New Class: Minstrel (Radical Change to Bard Job)

[LillithCale]

I am all for this. I'd like to take the Singing out of my Archery, please and thank you. T_T

[Xandim]

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Except archer didnt become BRD on 2.0. Ever since 1.19 iirc (when jobs were introduced) ARC could become BRD.

And just to stay on topic, i'd love for BRDs to be more support, but imo that party wide buff to ATK is way too op. When making support roles you gotta be careful to not make it way too op nor way to underpowered.. i guess. =P

[Brightshadow]

Hello everyone, thank you for some great suggestions and I appreciate the support the thread has received. after further review I decided to relook at the class for balance and made a couple of adjustments, I felt that I should give a brief breakdown on the mechanics of the class and how it would play so the thread can get more supporters and Square Enix could understand the concept behind the class. Anyhow here is a little breakdown of the mechanics.

Basic Information

1.) Why did I choose the harp instead of the multitude of instruments that Bards could potentially use?
-Because historically the Bard in Final Fantasy has used a Harp, and even the concept art for Archer upgrade job was a bow fused with a harp.

2.) Why did you choose the healer role for Minstrel instead of enhancing?
-Because currently there is no enhancing role, and if the class was added as a pure enhancer they would end up as a DPS, and they would become a requirement for many events, so what I did is transfer them to the closest role which would be healing. In addition I didn't give them any enhancements outside of the job. The bard concept will be explained later on.

3.) Why did you transfer the Minstrel Guild to Ul'dah?
-The reason I transferred the Guild from Gridania to Ul'dah is because currently there are two classes capable of healing in the other city-states and in Ul'dah there is none making fates, and certain activities that take place at low levels a bit harder than the other city-states.

4.) What is the main attribute for the Class & Job?
-The Minstrel and Bard use Mind to increase the healing potency of their spells similar to Scholars and White Mages; however, the difference in healing potency is very small, and it would be better to actually increase your Piety because they waste a lot of MP with their channeling spells, and song enhancements.

5.) What are Channeled Effects?
-Channeled Spells are basically "healing overtime" & "damage overtime" effects that prevent you from moving and they have their own unique animation for example a wave of musical notes continuously hitting the target. The Minstrel main mechanics are these channeled spells and usually the only other spells that can be used while channeling these spells is those that Minstrel earn by leveling, for example you can't cast cure while channeling Soothing Melody; however, you can use your Healing Operetta which is the Bard cure spell.

6.) Can you use spells without channeling Foe Requiem and Soothing Melody?
Yes, you can use spells without channeling; however, it is recommend that you use them while channeling because you are getting more out of your skills.

7.) How is Bard supposed to heal a party with such little "Area of Effect"?
The Minstrel Troubadour ability works similar to bane; however, instead of instantly producing the effect, you create a channeled chain effect which allows you to bestow upon your party all the spells that you use while channeling Soothing Melody or Foe Requiem.

8.) How is Bard different from Minstrel?
For starters the Bard gains the enhancements side of the class, and they can keep one enhancement out per bard; however, they do lower healing potency making it a bit risky if you need to focus on healing. In addition I didn't add anything attack related only accuracy and resource related so there is less chance they will become mandatory in events. I also added a healing potency decrease instead of attack potency to make it more risky for the healer.

Some Interesting Notes About the class:
1.) Bard does not get a battle raise; however, they are currently the only class to get Reraise due to the trait hymn of rebirth.
2.) The only AOE that Minstrel get is Victory March.
3.) Soul Voice only affects the enhancements from Bard.
4.) Swiftsong provides a casting bonus to Minstrels and Bards when entering combat.

[Ryans]

I like all of it except the last Minstrel ability. There is no real reason to cure anyone after combat has ended as HP is recovered at an exponential rate already. It seems like a waste of an ability.

[Mugiawara]

I just wanna be a bard who actually fully supports...not a DPS.
So I'm all in for this too.

[Brightshadow]

I like all of it except the last Minstrel ability. There is no real reason to cure anyone after combat has ended as HP is recovered at an exponential rate already. It seems like a waste of an ability.

Minstrel have a trait called "Impending Victory" that allows them to use this spell during combat, the limitation is for cross-class.

[Franchesca]

I see a lot of people bringing up FFXI, reason that worked because the party make-up consistent of 6 players while this game is only 4. A support job just won't work on it's own in this game. Personally, with the limited songs that Bard has works well unless Bard becomes a healer role and Archer dps, it's the only way I can see it work. There have been rumors of Gunner would make a debut into the game eventually.. unless that also becomes a supportive job too. lol

[abzoluut]

Except archer didnt become BRD on 2.0. Ever since 1.19 iirc (when jobs were introduced) ARC could become BRD.

And just to stay on topic, i'd love for BRDs to be more support, but imo that party wide buff to ATK is way too op. When making support roles you gotta be careful to not make it way too op nor way to underpowered.. i guess. =P

Yeh, when the "new" team took over. As I said, when glad became PLD, mar became WAR etc..

[Mjytresz]

Just import Songweaver from Aion and I'd be happy.
While we're at it, import Chanter too.

[Reynhart]

The movement based abilities are a bit useless. It's either move and loose some use of your abilities or fall of Titan's cliff.

Like every mage job that needs to stop DPSing/healing to dodge AoE. For me, not a big deal.

How was this choice carefully weighed? Miracuously an Archer could turn into a BRD in 2.0.

Jobs existed before 2.0

Yeh, when the "new" team took over. As I said, when glad became PLD, mar became WAR etc..

But back then, ARC couldn't sing. Swiftsong was a BRD skill.