That BRD support... Main?

[Jim_Berry]

So, being NIN main, I have been getting some compliments for my damage (on PS4, so I can't actually see my numbers). Mostly because I've made NIN a primary focus and worked hard to get it in order.

The other day, I was on BRD. I was noted for my low dps (around 1000 on Sephirot), but people like the way I actually play BRD; with support in mind. I know it's impossible to play it like that, but I guess knowing when to Foe, when to Ballad, when to Paeon, when to Warden, without the need to be asked for it.

I guess my question is, have any of you mained a job, put your everything into it, then just dropped it overnight for another job where you've got constant good feedback on?

[Jim_Berry]

Since a lot of DPS players get crap from their low numbers, I'm more in fear that if I go BRD, I'll be one of "those" DPS all over again. I mean, even as NIN, I had a few people TRYING to say I stunk because I couldn't out-damage that BLM and DRG (I think 1200+ without trying is far from being a crappy NIN). As BRD, I just don't want to hear it lol...

[Judge_Xero]

As BRD/MCH you expected to do good damage, perform mechanics and offer party support.
If you are having trouble just doing ok damage as NIN then maybe a support role isn't a good option.
But in the end play whatever you find fun.

[Shurrikhan]

I usually try to hold 1.3-1.4k with little Ballad/Paeon in a given ST phase, or about 1,150-1250 with Ballad/Paeon, especially if little of that time is actually spent casting either/swapping between them. If a Monk requests Goad, I check quickly to see if he got it, and if not, Paeon is soon up to make sure he has enough TP for add phase AoEs, etc., leaving myself enough mana for a full BV Ballad, etc., etc. I just wish more Warriors would use Berserk macros, because the buff easily gets hidden behind shields and HoTs, making it hard to notice and cleanse unless I see the animation itself.

All in all, both sides of Bard (being a high dps Bard and being a responsive support) are damn fun, though I probably hang a bit towards the support side.

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

I never had issue with being support (I seem to naturally gravitate toward it in any game). but I do have issue with arbitrarily dealing less damage BECAUSE I'm support. THEN taking a further hit to my damage dealing abilities when I'm rendering said support. I do love MCH/BRD for all their positives and negatives, but that's really become a matter of concern for me.

[RiceisNice]

In the end though, you're still taking up the role of a dps class. No amount of support is going to offset low numbets, but you'd have to be playing astoundingly bad ( or misplaced/don't care) to drop that far; like sub 500 dps at 60

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

In the end though, you're still taking up the role of a dps class. No amount of support is going to offset low numbets, but you'd have to be playing astoundingly bad ( or misplaced/don't care) to drop that far; like sub 500 dps at 60

Oh you're absolutely right; I'm just a bit wound up about it lately as suddenly, my former static began pointing fingers of blame over low DPS as a reason why we weren't clearing Hummelfaust on the first night (lol, good as we are, not one of us were THAT good). Having gone back to the drawing board a bit, I realize I'm not only fine as I was, I'm pretty much doing what I should be doing damage wise with the current gearing I have. Sad to see my static (they're all FC too) start to slip into being all about numbers like that, but it's cool. They tried to replace me once. Let's see how well that works again.

[RiceisNice]

Oh you're absolutely right; I'm just a bit wound up about it lately as suddenly, my former static began pointing fingers of blame over low DPS as a reason why we weren't clearing Hummelfaust on the first night (lol, good as we are, not one of us were THAT good). Having gone back to the drawing board a bit, I realize I'm not only fine as I was, I'm pretty much doing what I should be doing damage wise with the current gearing I have. Sad to see my static (they're all FC too) start to slip into being all about numbers like that, but it's cool. They tried to replace me once. Let's see how well that works again.

You really shouldn't trail that far behind anyone else though. If you're like 300dps behind on a typical fight then something's wrong. Not to mention hummelfaust isn't your typical dps check. You can fail it for other reasons aside from not doing enough damage, such as not managing cooldowns or timing your burst properly (nor is it a proper way to gauge effective dps, because I don't use my burst on the first set of faust, and as a MCH that drops my dps by a lot)

[Judge_Xero]

You really shouldn't trail that far behind anyone else though.

Yeah, BRD/MCN shouldn't be far behind other DPS at all on Hummel. Other than SMN/MNK within 100 DPS should be spot on, unless your other DPS are low, then you could be @ or above their numbers.

Like if the top DPS in your group is 1400 DPS and you think, oh I'm @ 1200 DPS so that's pretty good, but then realize that MCH can put out 1650 DPS, then it's not really that great.

Besides, what MCH loses in the opener they gain on having two targets (Bishop + Double Dotting + however much AOE you can add given TP usage), and what really matters is bursting down Hummel which MCH is amazing at.