DPS Class Indecision

I stopped playing back last November and I recently decided to give this game another shot. When I left, I was focusing on leveling Scholar up, but during my time away, I've lost interest in healing and gained an interest in DPS. I generally like ranged DPS, and I'm not much of a fan of melee DPS. I have Summoner unlocked too and used that occasionally before I left. So, right now, I'm not sure which class(or Job, it's been a while since I've played, mind you, I'm still getting used to the terminology again) I'd like to play primarily.

I can't decide between Bard, Black Mage, and Summoner, and so far it seems to be in that order of interest for me. I'd like to hear some feedback about how, in your opinion, each class is in PvE settings.

If you like to move while spamming actions Bard.
BLM and SMN have more dps in some fights but if you have to run around alot it gets annoying.

BRD is a lot of fun!
Recently leveled it to ilvl66 and really enjoying it.

I'll be taking it into HM dungeons for a run to see how it plays in a party, just need to fix my macros.

I suggest Black Mage.

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Originally Posted by Kamifubuki-Yoakesetsuri

I suggest Black Mage.

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As a Black Mage myself I offer my complety biased and non-neutral support for this suggeston. It depends on what playstyle you like though. Out of the three options, BLM is the least mobile, and that might be a turn off for some.

Summoner is a little more mobile, and relies heavily on dots. Bard... Well, I don't play bard, but I know they're extemely mobile because they can use skills while moving. Bards also provide utility to the party with their songs and their silence, so they're always welcome as far as I'm concerned.

Bard imo is the easiest to play to a reasonable level and provides good party support. Very mobile. A bit of burst, but mostly many small hits, that do add up.

BLM is great for AoE (lvl 50 DG "speed runs"), fairly simple to learn rotations, but takes a lot of practice to do decent damage on end game bosses that require a lot of movement. (Currently the least desired class for Coil 2) Not very mobile at all. Good Burst DPS (big numbers!)

SMN is a bit harder to learn than the above classes, but does very good damage, especially at end game. Fairly mobile. Some burst dps, but mostly damage from DoT's (debuffs).

I'm a BLM main, but I have the above at lvl 50 and ilvl93+ for each.

Bard could be the best class for you from what you've said, but you'll have to make your own mind up :)

If each class is played equally well and geared equally, the SMN will do the most damage for most bosses.

Thanks a lot for all of the replies.
I'm leaning towards Black Mage now, I have a soft spot for mages, plus they looked really cool in some videos I was watching. I'm really used to those action combat MMOs, even though as a lazy ranged dps, I just stood around and dps'd, so no matter which class I pick, it's going to take a lot of getting used to. At least this isn't like the games I was previously playing so I'm not locked into one class. :3

Bard - Most mobile class. Can continue to DPS while moving. Most 8 mans will have at least one Bard for their songs. In addition, some of the better statics use multiple bards on End Game content due to the zero down time they have. Excel at mobile fights, less impressive in stand and fight encounters. Require's a lot of attention. Combat style includes song to buff, multiple instant cast abilities, and several dots.

Black Mage - Turret dd. Suffers most from movement. Highest AoE damage in the game - second lowest potential single damage dd (Potentially lowest, if a Bard and Dragoon are present). Combat style based on switching between high damage moves that reduce mp regeneration, and low damage moves that increase mp regeneration, all the while using lower level spells to get ability procs for higher level spells. Can be played while asleep.

Summoner - Dot class. Does not suffer much from movement based fights. Between highest and second highest damage potential, depending on battle mechanics. Damage increases as mob population increases. Pet class - can Tank/OT easier content. Jack of all Trades class - can tank (Titan-Egi pet), heal, and combat raise (Including swiftcast raise). Lowest HP of all classes, combined with troublesome MP management if DoTs have to be applied to multiple targets in quick succession (Ifrit Extreme being an example). Combat style revolves around keeping multiple dots up on enemies, multi-targeting when possible, managing pet location and skill usage, using Aetherflow stacks to access powerful skills (Obtained by using Aetherflow, a once a minute skill), and adding healers by assisting in spot healing when necessary, and raising party memebers when healers are too stressed to do so themselves. The amount of attention one has to pay is largely based on party skill - A skilled party means a summoner only has to dd, which can be done while watching movies or talking on the phone. As the skill of the party declines, the summoners work load increases, particularly when it comes to raising.

Basically, Bard are required and pretty fun, Black mage can be fun, but boring, and Summoner will make you smile when it comes to damage, but it will make you absolutely despise the perma-dead Dragoon and over worked White Mages.