So 4 ranged dps and they're all casters?

[DinahDemiurge]

No. Have you played all 4 ranged DPS classes? They are very different.

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

[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.

[Malevicton]

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

Sure, that's totally what he said. The honesty and spirit for fair discussion in your comment has really enlightened me in regards to... whatever your point is.

[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?

[Ryaz]

MCH isn't a caster. When played properly, we have three abilities that use a cast bar, two of which are only used once every 30 seconds. Everything else we use is instant cast.

[Greedalox]

MCH isn't a caster. When played properly, we have three abilities that use a cast bar, two of which are only used once every 30 seconds. Everything else we use is instant cast.

The thread is facetious in nature... I hope.

[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.

[pandabearcat]

As long as Bards QQ about Minuet, I will be satisfied.

Your tears fill me with joy.

Tbh though I don't care either way. Classes should be balanced in encounters (so that no class is best in every encounter, and that all classes are within some acceptable dps range on an encounter), not by mechanics and not by dummy parses. If BRD can be completely mobile and still acceptable on all encounters, thats cool too.

But I can't deny it makes me happy to see bards upset. Sucks to be you guys!

[SovereignAegis]

I think it's lame that Bard's entire playstyle around mobility has been basically destroyed with WM.

Like they are meant to weave off-GCD abilities between GCDs and it's just a very fluid style of play. At present it does NOT feel fluid at all with WM. It feels like you're casting spells 99.9% of the time just trying to normally use heavy shot.


Machinist is new so okay... Gauss can be on them. But with Bards? It feels WRONG in every way.

[Ryaz]

As long as Bards QQ about Minuet, I will be satisfied.

Your tears fill me with joy.

Tbh though I don't care either way. Classes should be balanced in encounters (so that no class is best in every encounter, and that all classes are within some acceptable dps range on an encounter), not by mechanics and not by dummy parses. If BRD can be completely mobile and still acceptable on all encounters, thats cool too.

But I can't deny it makes me happy to see bards upset. Sucks to be you guys!

I don't play Bard, but why do you hate them so much? Did one of them steal your candy bar or something?