Bard

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Bard Concept Art.png

Introduction

The word "bard" ordinarily puts folk in mind of those itinerant minstrels, fair of voice and nimble of finger, who earn their coin performing in taverns and the halls of great lords. Few know, however, that bards in fact trace their origins back to the bowmen of eld, who sang in the heat of battle to fortify the spirits of their companions. In time, their impassioned songs came to hold sway over the hearts of men, inspiring their comrades to great feats and granting peace unto those who lay upon the precipice of death.

FinalFantasyXIV.com Bard

Bard frame icon.png Bard (BRD) is a job unlockable at level 30 as an upgrade from the archer class and is one of three physical ranged DPS jobs.

General information

Guild

The Archers' Guild is in New Gridania. Archers must specialize into bard once they reach level 30, and complete the quests Main Scenario QuestSylph-management and Feature QuestThe One That Got Away. The job trainer is Jehantel, who is normally located in South Shroud (21.8, 21.3).

Equipment

The bard is a disciple of war and wears armor and accessories "of Aiming". They use bows as weapons.

Weapon Armor Accessories
Archer's Arms Head
Body
Hands
Legs
Feet
Bracelets
Earrings
Necklace
Ring

Quests

Quest Type Level Quest Giver Unlocks Rewards
A Song of Bards and Bowmen Job quest 30 Luciane Bard
Mage's Ballad.png  Mage's Ballad
Bard (Simple) Adventurer Plate
Bard (Simple) Adventurer Plate
1 Soul of the bard icon1.png  Soul of the Bard
The Archer's Anthem Job quest 35 Jehantel The Warden's Paean.png  The Warden's Paean
Bard's-eye View Job quest 40 Jehantel Army's Paeon.png  Army's Paeon
Doing It the Bard Way Job quest 45 Jehantel Rain of Death.png  Rain of Death
Pieces of the Past Job quest 45 Jehantel 1 Choral chapeau icon1.png  Choral Chapeau
1 Choral ringbands icon1.png  Choral Ringbands
1 Choral tights icon1.png  Choral Tights
1 Choral sandals icon1.png  Choral Sandals
Requiem for the Fallen Job quest 50 Jehantel Battle Voice.png  Battle Voice
A bard's tale i icon1.png  A Bard's Tale I
Bard - Part 1
Bard - Part 1
1 Choral shirt icon1.png  Choral Shirt
1 Bards attire coffer (il 90) icon1.png  Bard's Attire Coffer (IL 90)
On the Road Again Job quest 50 Jehantel
The Stiff and the Spent Job quest 52 Sanson The Wanderer's Minuet.png  The Wanderer's Minuet
Requiem on Ice Job quest 54 Sanson Empyreal Arrow.png  Empyreal Arrow
When Gnaths Cry Job quest 56 Sanson Iron Jaws.png  Iron Jaws
A Saint of Song Job quest 58 Sanson
The Ballad of Oblivion Job quest 60 Sanson Sidewinder.png  Sidewinder
A bard's tale ii icon1.png  A Bard's Tale II
Bard - Part 2
Bard - Part 2
1 Aoidos attire coffer (il 210) icon1.png  Aoidos' Attire Coffer (IL 210)
Three's a Company Job quest 60 Jehantel
Masked Motives Job quest 63 Sanson
One Autumn's Secret Job quest 65 Sanson
Sleeping Truths Lie Job quest 68 Sanson
Sweet Dreams Are Made of Peace Job quest 70 Guydelot Refulgent Arrow.png  Refulgent Arrow
Straight Shot Mastery.png  Straight Shot Mastery
A bard's tale iii icon1.png  A Bard's Tale III
Bard - Part 3
Bard - Part 3
1 Storytellers attire coffer (il 290) icon1.png  Storyteller's Attire Coffer (IL 290)
A Harmony from the Heavens Sidequest 80 Jehantel A bard's tale iv icon1.png  A Bard's Tale IV
Bard - Part 4
Bard - Part 4
1 Heavens eye materia vii icon1.png  Heavens' Eye Materia VII
1 Savage aim materia vii icon1.png  Savage Aim Materia VII
1 Savage might materia vii icon1.png  Savage Might Materia VII

