6.0 Bard complete rework please

[Shurrikhan]

The issue isn't with Bard having offensive capabilites, but rather that their core is about being a master marksman, as opposed to being a BARD.

I don't disagree that the focus should be far more on the singing and less on the shooting. Hell, I'd be fine if ALL of the shooting Bard has was given by the Archer class prior to the split. My point is merely that I like that it has a bow because I like for my Bard to be armed and, since we're only allowed a single weapon type, I like that it uses the weapon that makes the most sense.

Also note, that while most games offer a terrible implementation of Bard, often being pure support *Flashbacks to Rift's Bard, sitting in the middle of Raid Rifts... Just spamming buffs* it's not the ONLY interpretation.

For example, Everquest's Bard classes (Dirge and Troubador) are notably Rogues at their core. They use daggers and/or bows/throwing knives to stab/shoot enemies.

But that leaves you with the same problem. What part of Rogue or dagger-wielding shouts Music? Is Music just an eclectic weapon set?

No matter what, music/bardery a broadly applicable skillset. It's logical placement, then, is not limited by what weapon allows you to sing while using it, but which weapon allows you to be least hampered in your singing or to maximize the benefit of that singing. It is limited only by where a person who provides such benefits probably ought to be to maximize the benefit of their songs. And standing back a bit with a shortbow makes a whole lot more sense for that toolkit than being smacked about on the frontlines. A bow as a Bard's weapon might not shout Music in itself, since no practical weapon does more than any other, but it does at reflect practicality on the whole.

Monk, a predominantly fist based martial fighter, is added on top on Pugilist, a fist based martial fighter.

Dragoon, a spear wielding fighter, is added on top of Lancer, a spear wielding fighter.

Warrior, a job that has seen notable use with axes (But not exclusively), is added on top of Marauder an axe wielding class.

Black Mage, a stave wielding Black Magic caster, is added on top of Thaumaturge, a primarily stave wielding Black Magic caster.

Bard, a singing virtuoso, is added on top of Archer, an archery based class.

One of these things is not like the others.

Consider the techniques as actual techniques instead of wrapping up what makes the job its job with the class it normally stands as, though.

Pugilist gets Chakra manipulation. Perfect, as its weapon type already demanded a knowledge of internal flow, momentum, etc., seen across Greased Lightning, Internal Release, and its stances.

Lancer gets Dragon Skills. Perfect, as a long, pointed weapon is ideal for getting maximal damage out of subconsciously manipulating one's weight or gravitational pull to leap to and descend from great or to very quickly close distances.

Thaumaturge unlocks wide invocation to source its evocations. Rather than channeling from just its own soul and immediate surroundings, it can now draw aether from wide expanses at will to fuel its fire and flame.

Archer, once a class laden with serious burst damage and disgusting amounts of utility, gets battle-turning abilities in the form of music, supplementing its original guerrilla warfare kit with something more sustaining (Army/Ballad), but also able to capitalize on that burst (Foe), instantly free up allies (Warden's), and to initiate healing (Minne). The original utility-heavy kit becomes more utility-heavy.

Ultimately it comes down to wanting either a practical-seeming progression or wanting to jump straight to jobs.

In the latter case, a Bard has literally no applicable weapons. It can kill monsters only, if at all, by seducing them or informing them that the song of their people is actually a far more peaceful one than they have in recent generations been led to believe.

Now, if we were to remove weapon proficiencies altogether, or allow separately for jobs' techniques and their being bound to a single weapon type, we'd have an altogether different story, but Bard itself -- that toolkit -- for all intents and purposes, would be more alike to a Disciple of the Land/Hand than a Disciple of War.

...And while searching the lands for various songs and lore is immensely appealing to me, short of that separation of class/weapon-proficiencies and jobs-as-thematic-technique-sets-technically-applicable-to-any-weapon... I'd rather have a Bard I can level and capable of solo combat without having to resort to attacking enemies with animated musical notes or cringe-opera.