Bard Points Allocation - Isn;t it DEX?

[Squrilruler]

FYI to the reply above - if by "3rd party" you mean a parser, there's nothing against the EULA about that.

This is wrong. Here is the appropriate link and quote.

2.5 Data Mining. You may not intercept, mine or otherwise collect information from the Game using unauthorized third party software.

http://support.na.square-enix.com/ru...2&tag=users_en

That said, the devs have stated that as long as you don't shame other players with this info, you won't get in trouble.

[RinchanNau]

This is wrong. Here is the appropriate link and quote.


http://support.na.square-enix.com/ru...2&tag=users_en

Why bother with this discussion? You can clearly see parsers used in progression kill videos from top end raid groups. If you're not using the information collected from a parser to belittle random people in PF and DF groups I'm sure everything will be alright.

[Melriss]

if by "3rd party" you mean a parser, there's nothing against the EULA about that. You should know this because you, like every player, have fully read all of the terms and conditions and the license agreements before you committed to buying a subscription.

http://support.na.square-enix.com/ru...2&tag=users_en
- 2.5 Data Mining. You may not intercept, mine or otherwise collect information from the Game using unauthorized third party software.

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...5bd14ffec4345f
- Although we will continue to monitor game data to ensure that similar illegitimate practices are not being used, we would like to remind players that using third-party programs, parsers, or other tools to conduct actions players would not normally be able to do in the game is a violation of the Terms of Service...

Looks like you didn't read properly at all.

[Viridiana]

- Although we will continue to monitor game data to ensure that similar illegitimate practices are not being used, we would like to remind players that using third-party programs, parsers, or other tools to conduct actions players would not normally be able to do in the game is a violation of the Terms of Service...

Looks like you didn't read properly at all.

This is the part they actually care about, though. Yes, parsers are technically against the ToS, but unless you're using some part of it to do things in game that others can't, they don't really care.

[Faelandaea]

Insert crusade post that does not relate to the topic here

Okay, listen - I know that people reading their DPS seriously bothers you, but the whole parser bit has been discussed, concluded, and is now old news. We're discussing Bard game-play and rotations here. I'm no longer using the parser. Now I'm just discussing with fellow players how to improve on the information I have. You lecture me on my reading skills, yet you clearly aren't reading this thread other than to troll. It's amusing, though. You kind of remind me of one of those mall security guards that has one of those little yellow lights on their car, and tries to use it to pull someone over for not using their blinker. If the Devs have an issue with anything I did, they'll call me out on it, and I will listen to them.

Just make sure you're weaving your buffs nicely with your shots

do you have blood for blood unlocked? using it with Internal Release and Hawk's Eye?

there's so many factors for bard, learn the rotation and priority and you'll be fine...

I just looked up Blood for Blood. Looks like I'll have to level my Lancer to 34 to get that one? I think he's 16, so I may just fate-level him to get that unlocked asap. But since a few people in here suggest it, I take heed of the advice and will try to get that unlocked tonight. Googling the skill, it trades taking more damage for 10% increase in DPS for 20 seconds - yeah definitely worth it to me. That damage taken bit shouldn't worry a Bard because with how mobile Bards are, they should never be hit unless it's a map-wide mechanic that hits everyone regardless. I'm surprised I haven't seen this skill come up in the build suggestions I read on other sites before now.

[Kiara]

... but I just got kicked out of two parties in a row - 1 Garuda Extreme and 1 Odin - for not doing high enough numbers in DPS (their words, not mine), and it was embarrassing.

Sheesh. Is that the norm on Phoenix server? Parties monitoring your DPS via 3rd Party Apps and kicking you if you don't meet a certain DPS # they think you should?

[Jim_Berry]

I stayed alive, stayed out of AoE, had the right targets, but just didn't put out the punch.

I did a post some time ago about something similar with me regarding this. It went as far as made me feel like utter crap that I took a two-month hiatus from FFXIV to reactivate FFXI.

