So 4 ranged dps and they're all casters?

[T0rin]

And it's physically impossible to design one without casting bars? Interesting. Ok then

Of course not... BRD didn't have cast bars for a long time. The question is, why boil down the different between ranged DPS classes to whether or not they use cast bars? The playstyle is vastly different between classes.. just because they all use cast bars doesn't make them homogenized, it's there for balance. Nobody is forcing a Bard to use WM, but if they want to maximize their DPS, they should, and that means turreting. But you have a choice. Your argument is simply a gripe on the changes to the classes post-HW, but this point you are trying to make that everything is the same because of it, it sorely lacking.

[Aiselia]

Nobody is forcing a Bard to use WM,

Not counting the developers who are making DPS checks which require you to maximize your DPS, of course?

Or the developers who gave us 2 other skills which can only be used in WM and are useful enough to not ignore?

[T0rin]

Not counting the developers who are making DPS checks which require you to maximize your DPS, of course?

Or the developers who gave us 2 other skills which can only be used in WM and are useful enough to not ignore?

Nobody is relying on a Bard to hit a DPS check, that's what more "pure" DPS classes are for. Bard DPS + Foe Req is a good contribution in a party with relevant magical DPS. But really, to say that Bard cannot function with WM up, like SMN/BLM have been doing since release, is pretty silly. Of course you can, you're just not used to having to.

To your bigger point, yes, the developers are pushing you into using WM to get access to that passive damage multiplier and the 54+ damage skills that go along with it. But you can toggle WM off. You can deal with mechanics and still DPS, even with cast bars.

A major theme I've seen with the release of HW is that practically all DPS classes have been expanded on and now include skills and mechanics that force them to adapt and improve. There is more for every class to deal with. There is a higher skill cap for everything. Yes, BRD/MCH were most effected from a playstyle perspective by these changes. That does not mean they cannot adapt and thrive. People that want the old BRD, well... too bad, it's gone. You can play a melee DPS if you don't want cast bars, or you can not use WM and deal with the loss of DPS. Or you can adapt.