The notion that a Bard is only as good as the damage it brings is beyond flawed. It completely ignores the Bard's utility through song. Yes, Minuet is a nod to increasing potential damage and the three new attacks designed to mesh with it. But one of the new abilities is also a support song in the form of a 30s debuff vaccination. You know, that support role people seem to want to gloss over. You will always have a place in any content because eventually you will have party members running low on MP/TP or needing a little boost to magic damage. No other class or Job can do this without having a lengthy cooldown afterward (except maybe Machinist, haven't unlocked it to know). If people are so desperate for a ranged DD that doesn't have a support role tagged on they have two options in the form of Black Mage and Summoner. I hear those can get some big numbers with the right skill.