General

[quote=Naritta]Bishops are arguably weaker than most classes but if a Bishop has, say, 30% INT they're actually quite strong. It's not hard to fund something and it depends on what level you're comparing the Bishop. If the Bishop is under level 140 then it probably is fairly weak.

If you look closely Buccs and Bishops are not that different in terms of DPS even with Barrage. (And they have Speed Infusion!) If a Bishop has Bahamut and Maxed AR they're about the same. I'm not even kidding you, I've hit 500k+ easily with Infinity, very effectively out damaging most of my party members. Huyshooter has a point. What's better for us is that Bishop's are getting a skill called Magic Booster that'll increase the casting speed of ALL our skills. Bishops right now are pretty humble, Angel Ray having only just gotten buffed to 900% damage, but with the coming of JUMP we'll be significantly better with a slight buff on nearly all our skills. Now, Angel Ray's damage is getting nearly cut in half but it will be able to strike twice so that's a double chance of crit. The two stacked attacks will be greater than 900% damage anyway. About 960% damage.

A funded Bishop can at least stand beside a heavily funded class and not look downright pitiable. (NL's, Corsairs, WHs, BM's) A funded Bishop can also be compared to a fast + weaker damage oriented class but will probably not be able to keep up in terms of dps. (DBs)

So overall: If you're looking for a strong class to fund don't pick a Bishop. We're a support class after all and most dedicated Bishops only fund the class because they enjoy the gameplay and skills on a personal level.[/quote]

i could not have said it better myself =)

Bishops are arguably weaker than most classes but if a Bishop has, say, 30% INT they're actually quite strong. It's not hard to fund something and it depends on what level you're comparing the Bishop. If the Bishop is under level 140 then it probably is fairly weak.

If you look closely Buccs and Bishops are not that different in terms of DPS even with Barrage. (And they have Speed Infusion!) If a Bishop has Bahamut and Maxed AR they're about the same. I'm not even kidding you, I've hit 500k+ easily with Infinity, very effectively out damaging most of my party members. Huyshooter has a point. What's better for us is that Bishop's are getting a skill called Magic Booster that'll increase the casting speed of ALL our skills. Bishops right now are pretty humble, Angel Ray having only just gotten buffed to 900% damage, but with the coming of JUMP we'll be significantly better with a slight buff on nearly all our skills. Now, Angel Ray's damage is getting nearly cut in half but it will be able to strike twice so that's a double chance of crit. The two stacked attacks will be greater than 900% damage anyway. About 960% damage.

A funded Bishop can at least stand beside a heavily funded class and not look downright pitiable. (NL's, Corsairs, WHs, BM's) A funded Bishop can also be compared to a fast + weaker damage oriented class but will probably not be able to keep up in terms of dps. (DBs)

So overall: If you're looking for a strong class to fund don't pick a Bishop. We're a support class after all and most dedicated Bishops only fund the class because they enjoy the gameplay and skills on a personal level.

[quote=Fairyic]@huyshooter:
Yeah that is all true
But averagely speaking

Normal classes vs bishop
Bishop will still be the weakest[/quote]

True if all funding is the same

@huyshooter:
Yeah that is all true
But averagely speaking

Normal classes vs bishop
Bishop will still be the weakest

[quote=Fairyic]I don't think i'm exaggerating at all.
Maybe you should compare average classes with a bishop.
You'll find it to still be the weakest attacker.
And slowest? Well doesn't that just somewhat make it weaker?
If bishops were really not the weakest...Why is it that bishops are always automatically given the opportunity to leech?
If they could really "get things done at a comfortable pace", how is it most don't attack? Don't tell me they don't choose to. Because believe me, i would choose not to attack but i'd get kicked from a party.
-Shrugs-

Maybe i am just exaggerating.
But honestly, you can ask just about anyone and i can almost gurantee you, they will say bishops are not made for attacking.[/quote]

I out damage alot members of my party at LHC with infinity on
(hits 250k~300k per AR)

The class is mostly geared for support ( we are a support class yes?) however damage on maplestory is now completely dependent on your amount of funding
(like all class) its just harder to get higher damage as a bishop

[quote=Negi31]I believe the post by DrStrangenoob is most likely the sloest to the answer that you are seeking. Personally, I think that the Cleric/Priest/Bishop class has just enough strength to get things done at a comfortable pace. I believe that people tend to over exaggerate how "weak" the class itself is.

I guess I am crazy then, but being normal is overrated.[/quote]

I don't think i'm exaggerating at all.
Maybe you should compare average classes with a bishop.
You'll find it to still be the weakest attacker.
And slowest? Well doesn't that just somewhat make it weaker?
If bishops were really not the weakest...Why is it that bishops are always automatically given the opportunity to leech?
If they could really "get things done at a comfortable pace", how is it most don't attack? Don't tell me they don't choose to. Because believe me, i would choose not to attack but i'd get kicked from a party.
-Shrugs-

Maybe i am just exaggerating.
But honestly, you can ask just about anyone and i can almost gurantee you, they will say bishops are not made for attacking.

LOL
Its the weakest in all the game unless you decide to fund it...But you must be crazy to do that

Has a support class ever been a strong attacking class in any MMO?

No one will ever bring a bishop on a boss run as an attacker, but you'll more than easily get into runs for your support skills. Training wise, we more than easily hold our own with everyone else in terms of training speed until around 4th job, when other attacking classes really start to level faster due to the nature of LHC party training.