ARC should not be a Bard

[Lavani]

This is true but remember the real DD massive slashes and thrusts only get better because of the bard so their increase in damage should essentially be considered as the bard's damage. In this sense the bard may (depending on the effectiveness of their songs) cause greater damage to an enemy vicariously through their party members than if they were a warrior or dragoon. Allowing the party members to cast more spells, perform more weaponskills and land more attacks may make up for or even exceed the bard's own lack of direct damage dealing capabilities.

This, however, has little to do with an archer; the bard in FFXI was in such high demand without even attacking at all. If the songs are effective enough I expect that the bard will be a valued member of most parties but not likely as the role of a ranged damage dealer that you would expect from an archer.

I'd rather play archer and have someone else buff me thank you very much.

[Camisado]

I'd rather play archer and have someone else buff me thank you very much.

Which is how most people who want to play as an archer feels, I imagine. And why I support the notion that the archer should be getting something different as a job. However, if they had to add bard to one of the existing classes then archer is probably be the best fit for it. Also, if archer got a ranged attacking job now (such as sniper, ranger, etc.) and then later received bard as a second job would it cause much fuss?

For now I suppose we can hope that the class reforms make archer more capable in itself so that not having an archer-like job for now isn't such a disappointment.