Mage's Ballad a crutch for WHM?

[RazzleDazzle]

Is it just me or do none of the other MP based classes ever need a ballad? This song feels like it should be renamed White Mage's Ballad.

[LunarEmerald]

Scholar/Summoner has a way to refill MP way better than White Mage.

Black Mage has infinite MP.

It is kind of a crutch. White Mages often play sloppy when they know they have a Bard to fill them up.

[Thotor]

I believe songs are relic of the past. I have not played 1.0 but it seems very weird indeed that there is only 1 class that benefits mana song (and only on long duration fights like Coil Turn 2)
The same can be said on other songs too. Tp songs is utterly useless as all dps have a TP regen. Foe Requiem only affects BLM.

[dragonflyseksparade]

It isn't a crutch. SoS is enough to do the trick. Only time MP is a real issue in endgame is if you overheal a lot or your entire party is taking too much damage.

My understanding is that BLM has a big dps boost from it as well because they can stay in Fire mode for an extra cast or two.

[Thotor]

No, it's because BLM is the only one with "elemental" attacks.
SMN is neutral.

[Tobalito]

Mage Ballad is absolutely unessecary really for WHM. All you have to do is time your SoS at the right time and not only save it when you are runing low. the cooldown is not oo long. I 2 healed Titan in half AK half lvl 49 white gear with out a single problem and no Bard in the party. Fight was increadibly fun to heal, all it takes is a understanding of when he uses his abilities and know how to counter.

[BrodyAlgana]

I would only call it a crutch if your white mage askes for it all the time. If however, it seems to be a certain fight, or it is otherwise rare instances, that it is asked for then they really do need it. If there is a lot of AOE damage in a fight and needs medica (1 or 2) a lot then it might be needed, if someone needs a rez during battle, I am not on right now but my rez is my most mana intensive spell right now (700 and something mana) it might be needed.

[PiedPiper]

Foe Requiem is a dps increase for the brd as well, just so you know. It applies to windbite and i'm told venom, though I'm pretty sure venom is non-elemental.

Also, there are times where paeon can be very useful. Ex: Low dps Titan progression groups (say an FC that lacks tis first win) often need to farm a lot of limit break before the first jump, during which time the pld needs to max threat to keep up with whms which will leave the pld on the tp floor. A paeon during this build up is very potent. Of course, as you progress as a group it is not needed, but never the less, it is an example of when the song is helpfull.

[Norbi]

Literally the only time Shroud isn't enough and I end up needing Ballad is when a bunch of the DPS are getting hit by avoidable AoEs. Occasional mis-steps are fine, and Shroud can handle the MP costs of keeping the tank alive and heal the group after unavoidable damage while also occasionally needing to heal the DPS who get hit by avoidable things. But when we've got DPS in Titan HM getting hit every other Weight-phase and getting clipped by a bomb each bomb-phase, it's kinda tough to keep our MP within comfortable levels without Ballad. When you've got a decent group who actually knows how to avoid avoidable things, Ballad isn't necessary.

So I guess what I'm saying is: WHM being a crutch for poorly played DPSers ends up making Mage's Ballad a crutch for the WHMs.

[NyssaElf]

No, it's because BLM is the only one with "elemental" attacks.
SMN is neutral.

Just like to point out requiem does work for a smh. Even ups there ruin
Mage song can be helpful to paladins
Tp song helps a lot, just sucks we can see a tp bar