Bard Curiousities

So I've been doing A5S on bard recently and I've started wondering about a few things, maybe someone can shed some light.

My biggest wonder is Repelling shot-how do you fit it in these days? Only when straight shot procs and you have nothing better to do? I used it all the time in 2.0 but now that there are cast times it doesn't feel as worth it, especially with that weird glitch where it interrupts your next cast sometimes. I've used it when I need to position away from the boss like during circles on Sephirot EX but otherwise it doesn't feel like much a dps gain anymore.

Also, is it better to use x-potions of dexterity, or x ethers while foe is going? I have a ton of both, assuming of course that both the caster and the scholar are dpsing nonstop while it's up.

Repelling Shot: It's a little tougher on A5S due to the need to not land in puddles or the center etc., but always try to fit it in. Get in the habit of using stutters to be in range whenever possible, and then fire it when you have a free oGCD. I don't know how 'real' this is, but I find if I hold a direction as I land it seems to break the animation lock a little quicker and lets me cast with no delay.

Potions: In theoryland, using a NQ Max-Ether will add about four ticks to your Foe, giving +10% damage for 12 more seconds to your casters. Sounds better than +10% to just yourself for 15 seconds. But in practiceland, it's a lot more complicated.

First of all, you have absolute control over those 15 seconds. You're going to have a Barrage in there. You're going to have at least +26.5% worth of buffs up. You're going to use your best skill (Iron Jaws), and if the fight allows for it you might be lining this all up with your Raging, SW and FA on more than just the initial pull.

On the flip side, the extra 12 seconds of Foe firstly doesn't matter at all unless you empty your MP for it at some point. Assuming you do, you need to think about the context of what's going on 70-80, or 40-50, or whatever seconds after you cast the Foe in question (the first Foe that would run out earlier should you not use the Ether). You then still need to hope that the SCH is actually DPS'ing and ideally not just with Broil. Sometimes all of these things are true, but you can't just take it on blind faith.

You should already have a Foe plan for every fight, regardless. So make a potion plan too - if your Foe plan leads to a spot where you can get, and get a lot out of, an extra 12 seconds, and it won't cost you a potion usage overall to do it, then go to a max-Ether there. Otherwise use a Dex pot at the time that's best for you.

That was a great post, thank you ^^ I'll keep all that in mind, so it's a per fight basis.

So I should try this 'holding a direction as I land"? I'll give it a try, what really bothers me is the glitch I mentioned where the cast after repelling gets interrupted. Feels like a dps loss when that happens.

Yeah, the directional key thing is intended to break the game out of that 'glitch' where it acts like you move a second time about ~0.75s after you land. My theory goes that if you move on purpose right as you land, it erases that animation quirk and lets you just cast right as you let go of the key.

I just use it as you said, after straighter shot procs. It doesn't really affect the fight in terms of handling any more than any other fight for me. Granted I also enjoy that it helps me move slightly less when I need to get into position to tick the middle thingy

You can use Feint to have a non casting attack weaved in if needed to move for a GCD. So can go feint - empy or feint repelling. Mostly to help fill in if you don't have a straighter shot proc. Not meant to spam.

I tend to use repelling shot as a movement helper most of the time now. In a5s - help me get closer to purple puddle(our sch does bombs and mid) and I can squeeze one or two attacks more(or refresh dots before I go bird, cast mage's for healers etc...)).
In Sephi I tend to use it for the puprle/green aoes on people in p1 and to repel for the rocks and earth shakers in p3.

I do try and stutter during opener to get it off fully buffed but outside of that I'll usually only use it opportunistically - or as said in sepphi to help with movement.