Arrow card questions

[Kibby]

So, I've heard that several classes love getting the Arrow card (blm, brd, mch, mnk, and war in particular), but I've seen those classes say they don't like it at all, so my question is: what classes benefit the most from the arrow card and in what situations (like during a lot of trash or boss fights).

My biggest problem is knowing when to give someone an arrow. I can't speak for mch, mnk, or war, but whenever I do aoe as brd, I run out of tp very quickly, so I'm worried if I give it to tp users during aoe situations, I could give them tp issues.

Lastly, would it be a bad idea to give the arrow to myself if no one else in the party can benefit from it (assuming I can't aoe it)? <_< >_>

And another non-arrow question - what is considered better, enhanced or extended cards? I kinda like enhanced more, but I still have hard time telling which is more helpful in the end.

(Sorry for all of the questions)

[Cyrocco]

So, regarding Arrow, I only really throw it on someone if I'm sure their TP can take it, so during a small pull, because I really don't have to have to use a Spire on someones TP in a boss fight (especially during raids) when I could've just burnt it. Now, the weird thing is as an AST, I always feel like I shouldn't be using the cards on myself because that's bad and I'm the benevolent buffer healer who reads the fortunes of others and yackity yack *~*. If you don't want to shuffle the Arrow, if you don't want to save it, use it on yourself. Get some Gravity casts in (if you like to DPS), get some faster heals, because who doesn't like faster heals. I...can't speak on the topic of who likes what cards because it really depends on the player.

(NOTE: For those of you who DON'T want a card when it's on you, right click the buff, it'll leave.)

[zuzu-bq]

Some players dislike it because it can change their GCD sync with the fight a bit off. That is not bad though since it is indeed a damage incrase by the end. Good players tend to like Arrow on any job they play. Also using it on yourself for a Presence of Mind-like buff is pretty cool and totally viable. As for TP issues, unless you throw too many Arrows at someone or a enhanced Arrow at someone that already go pretty low on TP, they shouldn't have any TP issues. So pay attention to your party, talk to them too. Of course your priorities with Arrow should always be BLM followed by BRD. And if they don't like it, they should just remove instead of complaining.

[FeliAiko]

- Best Job to give Arrow to is BLM, hands down. In the absence of a BLM then I'd go: BRD > MNK/NIN > WAR. Could include SMN in there if the player is using Ruin IIIs outside of Dreadwyrm Trance (which they should, but not all players do).

- Only cards you'll want to give to yourself is Spear (before using CDs like LA and Lightspeed) and Ewer, otherwise burn them on Royal Road.

- I'd say Extended Cards are better, if only because it means you get a use out of Spear (via RR), instead of burning comparatively better cards (Bole and Balance) to get the Enhanced effect. In 8 mans though, Expanded is better than both (unless it's Arrow; an Extended > Enhanced Arrow would be better IMO, assuming you have a BLM).

[Griffey]

You could always just use it on yourself if no one wants it.

[tjw]

Technically speaking, all classes benefit from the arrow card UP TO A CERTAIN POINT. It's perhaps the one card that actually boosts all three roles in a party (tanks hit faster for more enmity, healers heal faster to catch up easier, DPS spanks mobs faster). TP and cooldown/GCD synergy do become issues at a certain point, but that's also individuals. A skilled DPS will be able to factor in an Arrow card and adapt to the increase. (It also gives you a chance to actually use Spire on a DPS...)

The one DPS that will not mind Arrow in any circumstances is BLM, simply because they are not resource limited. For any other DPS tho, AoE is generally not a good time to Arrow (In fact, I find better use chucking Ewer on the SMN or Spire on the melee/ranged just so they can pull off a few more Blizzard IIs/AoE weaponskills before going dry).

Arrow is always useful for you, but it falls off unless you are constantly using your GCDs. Enhanced Arrow on yourself as your Malefic II/Gravity spam tho...

[Truefaith87]

Speaking from a MCH PoV here, I adore Arrow anytime I am using my burst combos with Wildfire. Usually with Arrow active, I can get in a near full combo a third time, if not half a combo without rapid/proccing. Either way it increases the overall damage of that burst string usually around 2-3k on its explosion, more if random crits are feeling generous. When you spot a MCH throw out Wildfire (look for the red smoke and the little red beeping bomb to appear on boss), it's a perfect time to throw it their way then.

[Nekotee]

To put it simply : Mana class > TP class

hands down the BLM is first and foremost, any kind of arrow is always welcome
Pure DPS boost no loss
then comme SMN but it force then to rework their mana cycle a bit, huge DPS gain small loss if mana not manage adequatly

then come BRD/MCH and NIN/MNK, the cast class are always happy but can be a bit trouble if short in TP
NIN and MNK have a huge benefit in DPS but inflict huge struggle in TP management

DRG are the least wanted for arrow because their rotation is rightfully calculated... all DRG I know dislike it XD

...

on healer it's good if you're in DPS window

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Enhanced card is mainly Spear, bole and ewer
because it's very useful on us healer (spear/ewer give a lots of mana if use with LA) Bole always a breeze on tanks

[Kibby]

Thanks for the help, everybody!

Arrow is always useful for you, but it falls off unless you are constantly using your GCDs. Enhanced Arrow on yourself as your Malefic II/Gravity spam tho...

I did this once and it was magical. *-*

[zuzu-bq]

I'd say Extended Cards are better, if only because it means you get a use out of Spear (via RR), instead of burning comparatively better cards (Bole and Balance) to get the Enhanced effect. In 8 mans though, Expanded is better than both (unless it's Arrow; an Extended > Enhanced Arrow would be better IMO, assuming you have a BLM).

While over time extended are better then enhanced since they're double time against 50% extra potency from enhanced, if the fight is about to have an downtime this makes your extended time not so usefull.