This has left me further questioning whether or not having two damage over time debuffs to maintain is even critical to the fantasy, and identity of bard/archer because it feels keeping them around is holding the job back, and the only reason they seem to be kept around is that BRD always had them. It begs the question is it worth keeping dots if it means compromising the bard or archer aspects of the job? I agree I don't think dots are inherently bad or outdated, but I don't think they are appropriate or necessary for BRD to be BRD at this anymore.

BRD to me is in a weird spot where it has to wear two hats at the same time. BRD has to be a good archer, a reliable DPS that feels lethal in the right hands. BRD also has to be a good bard, and provide support for its allies through music. If DNC is a cheerleader, and MCH is the big guns then BRD should be a rockstar on the battlefield. In my experience, PVP BRD does a decent job at conveying this fantasy (at least in Front Line). The raid buffs, and utility are strong, and its attacks secure kills. The job feels strong, and not broken and oppressive or weak and useless. PVP BRD does this without dots

The recent buff to Nature's Minne was a great bard buff, but I feel the archer part still needs some love. I am totally biased, and I am not in the BRD is a pure support crowd, so I think in terms of firepower, BRD should be right in the middle of DNC, and MCH, and not where it it currently being interchangeable with DNC. BRD is the only physical ranged DPS that a new player can start the game with so I feel like it should be a branching point into the other two jobs in terms of damage vs. utility while also remaining a strong pick if they want to stick with it. But right now it seems like the attitude is start with BRD so you can abandon it to play DNC or MCH.