Why is BRD considered "support"

[AskaRay]

Then I will say I think the developers are boneheads. I don't see why they think our difference in utility is worth a 15% damage difference.

I have Opinions about that too... but right now, I don't mind too much. I can still DPS numbers that make me happy and I can support my team when needed.
Despite all the whinings when HW came out that "bards wouldn't be wanted, etc etc", it's almost every day I see an ad for a Brd/MCH in a static. So.

I'm fine playing the "wait and see" game.

[Ashkendor]

Bards and Machinists are the most sought-after classes for Savage, so I don't see what the problem is here...

[FoxyAreku]

You basically are support because bard songs are the only reason people bring bards to anything.

It's a good class and bards do plenty of damage regardless, but every other class does more damage, so be happy you have all of them beat in utility.

[Kemas]

Then I will say I think the developers are boneheads. I don't see why they think our difference in utility is worth a 15% damage difference.

In the right hands the damage difference is negligible- and if you're using requiem and WM in conjunction with one another you're effectively increasing all magic damage to the target by a significant amount. Add to that knowledge of the fight and you're competing with the best WHILE supporting your group. Job synergy is a beautiful thing. With a brd you can utilize the top dps(drg) WHILE supporting your group and getting a piercing dps increase and you don't have to bring an ast along which provides overall longevity to a group. Speaking by from experience, ast is wonderful but they have problems with sustaining themselves WHILE healing, and brd alleviates some of this pressure while bringing a handful of other useful abilities to the group.

[adn]

Then I will say I think the developers are boneheads. I don't see why they think our difference in utility is worth a 15% damage difference.

Then you don't understand how vital BRD/MCH are to high end play and how powerful they really are. They can save a wipe if a healer dies and needs MP. With how tight DPS checks are on current content, TP regen is absolutely critical for getting a DPS back into the fight; let's not even talk how fantastic Foe Req is.

They provide safety nets that no other class brings to the table while also bringing good DPS. BRD and MCH are ALWAYS in demand, look in party finder long enough and I guarantee you will see somebody looking for one for their static.

They are not classes for people who care solely about pumping DPS numbers. I recommend you try DRG if that's what you want. There is a sound argument that the class adjustments made to BRD in HW ruined the flavor of the class, but they are still very powerful.

[Sylve]

Then I will say I think the developers are boneheads. I don't see why they think our difference in utility is worth a 15% damage difference.

Bards and Machinists are the only 2 Jobs that have the ability to provide consistent, reliable and on demand TP/MP Regen with no cooldown outside of MP Regen (which can be assisted via Ewers and MP Pots).
Bard is till the only one able to provide a constant Magic Damage effect, Though the MCH effects are quite powerful when used despite the lower uptime.
They also happen to fall under the Support category because of this.

The main reason their DPS falls shy of other classes is their ease of damage output coupled with a high degree of mobility. Less so with Minuet and Gauss to be sure, but its still significantly less damage loss for a BRD/MCH to constantly move from AoEs.
You know, there was a time when BRDs were the only acceptable DPS and a Melee was brought only to use Limit Break. Those were terrible times.

Lets look it at it from this perspective. Imagine for a moment that all DPS classes had identical DPS output with no change in utility skills.
Now for BRD and MCH you have what is basically a DRG that attacks from range, while moving semi freely while also providing resource benefits to allies and damage bonuses for casters and each other while also providing damage downs on top of what a Tank brings to the fight.
Why would you take anything else?

[Kemas]

There's a LOT of bad bards and machinists out there- it was the same stigma in 2.0. I remember being recruited to multiple statics at a time because I was able to both push dps and use songs properly. A lot are drawn to the idea of being a straight dps or a straight support but brd is fully capable of doing both extremely well when played properly. I know a lot of that centered around brds opener in 2.0 and I presume the same holds true. I mistakenly chose to change my main to PLD for 3.0 only to be crapped on by SE but TLDR: play the job properly/maximize your full potential and you'll be one of the few proper brds.

Oh and PSA: foe's requiem is a good thing. :P

One more addition: MOST new brd and mch I have grouped with don't understand the value of AOE abilities and spreading that damage across groups of 3 or more- additionally, the application of DoTs to multiple mobs to help proc triggering. Let's hope these "bad brd and mch" read this... One can hope.

[Kassiekane]

It's not so much "support" as it is a "high-utility DPS". I don't play bard, but I understand the concept that they are neither a TP/MP bot, nor are they a turret that destroys parsers. They have 2 tasks; deal as much damage as possible, while keeping everyone's TP/MP up so that the fight continues to go smoothly.

[Catwho]

I realized some time ago that people don't know or pay attention to what bard songs are doing, so I macro'd in the exact ability to each of my songs. Start off a fight with Foe Requiem without being asked and get told you are "the best bard ever" - but I had to put in a note that the song increased magic damage by 10% for it to work.

[Saccharin]

I see them more as support-light and prefer it that way.