Serious Concern, Need Help; MCH not welcome to Alexander

[Ephier]

Here's the thing: Someone as of day 2 set out to make a guide as far as how to play MCH. Please note I'm not bashing it at all, and I respect his efforts to do so early on, but when I read the rotation and saw Blank in it, I stopped there.

Blank is an extremely situational skill that's really only good for soloing or perhaps interrupting an enemy attack (a la T9 Green/Red golems). Hasn't been on my hotbar since lv 31, and it's likely never coming back. Sure it's an oGCD and against something you can't knock back anyways, it's extra damage, but that doesn't warrant using it at every opportunity. Did the mob get away from the tank? Sure, send it back. Did your DPS buddy zone out and is about to eat otherwise-avoidable damage? Go for it. But in an otherwise standard battle setting where things are under control? Don't be that guy. . .

If you are playing a DPS non aggressively you are not doing it right. Not using blank is like telling a BRD to not use repelling shot. The skill is fine as is and can be used in plenty of situations. Obviously you are not going to go out of your way to use it in a dangerous situation, but in fights like ravana and bismark it is used on cooldown.

Fixing machinist and bard are going to take time, both to identify where the problem truly lies and to come up with a solution that balances the classes without overpowering them. Not to mention, actually implementing the changes takes a while as well. Expecting SE to just have a solution ready within two weeks is pretty shortsighted

Anyone expecting an immediate change is crazy, but the problem is Yoshi thinks that MCH is fine. We will have to see how they compare to BRD after the buffs they get but MCH is currently getting nothing.

[ChillbroSwaggins]

The problem is that it's a new job, and can't hide as easily as DRK and AST with their curves. People are just being a-holes. MCH isn't that bad. They aren't severely crippled in the numbers game, they just go about things differently from what people are doing in a hard parse, and that's all they are relying on, the hard parse. I suggest finding a good group to go with, one that doesn't hold this stupid bias, and run with them. You'll be happier in the long run.

[Ephier]

The problem is that it's a new job, and can't hide as easily as DRK and AST with their curves. People are just being a-holes. MCH isn't that bad. They aren't severely crippled in the numbers game, they just go about things differently from what people are doing in a hard parse, and that's all they are relying on, the hard parse. I suggest finding a good group to go with, one that doesn't hold this stupid bias, and run with them. You'll be happier in the long run.

I agree they are not too bad. People seem to think they need an overhaul, when they only need a couple of tweaks. To be honest if they made gauss barrel instant cast I would have nothing left to complain about.

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

If you are playing a DPS non aggressively you are not doing it right. Not using blank is like telling a BRD to not use repelling shot. The skill is fine as is and can be used in plenty of situations. Obviously you are not going to go out of your way to use it in a dangerous situation, but in fights like ravana and bismark it is used on cooldown.

You know, I've NEVER used Repelling Shot, and never had issues with DPS or DPS checks. Honestly. And while there are plenty of situations where Blank can be used, there's been so few practical ones I've come across where using or not using it made a huge difference. To be fair, I'm not disagreeing at all. I'm simply saying that where others find it essential, I simply don't, and am not at a loss for not using it.

[Ephier]

You know, I've NEVER used Repelling Shot, and never had issues with DPS or DPS checks. Honestly. And while there are plenty of situations where Blank can be used, there's been so few practical ones I've come across where using or not using it made a huge difference. To be fair, I'm not disagreeing at all. I'm simply saying that where others find it essential, I simply don't, and am not at a loss for not using it.

Not really saying its essential, but its a free 100 potency skill every 30 seconds, no point in not using it.

[Korashy]

You know, I've NEVER used Repelling Shot, and never had issues with DPS or DPS checks. Honestly. And while there are plenty of situations where Blank can be used, there's been so few practical ones I've come across where using or not using it made a huge difference. To be fair, I'm not disagreeing at all. I'm simply saying that where others find it essential, I simply don't, and am not at a loss for not using it.

Actually not using it on OGCD is a direct loss. It's the very definition of a loss, as you are losing the damage you could be doing by pressing the button. It's the same thing as a ninja not using jug or mug on cooldown.

Does it make a huge difference? It may when you wipe at 1%

[RedHare]

Can't avoid one real issue. The problem is how SUPPORT class fits in the XIV's meta. In 90% of the content it would be more supportive to kill the mobs quicker with a full-fledged DPS class. SUPPORT exists merely as a concept, save for a few choice duties.

There are three PHYS MELEE DPS. They have their own meta & their own unique experience. Even if MNK out-damages everything, plenty of people would rather play DRG or NIN because they find the gameplay more fun. (Not just looks, but how they play)

MCH and BRD really have no such distinction. (imho) They have different coats of paint, but they otherwise play identically. As the game continues to scale up, both in LEVEL CAPs and JOBs, will we see actual variety in RANGED DPS? *Aside from the distinction CASTER and NON-CASTER.

[HairyRoger]

Don't hate blank, hate the people not able to use it properly. It is a dps increase and should be used. If you are in a situation where you need to do that extra dps, you are most likely hitting a mob that is immune to the knockback effect anyways. Saying "never use it" is as dumb as the people using it to push mobs out of aoe or whatnot.

[PrimeEvilPanda]

Best. Photo. Ever! OMG XD

I can't even with Alistair and Cullen. I can't. On a scale of one to even, I can't.

[stuscott]

Not using blank is like telling a BRD to not use repelling shot. The skill is fine as is and can be used in plenty of situations.

Except Repelling Shot and Blank are two different monsters. When a Bard uses Repelling Shot, he only moves himself away from the mob. When a Machinist uses Blank and the mob is not immune to knockback, he moves the mob away from the party, causing a loss in DPS from the tank and any melees in the party. But for any mobs that are immune to knockback, it should be used whenever it's up.