Bards flavor of month ?

[whoopeeragon]

Everything excluding tanking and healing, right? :V Speaking of hidden agendas, what's yours?

Surprisingly I can tank one of Garuda's sisters very well as a BRD.

[Tanaya]

Does this mean Bards are preferred option for DPS class ?

Yes, because they bring strong utility, and are ranged DPS. For Coil, this means they can avoid AoEs far more easily and they can use ballad to replenish MP, as well as be part of silence rotations. Being a ranged class is the biggest factor though.

[Kal-El]

From a tank point of view via threat meter - Full DL and Relic BLM has a higher DPS than BRD - both AOE and single target. Add that with unlimited MP and you have a winner

As stated before BRD seems to peak very quickly gear wise. But again it's usually the player not the class.

I'd still have any DPS on my party as I don't believe there is a "better" option as they bring different things to the table i.e. Movement while attacking, MP/TP Gain, single target LB, AOE LB, Off tank capabilities etc etc.

[Zumi]

From a tank point of view via threat meter - Full DL and Relic BLM has a higher DPS than BRD - both AOE and single target. Add that with unlimited MP and you have a winner

As stated before BRD seems to peak very quickly gear wise. But again it's usually the player not the class.

On fights that require a lot of movement Titan for example a BRD will then out dps a BLM due to the fact BLM has to stand still to cast while a brd doesn't have to stand still can move out of bad stuff and still be dpsing.

[Kal-El]

On fights that require a lot of movement Titan for example a BRD will then out dps a BLM due to the fact BLM has to stand still to cast while a brd doesn't have to stand still can move out of bad stuff and still be dpsing.

Exactly! Every class has situational advantages which make them unique.

[Aramyth]

If you took a BLM/MNK/DRG and BRD of equal skill and gear the BLM/MNK/DRG should out DPS the BRD every single time.

It just doesn't feel this way because a BRD is easier to play and so it seems like they are better.

[Jess72]

Bards are great.

Want more magic damage? Foe Requiem.
Party dead? Bards still up because they are so mobile, level 3 limit break, done.
Low on mana? no problem
Low on tp? no problem
need burst dps? no problem

great class.

[Tilio]

as it currently stands i think bards may be a little op when PVP comes out no cast times, shoot on the run melee will be running after them starting a skill when close for the skill to cancel as the bard runs out of range while firing arrows at you the whole time. at least mages are "rooted" with a cast time.

as they say bards advantage is mobility

[Xenobius]

A bit too great, to be exact.
They bring too much to the table, being a ranged DPS class with tons and tons of utility.
In a perfectly static fight where you don't have to re-position yourself every other second a DRG, MNK or a BLM would outperform bards in a blink, but problem is, as soon as you start doing content that matters (think Titan and Coil) you're facing fights where mobility is required on a regular basis, and bards don't lose any DPS while moving.

If you took a BLM/MNK/DRG and BRD of equal skill and gear the BLM/MNK/DRG should out DPS the BRD every single time.

Fighting a practice dummy, sure.
Outperforming a BRD when combat positioning constantly screws up your casting, GL stacks and combo/buffs is a different matter, unfortunately.

[sasakusaku]

Most fights require constant movement to avoid one shot mechanics thus a job that can move and DPS constantly means archers are the clear winners when it comes to sustained damage.

Currently, archers do excellent damage and provide top support as well. Perhaps that is too much? I am not sure.

Mean while that caster is getting annoyed having to redo his/her rotations every time floor candy lands on them every 5 seconds and the melee who has to move all the time in order to avoid AoEs/cleaves/tail swipe mechanics....mean while the archers are lolling and jumping around pew pewing without a care in the world. Something has to give imo.