Bard or Black Mage? Just need a few suggestions.

Since my SCH is nearly finished leveling to 50 I'm looking at leveling a different role just to try to get the most out of my experience. Having a real issue deciding between BLM and BRD though. I decided I definitely wanted to go with a ranged DPS as I did enjoy DRG, but it always felt a bit off to me, and I simply didn't enjoy MNK rotation in beta.

I have a few things to look at I'm sure but I'm really conflicted. So here's some points I've found, and I'd really appreciate anyone else's input/experiences good or bad.

I already have a ton of dungeon mage gear from leveling Arcanist/SCH, and need to get THM to 26 regardless for Swiftcast, but I'm sure I can find some great reasons for BRD.

Bard requires some heavy lifting though...you need 36 DRG for Blood for Blood, and if you wish, you need 42 Monk for mantra (I highly suggest you skip this lol, non-monk mantra is really not that useful).

BLM is actually one of the best offclasses for arcanist, as you already have access to virus, eye for an eye, and physicks, all of which are useful (well maybe not physicks so much) in endgame.

Both classes are sought after in endgame for their dps. Bard provides more utility.

One nice thing about BLM is you never have to worry about mp, one cast of Blizz3 and you're full.

EDIT: I would suggest getting archer to 15 (you need that for Raging Strikes and for BLM), and THM to 26 (for swiftcast) before you make your decision.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pandabearcat

Bard requires some heavy lifting though...you need 36 DRG for Blood for Blood, and if you wish, you need 42 Monk for mantra (I highly suggest you skip this lol, non-monk mantra is really not that useful).

BLM is actually one of the best offclasses for arcanist, as you already have access to virus, eye for an eye, and physicks, all of which are useful (well maybe not physicks so much) in endgame.

Both classes are sought after in endgame for their dps. Bard provides more utility.

One nice thing about BLM is you never have to worry about mp, one cast of Blizz3 and you're full.

EDIT: I would suggest getting archer to 15 (you need that for Raging Strikes and for BLM), and THM to 26 (for swiftcast) before you make your decision.

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Admittedly I've been neglectful of getting swiftcast, but finding more and more situations where it would of been useful. Healed during Goremera fate and when main tank went down all 3 healers trying to raise/res him had to wait for bar, one good AOE went off, all 3 down mid cast :(..

Thanks for the insight! Will definitely take all of that into consideration, and I will DEFINITELY stop being a lazy bum and at least get them up a bit for crossclass skills before thinking too much into this. Seems atm though, I am leaning more towards BLM since I don't need to worry as much about gearing it up, though it's not like dungeons before Sunken Temple are challenging.

If I was you, I will go bard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pandabearcat

Bard requires some heavy lifting though...you need 36 DRG for Blood for Blood, and if you wish, you need 42 Monk for mantra (I highly suggest you skip this lol, non-monk mantra is really not that useful).

BLM is actually one of the best offclasses for arcanist, as you already have access to virus, eye for an eye, and physicks, all of which are useful (well maybe not physicks so much) in endgame.

Both classes are sought after in endgame for their dps. Bard provides more utility.

One nice thing about BLM is you never have to worry about mp, one cast of Blizz3 and you're full.

EDIT: I would suggest getting archer to 15 (you need that for Raging Strikes and for BLM), and THM to 26 (for swiftcast) before you make your decision.

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To add to that, even if you decide on BLM, I still recommend getting Archer to 34 for Quelling Strikes. BLM can be very bursty and popping that before your first Fire rotation can save you from pulling aggro.