The argument"MCH/Bard have utility so their damage should be lower"

[Kayote]

Arguing that other classes have buffs make them equal to BRDs is just absolutely asinine. Explained below.

They had to tone down BRD dps slightly for how much utility and damage they bring to the table. But that was fine. A BRD was still begrudgingly required in every party for their songs. However, since MP/TP slowly became a non-issue and can be easily managed by the player themselves BRDs and MCNs just got... phased out. Low DPS, unnecessary support skills, and now cast times...?

You say its asinine, yet thats the very reason why they should have equal DPS. Demand isnt something to solely base class balance on. Thats like saying Hunters are always super popular so lets nerf them on those grounds alone.

NIN/DRG/MNK/...just about every class now has MP/TP regen and party buffs. You're right, why aren't they put into this same category? They should also suffer the DPS penalty (about 20%~25% decrease from what people say) for having so much utility, right? I mean... that's only fair. Maybe even add a 15% damage reduction while dancing edge and battle litany is up. Because everybody seems to be comparing them to BRD/MCN. What? You don't like the damage penalty? WEIRD. It's like I heard this exact same thing somewhere before.

So ... not asinine then? Im genuinely confused, lol.

From what I see as of now... the devs don't know what they want BRD/MCNs to be. BRDs were originally a support.

Exactly, reason number two BRD nerfs are not cool. Asinine or not, or even if BRD TP/MP regen is better, its only slightly in the grand scheme. Specially when you consider the stacked nerfs they get from using, and having them, while the rest get no penalties, insta-casts, and even part of their rotation. As you said, theyre awesome when players are progressing in new content, a safety net for when heals are stressed, or TP management fails. An issue, you yourself said is mostly non-existent now.

Bards havent been support since 1.0, if that. As I pointed out before, a support class, in a game with support roles, plays very differently and is MUCH more useful and helpful than BRD ever was. The BRD "support" we have today is a result of lazy conversion from the role-less horrible game design we had in 1.0.

My proposed solution would be to make BRD/MCN to a full on DPS class. Their utility is just no longer needed (maybe they will in savage? who knows).

Yes, definitely. Mostly because adding an entire new role to the game with proper skills to be of use is just impractical ATM. Not to mention the rebalancing of all the content so far. If BRD becomes a support id be fine with it so long as MCH gets his DPS. Those two classes are way to similar anyway.