Actions

PvE actions

Action Acquired Quest requirement Level Type MP Casting Recast Range
Radius
Description
Heavy Shot.png  Heavy Shot Archer frame icon.png ARC 1 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 160.
Additional Effect: 20% chance of becoming Straight Shot ready.
Duration: 30s
Straight Shot.png  Straight Shot Archer frame icon.png ARC 2 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200.
Can only be executed when Straight Shot Ready
Raging Strikes.png  Raging Strikes Archer frame icon.png ARC 4 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Increases damage dealt by 15%.
Duration: 20s
Venomous Bite.png  Venomous Bite Archer frame icon.png ARC 6 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100.
Additional Effect: Venom
Potency: 15
Duration: 45s
Bloodletter.png  Bloodletter Archer frame icon.png ARC 12 Ability Instant 15s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 110.
Maximum Charges: 3
Shares a recast timer with Rain of Death.
Repelling Shot.png  Repelling Shot Archer frame icon.png ARC 1Quest: Violators Will Be Shot 15 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 15y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Jump 10 yalms away from current target.
Cannot be executed while bound.
Quick Nock.png  Quick Nock Archer frame icon.png ARC 18 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 12y
Conal AoE in front of the user 12y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 110 to all enemies in a cone before you.
Additional Effect: 35% chance of becoming Shadowbite Ready
Duration: 30s
Windbite.png  Windbite Archer frame icon.png ARC 1Quest: The One That Got Away 30 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Deals wind damage with a potency of 60.
Additional Effect: Wind damage over time
Potency: 20
Duration: 45s
Mage's Ballad.png  Mage's Ballad Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: A Song of Bards and Bowmen 30 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 100.
Additional Effect: Grants Mage's Ballad to self and all party members within 50 yalms, increasing damage dealt by 1%
Duration: 45s
Additional Effect: 80% chance to grant Repertoire
Repertoire Effect: Reduces the recast time of both Bloodletter and Rain of Death by 7.5s
Additional Effect: Grants Mage's Coda
The Warden's Paean.png  The Warden's Paean Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: The Archer's Anthem 35 Ability Instant 45s Range icon.png 30y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Removes one select detrimental effect from self or target party member. If the target is not enfeebled, a barrier is created nullifying the target's next detrimental effect suffered.
Duration: 30s
Barrage.png  Barrage Archer frame icon.png ARC 38 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Triples the number of strikes for a single-target weaponskill. Additional effects added only once.
Duration: 10s
Additional Effect: Increases the potency of Shadowbite to 270
Additional Effect: Grants Straight Shot Ready
Duration: 30s
Army's Paeon.png  Army's Paeon Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: Bard's-eye View 40 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 100.
Additional Effect: Grants Army's Paeon to self and all party members within 50 yalms, increasing direct hit rate by 3%
Duration: 45s
Additional Effect: 80% chance to grant Repertoire
Repertoire Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 4%
Can be stacked up to 4 times.
Additional Effect: Grants Army's Coda
Rain of Death.png  Rain of Death Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: Doing It the Bard Way 45 Ability Instant 15s Range icon.png 25y
Circle AoE around the action target 8y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to target and all enemies nearby it.
Maximum Charges: 3
Shares a recast timer with Bloodletter.
Battle Voice.png  Battle Voice Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: Requiem for the Fallen 50 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 0y
Point Blank Circle around the user 30y
Increases direct hit rate of self and all nearby party members by 20%.
Duration: 15s
The Wanderer's Minuet.png  The Wanderer's Minuet Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: The Stiff and the Spent 52 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 100.
Additional Effect: Grants the Wanderer's Minuet to self and all party members within 50 yalms, increasing critical hit rate by 2%
Duration: 45s
Additional Effect: 80% chance to grant Repertoire
Repertoire Effect: Allows execution of Pitch Perfect
Can be stacked up to 3 times.
Additional Effect: Grants Wanderer's Coda
※Action changes to Pitch Perfect upon execution.
Pitch Perfect.png  Pitch Perfect Bard frame icon.png BRD 52 Ability Instant 1s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 when Repertoire stack is 1, 220 when Repertoire stack is 2, and 360 when Repertoire stack is 3.
Can only be executed when the Wanderer's Minuet is active.


