Bards need a buff

[Askarya]

If you're going to count Foe damage toward BRD, you have to subtract out Disembowel damage and give it back to DRG. Otherwise you're just being inconsistent. Pretty sure that takes us back below 450, no?

Depends, if everyone is BiS and wouuld play perfectly we would still be over 450. A BRD is able to reach more than 400 if he doesn't need to sing paeon even without a DRG (assuming BiS gear ofc). Also assuming that you can use all your mp on Foes and don't need to sing anything else, the Boost for a BLM should be somewhere around 50-60 (you should theoretically be able to sing 3-4 times, 2 times voiced) maybe even a bit. Obviously you can also min-max this by trying to pair your voice with Buffs of the BLM etc.

[Ooshima]

I was pretty sceptical about 400+ DPS BRDs initially but after checking around with one of our FC's main team's BRD (Tonberry server 2nd T9 kill team), with ilvl110 BiS (High Allagan Bow) the max he can pull is 445, albiet that's a total 35% critical hit rate which is slightly higher than the average at around 24-25%

I'm running on Artemis Bow Novus (HA bow hasn't dropped for me) with two non BiS pieces (waiting for T8 pants and choker, never seen one for 10 weeks?) and 400 DPS is possible without DRG's debuff so far.

Just a point for all BRDs to note, when you compare numbers, compare it with similar amount of swings (aka number of hits) and with a similar critical hit rate. For example, compare parses over the same amount of minutes and seconds so that the number of attacks are within 3 hits of each other or so, and of course, comparable crit hit rate. No point comparing a parse where A's total average crit is 24% and the other chap is 35%.

[Alcyon1]

A MNK could solo silence T2. It took 2 BRDs, 1 BRD 1 PLD or 2 PLD to get them without a MNK.

Congratulations, a MNK can silence the whole T2 Now, let's compare the DPS between a MNK silencing and a BRD who isn't

The BRD can do "full damage while running around" argument is almost as bad as BRDs are a support class. Even with running around the entire fight a BLM who knows what they are doing with their job will out parse a BRD by 45+ dps with their new buff.

Yeah, with the buff on 2s casts

Sure BRD does good burst. Amazing on a raid boss that isn't dead within the first 2 mins?

Short DPS checks.

[Cassandaria]

Bard is a support DD, not a pure DD. SE already had to nerf them because of the whole moving and dps'ing thing so that nothing interrupted their moves. Also, a good rotation and you're still doing appreciable damage. Bards don't need a buff, they need you to realize they aren't pure dps and learn to utilize your support abilities to assist others. Your goal is to make everyone else better at their job, also you can GET a buff if you have a dragoon in the party doing their job which also allows others to do better as well!

[Askarya]

I'm running on Artemis Bow Novus (HA bow hasn't dropped for me) with two non BiS pieces (waiting for T8 pants and choker, never seen one for 10 weeks?)

I feel your pain. Although i have both of them on my alt -.-

Just a point for all BRDs to note, when you compare numbers, compare it with similar amount of swings (aka number of hits) and with a similar critical hit rate. For example, compare parses over the same amount of minutes and seconds so that the number of attacks are within 3 hits of each other or so, and of course, comparable crit hit rate. No point comparing a parse where A's total average crit is 24% and the other chap is 35%.

The Duration time... yes it should be around the same time, a different swing amount can come from fucking up your rotation OR from a different atkspeed on the weapon so you should still compare it if it has the same duration.
And you also should compare it if the critrate is different. Why? 1. That way you can see what could be the best and the worst case, this information isn't absolutely necessary but always nice to know. 2. Difference in critical hit rate. If those 2 have different gear (even if it's only 1 or 2 pieces) it can have a huge impact on the critrate.

[Pavise]

Just going to chime in since some bards clearly don't seem to understand what the archetype of a mobile all instant ability ranged spec brings to the table. You're going to have much more damage on high mobility fights due to being unable to cast, you suffer slightly less dps on patchwerk since your dps is balanced around your strength of sustaining a full rotation while running around and doing 360 no scopes.

Less of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjRUNf91cc and more utilising your class properly .

[Yoninxi]

Lol are people really advertising their parses ON THE FORUMS?

[Velox]

Lol are people really advertising their parses ON THE FORUMS?

I know, it's great isn't it? Nothing like a good bait thread to get people banned.

[Jandor]

4 of the Bards 5 abilities are support abilities.

Seems like a support job for a DPS class to me. Maybe you should ask for a DD job for the Archer class?

Edit: oops, referenced LB as a bard thing. Archer should have a DPS LB imho but it doesn't (yet.)

[Archer101]

4 of the Bards 5 abilities are support abilities and they have the healer LB.

Seems like a support job for a DPS class to me. Maybe you should ask for a DD job for the Archer class?

YES! Finally someone said it! I take bard strictly as support, it has DD capabilities but still low damage output. Now, my idea as always been that archer should get a full dd focused job. Ranger or something, that focus on damage 100% of the time. It's gonna be hard to pull though, balancing it with archers flexible movement but I'm pretty sure it can be done.