RIP Bard

[nuyu11]

If the damage increase is x5 I don't mind.

[The_Last_Dragoon]

https://youtu.be/kbvv0rgrT4k?t=104

So, I think I see a different Bloodletter, with two hits. But after that, is that Barrage? Since we can't auto attack with the song up, would make sense if Barrage behaved differently with the song.

They both may be new and different skills, though.

I actually started really analyzing the motions that this Bard is doing, and I think I may have noticed something important. We know that the first action is Wanderer's Minuet since the next two actions should be recognizably to any Bard as Poison Shot and Windbite. While still under these effects though, the player then uses an instant action that requires no charge up, and due to the previous 2 actions it looked like this was the new ability Sidewinder. It could be that the reason why Sidewinder doesn't have a wind-up is because it's off the global cooldown, which means this song probably doesn't affect Bloodletter. It's then that they undoubtedly use Barrage and proceed to show us two new skills that have a charge-up. I think it's possible that these two skills shown are the Barrage upgraded version.

The first one I'm about 90% sure is Heavy Shot, since it looks like a generic shot except with multiplied arrows. The second one I'm guessing is Straight Shot since it's the only remaining integral part of the Bard rotation that isn't obviously represented, but has an extremely different animation that doesn't quite make sense. This can't be Sidewinder since they explicitly state that Sidewinder is a physical attack. It's possible that this ability just hasn't been revealed yet, and isn't actually affected by barrage.

[dank1]

rip bardu chan

[Craiger]

Kinda annoying seeing so many whine about BRD getting stronger...

Cause that's what it is, they're getting stronger, not weaker like some seem to think...

In a fight, or mechanic of a fight where you have to move a lot, BRDs will still be kings. You just turn off the song and do you're normal things. What makes them stronger, is when you don't have to move a lot... They will be able to get good DPS there too.

So what are people whining about? Their mobility was holding them back to increase their DPS, cause they would be OP if they just increased it without accounting for the obvious advantages that would have.

I think they pretty much have done a good job with every job, but I still hear people complaining about everything for some weird reason.

[Lemuria]

Kinda annoying seeing so many whine about BRD getting stronger...

It's because there's not much information. We don't really know if this is a DPS increase overall, which is really the issue. It's easy to look at it on paper and say "Yep, our attacks are 2x stronger. Go Bard" and then lament later when you parse lower than before because you didn't count auto-attacks into the mix. Or you forgot that in the time it takes to use a single Bloodletter, a non-minuet Bard has already fired off Bloodletter and Heavy Shot AND an auto-attack.

See? There's a lot of variables when talking about optimal DPS. That's why I've been saying there needs to be a big difference between using Minuet and not for it to truly increase our DPS. Otherwise it's just a fancy way of doing the same damage while sacrificing mobility.

[Adire]

Bards, be appreciative. You could have ended up like us NINs, we got better Huton but got pretty much a nerf too.

You didn't get nerfed or even inconvenienced much really. Even when I play bard I find myself able to stand in one spot most of the time O.o.

You've got it easy!

Also, more on topic. Even if Minuet doesn't do much of an increase to be worth using, as someone said, BRD will still be the king of on the move dps. If it does increase dps, just turn it off when necessary and put it back on when able.

[Craiger]

It's because there's not much information. We don't really know if this is a DPS increase overall, which is really the issue. It's easy to look at it on paper and say "Yep, our attacks are 2x stronger. Go Bard" and then lament later when you parse lower than before because you didn't count auto-attacks into the mix. Or you forgot that in the time it takes to use a single Bloodletter, a non-minuet Bard has already fired off Bloodletter and Heavy Shot AND an auto-attack.

See? There's a lot of variables when talking about optimal DPS. That's why I've been saying there needs to be a big difference between using Minuet and not for it to truly increase our DPS. Otherwise it's just a fancy way of doing the same damage while sacrificing mobility.

Then don't use it?

I don't understand your point really, because why would SE make it the same or less potent than not using it? That makes no sense at all...

It's not like they have removed the mobility of BRD completely, you can still move about and attack exactly like now, and you would only use this song when you know you can stand still and power up big hitting attacks. You're gonna do more DPS using that one, than not using it, otherwise SE would have made an ability that nobody uses

[Wigett]

I'm ok with them changing things up, part/ if not most .. of the fun of any class is trying to figure out when to and when Not to use skills. This will be a new tool, on some fights , I can stay putt for several sec.. so why not have my dps boosted.. then, when I have to move, change so I can shoot while moving.. , I think its going to make some leave, some like it more .. adjust or you will need to find a new job that you enjoy more, there are a lot to pick. im also looking forward to the monk changes.

this wont be a mash x buttons and win.. its going to take some thought on any job as all have slight tweaks that will make/change the play styles im sure.

[Lillia]

https://youtu.be/kbvv0rgrT4k?t=104

So, I think I see a different Bloodletter, with two hits. But after that, is that Barrage? Since we can't auto attack with the song up, would make sense if Barrage behaved differently with the song.

They both may be new and different skills, though.

It does look like it, the sidewinder I'm assuming is either the new move where the bard went up in the air after charging and did multiple shots or the animation where the bard twirled their finger and you saw a poison-like effect on the monster.... could always be that there were three new moves in there though and one just wasn't mentioned this time around which might be mentioned at the next live that could be... maybe... E3?

Either way, PLD still has to know the name of that one ??? skill too. so I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't the last time we're having skills covered.

[Akuryu]

This seems virtually useless in raids (current ones at least, and I suspect future ones). Remember it's not just about finding a place where you can hold still... that window of standing still has to be long enough to make it worth the cast time of the song. You'll be losing GCDs, so you'll need enough time to stand there in order to make it worthwhile.

T10 you might be able to use it during the add phases. Nowhere else really.Too much movement is required for tethers and charges.
T11 you move constantly. Can't think of any point it would be worth using.
T12 you could use it if the team doesn't have you handling redfires, fountains, etc, but most teams do ask that of bard precisely because they can move and attack.
T13 you move almost constantly. Flatten/akh morn doesn't require movement, but they are so fast by the time you got the song off megaflare/earthshaker would be up. Maybe you could use during parts of the add phase.

People are going to say "BLMs manage!" but BLM doesn't have to cast a spell just to get into "dps mode", which will then drop every time they move, forcing them to recast it. Realistically a bard will be casting this dozens of times in a raid, and I can't imagine it will increase their damage enough to be worth it.

This is talking raids of course. Dungeons and such? I'm sure you can post up and nuke away, but honestly who cares? Dungeons are rofl-easy and your dps really doesn't matter.