BLM or BRD

[Ringabell]

If you actually manage to cast that 3rd flare (2nd after transpose) or more, then things have already died too slow for a speed run.

A good Bard will do very good damage in a Speed Run and importantly, will greatly increase the DPS of the Black Mage and White Mage.



Again, if you take Foes into consideration, a good Bard comes very close.

A good WHM will also get close to a BLM for AOE in Speed Runs.


That said, BLM is the best AOE class, but the gap is not as huge as many people make it out to be.

Also movement heavy fights don't hinder a BLM's DPS as much as people claim either, but this is where practice comes into play.

We'll have to agree to disagree about Bard being 'very close' to BLM in terms of AOE, though I agree with some of your other points. I find Bard is superior in the (many) instances that require movement, though I agree practice helps a lot in bridging that gap. I also agree that Holy can put WHM up there near BLM for speed run AOE damage. Seeing as a great deal of content requires movement, and the fact that songs are quite helpful, Bard is probably the better OVERALL choice.

Still, I find BLM is practically in it's own category when it comes to AOE DPS. Bard is quite good and WHM is pretty darn impressive, but If someone asked: "What's the best Job in the game for AOE?" I think everyone would say, without hesitation "Black Mage". Bard & WHM would be mentioned as strong secondary options but #1 is clearly BLM. When #1 is that clear I wouldn't consider #2 'very close'.