A lot of you are missing that HW bard was built around being level 60. So you can't compare endgame HW bard with level 61 SB bard, because it's not built around 61, it's built around 70. Once you get Refulgent Arrow everything changes. 300 potency instant cast that CAN be used with Barrage, making it a 900 potency button push. Plus, the attack can be used every time the straight shot crit buff pops up, which also makes it potentially the most spammable 300+ potency attack in the game.

Patience, and you will be rewarded.