Bard or Machinist?

[Dualgunner]

Heat builds automatically while using 123, and "prepping procs" is technically part of the once-per-minute Wildfire rotation, which involves using like 2-3 abilities before blowing cooldowns.
Your opinion that MCH is fine is definitely a minority one, and I don't think you're helping anyone by saying they'll enjoy playing it.

Heat builds up naturally, yes, but there's nuance. When you're finally to the point where you're ready to wildfire, do you immediately flamethrower to get into it, or use Cooldown to hold it off for a GCD? Do you want to push it back to better line up with an off-cycle TA that is liable to happen in 7s and 8s?

That 50 seconds between wildfires is frought with strategy and choice in how and when you're going to wildfire, and gives plenty of time to activate resources like mana song, tp song, palisade, and dismantle. I personally never feel the downtime, because I use the downtime to plan what I'll be doing in coming mechanics, where to stand, how many ticks of flamethrower I'll need, and how best to line up with the next trick. Not to mention supporting the party however I can.

Could the job be designed better? Sure, it definitely could. I'd love if I had a method of firing bullets without using ammo to preserve my bullet could for a burst and keep the reload CDs cycling. It'd also be nice if DRG wasn't mandatory. But the job is very rewarding when played correctly, seeing a 20k+ wildfire pop off in the middle of the fight feels amazing because it feels earned.

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

Heat builds automatically while using 123, and "prepping procs" is technically part of the once-per-minute Wildfire rotation, which involves using like 2-3 abilities before blowing cooldowns.
Your opinion that MCH is fine is definitely a minority one, and I don't think you're helping anyone by saying they'll enjoy playing it.

Not only did I not say that, I actually use my Reload twice per minute. Helps with the timing of the clockwork. But go ahead and generalize it. Surely that's a more effective answer to the question than the more detailed descriptions I've given.

Could be if you're "doing nothing until your burst window" or just building heat automatically via 123, maybe that's why it doesn't seem so enjoyable?

[AvenoMatt]

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I love both of your views on machinist. I'm currently leveling machinist and even though I know it not the most popular job or the easiest to play I enjoy it and I think that's why I enjoy it. I also owe a thanks to you ThirdChild_ZKI for that 121323 rotation because it makes so much sense for maximizing dps.

[MedSurgNursing]

thank you all for your insight

[Dualgunner]

thank you all for your insight

Glad I could help in some way ^u^

I love both of your views on machinist. I'm currently leveling machinist and even though I know it not the most popular job or the easiest to play I enjoy it and I think that's why I enjoy it. I also owe a thanks to you ThirdChild_ZKI for that 121323 rotation because it makes so much sense for maximizing dps.

Let's not forget the absolutely sick goggles the AF1 MCH goggles MCH gets.
edit: God was I half asleep or something? Goggles...goggles...MCH goggles MCH... XD

You know, it's been REALLY hard to want to replace my goggles. I haven't seen any Aiming head gear yet that made me want to wear it instead of my goggles

I was expecting AF2 goggles to be even half as cool, but was sorely disappointed. They don't even /visor!

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

You know, it's been REALLY hard to want to replace my goggles. I haven't seen any Aiming head gear yet that made me want to wear it instead of my goggles

[Gaj85]

I have yet to play Bard in 4.0 but I did love it in 3.0. I used BLM as my main so playing as a BRD was a nice change of pace. I only got MCH to level 35 as I couldn't get into it.

[whiskeybravo]

I only got MCH to level 35 as I couldn't get into it.

I felt similarly. I think I got to level 32 or 33 before dropping it until basically a few months ago when I got around to checking it out. I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I originally thought I would, it just takes a bit to get enough abilities to make it interesting. A nice thing about MCH is you have the core rotation around lv38 and it doesn't change too much as you go, just more oGCDs to squeeze in to Wildfire windows and a few other abilities for managing heat gauge post 60.

[SavageCipher]

Both suck late game (Starting around 50 and on) at DPS. Not meta talk, just purely on a "fun"/fight standpoint...they both feel very weak, unless you're geared out the wazoo. I made a Summoner my first go, and I found myself just clearing waves without much Ironworks and or other bought gear. Which makes sense of course, its the Warlock of FF, but even the Black Mage feels like a howitzer compared to....well two actual howitzer classes in the game.

Bard feels like it requires a pet and or a solid aura buff. And Machinist feels like it needs a stronger pet in general. I love the idea of the Machinist, I just hate the implementation, especially late game. With all that considered...go Bard, not only will you be buffing your teammates, but also debuffing the enemy. Also who doesn't like a nice tune while slaughtering your enemies?

[Azerhan]

Both suck late game (Starting around 50 and on) at DPS. Not meta talk, just purely on a "fun"/fight standpoint...they both feel very weak, unless you're geared out the wazoo. I made a Summoner my first go, and I found myself just clearing waves without much Ironworks and or other bought gear. Which makes sense of course, its the Warlock of FF, but even the Black Mage feels like a howitzer compared to....well two actual howitzer classes in the game.

Bard feels like it requires a pet and or a solid aura buff. And Machinist feels like it needs a stronger pet in general. I love the idea of the Machinist, I just hate the implementation, especially late game. With all that considered...go Bard, not only will you be buffing your teammates, but also debuffing the enemy. Also who doesn't like a nice tune while slaughtering your enemies?

Hum, MCH is just the 3rd dps now. And BRD is not so low on dps...