※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

Empyreal Arrow.png  Empyreal Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: Requiem on Ice 54 Ability Instant 15s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 240.
Iron Jaws.png  Iron Jaws Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: When Gnaths Cry 56 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100.
Additional Effect: If the target is suffering from a Caustic Bite or Stormbite effect inflicted by you, the effect timer is reset.
Additional Effect: 35% chance of becoming Straight Shot Ready
Duration: 30s
Sidewinder.png  Sidewinder Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: The Ballad of Oblivion 60 Ability Instant 60s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 320.
Troubadour.png  Troubadour Bard frame icon.png BRD 62 Ability Instant 90s Range icon.png 0y
Point Blank Circle around the user 30y
Reduces damage taken by self and nearby party members by 10%.
Duration: 15s
Effect cannot be stacked with machinist's Tactician or dancer's Shield Samba.
Caustic Bite.png  Caustic Bite Bard frame icon.png BRD 64 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 150.
Additional Effect: Poison
Potency: 20
Duration: 45s
Additional Effect: 35% chance of becoming Straight Shot Ready
Duration: 30s
Stormbite.png  Stormbite Bard frame icon.png BRD 64 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Deals wind damage with a potency of 100.
Additional Effect: Wind damage over time
Potency: 25
Duration: 45s
Additional Effect: 35% chance of becoming Straight Shot Ready
Duration: 30s
Nature's Minne.png  Nature's Minne Bard frame icon.png BRD 66 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 0y
Point Blank Circle around the user 30y
Increases HP recovery via healing actions by 15% for self and nearby party members.
Duration: 15s
Refulgent Arrow.png  Refulgent Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: Sweet Dreams Are Made of Peace 70 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 280.
Can only be executed when Straight Shot Ready.
Shadowbite.png  Shadowbite Bard frame icon.png BRD 72 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Circle AoE around the action target 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 170 to target and all enemies nearby it.
Barrage Potency: 270
Can only be executed when Shadowbite Ready.
Burst Shot.png  Burst Shot Bard frame icon.png BRD 76 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 220.
Additional Effect: 35% chance of becoming Straight Shot Ready
Duration: 30s
Apex Arrow.png  Apex Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 80 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 25y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all enemies in a straight line before you.
Soul Voice Gauge Cost: 20
Potency increases up to 500 as Soul Voice Gauge exceeds minimum cost.
Additional Effect: Grants Blast Arrow Ready upon execution while Soul Voice Gauge is 80 or higher
Duration: 10s
Consumes Soul Voice Gauge upon execution.
※Action changes to Blast Arrow while under the effect of Blast Arrow Ready.
Ladonsbite.png  Ladonsbite Bard frame icon.png BRD 82 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 12y
Conal AoE in front of the user 12y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 130 to all enemies in a cone before you.
Additional Effect: 35% chance of becoming Shadowbite Ready
Duration: 30s
Blast Arrow.png  Blast Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 86 Weaponskill Instant 2.5s Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 25y
Delivers an attack to all enemies in a straight line before you with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies.
Can only be executed while under the effect of Blast Arrow Ready.
※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Radiant Finale.png  Radiant Finale Bard frame icon.png BRD 90 Ability Instant 110s Range icon.png 0y
Point Blank Circle around the user 30y
Increases damage dealt by self and nearby party members.
Duration: 15s
Effectiveness is determined by the number of different Coda active in the Song Gauge.
1 Coda: 2%
2 Coda: 4%
3 Coda: 6%
Can only be executed when at least 1 coda is active.

Limit Breaks (PvE)

See also: Limit Break
Action Acquired Level Type MP Casting Recast Range
Radius
Description
Limit break icon1.png  Big Shot Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS 1 Limit Break Level 1 2s Instant Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 30y
Delivers an attack that deals 54% the damage of Braver to all targets in a straight line.
Limit break icon1.png  Desperado Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS 1 Limit Break Level 2 3s Instant Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 30y
Delivers an attack that deals 117% the damage of Braver to all targets in a straight line.
Limit break icon1.png  Sagittarius Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 1 Limit Break Level 3 4.5s Instant Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 30y
Delivers an attack that deals 189% the damage of Braver to all targets in a straight line.

