The state of DPS and why I both love and hate RDM

[Jeckyl_Tesla]

If they nerf it, they nerf it. Again, we haven't even touched on "content" in this expansion, so who's to say it will get easier if RDM stays the same. I actually found NIN quite lacking running around doing solo content. So if people are crying "nerf" on it, they must have their raid-colored lenses on. Either way, there are more viable options, and it's quite alright to express an opinion on why something shouldn't be nerfed, without being a white knight about it.

Classes are not balanced based on solo content in the world, they're balanced based on their PvE capabilities in the raids.

[BlackThought]

Classes are not balanced based on solo content in the world, they're balanced based on their PvE capabilities in the raids.

Tell that to Yohsi-P!

[jackass1203]

snip

The way I see it is all dps should do roughly the same dps on dummies or whatever % apart that SE wants them to be and then depending on fights is what their actual dps is at. Stationary fights should favor blm over smn with rdm in the middle and movement heavy fights should favor smn over blm with rdm in the middle.

[TarynH]

Classes are not balanced based on solo content in the world, they're balanced based on their PvE capabilities in the raids.

And therein lies the problem. If you just start swinging the nerf stick around, you cause issues in other areas of the game. If you lower damage across the board on RDM, you hurt it in other areas as well. Aside from PvP (which should have it's own balance) you need to look at the game as a whole, not just the latest raid content. And there will be more content coming than just raids to think about. The "nerf RDM" train is a little early to leave the station, imo.

[Jeckyl_Tesla]

You do not balance a class based on the easy parts of the content. The solo open world content is very very easy, to the point that healers can do it all as well.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

Aside from PvP (which should have it's own balance) you need to look at the game as a whole, not just the latest raid content. And there will be more content coming than just raids to think about.

Open world content is easy, even SCH with all it's nerfs is untouchable. Balancing around something that's super easy and borderline worthless sounds extremely off to me. At least for DoW/DoM, which are balance around raid content.

Open world is really just for gatherers.

[TarynH]

You do not balance a class based on the easy parts of the content. The solo open world content is very very easy, to the point that healers can do it all as well.

Open world content is easy, even SCH with all it's nerfs is untouchable. Balancing around something that's super easy and borderline worthless sounds extremely off to me. At least for DoW/DoM, which are balance around raid content.

Nowhere did I say the game should be balanced solely around open world content. I said the entirety of the game should be looked at. Including open world content, but also looking ahead at savage, 24-man raid, and PotD/Eureka type content. You don't jump the gun on nerfs before you have all the variables to play with.

However, if they didn't care about balance in open world content, then what is the point of even having it? Why waste their time on FATEs, or having enemy levels? So yes, there is a certain degree of balance to open world content as well, despite how "easy" one might perceive it to be. That's why they don't go overboard with cranking up the damage output on jobs.

I also said I haven't used NIN in anything but open world content. So if people are crying "nerf" on that job, it must be solely a raid-related issue. As I found NIN to play much the same way it has always played. In other words, the experience I had with it, was not indicative to any perceived issues that some might have with it.

You also don't flippantly start changing jobs because another job comes along that is perceived as unbalanced. If any job should show a hint of perfect balance, it should be RDM. It should have a little bit of everything, but be a master of none. So far the only thing it's a master of is raising, which in the scheme of things is a nonissue, because it eats up MP like crazy. Therein lies the balance in that. BLM does out damage it. WHM does out cure it. It can't tank. It does have to stop running to cast an opening spell, so it can't run forever. It dies as fast as a BLM under fire. And melee jobs definitely out-melee it (except maybe DRG).

However, RDM is being looked at through the scope of petty jealousy, rather than an actual grievance. Over a job that is a jack-of-all-trades, but only a master of raising people. The arguments against it sound exactly like "BRD can move around too much," during the 2.X days.

RDM is not the issue here. The issue is with the other jobs, and it's not that hard to see it. BLM needs work. SMN needs work. They're both perceived as complicated, so make them less complicated. They could do with a slight damage increase for their lack of mobility. (Although, I still contend that SMN has pretty decent mobility.) DRG needs a little work on it's damage output. MCH needs... well... I don't know what. But BRD is on the bottom of the pile with it. RDM seems to be right in the middle of the road; where it should be. It's as close to a perfect job that I have ever picked up in an MMO. Not because it's OP, but because of the balance it actually has to it already. I think the fact that it is balanced, is the reason people despise it. They want their job to be better balanced as well. Which I have no disagreement with.

[Nezia]

Classes are not balanced based on solo content in the world, they're balanced based on their PvE capabilities in the raids.

I would not be surprised if they come up with something like: "We decided to make BLM single target damage lower because they deal a lot of aoe damage in dungeons"

I mean... You are 100% right in your statement, and that's how things should be, but I'm not sure if that's how they actually are.

[Ramath]

Whatever happened to people enjoying simple, fun AND rewarding experiences? Have we become so jaded that we need to cry foul every time we see someone else get slight enjoyment out of life?

I'm in the "leave RDM alone" crowd. I'd rather see other jobs become "less complex" and more fun, than one fun and simple job be torn completely apart because of arbitrary views like the above.

You are fight. People are so caught up with complaining that they forget how to enjoy things. It's quite disgusting, to be honest.

[Raikai]

Instead of nerfing RDM, they just need to bring other dps up there.

Especially MCH, that had this premise of bringing utility... but there's just a sliver of it compared to BRD or even RDM supporting healers.