Quote Originally Posted by Spider-Dan View Post
In exactly the same sense that low delay weapons can have high DMG too, sure. Your argument along this line begins and ends with Sarnga (which BRD can't even equip). One weapon does not a paradigm make.
Not my fault there aren't more choices in weapons. I'm talking about the DPS focused system versus a Damage focused system. It's better. That is all. Should they release a Garlean bow for BRD next patch that has high Damage and high delay, but the DPS is comparable to Garuda's Spine then voila. I was responding to your claim that this system with DPS making high Damage weapons obsolete. The system isn't doing that. Simply the weapons you have to chose from.

...except that the slower, "harder hitting" weapons hit softer when it comes to WS! So you are left with one weapon that hits harder on WS and has better damage-over-time on Light Shot, and one weapon that... does neither of those things. The only thing that even makes the comparison interesting is Barrage.
No, again harder hitting weapons don't necessarily need to be hitting softer for WS. Having high Damage and high DPS are not mutually exclusive. You're thinking BRD only right now while attempting to criticize the whole weapon stat design system.

"Reputable players" making claims without data doesn't do much but show their own preferences.
No argument here. I still continue to use the Spine. Fits my style better and I still feel it is superior to Ifrit's Bow. That being said, I haven't done thorough testing either.

The only reason to bring BRD over ARC is the buffs, and even Darklight will not substitute for them. Even without Gryphonskin, BRD-exclusive gear is nothing special compared to AH/melded gear that ARC has had available for a long time.
The buffs are no joke. They are what make BRD useful. ARC/BRD doesn't have the DPS ability to be worthwhile as an exclusive DD. However, for a support job with unique buffs as well as backup heals/defensive buffs, the DPS is nice. Also Rain of Death is quite nice.

However, the Sarnga+1 as well as the Gryphonskin gear is what I feel like may push ARC DPS high enough to be a worthwhile DD. If you think about it the Sarnga+1 has greatest DPS as well as the greatest Damage from what I recall, as well as 7 of each of it;s offensive stats. On top of all of that it can be melded. The Gryphonskin set also comes packed with enough DEX and PIE to already be solid before being melded.