Physical Ranged DPS role actions (PvE)

See also: Role actions
Action Acquired Level Type MP Casting Recast Range
Radius
Description
Leg Graze.png  Leg Graze Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS 6 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Inflicts target with Heavy +40%.
Duration: 10s
Second Wind.png  Second Wind Melee DPS role.png Melee DPS
Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS
8 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Instantly restores own HP.
Cure Potency: 500
Foot Graze.png  Foot Graze Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS 10 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Binds target.
Duration: 10s
Cancels auto-attack upon execution.
Target unbound if damage taken.
Peloton.png  Peloton Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS 20 Ability Instant 5s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 30y
Increases movement speed of self and nearby party members as long as they remain within distance.
Duration: 30s
Effect ends when enmity is generated. Cannot be used in battle.
Head Graze.png  Head Graze Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS 24 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Interrupts the use of a target's action.
Arm's Length.png  Arm's Length Melee DPS role.png Melee DPS
Physical Ranged DPS role.png Physical Ranged DPS
Tank role.png Tank
32 Ability Instant 120s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects.
Duration: 6s
Additional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struck
Duration: 15s

PvP actions

Action Acquired Quest requirement Level Type MP Casting Recast Range
Radius
Description
Powerful Shot (PvP).png  Powerful Shot (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Weaponskill 1.44s 2.4s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 4,000.
Potency increases up to 6,000 the farther away you are from the target, reaching its maximum value when the target is 15 yalms away.
Additional Effect: Reduces the recast time of Empyreal Arrow by 5s
Requires casting time to execute. However, it is possible to walk while casting.
※Action changes to Pitch Perfect while under the effect of Repertoire.
Apex Arrow (PvP).png  Apex Arrow (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Weaponskill Instant 20s Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 25y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 8,000 to all enemies in a straight line before you.
Additional Effect: Grants Blast Arrow Ready
Duration: 20s
Additional Effect: Grants Frontliner's March
Frontliner's March Effect: Reduces your weaponskill cast time and recast time by 10%, and increases damage dealt by self and all party members within a radius of 30 yalms by 5%.
Duration: 30s
This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
※Action changes to Blast Arrow while under the effect of Blast Arrow Ready.
Silent Nocturne (PvP).png  Silent Nocturne (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 15y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Silences target.
Duration: 2s
Additional Effect: Grants Repertoire
Duration: 10s
※Powerful Shot changes to Pitch Perfect while under the effect of Repertoire.
Empyreal Arrow (PvP).png  Empyreal Arrow (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Ability Instant 15s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 3,000.
Consumes all charges upon execution, each charge adding an additional strike to the attack.
Maximum Charges: 3
Repelling Shot (PvP).png  Repelling Shot (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Ability Instant 15s Range icon.png 10y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 4,000.
Additional Effect: 10-yalm backstep.
Additional Effect: Bind
Duration: 3s
Cannot be executed while bound.
The Warden's Paean (PvP).png  The Warden's Paean (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Ability Instant 25s Range icon.png 30y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Removes one status affliction from self or target party member that can be removed by Purify. If a status affliction cannot be removed, creates a barrier that will nullify the next status affliction that can be removed by Purify.
Duration: 8s
Grants Warden's Grace upon successfully removing or nullifying a status affliction.
Warden's Grace Effect: Reduces damage taken by 25% while increasing HP recovered by healing actions by 25%
Duration: 5s
Additional Effect: Grants Repertoire
Duration: 10s
※Powerful Shot changes to Pitch Perfect while under the effect of Repertoire.
Pitch Perfect (PvP).png  Pitch Perfect (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Weaponskill Instant 2.4s Range icon.png 25y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 4,000.
Potency increases up to 8,000 the farther away you are from the target, reaching its maximum value when the target is 15 yalms away.
Additional Effect: Reduces the recast time of Empyreal Arrow by 5s
Can only be executed while under the effect of Repertoire.
※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Blast Arrow (PvP).png  Blast Arrow (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Weaponskill Instant 2.4s Range icon.png 25y
Line AoE from the user to the action target 25y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 10,000 to all enemies in a straight line before you.
Additional Effect: Grants Frontliner's Forte
Frontliner's Forte Effect: Reduces your weaponskill cast time and recast time by 10%, and increases damage dealt by self and all party members within a radius of 30 yalms by 5%.
Duration: 10s
※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

