| PRE-20's
Until you reach Qufim, you'll have a fair amount of subjob flexibility with your Bard since the differences between different combinations will be minimal.
WHM sub
BRD/WHM is the obvious choice, but at early levels, your MP pool, even with earrings and a hairpin, will only allow you to throw in the occasional Cure before you're finding yourself running out. While this is certainly handy, you won't be spending a lot of time resting this MP back between battles; you'll be busy stacking Paeons and being ready for the initial Minuet as soon as the puller comes back into view. Equipped with a half decent sword and participating in skillchains, you'll be contributing a lot more to the damage pool than the healing pool.
While I may sound like I'm bashing the idea, BRD/WHM is still the best choice at this point, especially for the Taru Taru, who won't find themselves hurting as much in the MP department.
Melee Subs
Although a WAR or DRK subjob would help you contribute to the damage pool in this way, you shouldn't even THINK about hitting the mob until you're done your songs. This means two buffs for the melees, one or two Requiems for the mob, and a Minne for the mages in case the tank loses hate. At this point, the mob should be well on it's way to death already, and you should be thinking about stacking those Paeons. So really, you shouldn't be hitting it much anyway. This means melee subs are just as inconsequential, if not moreso.
But if you want to sub these, sure. As long as you realize you're a Bard first and foremost, you'll still do a good job... at least until Qufim and beyond.
POST 20's
Melee Subs
By now you'll be giving two buffs to the melees, two buffs to the mages, and two debuffs to the mob. In a half decent party, this will take up a significant portion of a battle with an IT mob. If you have absolutely nothing else to do, then feel free to bring out that sword and give it a few wacks, but subbing a melee job will not change the fact that you...
a) Will not spend much time with your sword out,
b) Will not hit a hell of a lot, even with +Dex, Degen-type swords,
c) Will not deal much damage when you do hit.
Those who want to try a warrior-ish Bard character will be disappointed to find that it's a waste of a perfectly good subjob slot.
Past 30, it's mostly a debate between WHM or RDM as a subjob.
WHM
It's also at this point where the MP pool from a /WHM sub will actually start to become substantial. Helping out the main healer with -na spells and Cures in between battles, you'll only further your role in reducing down-time. With this combination, there's little to lose and much to gain. By far the most popular subjob for Bards.
RDM
Although I haven't tried it yet (though I intend to), BRD/RDMs, due to Fast Cast, are apparently able to reduce their singing time from about 8 seconds per song to around 6 seconds. Given that you're singing 4 main buffs per battle, that's 8 seconds faster that you've buffed your party (meaning they'll be buffed for 8 seconds longer, and you'll have 8 extra seconds to hit the mob, cure allies, distribute debuffs/etudes, etc...). Combined with the fact that you can still assist the healer will Cures, many I talk to love this combination.
For this cmbination you will be sacrificing your -na spells, -ra spells, and a larger MP pool. RDMs face less MP for better physical stats and greater survivability. For Bards, who rarely have to worry about too much hate, these benefits go virtually unused. |