RIP Bard

[Blueyes]

I'm actually kind of surprised they added this type of mechanic to Bard. When they talked about Machinist having an optional stationary stance that would let them turret like a Black Mage I assumed that would be a key mechanic that would make the job play differently, but now they both more or less have the same capability with Bard seemingly being less intuitive about it.

[Eidolon]

Why the hell is this considered "RIP BARD" to people? This is what people have been asking for - a LOT. They wanted to be more Archer/Ranger with "Cast times on ranged attacks" to be more DPS based. Well, here's an awesome song that will allow you to amplify your damage at the expense of not moving.

Personally? I find this -awesome- and think that it will really define a good bard over the ADHD bards that jump in circles spamming a single skill. -_-

[Lillia]

Why the hell is this considered "RIP BARD" to people? This is what people have been asking for - a LOT. They wanted to be more Archer/Ranger with "Cast times on ranged attacks" to be more DPS based. Well, here's an awesome song that will allow you to amplify your damage at the expense of not moving.

Personally? I find this -awesome- and think that it will really define a good bard over the ADHD bards that jump in circles spamming a single skill. -_-

Yeah, I mean I was fine with the support in the background role of bard as we do small roles too because we're the only current mobile dps and songs are pure support but this gives us a little bit of a boost when we're burning in a period of a boss phase with no movement being required. :x

So I accept this skill wholeheartedly, it'll just take time to get use to its pros and cons.

[The_Last_Dragoon]

Why the hell is this considered "RIP BARD" to people?

When I originally created the thread I was actually too late for the live letter and was watching the job skill animations. I didn't think that the song had anything to do with the cast times at first and saw the cast times being applied to poison shot and windbite. It's not a problem now that I know it's a toggle with the song. The ability is still extremely situational and until we know everything about it we can't actually know if it would even be viable to use as a Bard.

[Jarinolde]

The ability is still extremely situational and until we know everything about it we can't actually know if it would even be viable to use as a Bard.

Are you really so daft as to think a brand new ability that is supposed to increase your damage output is not viable, just because it comes with caveats?

[The_Last_Dragoon]

Are you really so daft as to think a brand new ability that is supposed to increase your damage output is not viable, just because it comes with caveats?

Wait, so under that logic do you think the MP & TP songs aren't viable because they lower your damage?

Besides, like I said before, the song requires a 2.5 second cast and then proceeds to give your core attacks casting times as well as stop your auto-attack. It was pointed out before that during the video, the Bard put up Barrage, which should be useless under the effects of the new song, but we don't know if Barrage can affect the damage output anyway. We don't know how much the damage buff is going to be, so it stands to reason that we don't know whether or not the loss of potential damage is outweighed by the damage buff. Hence, we have to wait before we can say whether or not it is a viable thing.

[Jarinolde]

Wait, so under that logic do you think the MP & TP songs aren't viable because they lower your damage?

No, that's your logic. Minuet increases your damage at the cost of your movement and auto-attacks. Ballad and Paeon decreases your damage at the benefit of restoring MP and TP. Do you see how this works now? You don't just get a huge damage buff for little or no cost. Most of the time it comes with a long cooldown, but this is a song so these are the requirements if you want this damage boost. It's the same thing with BLM's new Ley Lines ability.

If you're really unsure about it's potential, then I encourage you and others to do as you say further down your post, and wait and see. But by no means will this be relegated off to the side along side BRD's other oft unused abilities like Shadowbind or Swiftsong. Every single new ability is supposed to change up each job in big ways.

[Yoruichi4478]

Why the hell is this considered "RIP BARD" to people? This is what people have been asking for - a LOT. They wanted to be more Archer/Ranger with "Cast times on ranged attacks" to be more DPS based. Well, here's an awesome song that will allow you to amplify your damage at the expense of not moving.

Personally? I find this -awesome- and think that it will really define a good bard over the ADHD bards that jump in circles spamming a single skill. -_-

I didn't ask for this sort of thing. Buffing yes, adding new skills yes, being a "caster" no. And myself and other endgame bards don't spam a single skill tyvm. We hit everything in an organised way.

[Gilraen]

Yeah, kind of have to go with the 'this is awesome' people. I mean, casters have had to stand still to do their roles since role playing games have been a thing and noone's complained about that. Bard will get an ability that will theoretically put them on par with casters damage-wise and suddenly it's all doom and gloom? I think this is going to be pretty cool. I like being a support role but this will definitely make my solo life alot easier and will probably get some use in party content.

[Yoruichi4478]

Yeah, kind of have to go with the 'this is awesome' people. I mean, casters have had to stand still to do their roles since role playing games have been a thing and noone's complained about that. Bard will get an ability that will theoretically put them on par with casters damage-wise and suddenly it's all doom and gloom? I think this is going to be pretty cool. I like being a support role but this will definitely make my solo life alot easier and will probably get some use in party content.

GL having the mobs patiently wait to hit you soloing while you're casting with WM on.