I returned this past Thursday, and decided to stick to my roots as WHM. Sadly, I'm 69/75 towards completing Artemis Bow Animus, but I've already collected all 12 Atma and am on Book 2 for WHM's Thyrus.

As BRD, I did as you; attacked, stayed alive, even would be Number 3 or 4 on hate list, but apparently, I still wasn't a good enough DPS. People say we're support DPS, but at the end of the day, we're expected to exceed expectations. So yeah, sticking with my WHM.

[FranSeara]

Hello Op, Bard item Level 117 here. I've hit for 1k damage but not very often. The 1 thing you must keep in mind with bard is "Many of bard's shots hit more then once" Just having your 2 dots up on a target nets you about 300 dps, using straigh shot could net you 350-450 per shot. I think I average about 500 dps without crit or buffs. Adding crits and buffs in.....I think you get the picture here. The myth that bard cant do high dps is false. With blood for blood on and a few crits I hit for 600-800 per hit. ps: You really dont need any guides to play bard.

[Faelandaea]

I appreciate your inputs, everyone. Thanks. And yes the dummy bit was short - I think around 45 seconds to a minute was all. Most boss fights are a lot longer so I'll go for 5 next time.

On the healer bit, that was HPS, not individual tags. My individual heals do averaghe around there with crits going into the 2ks, which with the crits definitely helps the HPS. Also, as SCH I was calculating in total healing, which for us includes Eos, so she also contributes to HPS as far as my calculations went. But I am going to veer from that because I didn't want a bard thread to turn healer. LOL Sorry, my fault there.

I did decide to take a back seat on Bard for a week and do more research and stick to healing for the time being, but I plan to keep doing my best to get a rotation that will pass the DPS checks of the parties I have been joining. Thanks for staying positive and constructive with the feedback XD

[Jamie28334]

Hey Faelandaea, here's some of my advice from having BRD as one of my top choice jobs.

There's mixed opinion about when you should use CD's but typically what i do when opening a fight (boss of any kind, eg.ST) is the following

Flaming arrow (just re-apply when CD resets, as and when you can)
--------------
Straight Shot (Increases Critical Hit Rate by 10%)
Bloodletter
Windbite
Venemous Bite
Heavy Shot
Foe Requiem
--------------

Now the above rotation does not include any DPS buffs and is just usually the rotation i repeat throughout most fights, spamming heavy shot to try get a Crit Straight Shot in between re-applying my DoT's.

The most important thing for me when using DPS buffs is about the duration of each one so when I want to spike DMG I hit the following in the exact order:
--------------------
Straight Shot (Increases Critical Hit Rate by 10%)
Hawk Eye (Duration 20 secs)
Windbite (Duration 18 secs)
Blood for Blood (Duration 20 secs)
Venemous Bite (Duration 18 secs)
Raging Strikes (Increases DMG dealt by 20%, Duration 20 secs)
Internal Release (Crit +30%, Duration 15 secs)
Heavy Shot
Barrage (Duration 10 secs)
--------------------

I use this order because it gives the most amount DD buff duration for when I get round to Barrage and usually my CRIT modifiers are still on for this final 10 seconds so Bloodletter tends to proc quite a bit and I can spam Heavy Shot as well.

Barrage tends to crit on all 3 attacks quite regularly which is a nice 1.5k DMG, BL's do around 750-800, SS's around the same. Because the CD's have different reset timers I usually just pop them when they are back up if the fight lasts that long and it's worth it, otherwise I stick to my job and manage other things like ballad, foe, mantra, blunt arrow, repelling shot as and when needed and typically just avoiding taking any DMG.

It's great if all these DPS buffs are up and the fight goes down to the last 20% as a Misery End usually crits for a nice 900+


Don't forget your handicapped somewhat by weapon DMG and potency on actions, but spike DMG can be great when needed and you're there to support PT's a lot more than other. A Battle Voice Foe Requiem is damn helpful when you have a mage heavy DPS alliance.