Advice to returning bard?

[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.

[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.