Quote Originally Posted by Risvertasashi View Post
In certain fights the gap can be narrower due to various factors, but on the whole the gap tends to be wider than that.

And I didn't only list one option. If option 2 is more acceptable to you, then, well, that is an option. It does introduce its own complications (MCH would probably need to be buffed just a tiny bit to keep its lead as the pure damage dealer).

All that said, I do disagree physical ranged needs a role wide buff. The things the role offers as a whole sees it used at all levels of play - ultimate, savage, etc. The problems are internal to the physical ranged role.
Eden Prime - 12,632 (DNC) || 12,379 (BRD)
Voidwalker - 14, 407 (DNC) || 14,264 (BRD)
Leviathan - 13, 938 (DNC) || 13,271 (BRD)
Titan - 13, 449 (DNC) || 13,304 (BRD)
Alexander - 11, 813 (DNC) || 11,252 (BRD)

This is the difference between Dancer and Bard in each fight prior to the current Savage tier. Only Leviathan and Alexander see Dancer significantly ahead, especially E3S where Bard can't optimally maintain their dots because of Maelstorm. Alexander, of course, is an AoE heavy fight, which Dancer excels at. A 600-800 rDPS loss would make the job completely worthless. Citing Curing Waltz as an argument for better utility is like pointing to Vercure. Sure, it's nice. But neither are given more than a fleeting thought even in prog. Consider Dragoon, which has the worst options for melee utility, yet it's far and away the most popular job in the whole game right now.

The physical range absolutely need a buff. They are clinging to the 1% party bonus for relevance. There has even been some debate bringing Red Mage and Summoner is better for prog since not only are they both stronger outright—party bonus notwithstanding—but battle raise has huge value. Regardless, it's more than a little absurd how much higher Melee and Casters are. Thus far, we have yet to see enough movement heavy fights where Melee still don't trounce Range in overall DPS. While I maintain Range need some tax for their free mobility, it shouldn't be nearly as significant as it is.