapon, there is no difference between it and the 99 version that affect bard party buffs.

So I ask you SE, is it your intention that bard is a DD, NOT a support class? If so you may want to alter your description of the job on your website.

The website lists brds as:
"A bright tune to soothe a party's wounds... A brisk march to raise a party's spirits... A forbidden chant to weaken a party's foes... The bards of Vana'diel use music as their weapon."

I stress the part "The bards of Vana'diel use music as their weapon."

Or that it is your intention that to get to the mythical 10 minute songs that you must obtain Carnwenhan 99(not really an easy accomplishment), Gjallarhorn 99(realistic accomplishment), and use a non ideal support sub?