A "new" perspective about these BRD changes

[Aiselia]

I don't honestly understand why cast times needed to be added to BRD if they really wanted to limit mobility in the first place. They didn't need cast times, they just needed that WM would be removed when you move so you can't use it during heavy movement phases and when you do get a chance to stand still, you still play the same. It'd be a FAR less jarring change when you learn WM, and solve literally every QOL issue that cast times created.

The fact that initial translations I'd seen regarding announcements about the skill was pretty much exactly that, unless those translations were all way off, it pretty much suggests that they rushed it and just copy-pasted MCH without considering the issues with BRD. I mean, under the original version where it had a cast time, maybe it made more sense to them to do it this way so you wouldn't need to spend the cast times not attacking so much, but without a cast time now, it just makes sense to remove the cast times and just remove WM when you move.

It's not the loss of being able to run around that bugs me about "new Bard", it's the fact that issues were pointlessly created by doing something that had a much simpler solution that would have worked just as effectively but without making as drastic a change and without losing its identity.

[SlyRoyale]

So OP basically followed the standard HW bard routine.

Guess I'm not the standard HW bard since it went like this for me:

1) Adjust to the bard changes.
2) Ask around and figure out how to get better with them.
3) Level other jobs after getting my bard to level cap.
4) Do raid content on my bard.
5) Recognize long before Heavensward that my freedom of mobile DPS only shines when I have to move, and still does but not like before.
6) Still love bard, the very job I decided on as my main before playing since phase 3 beta.

[Shirobi]

So, now that we have had a few months to play around and get acquainted to all the changes S-E did to Bards....any fresh thoughts from fellow BRDs?

Nope, still think it sucks. Next question.

[Kamote]

lol ^^
said the lvl 35 Bard

[Eloah]

TL : DR

I personally don't like the new Bard changes. I understand where they came from, but the execution wasn't done well. Am I "use" to it. Can I "maximize" my DPS, maybe, lol, but I just think WM is clunky. The charge/cast time mechanic, while still annoying, works on Machinist, because it was designed with that mechanic in mind from the start. With Bards it was an afterthought. I hope with 3.1 they adjust the issues people have with this/these skills. The biggest gripe is that we have a cast time for "minimal" DPS. We have to wait 1.5 seconds to cast a skill that does 800 damage, while the other (DPS) casters have to wait 2-3 seconds for a skill that does 1300+ damage, and some of those moves can or are instant too. Even the healer DPS is better in that regard.

Bottom line is our DPS is too low to have cast times. That is the issue that needs to be changed.

[Slevin_Impudicus]

Hello, I'm a casual.
I don't use WM. EA/IJ are not on my cast bar. Problem solved. I also don't use food/potions.

I decided not to let the changes get me down. There are those who are bad at math that think that WM actually gives a straight 30% damage increase, without understanding the other factors that go into it. Those that have mastered WM are rightly outperforming me, but the vast majority of bards are not in that group (yet). For content I care to see (no savage), 2.0 BRD is more than enough. I have never received complaints about my dps and get my share of commendations.

Those that quit bard due to the changes... well, I hope they do savage content, because outside of that, 2.0 BRD is still a viable option and worth playing (versus other classes I have tried... so IMHO).

I may pick up WM and work out the kinks some day.

I did my share of complaining coming here from TERA and trying to get used to FF's inferior combat system. This change is minor in comparison.

[technole]

Those that quit bard due to the changes... well, I hope they do savage content, because outside of that, 2.0 BRD is still a viable option and worth playing (versus other classes I have tried... so IMHO).

No it's not, even outside of Savage. Medium core content like the DPS checks in Bismarck and Ravana EX you need to be putting up maximum damage numbers. I hope you never touch those instances with 3.0 WM skills not on your hot bar or being used. You'll be getting kicked out of those parties.

[RiceisNice]

No it's not, even outside of Savage. Medium core content like the DPS checks in Bismarck and Ravana EX you need to be putting up maximum damage numbers. I hope you never touch those instances with 3.0 WM skills not on your hot bar or being used. You'll be getting kicked out of those parties.

The primals are way dated that they're severely overgeared by eso weapons. Heck, they were still clearable with a BRD/MCH before 3.05 buffs to WM/GB (where it was actually the same, if not a damage gain to not use WM/GB after the initial burst.

[Slevin_Impudicus]

I gave my perspective. Feel free to disagree.
Maybe don't go in to those instances at min iLvl.
WM gains are not so significant in single target fights. Once you get into larger groups, which neither of these instances have, you start to have a point.
I've been in RavEx and BisEx. Dps was never a problem... nor was TP (the other thing WM seems to help in theory).
Getting kicked was never a problem either, because I wouldn't pug that level of content.

Getting kicked would not be a reflection of the effectiveness of WM, it would be a reflection of the "kickers" who still think WM is a 30% increase over non-WM (even though Yoshi and company acknowledged* it was a dps LOSS before it went from 20 to 30). Still would suck, of course.
If the bard is putting up noticeably insufficient dps out of WM, then I guarantee WM won't improve things much.

*or so I read on the forums

[AskaRay]

words

Crys a little on the inside...

you ARE right though. If I got ya in a DF party in a dungeon I wouldn't kick you (if we got through the dungeon. I'm patient).
I would, however, silently judge you for eternity.