Comments from the Devs

[Eagleheart]

;-; My soul weeps.

[solracht]

lol at the MNK buffs

EDIT: Also I miss when the word hotfix meant hotfix and not "we're taking the servers down for three hours to patch something".

[Denmork]

LNC/DRG changes sound awesome, much better then what I expected.

[Alkar]

Yeah, DRG changes sound really good.

[Magi]

How do they sound good? They only removed some inexplicable negatives that were attached to the job for no good reason while buffing the damage of 5 weaponskills on MNK. It's still going to be the most undesirable job in the game.

MNK has better defensive traits and abilities than DRG and does more damage. Where's the balance? I'm not seeing how freeing up some extra TP due to not spending them on surges is going to make up for these MNK buffs.

[Corrderio]

Still disappointed DRG doesn't seem to have anything to manipulate crits other than Blindside.

Don't get me wrong, the updates are nice, but still seems odd for DRG to be focused on crits and they still have nothing native to them for critical hits.

[Denmork]

I fail to see how MNK getting a buff means the DRG buff is shit. DRG in it's current form has terrible acc and power surge eats TP, with those things fixed DRG has the ability to gain TP very fast as well has native higher stats then MNK meaning stat caps are easier and stacking attack is easier. top that off with DRG having a better range and less limiting directional combos DRG has the potential to be a top tier DD. While that my not make it "better" then a MNK in a melee situation it makes open up the option and lowers the hierarchy on classes.

[Hiroishime]

MNK will still beast at single target for sure but DRG just got alot stronger in fights where the NM spawns minions (like princess or chimera).

[Jamison]

The buffs do seem like they are rather good overall, but I still contend melee need to have some mechanic that isn't just damage. Otherwise BRD/BLM will always outshine them for the safety of their damage being ranged.

They either need some ability to mitigate damage (interrupt/reduce mob abilities), direct something positional, cause a stagger or give buffs to other melee based on their job (drg gives entire PT a TP regen, etc). Until then, I just don't see too much hope.

[Alkar]

Apparently Jump will now evade a physical attack as well instead of simply dealing damage.

[Eagleheart]

Reinheart's translation thread updated.

Seems Jump will also dodge a physical attack now? And Rampage won't enhance Steel Cyclone as much anymore.

Rampage change is arguably a buff, IMO. Instead of Haste/damage%, it'll be Haste/Parry rate. >.> Parrying is very good at damage reduction. Seeing as it's supposed to be a defensive buff, this seems to be a good change for WAR.

Aside from the whole Steel Cyclone nerf, but yeah. I think everyone knew that was coming. o.<

Edit: Beaten.

[Magi]

DRG buff is shit on it's own I feel. They could have increased the crit rate of Impulse drive and Vorpal Thrust further because it's not amazing as it is for the supposed "crit job". Dread spike wasn't removed for something remotely useful. Power surge probably still has a 22.5% extra damage taken as the levels seem to still exist, and for what reason should it take so much extra damage if it's not going to deal the best damage with that buff up?

I fail to see why it shouldn't be better than MNK in a damage dealing capacity, always. MNK has way more defensive abilities and traits along with a Taunt to help tank things if stuff gets messy. What does DRG have aside from dealing damage? Nothing, while being the weakest defensively. It should do the most damage and anything less doesn't make a lick of sense to me. DRG > MNK > WAR. Weakest defensive melee does the most in exchange for being the worst option to take the brunt of the enemy.

And things like "DRG has better AoE damage" doesn't hold up.
If the jobs both had the exact same defensive capabilities but one was better vs multiple monsters and another better versus single target?
Okay, that's fine. That could appear to be balanced somewhat.
But when one of them is crippled to hell and back with terrible defense?
No.

I'm not really trying to argue with you or your points Denmork, this is all speculation after all, who knows how it will turn out. What you're saying could easily turn out to be true and I'm not trying to say you're wrong, because again it's speculation. I just think DRG is flawed design wise and these updates do nothing to address that.

MNK will still beast at single target for sure but DRG just got alot stronger in fights where the NM spawns minions (like princess or chimera).

Even with the buff to Aura Pulse? Obviously not saying that will make MNK overtake DRG in that area, but it's not like DRG is being allowed to speed ahead of everyone else uncontested in that area either.

[blindSharingan]

Looks like power surge is also getting a nerf.

I think the changes look pretty good. To be entirely honest though I'm not sure why monk is getting buffed.

[Eagleheart]

Power surge probably still has a 22.5% extra damage taken as the levels seem to still exist, and for what reason should it take so much extra damage if it's not going to deal the best damage with that buff up?

I fail to see why it shouldn't be better than MNK in a damage dealing capacity, always. MNK has way more defensive abilities and traits along with a Taunt to help tank things if stuff gets messy. What does DRG have aside from dealing damage? Nothing, while being the weakest defensively. It should do the most damage and anything less doesn't make a lick of sense to me. DRG > MNK > WAR. Weakest defensive melee does the most in exchange for being the worst option to take the brunt of the enemy.

I concur with this sentiment.

[Eagleheart]

Whoa, I don't know about Power Surge now. I just read it's notes, it sounds like it turned around from ATK Bonus/Damage Taken penalty to Damage Bonus/DEF penalty.

O.o That might well tip the scales in tandem with no TP consumption.

Edit: hit new post instead of edit post. x_x;;;;

[Hiroishime]

Even with the buff to Aura Pulse? Obviously not saying that will make MNK overtake DRG in that area, but it's not like DRG is being allowed to speed ahead of everyone else uncontested in that area either.

Eh MNK and DRG serves different purpose, Garuda shows their difference clearly where people brings DRG to clear plumes while MNK stays at Garuda. I am not sure how buffed up aura pulse will be but it will not cut it for Garuda's plume when DRG can basically back to back ring of talons with keen flurry.

[Magi]

So nevermind about that "Power surge probably still has a 22.5% extra damage taken", seems to be lowered physical defense now. Good. That's one more inexplicable negative aspect of that job that's taken care of that should have never existed in the first place. Baby steps I guess. I can deal with it being harder to keep the effect up now that that garbage is finally gone.

[Alkar]

Whoa, I don't know about Power Surge now. I just read it's notes, it sounds like it turned around from ATK Bonus/Damage Taken penalty to Damage Bonus/DEF penalty.

O.o That might well tip the scales in tandem with no TP consumption.

Edit: hit new post instead of edit post. x_x;;;;

Sounds like it, especially because they're nerfing the trait that boosts Power Surge. Will need to check this after maint today but it sounds like a nice change.
Power Surge is looking much better now but I still don't understand how you're supposed to stack it. Jumping and using WS will increase duration but do they also increase the effects? I'm guessing yes because reusing the ability removes everything but you never know..

[TacoTaru]

Seems like the effect would be infinitely easier to keep up now considering you don't have to remember to use it unless you stop WSing/Jumping.

[Sigmakan]

Curious how far they went with the collusion nerf. Is it going to be a percentage? A fixed value?

The archer nerf seems a bit odd as well, will this also impact ranged attack for melees? You can build TP quite quickly if you time throws properly.