Complexity/Sensory Overload

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

Not if the AoE can be anticipated, and still, extra damage. The fact it does damage alone makes it useful.

The fact it does damage doesn't make it useful. Fracture does damage, but it's still nearly useless. Repelling shot is pointless because it delays WM gcd's and costs more damage than gained by its measly 20 potency.

But you didn't factor in the damage. Repelling shot is a bad skill, but it's not useless. For example, Fracture is a bad skill but has a use, the way shield swipe used to be was a useless skill (no redeeming qualities no matter how much you stretched it).

Fracture's bad for every job except monk and Warrior. Repelling Shot is always useless for its primary function, which is the jump back.