BLM vs Bard

[Geographer]

Every class has their own niche. Just because another class does 0.1 more dps than you doesn't mean that people should pick them over your class. While tank classes are in debate, I can safely say that every dps and healing class is welcome in a party. There are only very specific times when people would want x over y, and if I can recall, it's black mages who are wanted the most for that content.

[Sentinel]

Every class has their own niche. Just because another class does 0.1 more dps than you doesn't mean that people should pick them over your class. While tank classes are in debate, I can safely say that every dps and healing class is welcome in a party. There are only very specific times when people would want x over y, and if I can recall, it's black mages who are wanted the most for that content.

It is a well known fact that BRDs are being stacked in raid groups, many are running with 3 BRDs in 8M raids. So it does become a cause for concern.

[Geographer]

It is a well known fact that BRDs are being stacked in raid groups, many are running with 3 BRDs in 8M raids.

I agree with you that this is a concern, but the problem with min/max groups is that they also come with cons. Think of it this way: if a raid group without 3 BRDs can do the content just fine, the min/max group would probably take longer to progress because there would be 3 of the same class you'd have to gear up, and drops only go to one or few people. Also IF content was designed to be completed with different class combinations, then this matter of 3 BRD is just a part of the lazy-sheep psychology that plagues every online game. If x is better, but y can still do the content more than competently, then why not do either?

I'm trying to make the point that class diversity is always better than the min/max side of things.

And let's not forget that Bards probably wouldn't have gotten past Ifrit HM smoothly without their friendly BLM/SMN.