Bard and how to fix it.

[RiceisNice]

...

Multi dotting is still a thing on most Alexander encounters, which is going to bypass the usual 3-second tick on bloodletter. Bard used to require a fast reaction to pick up on procs so you didn't double it up (which is the case for both SS and BL), but I'm finding myself having to delay one or another if a BL procs happens during another of my oGCD.

While wasting proc SS is less ofa potency loss than firestarter, you also need to remember that SS is part of our regular rotations outside of using it as a proc, you'll inevitably get those times where you start casting SS and then gain the proc, making you get neither the crit or the instant cast bonus. Which also drains down our finite TP since it's a higher cost than heavy shot. And my TP is certainly guzzled a lot more than that of MCH.

And on the side note, there needs to be some sort of differentiation between MCH and BRD gameplay, esp when GB/WM is factored. I leveled both and this just feels like a halfassed design when they decided to slap WM onto bard (Which makes the awkward/disjointed more gameplay even more obvious because MCH pulls it off much much better) Even if you were to give them some freedom of movement through stacking SS procs, that'd only make them play even more similar to MCH. I honestly thought that MCH would be the one that would gain more dps from remaining stationary when possibe (when they previewed the class) while bard would be the one that'd maintain their fast-paced, reactive gameplay (which all WM does is slow it down because you can't immediately pick up the procs if it occurs mid cast, or if it's done right after a oGCD and you're left with delaying weaponskill or BL) One thing they could've done was either give bard cast times on all of their oGCDs, or give machinists an oGCD of 2 second with their 1.5 second cast time (and remove the instant cast bonus from procs, although procs need to be changed up so they're determined immediately). At least one class would feel like a faster blackmage without any disconnects inbetween each ability and more emphasis on reactive procs, while the other requires planning with oGCDs

The bard animations are also pretty terrible. You can even tell that windbite and empyreal arrow were not designed with oGCD clipping in mind. And well...ironjaws....

[Shurrikhan]

Multi dotting is still a thing on most Alexander encounters, which is going to bypass the usual 3-second tick on bloodletter. Bard used to require a fast reaction to pick up on procs so you didn't double it up (which is the case for both SS and BL), but I'm finding myself having to delay one or another if a BL procs happens during another of my oGCD.

True. I didn't think to mention that set of situations. Again though, I don't mind adjusting situations when done.

While wasting proc SS is less of a potency loss than firestarter, you also need to remember that SS is part of our regular rotations outside of using it as a proc, you'll inevitably get those times where you start casting SS and then gain the proc, making you get neither the crit or the instant cast bonus. Which also drains down our finite TP since it's a higher cost than heavy shot. And my TP is certainly guzzled a lot more than that of MCH.

Its TP-guzzling is far less the issue to me. I can pretty well forget Invigorate exists over a... decently long fight, really, and still be fine if I've base SS and almost only refresh DoTs through IJ. That does not happen on any other physical dps I've played at 60 (admittedly I've yet to get MCH there and DRG has a level and a half to go). To me it's down to the Firestarter issue. That one part of WM-Bard really does feel like clunk.

I can't comment on your below portion until my MCH hits 60, or at least GB.

The bard animations are also pretty terrible. You can even tell that windbite and empyreal arrow were not designed with oGCD clipping in mind. And well...ironjaws....

*shiver* yes. And that sound...

1 - There is a delay that shouldn't exist between using a cd and when the next ability goes off. It should be seamless, but I get at least three button presses while spamming EA after using barrage or something. Does this happen to anyone else? It definitely happens to me and it's annoying.

I haven't had this yet. It's instant for me. But I can also cast instantly after repelling shot w/o interrupt at least with WTFast, so it may be an ISP thing.

2 - That accursed hissing sound effect during WM. Is gas forcibly escaping from my bow or something?
3 - Completely remove WM cooldown. Let us turn it on and off at will.
4 - There is no reason why our DPS should be noticeably lower than everyone else's. Our support isn't nearly good enough to warrant it. Simple solution: give bloodletter and rain of death a decent piercing resist debuff instead of the completely worthless evasion down.
6 - Give me a reason to sing more. Give me better songs. Look at bard from FFXI for inspiration.

Agreed/Yes please, to all. Though I'd personally take more support options over closer dps, partly because when the going gets rough for all other jobs we're usually still fairing pretty well, not too differently from in 2.x. And... I like the potential it has.

You don't queue them up right at the end of a cast?

Do you play anything *but* bard or something? I don't have issues with oGCDs and full GCD cast times on other classes...

You're right. There can't possibly be a reason so many SMNs prefer to Fester/Spur/Rouse after a Bio / Ruin II. Why would anyone weave?

I Ruin II before and *after* fester, and if you fester directly after Bio you risk not getting the potentcy bonus because Bio doesn't register on the target the moment it's applied. This is also why you don't Bane immediately after application.

If you played Summoner at all you'd know that last one. It has nothing to do with the cast time.

I've at one time or another played SMN on every turn of Coil aside from T13. So yes, I've played the class. Just not my first choice to level to 60.
The majority of your Festers will be done after DoTs are already in place or have been recently re-applied... initial application (yes I know its own issues well) is the not what I was speaking of.
As 'tandem' as they might be, your cast time will still be delayed, even if faintly, by the oGCD animation.