[QUOTE=Grogin;1531721]I love that people feel the bard class is going to be destroyed because game mechanics will finally apply to them. It is doubtful they are actually going to nerf any skills. They are just not going to let bards fire while moving and have as many instant cast situations. Bard is still going to be sought after because of their utility and ability to avoid damage being a ranged class. They are still going to be an integral part of end game content.[/QUOTE]

I think the reason people take issue with the bard nerfs is because despite not having to deal with any damage reduction, as a result of mechanics, bards are still performing beneath many of the other dps roles. Obviously there are going to be fights where bards shine (see: Titan) because of constant movement. However, within Coils you'll be hard pressed to find a situation where that level and frequency of movement is required. The bard "hype" at the launch of the game was just an exaggerated knee-jerk reaction that everyone had after seeing how strong bards were in the Titan fight, and how well they were performing with low gear levels across the board.

Fast forward almost two months and the other classes have geared up and blown by bards numerically. At this point bards have two things: mobility and utility. Everyone seems to complain about bard mobility like it's too much but similar reactions could be thrown at summoner mobility; once their dots are up a good majority of the summoners damage is taken care, and they can ruin2 while they need to move. Summoners suffer a minimal damage loss as a result of mobility, but nobody seems to complain about them like they do about bards.As someone who raids at a fairly decent level, with two bards in the group, I can attest that we didn't opt for a second bard because of the mobility, it was the utility. A second bard gives your healers an (arguable) bottomless manapool, and allows your caster dps to really flex (battle voice foe's requiem) during periods where high raid damage is necessary. All the mobility in the world is going to make the dreadnaughts in turn 4 die faster.

You might say that Bard utility is overpowered, but I would insist that you take a look at the broad spectrum. 99 out of 100 raids are coming in with 2 bards or 2 caster dps. You can adequately clear all five turns with either a 2 bard or 2 caster dps setup. The same cannot be said for melee, they need to be brought up in overall raid value so that taking one isn't a decision you begrudgingly make because you want/need the limit break. You might argue the necessity of having a bard, about how no group is clearing through coils without at least one bard, but couldn't the same be said about caster dps? Outside of the caster limit break, the thought of raiding without the high numbers caster dps offers is concerning. Instead, I'd wager that both bards and casters are essential to a successful group, with melee being the black sheep.

Perhaps bard utility needs adjustment, so that bringing two of them won't be so desirable (but then you're going to see the problem swing in a new direction where 2x caster dps is suddenly the go to raid setup). I can't help but feel like a utility nerf would harm the direction of the class, which I believe is support/utility. However, a mobility/damage nerf is totally uncalled for; and please understand that the two terms are synonymous. A mobility nerf is effectively a damage nerf, because suddenly they have to stop their "point and shooty" action to dodge fire and stuff. Bard dps is already fairly low at high gear levels, and it would be unfortunate for the class and direction of the game to see it succumb to the state of the current melee damage roles: Brought into raid because they have a unique loot table and because they have a singular raid utility (Ballad) needed for success. The balancing team should be focusing on bringing melee up the level of usefulness and desirability that bards and casters enjoy, not dragging bards down.