Limit Break (PvP)

Action Acquired Level Type MP Casting Recast Range
Radius
Description
Final Fantasia (PvP).png  Final Fantasia (PvP) Bard frame icon.png BRD 30 Limit Break Instant 10s Range icon.png 0y
Point Blank Circle around the user 30y
Reduces your weaponskill cast time and recast time by 10% while also increasing movement speed by 25%.
Additional Effect: Increases damage dealt by self and all party members within a radius of 30 yalms by 10% while also gradually filling the limit gauge
Duration: 30s
Can only be executed when the limit gauge is full.
Gauge Charge Time: 120s
Effect can only be activated while target is in combat.

Common actions (PvP)

Action Acquired Level Type MP Casting Recast Range
Radius
Description
Standard-issue Elixir (PvP).png  Standard-issue Elixir (PvP) Any class frame icon.png ANY 30 Ability 4.5s 5s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Restores your HP and MP to maximum. Casting will be interrupted when damage is taken.
Recuperate (PvP).png  Recuperate (PvP) Any class frame icon.png ANY 30 Ability 2,500 Instant 1s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Restores own HP.
Cure Potency: 15,000
Purify (PvP).png  Purify (PvP) Any class frame icon.png ANY 30 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Removes Stun, Heavy, Bind, Silence, Half-asleep, Sleep, and Deep Freeze.
Additional Effect: Grants Resilience
Resilience Effect: Nullifies status afflictions that can be removed by Purify
Duration: 5s
Can be used even when under the effect of certain status afflictions.
Guard (PvP).png  Guard (PvP) Any class frame icon.png ANY 30 Ability Instant 30s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Reduces damage taken by 90% and grants immunity to Stun, Heavy, Bind, Silence, Half-asleep, Sleep, Deep Freeze, and knockback and draw-in effects.
Duration: 5s
Movement speed is reduced by 50% for the duration of this effect.
Effect ends upon reuse, using another action, or when the effect duration expires.
Sprint (PvP).png  Sprint (PvP) Any class frame icon.png ANY 30 Ability Instant 1.5s Range icon.png 0y
Single Target or AoE not yet specified 0y
Increases movement speed. Effect ends upon reuse or execution of another action.

