New player... Archer for now need some advice.

[Recklessfun]

I wouldn't mind playing maybe caster dps as well like maybe a BLM but I thought I read that it was a pretty complicated class to play and I couldn't remember if I read it was dot heavy as well.

[GunksFoy]

I wouldn't mind playing maybe caster dps as well like maybe a BLM but I thought I read that it was a pretty complicated class to play and I couldn't remember if I read it was dot heavy as well.

Black mage can be complicated to do max DPS at 60 because of our buff that we need to maintain to use our big spells. Black mage only has 1 DoT, Thunder, which needs managed. Essentially, Black mages are a turret class with big nukes and the 2nd highest personal dps behind monk, as well as very good AOE damage. As a main black mage, I can say it is very fun and it's pretty incredible to see a single skill hit for 20k damage!

EDIT: Btw, Summoner is the DoT heavy caster in case you were interested.

[Recklessfun]

In most instances I've run ive done pretty good with dmg and putting down enemies... There was one though where I was running with a BLM and she was just destroying everything lol. But yeah I think the route to go is getting good with the class I like to play and getting to know my role instead of going strictly for dps and a role I hate or not good at.

Since I just started and I know the game has been around for years now is there still a good amount of ppl doing end game content? I'm sure the population has dropped bit it can't be bad.

[SeriousxSarcasm]

If he was singing Foe Requiem, his numbers didn't take a cut. Foe Requiem increases all magic damage done by anyone whether they are in the party or not, with no damage decrease to the singer. It should be on as much as possible, and during a 24-man raid, ASTs should be showering a Requiem-singing BRD with all the Ewers instead of burning them for AoE.

Ok thank you, I didn't know that. I just assumed all songs caused DPS loss since I've met some BRDs that just outright refuse to use any lol.

[GunksFoy]

Right now, the game doesn't have as many players in general as when a patch releases due to the expansion coming in a few months. However, there are always groups in PF for end game content, and when the expansion hits in June the game will be booming again. Between now and the expansion I would recommend gearing up your favorite job and leveling as many as you can when you have time. All the jobs in this game are extremely fun and the more you play the better you will get at your main as you will see what you can do to help other jobs in the party as well as get a better feel for mechanics.

[Knahli]

I really do like that I can still move and cast though.

*sweats profusely*

[Rongway]

I really do like that I can still move and cast though.

Get used to standing still. In a party, taking liberties with your movement will get other people hit with AoEs that they shouldn't have to deal with. You shouldn't move except to dodge an AoE or to address a mechanic.

[Neela]

Bard is a fairly easy class to play but super hard to optimize. But once you've mastered being able to juggle your support options AND pull off high DPS at the same time, everyone notices.

this ^

Brds were known as lazy and weakest DDs for a long time though... but there was a change in "history" (just said history cause i don't know the exact reason/patch/buff which changed this situation) - nowadays Brds seems to have the strongest burst-dmg over all DPS cls (no matter if caster or melee) and one of the best auto-procs for their oGCD. Experienced Brds climb the enmity-bar with their opener instantly and if you really know what you are doing, you can stay their for a fair amount of time.

But never the less... you are still lvl 36 right? You have to wait for WM cause this Heavensward-skill will completely change your playstyle overall. You won't be that mobile than you used to be (and most of the old Brds really loved to be). If you still like your Brd with a caster-bar than you can archive really, really good dps in the end ^^

[Lambdafish]

but there was a change in "history" (just said history cause i don't know the exact reason/patch/buff which changed this situation)

In both 3.2 and 3.3, BRD got huge buffs, if you combine both we see a change equivilent, if not better than the astro buff.

[Neela]

Ah okay so it's like every "balancing" Brd was one of the bottom ones like (Mnk, Drg, Ast, etc) becoming one of the top tiers... hard to balance so many cls on a equal lvl hmm ^^

Brd was my very first cls 2,5 years ago... i played it all the way until the 60 cap with HW than switched to smn/whm. Maybe I'll give it a try here and there again just for fun and grind than ^^