New Bard feedback

[Taban]

I posted this in a topic on the DPS forum as well, but since we're having the discussion in general:

A lot of players have been worried about this since it was first announced, but waited to see how it was implemented before crying foul. The biggest problem isn't even the movement (though that is a very jarring change), but that bard was originally built with instant casts in mind, and the bard playstyle reflects that. Black Mage has one off gcd buff that they have to manage between casts and an occasional proc, bard has 6 buffs, along with several other off gcd attacks that are meant to be weaved in between on gcd abilties one of which can also proc to reset it's cd. Adding cast bars makes that process extremely...clunky for lack of a better word. Things don't flow well, it almost feels like they tried to take two different gameplay styles and mash them into one =p.

If SE really wanted to encourage bards to stand still they should have just had WM add a stacking buff to all damage the longer you stood in place. Good bards would still need to stand around to be higher on the charts, but it wouldn't break the synergy between the moves in the class itself.

[Lyaha]

That is.. brilliant.

[Aistaraina]

Reading through this... it sounds like people are just sitting in WM. Please don't. Pop in when needed, then get out. You're killing your DPS.

There are really only 3 times you should be using WM:

- Opener
I haven't done any number crunching, as I just hit 60 yesterday, but it doesn't seem like the BRD opener hasn't changed much. Now, KrietoR will probably prove me wrong soon enough, but it just seems a few more skills got tacked onto the end, and the point when you use Barrage got delayed a bit.
Quelling > HE > RS > BL > SS > B4B > IR > WB > VM > Flaming(+Blunt if you don't need silence) > WM > Barrage > Emp Arrow > Sidewinder > Iron Jaw > Leave WM > Go back to regular scheduled BRD programming.

- When HE+B4B+Barrage line up. Which they always should. And your dots should be up. As they always should.
WM > HE > B4B > Barrage > Emp Arrow > Sidewinder > Iron Jaw > Leave WM

- AOE pulls
Because who cares about AA when you can get a 20% increase across all the mobs in the pack.

[OmgarItzRain]

minuet will be probably "must use" and GL trying getting into EM farm party or Alexander Savage without using minuet...Use Minuet or get kicked from party.

I loled...

Your bard is level 55, and you're claiming that even now your DPS is higher than with it turned off? You don't even have all the skills that go with it. On top of that, if you are playing the toggle game + 1.5s cast time, that's 4.5s before you can fire off your toggled skill. Yes, you are unable to weave in your OGCD skills during that time (please try to do this during TitanEX and let me know how it goes).

Personally, I don't see anyone getting kicked for not using it. You tell us not to promote toggling it off, yet you are sitting here promoting the idea of kicking people for not using a song that STILL isn't parsing high?

[Kayote]

I forgot to check if it procs on Misery's End though.

Doesnt work on Misery's End. At least not on my current level. Tried it a ton of times to check. Plus since I have it macro'd as Barrage>Misery's End>Heavy Shot and its popped sometimes right before using Misey's End and it doesnt do the 3 hits (I wish!). At least it doesnt remove the proc so it'll hit with whatever comes next. Heavy Shot is really the only ability worth using Barrage with (again, at my level).

As for WM... havent tried it but I like the sound of it. Then again im one of the few BRD's who doesnt care about the support abilities (though I still use them when needed) or mobility as much. Makes sense that an Archer would have to line up a shot correctly for pin-point accuracy/max damage. My favorite Archer classes so far have been in LoTR which had a great Hunter with a lot of stationary cast times IIRC and Rift where they had an ability where standing in a very small AoE gave you a damage buff.

They should make MCH the mobile job instead. Guns arent as accurate nor do they really need to be.

[Cirgellon]

I haven't even been using it yet. I'm still usually top dps, or close to, in dungeons. I like to move too much to use that song though. Maybe I'll try it more after getting to cap.

[Lyaha]

They should make MCH the mobile job instead. Guns arent as accurate nor do they really need to be.

Yeah, let's change the play style of an existing class, and give that gameplay to a new one.

You're kidding right? Because that's idiotic.

[Mhikail]

Bards complaining about having a DPS stance when they originally were tearful about being the supportive type.
So they hear your plea and gave you something to work with, in exchange of mobility loss.
You asked for it. You can't have be a better DPS, have mobility AND support.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Cirgellon]

Bards complaining about having a DPS stance when they originally were tearful about being more supportive.
Now precious mobility is gone.
You asked for it.
\_(ツ)_/¯

You can search my post history. I never asked for it...

[Kat_Manx]

a) I liked Bard the way it was before so I didn't complain about "low DPS," infact, it wasn't low at all. LOWER than some certain jobs, maybe, but not low. The only reason I played Bard was because of the mobility. It's fun.

b) There are so, so many other ways to up the DPS if you have to. Making songs work differently would be a great start.

c) The "Nobody will force you to use the new skill"-argument. Yes, yes you will force us.