Traits

PvE traits

Trait Acquired Quest requirement Level Effect
Heavier Shot.png  Heavier Shot Archer frame icon.png ARC 2 Adds to Heavy Shot a 20% chance that you will become Straight Shot ready.
Duration: 30s
Increased Action Damage (archer).png  Increased Action Damage Archer frame icon.png ARC 20 Increases base action damage by 10%.
Increased Action Damage II (archer).png  Increased Action Damage II Archer frame icon.png ARC 40 Increases base action damage by 20%.
Bite Mastery.png  Bite Mastery Bard frame icon.png BRD 64 Upgrades Venomous Bite and Windbite to Caustic Bite and Stormbite respectively.
Enhanced Empyreal Arrow.png  Enhanced Empyreal Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 68 Guarantees the trigger of the additional effects for Mage's Ballad, Army's Paeon, and the Wanderer's Minuet when Empyreal Arrow hits a target.
Straight Shot Mastery.png  Straight Shot Mastery Bard frame icon.png BRD 1Quest: Sweet Dreams Are Made of Peace 70 Upgrades Straight Shot to Refulgent Arrow.
Enhanced Quick Nock.png  Enhanced Quick Nock Bard frame icon.png BRD 72 Adds to Quick Nock a 35% chance that you will become Shadowbite Ready.
Duration: 30s
Bite Mastery II.png  Bite Mastery II Bard frame icon.png BRD 76 Adds to Stormbite, Caustic Bite, and Iron Jaws a 35% chance that you will become Straight Shot Ready.
Duration: 30s
Heavy Shot Mastery.png  Heavy Shot Mastery Bard frame icon.png BRD 76 Upgrades Heavy Shot to Burst Shot.
Enhanced Army's Paeon.png  Enhanced Army's Paeon Bard frame icon.png BRD 78 While under the effect of Army's Paeon with at least one stack of Repertoire, singing Mage's Ballad or the Wanderer's Minuet will grant Army's Muse, reducing weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay.
Duration: 10s
Allowing the effect of Army's Paeon and accumulated stacks of Repertoire to expire without singing Mage's Ballad or the Wanderer's Minuet will grant Army's Ethos.
Duration: 30s
While under the effect of Army's Ethos, singing Mage's Ballad or the Wanderer's Minuet will grant Army's Muse. Both Army's Ethos and Army's Muse require stacks of Repertoire, the number of which will determine the potency of the latter.
1 Repertoire: 1%
2 Repertoire: 2%
3 Repertoire: 4%
4 Repertoire: 12%
Soul Voice.png  Soul Voice Bard frame icon.png BRD 80 Increases Soul Voice Gauge by 5 each time Repertoire is granted.
Quick Nock Mastery.png  Quick Nock Mastery Bard frame icon.png BRD 82 Upgrades Quick Nock to Ladonsbite.
Enhanced Bloodletter.png  Enhanced Bloodletter Bard frame icon.png BRD 84 Allows a third charge of Bloodletter and Rain of Death.
Enhanced Apex Arrow.png  Enhanced Apex Arrow Bard frame icon.png BRD 86 Grants Blast Arrow Ready upon executing Apex Arrow after the Soul Voice Gauge has reached 80 or higher.
Duration: 30s
Apex Arrow becomes Blast Arrow while under this effect.
Enhanced Troubadour.png  Enhanced Troubadour Bard frame icon.png BRD 88 Reduces Troubadour recast time to 90 seconds.
Minstrel's Coda.png  Minstrel's Coda Bard frame icon.png BRD 90 Grants Mage's Coda, Army's Coda, or Wanderer's Coda upon singing Mage's Ballad, Army's Paeon, or the Wanderer's Minuet respectively.

Job mechanics

Singing Mage's Ballad will display its corresponding Song Gauge, which indicates the effect's remaining duration.

During a song, there is a chance you will be granted Repertoire, shortening the recast timer of Bloodletter (acquired at level 12) and Rain of Death (acquired at level 45).

Song gauge pve1.png

Singing Army's Paeon will display its corresponding Song Gauge, which indicates the effect's remaining duration. During a song, there is a chance you will be granted Repertoire, reducing weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay. This effect increases for each stack of Repertoire you accumulate up to a total of four.

Song gauge pve2.png

Singing The Wanderer's Minuet will display its corresponding Song Gauge, which indicates the effect's remaining duration. During a song, there is a chance you will be granted Repertoire, allowing the execution of Pitch Perfect. The Repertoire effect can be stacked up to three times.

Song gauge pve3.png

Simple Mode

Song gauge pve simple mode1.png Mage's Ballad

Song gauge pve simple mode2.png Army's Paeon

Song gauge pve simple mode3.png The Wanderer's Minuet


Official Lodestone Job Guide (Always up-to-date)

Soul Voice Gauge:

Song gauge pve4.png

Upon learning the trait Soul Voice, the Soul Voice Gauge will be displayed. This gauge increases in tandem with Repertoire, and is depleted when using the action Apex Arrow (acquired at level 80).

Coda:

Song gauge pve5.png

When you learn the trait Minstrel's Coda, the Coda will be displayed.

There are three types of Coda: Mage's Coda, Army's Coda, and Wanderer's Coda. Each is granted respectively by executing the actions Mage's Ballad, Army's Paeon, and The Wanderer's Minuet. You can execute the action Radiant Finale if you have at least one Coda.

