I would say that for optimal dps, bard and BLM require extremely (to the point of completely impossible given lag) amazing reflexes.

The problem lies within the way the dps classes are designed.

Of the 5 classes designed, 2 have procs, and no rotation (essentially all filler abilities, 1 dot, etc), and 3 have set rotations with zero variance.

Of course fight mechanics dictate variance, and the unmerciful yoke of DoTs and Buff timers is what adds complexity to the classes.

Given a perfectly standstill, zero mechanic fight, it is easier to play SMN, MNK, DRG than it is to play BLM, BRD optimally.

I understand melee have complex rotations, I understand all that you have to remember, however this comes with experience and preparation. A prepared nonproc class will always do optimal dps - note optimal dps is not "perfect" paper dps, but it is that they are able to plan out and do 100% of their possible dps given the circumstances.

Now, I am willing to bet noone has ever done "perfect" dps with either BLM or BRD, simply because of the reaction times and lag involved.

The reason these classes are perceived as easy is because the difference between suboptimal and "perfect" dps is EXTREMELY small, and furthermore, both respond very well to nonoptimal play and nonoptimal situations.

And thus back to why, even though SMN, DRG, MNK rotations are supposedly "solved" games, aka, able to be planned arbitrarily number of steps in advance, they are more difficult. Because the difficulty lies in responding to nonoptimal events.

Thus we can rank them based on how hard they are punished for "messing up", or playing suboptimally.

And that is what they were getting at in the producer letter too.

They aren't nerfing bards because their damage was too high, but because it was too easy to not be affected by really anything, leaving their dps relatively high compared to similarly skilled players. I am not talking about the top 1% of raiders here.

They aren't buffing melee damage because it is too low, they're making it easier for melee to stay on target, and making it so they are not punished so much for being forced to be suboptimal.