Real class balance feedback please

[Tyro]

Hi everyone,

I'm DRG and BLM 50, also MNK 48. I haven't done much endgame since I'm having a hard time finding time to play inbetween work, masters degree, gym and gf... all those jobs were leveled 2 years ago in version 1.0. As you can see, currently I have NO IDEA of what you are all talking about regarding job balance.

I've seen threads about how BLM, DRG and MNK are weak (not a single BRD thread so I guess they are ok).

So once and for all, please get it together and lets talk about the real weakness of these jobs.

Lets not talk about what everyone agrees:

a. Dragoon's jump abilities are lackluster and need a serious buff.
b. Greased Lighting buff should last longer/stack differently/be the Perfect Balance buff.

[Maxu]

every job could use some quality of life changes, but none of these really have anything to do with balance. Personally I think the dps classes are all pretty well done and are in each others realms.

too bad 2.1 will fuck this all over I guess!

[Teleniel]

pretending to take a perfect player perspective. Dragoon, Monk and Black Mage can all do amazing DPS... unfortunately in a real world (and casual friendly game) they suffer GREATLY compared to Summoner and Bard. The major problems as I've seen them listed:

Dragoon : Jumps leave you vulnerable while you're locked in animation
Monk : Maintaining Greased Lightning is very difficult in movement intensive fights, or when required to use specific combat strategies (silencing ADS)
Black Mage : Damage bursts are inconsistent (firestarter/thundercloud proc), also few useful damage boosting cross-class actions
Summoner : pet-AI is horri-bad.
Bard : actual perfect world DPS is low compared to other classes, however maintaining a standing NEAR that level is much easier. While support abilities feel lackluster... ask a group if they want them and I'd be surprised if they say no.

[Zer0mr]

pretending to take a perfect player perspective. Dragoon, Monk and Black Mage can all do amazing DPS... unfortunately in a real world (and casual friendly game) they suffer GREATLY compared to Summoner and Bard. The major problems as I've seen them listed:

Dragoon : Jumps leave you vulnerable while you're locked in animation
Monk : Maintaining Greased Lightning is very difficult in movement intensive fights, or when required to use specific combat strategies (silencing ADS)
Black Mage : Damage bursts are inconsistent (firestarter/thundercloud proc), also few useful damage boosting cross-class actions
Summoner : pet-AI is horri-bad.
Bard : actual perfect world DPS is low compared to other classes, however maintaining a standing NEAR that level is much easier. While support abilities feel lackluster... ask a group if they want them and I'd be surprised if they say no.

Right on the money!!

[Orophin]

Basically people are idiots when the reality is apart from Bards, who can fully DPS while moving with no penalty, all of the DPS classes are really close to each other. There are fights that might favor one class over another, but if you expand the sample size to all possible encounters you'll see how things are pretty close.

[Gooner_iBluAirJGR]

Basically people are idiots. . .

LOL THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gamemako]

I'll give you the short version. BRD is overpowered and is getting a well-deserved nerf. BLM is a bit on the high side and is also demanded for every endgame party, but probably won't be touched because it's reportedly Yoshi's favorite job. SMN is powerful, but has a few specific disadvantages (pet deaths, limited burst damage). MNK is potent except for a few nagging issues; it still shows up in raid groups very frequently. DRG is underpowered and will be buffed in 2.1.

If you want the best roll right now, go with your 50 BLM. You can reroll DRG in 2.1 if it gets buffed sufficiently. If you prefer how MNK plays, it's a fine choice as well, just beware that it requires more skill than any other DPS job.

[Bigpurpleharness]

I'll give you the short version. BRD is overpowered and is getting a well-deserved nerf. BLM is a bit on the high side and is also demanded for every endgame party, but probably won't be touched because it's reportedly Yoshi's favorite job. SMN is powerful, but has a few specific disadvantages (pet deaths, limited burst damage). MNK is potent except for a few nagging issues; it still shows up in raid groups very frequently. DRG is underpowered and will be buffed in 2.1.

BLM won't be nerfed because in every MMO ever, the mage stays strong and desirable, period. Any nerfs will be minor. I would also melee always are somewhat weaker to ranged, but FFXI kind of went backwards on that one.

Of course, just because for some reason these always seem to be the case with previous MMOs, doesn't mean it'll be the case in XIV.

[Tyro]

Great replies! Thank you everyone. I think I'll do as Gamemako says, go with BLM until 2.1 comes out and see how they improved DRG.

[Shamirah]

oh god. Monk and SMN => best dps in single target. SMN best dps in multi-target (not talking about aoe, i'm talking about 1-4 mobs). Dragoon, decent single target dps and second in aoe. BLM decent in ST, first in aoe. Bard : decent in both.