Help me pick a DPS!

[Fevelle]

Hello! I need your help to pick a DPS.

First, let me explain a little about myself: I'm playing FFXIV since about 1 year ago (a little less, maybe?). I'm healing since I began in this game, and my main is WHM (though I have all healers leveled). I picked up healing because it seemed less scripted than other jobs, and I was right, healing is completely intuitive in this game. I could say I play with "my heart" when I'm healing: the ability to predict damage, feel the synergy of the party to know how and when I should DPS or if I should focus on MP management etc.

Long story short: I don't have a script. I predict and react to damage and situations when playing my main class. That's where my problem comes down to: all DPS seem extremely scripted or based on timers. I leveled BLM and tried to play SMN, but it's completely unbearable for me to keep up with the BLMs timers and all the micromanaging/CD timer on SMN. I can do it, sure, but it's far from my idea of having fun playing a class.

That being said, what DPS class should I level to be my "DPS main" on this game and have fun without being a detriment to my party (like some BLMs that do the 2.0 rotations on Void Ark).

TL;DR
I'm a main healer who like intuitive gameplay instead of scripted rotations and timers. What DPS should I pick?

Thank you in advance!

[Tint]

you should play monk o.o/

[Kazumac]

SCH is always the best choice for dps.

But let me see, if you want something reactive how about a proc based class, BRD or maybe MCH? MCH does take planning out cool down usage though but then most if not all dos I can think of will have that to varying degrees. MNK's basic rotation seems simple enough to not be too distracting that you'll be reacting to mechanics and spinning top tanks

I don't really play a lot of dps classes and really only one at 60. I hated SMN for the reasons you mention. I enjoy MCH more but it's not for everyone. I am going to try MNK next as so far it seems less tedious but a lvl 60 should comment on that.

[Zojha]

Ugh...that's a toughie. Melee DPS is definitely out considering how scripted their rotations are and with SMN and BLM gone as well, there's only MCH and BRD left as possible candidates.

Now, I can't speak for BRD (yet), but MCH has a very scripted burst phase, so that might be a turn-off. Otherwise, you can watch the mana/tp bars of your party and react to your shot proccs/ammo CDs.

Uhm...yeah.

[Laerune]

you should play monk o.o/

I second this answer. I have been told by many that Monk is a exciting, skillbased class.

[Coyote_Red]

If you don't like playing classes with a rotation that's set in stone, I'd recommend machinist. They're a range dps class that works primarily from prioritizing certain skills above others. Their rotation changes a lot, mainly due to the nature of their main damage abilities being RNG based. It does require a lot of focus, as you have similar supportive capabilities to that of a Bard and your burst requires a lot of preparation as well as thinking a head constantly. It's very rewarding to play.

In all honesty, it's not a bad idea to try out all of the dps classes to get a feel for them and see which one you'd enjoy playing the most. Wouldn't recommend monk though. Or dragoon.

[Aethaeryn]

If you don't like following a script, that excludes all three melee (and double excludes drg because of blood of the dragon). You already shot down SMN and BLM. MCH has a pretty involved opener like SMN, but a little less micromanging involved...but it can be hectic making everything flow for wildfires and keeping track of the off-gcd skills. Pretty much the only thing I think would work for you based on your post is BRD. The opener is fairly simple, and after that you just follow a priority system rather than a set rotation.

After that, if you don't mind positionals I think you would probably enjoy monk. It has a rotation, but it's a lot less involved than ninja or dragoon once you adjust to the positionals. You don't have to keep track of huton or mudras like ninja or worry about blood of the dragon. Also, missing a positional is a lot less unforgiving on monk.

[Adire]

I second this answer. I have been told by many that Monk is a exciting, skillbased class.

Monk is actually quite scripted. Probably the most scripted actually. Once you have monk muscle memorized, playing it is pretty much like autopilot.

The only real variance in monk rotations is in openers, after that everyone is guided strongly by the form system and rotations end up being pretty much identical as it all becomes about maintaining GL3, DK, and DoTs while using the other skills when refreshing DK and DoTs isn't needed. During downtime you have a choice between form shifting to try to keep GL up or building chakra, that's about it.

I'd really recommend continuing to practice BLM if you don't want a script. BLM by far requires the most quick thinking and on the fly judgement calls, as pretty much anything that causes variance in your rotation such as movement or downtime will require plans to change due to Enochian's very tight timer.

BLM's timers aren't really that difficult, no more so than maintaining DoTs/buffs/debuffs is for melee jobs in my opinion. The only timers you really have to worry about are enochian and fire/ice stacks. Keeping up thunder is just something you can do when you can spare the time to do it and find yourself just standing there, it's a low priority vs enochian. Even when it procs Thundercloud, you won't always have the opportunity to use it without sacrificing something.

Can't say much for BRD and MCH as they're my least played jobs.

[Fevelle]

If you don't like playing classes with a rotation that's set in stone, I'd recommend machinist. They're a range dps class that works primarily from prioritizing certain skills above others. Their rotation changes a lot, mainly due to the nature of their main damage abilities being RNG based. It does require a lot of focus, as you have similar supportive capabilities to that of a Bard and your burst requires a lot of preparation as well as thinking a head constantly. It's very rewarding to play.

In all honesty, it's not a bad idea to try out all of the dps classes to get a feel for them and see which one you'd enjoy playing the most. Wouldn't recommend monk though. Or dragoon.

Yeah, I leveled them all to 30 to see what each class was about, but the gameplay changes a lot after some levels. I'll try Machinist and Bard now too. From the melee ones, I really liked Monk, but still not my piece of cake (better than all other though). I already have to continue my leveling on Bard to acquire Quelling Strikes (i forgot to get Quelling before leveling BLM and qent only with Raging Strikes, poor tanks) so I'll try it out until 60 and see if I like it better!

[WellFooled]

If you don't like playing classes with a rotation that's set in stone, I'd recommend machinist. They're a range dps class that works primarily from prioritizing certain skills above others.

Just wanted to second this. My main dps class changed from being a dragoon in ARR to a machinist in Heavensward and I've really enjoyed the job because of its more loose gameplay. I feel there is more reaction and less memorization.

From what you described in your OP, I think machinist might be the job for you.