Simple Mode:

Soul coda pve simple mode1.png


Achievements

This job is associated with the following achievements:

Name Points Task Reward Patch
Just talkin' 'bout shafts iv icon1.png  Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts IV 5 Achieve archer level 40. - 2.0
Just talkin' 'bout shafts v icon1.png  Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts V 5 Achieve archer level 50. - 2.0
Just talkin' 'bout shafts vi icon1.png  Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts VI 5 Achieve archer level 60. - 3.0
Just talkin' 'bout shafts vii icon1.png  Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts VII 5 Achieve archer level 70. - 4.0
Just talkin' 'bout shafts viii icon1.png  Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts VIII 5 Achieve archer level 80. - 5.0
Just talkin' 'bout shafts ix icon1.png  Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts IX 5 Achieve archer level 90. - 6.0

Notable Bards

Gallery

Lore

The word “bard” ordinarily puts folk in mind of those itinerant minstrels, fair of voice and nimble of finger, who earn their coin performing in taverns and the halls of great lords. Few know, however, that bards in fact trace their origins back to the bowmen of eld, who sang in the heat of battle to fortify the spirits of their companions.

History

Five hundred years ago, in the time when the city-states engaged one another in bloody conflict, Gridanian hunters were often forced to take up their bows to defend their nascent nation from outside invaders. These reluctant archers would strum their bowstrings and sing songs for their comrades, and it was from those encouraging, aching tunes that the inspiring melodies of the bard were born. Their lilting notes stirred the spirit, lending their fellow soldiers a tangible strength that could turn the tide of battle.

Witnessing the effect of these “battlesongs,” each nation formed units of minstrels in an attempt to amplify the phenomenon, but these hollow, regimented choruses failed to produce the same mystical influence. The original performers, on the other hand, found themselves drowned out by ranks of military musicians, and one by one their voices grew quiet on the battlefield.

When not fighting in wars, bards would travel from tavern to tavern to share the tales of their experiences. As the periods of peace grew longer and longer, however, they began embellishing their stories to appeal to a wider audience, and what was once a true recounting of battle became a form of entertainment by which the bard made his living.

Equipment

Choral Attire

A minstrel’s raiments bequeathed by Jehantel the Godsbow. The archer-turned-bard may be a legend in his time, but he is not the first to be claimed by one calling, then the other. The garb is ancient in origin, and was fashioned by a minstrel of yore as an act of devotion to Althyk the Keeper. That it was fashioned for an archer’s use is clear from the telltale cut of the sleeves.

Aoidos Attire

A bard ensemble that first appeared around the thirteen hundredth year of the Sixth Astral Era, the original Aoidos attire is notable for adopting elements of the Near Eastern garb that began arriving on the continent after trade routes with the lands of the East became firmly established. A style proposed by the legendary minstrel, Santhelme, the attire garnered much attention amongst the courts and clothiers of the age, and Near Eastern fashion saw a sudden surge in popularity. Aside from enthralling audiences with his haunting voice and fashionable appearance, Santhelme was also famous for his extraordinary skill with the bow. Citing the dwindling numbers of performers with similar martial expertise, many historians consider Santhelme’s generation to be the last in which true battlesongs were sung.

Artemis Bow

A longbow beloved by Gilbert the Godsbow, he of much carnage. A mighty singer of songs as well as a slayer of Ixal, Gilbert dreamt of a bow whose form was sired by the noble harp, and set the finest smith in Gridania to the task of creating such a weapon. Keen ears claim that every arrow that flies true from the Artemis Bow sings a pure note as it charts its course.

Berimbau

A bard with a taste for the ostentatious, Santhelme ordered the construction of a bow with multiple strings that could be strummed in the manner of a harp. While the weapon thus created was perfectly pitched and the tightly bound strings propelled arrows with astonishing force, it was heavy, unwieldy, and impractical in battle for any but a master archer. Berimbau is now considered by most a curious ornament of a bygone era—in the hands of a bard with the requisite skill, however, it still holds the potential to dominate a battlefield with both melodious music and murderous mayhem.

Tricks of the Trade

  • Sagittarius Arrow: The bard weaves the borrowed aether of her allies into an archer’s storm that bombards the battlefield with the rain of a thousand arrows. This technique was said to have been devised by the founding 1st Bow of the Quiver’s Centaurs.
  • Mage's Ballad: A battlesong that celebrates the courageous deeds of a Padjal of eld. The lyrics sing of the sage’s exceptional healing arts as he braved the front line to tend to wounded soldiers.
  • Army's Paeon: This battlesong praises the valor of Josselin, one of Gridania’s greatest war heroes. Josselin left her mark on history as the first captain of the Wood Wailers.
  • The Wanderer's Minuet: An ode to Oschon, the god of travelers. Depicting the Wanderer as a carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew with consummate skill, this meandering tune is sung with great joy and gusto.

