Quote Originally Posted by Zojha View Post
If you want balance, you can't be concerned about or afraid of nerfs.
You also shouldn't be afraid to buff something when it is the better course of action. This goes back to setting standards. RDM and SAM should set the precedent for the current expansion. When new jobs are introduced, usually the content is drawn up to what those jobs are capable of doing. A lot of the current content has the inside > outside AOE mechanics, most likely due to RDM's ability to jump in and out of melee range. A lot of the overworld content is scaled to RDM's solo ability.

The problem with this method, is sometimes you forget to look at what the older jobs can do in that same content. Since BLM is part of this topic, we'll say that this particular job doesn't have a lot of mobility. They tried to address this with Between the Lines. Which is all fine, but they failed to address the loss of DPS that BLM sustains while moving.

The other problem you have to look at is the certain bubbles created by different forms of DPS. Since a caster was added (RDM) you have to put that job, and the new standard in the caster bubble. A lot of people are crying foul at RDM outperforming certain melee classes. Casters should, and traditionally have, outperformed melee in terms of what is perceived as "cannon fire or nuke" damage. BLM should be at the top of that list, but also be brought in to the new standard set. Therefore, BLM should be buffed, over RDM being nerfed. Why? Because of SMN.

SMN, while in the same category, has a different style in creating damage. It has a lot of spike damage now, but the DoT aspect of the job should be the focus when looking at raising it's damage within the caster bubble. It should not outperform RDM in this case, seeing as RDM should traditionally have a piece of BLM's powder keg. A lot of SMN's damage came in the form of it's pets, which this game is having a hard time simulating. This needs adjusting, but RDM has always been better at DPS over SMN. It should not be brought down to (or below) SMN's level. I'm just glad RDM didn't get DoT, or we'd have an even bigger argument going.

This "caster bubble" should now be set aside, and not weigh in the decision of the melee classes' bubble. Instead, SAM should be creating the standard for the new melee bubble. It's ability, power, utility, should be weighed in with the other melee classes in the same manner. I have yet to touch SAM, so I can't really say how or where other jobs should be adjusted in relation to it. The argument on why NIN should be near the top is kind of obvious. It "casts" as well.

BRD was somewhat revamped, and should probably set the standard for ranged classes. MCH needs a lot of work, from what I've read/seen, but would you want BRD nerfed down to MCH? Or would it be better to buff MCH up to BRD's standards? Either way, you create yet another bubble with that.

When you're done creating these "bubbles" or areas of DPS, you then balance them against each other. Casters should be on top. Usually anything that delivered elemental damage was considered "better" than hitting and poking stuff. Despite how people feel about RDM, damage delivered shouldn't revolve around the complexity of the job. And stabbing something with a spear should never be compared to hitting something with a fireball. Except that they should be relatively close, but slightly skewed in the favor of the fireball.

Now you might be saying, "but everyone will leave the other classes behind and just play casters because they're better!" This is where the balance in content comes into play. Why there should be different buffs between jobs. Why mobs should have certain weaknesses, and strengths. And why taking a caster/ranged/melee in is better than caster/caster/caster. I said it earlier, but the complexity of the game should lie in the content, and be balanced to where combinations of jobs is more viable than using the flavor of the month.

Buffing is never the easy route, but in the case of RDM, buffing BLM is actually the best route for balance. Because you have to look at it outside of "RDM outperforms DRG," or "RDM outperforms MNK." It should outperform those jobs, even at the very basic level. If it is outperforming melee classes by a slight margin, then RDM is in the perfect spot, and shouldn't drop to match them. If RDM is outperforming BLM, but will be equal to, or less than melee DPS if nerfed, then the best course of action is to buff BLM. If RDM is outperforming some of the melee by huge margins, on par with others, and outperforming BLM; but will be hurt detrimentally by nerfing it, to where it is under-performing against all melee, then buffing BLM, and tweaking a few melee is the better course of action.

So far all I've seen is that RDM is "outperforming" BLM and SMN. And the one rare thread of it being better than DRG. (And of course MCH) It should be outperforming SMN and DRG. BLM should be better.