Bard in the party... thoughts?

[JoelStrife]

Hey guys

I'm a relatively new player, been playing for around 7-8 months and have yet to establish my main class.

I leveled both a PLD and a DRK to 60, enjoyed DRK more but didn't feel like tanking in endgame content might be for me.

I've since moved onto dps where i've levelled a DRG to 60, a NIN to 51 and a BRD to 57.

Out of the three I'm enjoying BRD the most and I was just wondering how they're seen by other classes, more specially endgame content? (for which i have a little experience).

Cheers for any thoughts and opinions!

Seth

[ChameleonMS]

BRD does have the lowest DPS of all DPS classes (as of 3.2 IIRC MCH passed it) but BRD utility is always appreciated when it fits with the other members of the team.
E.g. Have a BLM or SMN as a ranged DPS, or a DPS Healer? Foe's Requiem
Have an AST or WHM with intense healing needs / death recoveries? Mage's Ballad
Have a DRG on the team, BRD dps is increased.
Have PLD tank and no NIN on the team? Army's Paeon because that PLD will be out of TP after about 5 minutes without a break.
Have WAR tank using Berserk? pre-cast Warden's Paean, saves the healer from Esuna / Leeches / Exalted Detriment.

[karateorangutang]

Bard's are a swiss army knife and can find a niche in almost any party setup. Additionally they compete with only one other ranged non magic DPS which is good. BRD brings sheer utility to the table and ,as long as DPS checks aren't insane, most parties like the safety net that Bard brings to a team.

[Enkonda]

Though I have not acquired any lvl. 60 content and thus, have not completed any of the higher-tier end game content, I can say that I usually see a large number of bards in the duty finder and more when I'm queuing the party finder. With the amount of support abilities the bard has been given, they're a highly respected class for not being too high on the DPS but being highly versatile and thus, are nice favors for the usual static. They're high in utility and most raids love the nice bonus that Bard's can give them; you're basically a must in raids for your songs.

[vp_cmc]

Mch feels slightly better in 3.2, and since they share almost all gear (except weapon) and their BiS is the same, I advise to learn both jobs to be able to switch to brd or mch depending what is needed, and what future patches will do with balance. This is mostly for raid scenario of course.

[AskaRay]

If you are any level of decent and above, people will love you as bard.

[jssanderson747]

Hey guys

I'm a relatively new player, been playing for around 7-8 months and have yet to establish my main class.

I leveled both a PLD and a DRK to 60, enjoyed DRK more but didn't feel like tanking in endgame content might be for me.

I've since moved onto dps where i've levelled a DRG to 60, a NIN to 51 and a BRD to 57.

Out of the three I'm enjoying BRD the most and I was just wondering how they're seen by other classes, more specially endgame content? (for which i have a little experience).

Cheers for any thoughts and opinions!

Seth

They're super useful for buffing caster and healer openers. They essentially give blms and smns an additional 30 second raging strikes every 5 minutes. Otherwise, the usefullness can greatly depend on how badly resources are needed in certain fights.

[Slappah]

I love seeing a bard in my group

Then I change my mind because he won't ever sing songs at the right time, if at all, so I'm stuck with no tp on a massive aoe pull as a melee dps because I was counting on the bard to play their job

[Maero]

Bards are fine and are capable of more damage then people give credit for, probably due to the shortage of good Bards out there :/
They are still great to have in a group.

[JoelStrife]

Wow thanks guys, seems pretty positive all around.

I like to think i'm a pretty efficient player, i know my role and perform as expected. What i like most about the bard so far is that you seem to help in one way or another in almost any scenario.

I'm 58 now, luckily i managed to acquire the hive bow in rava ex last night, can't wait to hit 60 and equip it.

I also have all the eso armor ready to go and will soon have enough crystals for the i200 bow.