never played bard too much, didn't like the class. picked up machinist class finally a few days ago to give a try and loved it. it must have been what bards were used to. fast, mobile, lots of fun. then i get gauss barrel at 52 and it literally changes the entire way you play. the cast times are b.s. and really detract from the spirit of the job. i can see now why bard players are up in arms over this. it's just not fun to sit there and wait for an extra 2 seconds for every weapon skill, when they build up the job to play in certain way up to the point, then pull the rug out from under you. sucks because the machinist job is damn cool concept too. not to mention the cast time animation is just plain weird.