Advice to returning bard?

[Hsinrou]

Hi,

I just returned to the game after being away for quite some time. I'm thinking of getting heavensward, but the changes to the bard class that I've read about seem unappealing. Do any of the folks who mained as bard pre-heavensward and really liked the play style have any advice regarding possibly switching classes? I really like and am used to the fluid and fast paced style of the pre-hw bard. Is there another class that is somewhat similar or which other bards have found fun to play?

Thanks!

[ExiaQuanta]

Eh, IMO I think new BRD is still pretty good. The cast is 1.5secs so its not to bad. This time however you probably gonna build more towards Crit/Skill Speed probably. But meh, I'm one of those minorities that favor current heavensward bard o3ob. Some say MCH is more "optimal" with Gaus Barrel because it was "built" with casting in mind but in the end Gauss Barrel is, in a nutshell the same as Wanderer's Minuet. A lot of bards have switched to Summoner though because apparently it plays like old bard which idk how lol but thats what they say. I say if you want to play bard still, get it to at least lv56 to make that judgement because Wanderer's Minuet is not a profitable skill until you get Empyreal Arrow (Lv54) and Iron Jaw (Lv56). Current HW bard is also a class that now requires pre-knowledge of a fight for you to push out maximum dps if anything.

[mdha02]

I love the changes to bard. Like with all the jobs post 50, you've gotta change your play style.

[Greywolfamakir]

2.xx BRD still exist, but It's not optimal and old style BRD is currently dead out of "casual" content.

Current BRD has cast bar, and if you don't like cast bars, you have to play a melee job like Dragoon, Ninja or Monk. Every ranged job has cast bar right now, BLM is the most static job, SMN has cast bar but he has some tools to hit and run like Ruin II or Tri-Disaster, but during Bahamut Trance casts are mandatory. BRD casts every skill but BL, Flaming Arrow, Blunt Arrow and Straight Shot under Straighter Shot proc.

If you are searching for Non-Cast job, melee or tank are the only way currently.

[AskaRay]

Well I mained and still main BRD, and I find the changes fine. In fact, it keeps the job from getting stale in my opinion.
The hardest thing I've had to deal with is NOT the cast bar, it's remembering to apply Iron Jaws (and then NOT hitting Windbite/Venomous Bite like an idiot right after). I also think the style is very fluid once you get the rhythm down. Yes, at first it does take some getting used to but..what wouldn't? I would just try it out and if you really, really hate it then move on to a new job.

A lot of bards have switched to Summoner though because apparently it plays like old bard which idk how lol but thats what they say.

Funniest thing I've heard all day

[Valoris]

I tried out Dragoon by levelling to 60 and gearing up to ilev 200. Not that excited so I am trying out Ninja now (currently lev.57) and so far meh. Still going to get him to 60 and get ilev.200 gear also. I might try Monk if I am still not excited by the Ninja. We will see.

Tell the truth since they broke Bard ... I have been playing less and less. I would hate to quit but all the alternatives I have tried and considered do not thrill me the way 2.0 Bard used to.

[Reinha]

I really like and am used to the fluid and fast paced style of the pre-hw bard. Is there another class that is somewhat similar or which other bards have found fun to play?

Thanks!

Summoner is the most mobile ranged dps now. You only have to stand still for applying dots and during trance.

For melee I would recommend ninja or monk. They have faster attacks than dragoon, although monk has to keep up a stacked buff to stay fast. Ninja comes with faster movement speed. Both have combos which is something bard never had.

You could also try machinist but not sure if it's fast paced. It does have cast times like bard. Dragoon and black mage are slow, so I don't recommend them.

[Kamote]

i mained BRD from 2.0 until HW. developed quite a few habits from playing 2.0 BRD for more than a year.
i would recommend you make your decision after you hit level 56 at least, since the play style does a 180 turn on level 52. if you do not enjoy it up until 56 at least, since, like any change, will take time to get accustomed to, i would suggest DRG, big deeps and bad ass eso gear

i personally am liking the changes now more than before....initially thought they broke my job
either way, good luck and welcome back!

[Rongway]

Many people who complain about "no mobility" were chronic overmovers to begin with. If you like to move just because you can, you will absolutely hate HW BRD. If you know how to move when you need to, and park it when you don't, the cast bars will be only a minor adjustment.

[Neela]

Well I mained and still main BRD, and I find the changes fine. In fact, it keeps the job from getting stale in my opinion.
The hardest thing I've had to deal with is NOT the cast bar, it's remembering to apply Iron Jaws (and then NOT hitting Windbite/Venomous Bite like an idiot right after). I also think the style is very fluid once you get the rhythm down. Yes, at first it does take some getting used to but..what wouldn't? I would just try it out and if you really, really hate it then move on to a new job.

Many people who complain about "no mobility" were chronic overmovers to begin with. If you like to move just because you can, you will absolutely hate HW BRD. If you know how to move when you need to, and park it when you don't, the cast bars will be only a minor adjustment.

Right on

I mained my Bard before HW too - changed to SMN without knowing HW would bring that awesome changes to the pet-players. After maxing the SMN to 60 and nearly ilvl 200, i noticed that there are too many player changing to SMN too... so i made my way back to Bard and his major-HW-changes. The loss of movement was one kind of an argument, i really was looking into... but now i think there are 2-3 macros even Bards can use lately like the "Empyreal Arrow, Misery's End, Bloodletter & Heavy Shot" smash-macro. And a good sidenote after playing SMN for a while is... that i got used to DoTs - so there is no need for me to "...hitting Windbite/Venomous Bite like an idiot right after...".

I must admit that i completly changed my Bard ARR-playstyle – but lately i love it even more than before