Quote Originally Posted by Cetonis View Post
My goal for this is to avoid fussing over DoT procs, as well as (directly anyway) the half-proc Mage's Ballad idea - those things, at least, I can imagine a rational explanation for.

However, while on the whole I do think this new Bard setup is workable, the 6.00 build has quite a big pile of flaws, oversights and random jank that need some cleaning up. In rough order of import:
Wanted to get this back up to the top so discussion can continue on it. I personally do like a lot the new changes, and overall I massively prefer this iteration over the awful 5.0 version of Bard.

1. Mage's Ballad is weaker than Army's Paeon.

2. The new AoE implementation feels awkward and incomplete.
I know you wanted to stay away from the half reset but I feel the best way to handle both of these (and others below) is by just reverting that back to a full reset. While it won't handle the targeting issue, and even though procs are consistent enough, it just feels underwhelming overall compared to when you just fire them off like a machine gun. I do feel this was an oversight, just hopefully one that doesn't take too long to address. With Muse still being present (ugh), its clearly meant to still be the ending song cut short. The moment guides start coming out saying to use Paeon over Balad I doubt it's gonna take long to be addressed.

As for the lack of Apex Arrow and barrage not proc'ing refulgent, full agree here. I honestly would like to see maybe a change around Empyreal Arrow and Sidewinder giving 5 and 10 respectively Soul Gauge. Give them another effect, Sidewinder especially needs it after the DoT lost. Those numbers could be even higher if necessary, whatever it takes to get Apex moving faster.


3. The coda system does not make sense if Radiant Finale is going to have a 2 minute cooldown.
This one doesn't bug me as much. Maybe I'm just so happy to have a premier rDPS ability again and getting a replacement for the loss of Foe's that I just don't care what form it takes, I just am please to see it. Would be nice to see it back to 90, but I think all the questions a head of the launch is what led to them just making it locked in. I'm ok with them keeping it that way for now, if only for it leaving open other stuff for Coda's in the future.

4. Mage's Ballad feels a lot slower now.
I do like your ideas, they would work. But I again just have to stick on the full reset being a thing. Half reset makes the 3 charges almost unnecessary. Full resets with the current more steady procs is just gonna feel really good.

5. Since we're unable to hold Blast Arrow, Apex is pigeonholed into being a 60s cooldown.
Full agreement on your points here. The 30 second hold on Blasting Arrow ready was one of the things I looked forward to most of the new rotation, it made up for how underwhelming Apex Arrow feel so much better. Upping the speed of how Soul Gauge generates would help this a bit, but yes overall just please give back the 30 seconds hold. The dream of being able to Blast > Apex > Blast during the burst window just sounds too good and too much fun.

6. The songs are missing a proc
I've always felt that the launch of the song should auto proc repertoire immediately. Full agreement here.

7. The DoTs are out on an island and have no clear purpose.
Full agree here, issue is I don't see what more they could do to make them matter save the sort of rework you see normally for broken jobs or in expansions. Reverting Sidewinder or the proc mechanic really are the only two to make them matter. Reworking the other abilities so it's down to only one and the others do totally different things just seem far more drastic.