Guydelot Thildonnet

  • Race (Clan): Elezen (Wildwood)
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 22
  • Epithet: Guydelot the Spent

A bard native to Gridania who spent his youth learning the bow in the hunter’s trade. Like many a young archer before him, Guydelot aspired to join the Gods’ Quiver. Upon realizing his heart’s desire, however, he found that the strict rules and traditions of the organization were at odds with his carefree upbringing. Thus it was that he earned a reputation as the recruit with commendable skill but lamentable discipline. Seemingly fated to languish in the lower ranks of the Gods’ Quiver, he one day chanced to meet the roving minstrel, Jehantel. The romance of the old battlesongs captured Guydelot’s imagination, and it was not long before the young Elezen had embraced the mellifluous world of the bard.

Jehantel Fointeaume

  • Race (Clan): Elezen (Wildwood)
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 68
  • Epithet: Jehantel the Godsbow

Once captain of the Gods’ Quiver, this roving bard earned the name “Godsbow” for his almost preternatural skill in archery. It was several decades ago during an expedition to hunt down Ixal that Jehantel contradicted a direct order and ranged into enemy territory alone. While he was absent, however, his squad was attacked and slaughtered to the last. The gifted bowman spent the days following the ambush wracked by guilt, the mounting regret eventually driving him away from the Gods’ Quiver and into a life of aimless wandering. He returned to the Twelveswood many years later, claiming to have embraced the calling of a simple minstrel, and it is through his rebirth as a bard that the secrets of forgotten battlesongs have returned to the land.

Battlesongs

Sung by the archers of eld on the field of battle, these verses held the power to fortify the spirits of comrades, bringing blessings upon the victor and granting peace unto those on the precipice of death. But as the presence of bards faded, so too did the prevalence of battlesongs, and now it is only the musically inclined moogles who remember every melody and measure.

The Ballad of Oblivion

Its existence hinted at in ancient tomes and moogle tales, the Ballad of Oblivion is a legendary bard song said to hold the power to bring battles to a decisive end. Sanson, a captain in the Order of the Twin Adder, would set forth on a quest to resurrect the lost ballad that it might convince his superiors to allow the formation of a new unit structured around a core of bards. [1]

Bard's Panoply

Storyteller's Chapeau

This hat was designed with Elezen sensibilities in mind, as is apparent in the liberal use of feathers. Its wide brim provides nigh-unmatched defense against the sun’s blinding rays, enabling a hawk-eyed wearer to aim with total accuracy.

Storyteller's Coat

Cut to billow dramatically with movement, this lengthy coat adds flair to any musical performance, and is also equipped with a thick belt on which to hang one’s pipes, making it a practical choice for dedicated musicians.

Storyteller's Gloves

Robust protection is afforded to the second and third fingers of the right hand, on which rests the full force of the bow when drawn. Conversely, the thumb is uncovered, the better to extract arrows from the quiver sight unseen.

Form & Function

No sooner does a bard’s time on the front lines end than does his duty as a storyteller begin. His garb must, therefore, be suited to the vicissitudes of his role—resilient in combat, comfortable for travel, and dazzling during performances. Prominent theories also posit that some elements were originally incorporated to make it appropriately ceremonial for dedicating prayers to Althyk, god of time. The optimal balance among this plethora of functions is determined by the bard himself, and as a result, distinctive designs tailored to the wearer's preferences abound. For the devout, for instance, is the choral attire, replete with accoutrements—a style harkening back to the ceremonial aoidos attire designed by Santhelme, bard of legend. On the opposite end of the spectrum are sets that incorporate the leather armor commonly associated with light infantry, or even chainmail. Garments also differ in accordance with the bard’s instrument of choice, as designs that enable rousing performances on the flute do not necessarily facilitate those on the harp. [2]

See also

External links

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Eorzea: Volume I, page 226-227
  2. Encyclopaedia Eorzea: Volume II, page 232