Usefulness: Bard or Dragoon

[Bossmoney]

Just wanna chime in one thing Dragoon has going for it is their limit break. Doesn't sound like a big deal but it makes many boss fights much easier. Bard limit break is useful to have in your back pocket if team is dying, then the Bard can cast the LB without the healer having to stop to do it. But that's not a situation your team wants to aim for. A well played team will never used a Bard limit break whereas there are some boss fights where Dragoon limit break is, perhaps not necessary, but incredibly useful.

[savant07]

Pretty sure dragoons do more damage than bards and scale much better so later on in the game bards will probably fall off

[Warwolf]

Pretty sure dragoons do more damage than bards and scale much better so later on in the game bards will probably fall off

Not a very comprehensive response, you didn't even touch on utility.

Dragoons have great single target damage and access to two stuns. Like mentioned above their LB is very helpful to burst down a boss as well.
Bards have great DPS when not singing and are not constrained by having to remain stationary to attack or have positional damage. Their DPS remains good even while singing and their songs, while situational, still provide much needed support in longer end game fights.

Both jobs are going to be important to end game and either would be a great choice. If you want to focus on DPS and don't mind melee and situational positioning, Dragoon is perfect. If you want great damage and also to provide a supportive role as well then Bard. You really can't go wrong with either one, just match which play style you enjoy the most.

[savant07]

Well I'm talking about purely in terms of numbers, I think dragoons would most likely win out no matter what, specially at later gear levels

[Sehkmet]

That would make BLM 100% useless on Ifrit. Bad idea.

Not really. In past final fantasies Blizzard did twice the damage on Ifrit. That would just change his rotation, which would involve blizzarding Ifrit to death. =3

[Bossmoney]

Not really. In past final fantasies Blizzard did twice the damage on Ifrit. That would just change his rotation, which would involve blizzarding Ifrit to death. =3

Doesn't work with this game and the way BLM rotation works.

[Nibb]

Not really. In past final fantasies Blizzard did twice the damage on Ifrit. That would just change his rotation, which would involve blizzarding Ifrit to death. =3

As I said it would make BLM useless. This isn't the same type of game as past Final Fantasies. Their whole rotation is based off firestarter and without it you might as well invite someone else.