Bards viability now?

[NamNem]

I started playing about a month ago and started was going to be a Dragoon, but I started reading where a good Bard was always essential in raids, so I decided to switch to Bard. Now, I have been hearing mixed feelings on if a bard would be needed or just switched for a higher DPS. What are the opinions on this? I understand that there is always the "bring the player" mentality, but if I can bring the player on a different class to put out better numbers and be needed more, I would do that. I do not like being a hindrance to a group.


Don't misunderstand this as that I do not like Bard, I love it.

[Amiantos]

Bards will always be needed in raids like Alexander. Healers no matter how good the group is will tend to empty out near the end of fights and a quick Battle Voice Mages Ballad combo will always be loved. Dunno my old raid mates DPS as of now with his Bard but he's always been pulling numbers equivalent to mine as nin and our mnks when we were doing final coil stuff. A good brd will always be need long story short.

[Laerune]

From what I have seen Bards still bring alot of support skills making them a MUST HAVE when doing endgame contents. Afcourse some might disagree and take a Machnist, but I reckon every raidgroup will atleast take few Bards and Machinist with them.

[Waeksyn]

Bard as a playable class in FFXIV is dead. SE has done the same to bury this job as they did in FFXI with ranger. Run as fast as you can to something else - just don't let it be Machinist.

[KylePearlsand]

Bard as a playable class in FFXIV is dead. SE has done the same to bury this job as they did in FFXI with ranger. Run as fast as you can to something else - just don't let it be Machinist.

I wouldn't say it's dead. After all Bards still bring extremely useful utility and our numbers outside of WM isn't the worst thing in the world. (That title belongs to Machinist btw.) Buffing magic damage, Refresh, TP refresh and a status effect get out of jail free card once they make it easier to use. By the time Alexander hits, we will have some buffs and will still be a must have in raid groups.

[Sove92]

I wouldn't say it's dead. After all Bards still bring extremely useful utility and our numbers outside of WM isn't the worst thing in the world. (That title belongs to Machinist btw.) Buffing magic damage, Refresh, TP refresh and a status effect get out of jail free card once they make it easier to use. By the time Alexander hits, we will have some buffs and will still be a must have in raid groups.

This. What SE did was drop the bard's proportional damage they do compared to the other DDs, but in people's eyes, this is just a massive nerf and claims of how the job is now dead. They never lowered their damage, they just increased the damage of other DDs more. Machinist also has the same treatment, they do lower damage in proportion to the pure DDs. BRD and MCH are support DDs, not pure DDs. It is still a necessity to have either one in raids.

[Gilraen]

I've never considered myself the glass cannon that the straight DD classes/Jobs are, more like a golden fiddle. We brings the songs that keeps the battles from fallings downs. If someone plays Bard to be a glass cannon then they really picked the wrong class, they're doing their party no favors by ignoring their support potential.

[SovereignAegis]

Bads and Machinists are two jobs that I cannot actually suggest to anyone. Level it if you wish but realize at present without substantial buffs you won't be pulling off anywhere near the numbers of a ninja.

And that isn't an exaggeration. You WILL NOT be pulling off anywhere near the same numbers as a ninja at any point in time.

[Lewtskie]

You know it's funny, out of the crap they did, they did actually manage to greatly improve our aoe clearing capabilities, lol. But yeah, against singular opponents, namely bosses, we fall off a bit too much. Not entirely ruined, and improvements are now on the way. So don't count it out just yet.

[Sapphic]

Well we managed to get first clear for most of the party on Bis ex the other day using 2 BRDs. I don't think they are as bad as players make them out to be to be honest. Just getting used to optimizing the new playstyle.

One BRD ilvl 178, 2nd BRD 154, plus 2x DRGs one was pretty fresh 60 the other not that far ahead. Me on PLD ilvl 151. and a 178 WAR.