All physical range DPS are perfect now!

[Rika007]

Agreed with many others. I'm sure those who wanted a more Ranger based, less support more DPS oriented job, current Bard makes them happy. But the thing was, Bard was already a popular job as it was being that hybrid DPS/Support job. It was one of the most popular jobs in the game, and SB Bard where they really brought that support function to the forefront was one of the most well received reworks in the history of the game. Bard didn't need to become more of a Ranger to please players. They already were pleased. And there was already another less support more DPS option available in MCH that just received an amazing rework that many players are loving.

We already know there is no way they will split BRD off like SMN and SCH into RNG. They've made it very clear split classes will never happen again. And they are not going to retcon the lore of the job. Way too much work and would also tick off the players who identify with it after 6 years. The best hope is they toned back Bard's utility this expansion just to try and tone down the meta and give DNC it's time to shine, and will add to it's support kit in a more thoughtful way down the line. Especially with how great it's DPS rotation feels, adding more support next expansion instead of damage would be a great way to make sure a solid DPS rotation doesn't get messed up.

That and just give us a non castable Foe's back on like a 2 minute cooldown. That would probably make most support loving Bards very happy. Woudn't even be OP really. You would use it far less over the course of a fight then you did in 4.0 due to no refresh options for a second use or extended burst, and it would in no way make Bard's support anywhere close to as powerful as Dancers.

[Xieldras]

snip

For sure Bard was very popular and felt perfect in SB (it's why we had the bad Bard meme lol).
I personally really enjoyed the potential MCH's Heat Gauge had, badly implemented but interesting management. I'm sad that it's gone but the class is more popular now than ever so it's still a win to me.
MCH and DNC have had good implementations and I'm happy for them, but other than our DPS gameplay Bard is far from perfect.

Having DNC get "its time in the sun" while BRD lost half its kit goes counter to what the Devs apparently learned from 1.0: Don't forget your roots, Don't forget your fans and the mindset that it can just be fixed next expansion.



Is it lack of funding (probably)? Lack of time? Stubbornness? And I know Game Dev is very hard work but I'm not shy of throwing the word Complacency in there as well.

All in all, 2 out of 3 have great implementation this expansion but it can be better.