Bard Points Allocation - Isn;t it DEX?

[Viridiana]

I have to get to a meeting but when I get back home I am going to work with your tips, take the buffs out of the attack macros and see if I can, as you say, get better at hitting buttons.

Err. . .just to be clear, it's not only a matter of taking the buffs out of the macros, it's a matter of not using macros at all. To explain why, I'll use a healing example. I'm sure you've noticed the ability to chain cast heals, such that the next one starts exactly when the first one finishes casting, right? That's because the game accounts for latency and just general button mashing by queuing abilities, such that if you hit a button within the last quarter of a second or so that ability goes off right as the old one ends (which screws NIN sometimes with mudra, but that's a different topic). Well, the game does *not* do this if it's a macro instead of an ability. So, if you're hitting Heavy Shot 3-4 times in a row, each time is taking you an extra fraction of a second, however long after the GCD is up it takes you to hit the button again. Each time it happens is a tiny loss of DPS.

[Rekujin]

Bard isn't about big numbers... it's small/medium numbers at a rapid pace. Have u seen the amount of damage we do with all our buffs weaved into a Barrage? it's insane..

Just make sure you're weaving your buffs nicely with your shots

Is True Shot always up?
Both dots always up?
do you have blood for blood unlocked? using it with Internal Release and Hawk's Eye?
are you using True Shot when it's guranteed to crit?

there's so many factors for bard, learn the rotation and priority and you'll be fine...

[Melriss]

if by "3rd party" you mean a parser, there's nothing against the EULA about that. You should know this because you, like every player, have fully read all of the terms and conditions and the license agreements before you committed to buying a subscription.

http://support.na.square-enix.com/ru...2&tag=users_en
- 2.5 Data Mining. You may not intercept, mine or otherwise collect information from the Game using unauthorized third party software.

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...5bd14ffec4345f
- Although we will continue to monitor game data to ensure that similar illegitimate practices are not being used, we would like to remind players that using third-party programs, parsers, or other tools to conduct actions players would not normally be able to do in the game is a violation of the Terms of Service...

Looks like you didn't read properly at all.

[Viridiana]

- Although we will continue to monitor game data to ensure that similar illegitimate practices are not being used, we would like to remind players that using third-party programs, parsers, or other tools to conduct actions players would not normally be able to do in the game is a violation of the Terms of Service...

Looks like you didn't read properly at all.

This is the part they actually care about, though. Yes, parsers are technically against the ToS, but unless you're using some part of it to do things in game that others can't, they don't really care.

[Dervy]

People upload videos/images of parsers being shown daily. People streaming nearly always have a parser open. Ask yourself, why haven't these people been banned?

Yes, it's against the ToS to use parsers, but SE don't really care as long as you're not using parsing to harass others. They made the ToS broad enough to cover all kinds of malicious 3rd-party tools/hacks/mods which others may use and unfortunately, parsers fall prey to the wording used in the ToS. YoshiP even addressed this issue around this time last year and pretty much confirmed, as long as you do not speak about it in game or use parsers with malicious intent, nothing will happen.

[Faelandaea]

Insert crusade post that does not relate to the topic here

Okay, listen - I know that people reading their DPS seriously bothers you, but the whole parser bit has been discussed, concluded, and is now old news. We're discussing Bard game-play and rotations here. I'm no longer using the parser. Now I'm just discussing with fellow players how to improve on the information I have. You lecture me on my reading skills, yet you clearly aren't reading this thread other than to troll. It's amusing, though. You kind of remind me of one of those mall security guards that has one of those little yellow lights on their car, and tries to use it to pull someone over for not using their blinker. If the Devs have an issue with anything I did, they'll call me out on it, and I will listen to them.

Just make sure you're weaving your buffs nicely with your shots

do you have blood for blood unlocked? using it with Internal Release and Hawk's Eye?

there's so many factors for bard, learn the rotation and priority and you'll be fine...

I just looked up Blood for Blood. Looks like I'll have to level my Lancer to 34 to get that one? I think he's 16, so I may just fate-level him to get that unlocked asap. But since a few people in here suggest it, I take heed of the advice and will try to get that unlocked tonight. Googling the skill, it trades taking more damage for 10% increase in DPS for 20 seconds - yeah definitely worth it to me. That damage taken bit shouldn't worry a Bard because with how mobile Bards are, they should never be hit unless it's a map-wide mechanic that hits everyone regardless. I'm surprised I haven't seen this skill come up in the build suggestions I read on other sites before now.

[siverstorm]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link it but search Krietor endgame bard guide. I see it recommended often elsewhere. You don't need to go full in depth with it but the first few sections should answer a lot of questions you have.

B4B and Internal Release are essential CDs for a bard.

[Faelandaea]

Thanks, siverstorm I never saw that guide before but I will Google it right now!

EDIT: Holy crap! That guide is perfect! You are right it did answer a lot of questions for me and it's perfect in how it explains various situations endgame for rotations. Thanks again!

[Ooshima]

In a 4:15 test with my gear I get around 495-500 w/ no party, pots, food, or Misery's End.

654 dex, 524 acc, 580 crit, 334 det, 341 skill speed

Anyways just curious, it just happened that your parse ends at 4:15 or you deliberately selected that time. if yes, any reasons?

I tried a random run of 4:15 with what I have now, about 48X ish without party/pot/food/misery

599 dex, 542 acc, 641 crit, 386 det, 341 skill speed.

I'm missing a twine for my belt and the dread pants/bracelet/bow for the complete set.

[abzoluut]

as a healer, my weakest heal heals people for over 2000 (Physick), so it stands to reason that the balance should be that DPS have an equal amount of damage output, correct?

I just can not grasp why someone would think this "stands to reason". Two complete different roles. Surely the numbers can't be the same.

This is another reason why we need an ingame parser. People just don't have a clue and it's not always their fault. Would be nice if people would have a general idea about (over) healing, dps, mitigation %. I think it would be for the better in general.