Bard

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 (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 Sylph-management and The 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

Bard Job Quests

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

Physical DPS Role Quests (Shadowbringers)

Quest	Type	Level	Quest Giver	Unlocks	Rewards
No Greater Sport		70	Lue-Reeq
Vengeance in Defeat		72	Lue-Reeq
Freedom from Privilege		74	Lue-Reeq
The Hunter's Legacy		76	Lue-Reeq
Fellowship Restored		78	Olvara		1   Risotto al Nero
Courage Born of Fear		80	Lue-Reeq	Speaker for the Brave Physical DPS Role Quests (Shadowbringers)	1   Heavens' Eye Materia VII 1   Savage Aim Materia VII 1   Savage Might Materia VII

Physical Ranged DPS Role Quests (Endwalker)

Quest	Type	Level	Quest Giver	Unlocks
Seeds of Disquiet		85	Doman Delegate
When the Kami Answer		86	Yugiri
Home No Longer		87	Yugiri
The Devoted Daughter		88	Yugiri
A Singular Gift		89	Yugiri
Laid to Rest		90	Yugiri	More than Loneliness Physical Ranged DPS Role Quests (Endwalker)

Physical Ranged DPS Role Quests (Dawntrail)

Quest	Type	Level	Quest Giver	Unlocks	Rewards
To Steal a Steelhog		90	Raholl Ja
Bandits Abound		92	Ceetol Ja
Take Me to Your Leader		94	Ceetol Ja
The Milk of Mamool Ja Kindness		96	Ceetol Ja
Ally in the Alley		98	Ceetol Ja		1   Driftwood Catfish Pie
The Mightiest Shield		100	Ceetol Ja	Some Shields Are Made to Be Broken Physical Ranged DPS Role Quests (Dawntrail)	2   Savage Aim Materia XI 2   Savage Might Materia XI 2   Heavens' Eye Materia XI

Actions

PvE actions

Action	Acquired		Level	Type	MP	Casting	Recast	Range Radius	Description
Heavy Shot	ARC		1	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. Additional Effect: 20% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Straight Shot	ARC		2	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Can only be executed when under the effect of Hawk's Eye
Raging Strikes	ARC		4	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 0y	Increases damage dealt by 15%. Duration: 20s
Venomous Bite	ARC		6	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Venom Potency: 15 Duration: 45s
Bloodletter	ARC		12	Ability		Instant	15s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 130. Maximum Charges: 3 Shares a recast timer with Rain of Death.
Repelling Shot	ARC	1	15	Ability		Instant	30s	15y 0y	Jump 10 yalms away from current target. Cannot be executed while bound.
Quick Nock	ARC		18	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	12y 12y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 110 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: 20% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Wide Volley	ARC		25	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to target and enemies near it. Barrage Potency: 220 Can only be executed while under the effect of Hawk's Eye.
Windbite	ARC	1	30	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Deals wind damage with a potency of 60. Additional Effect: Wind damage over time Potency: 20 Duration: 45s
Mage's Ballad	BRD	1	30	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 0y	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 This effect can trigger repeatedly while singing the Mage's Ballad. Repertoire Effect: Reduces the recast time of both Heartbreak Shot and Rain of Death by 7.5s Additional Effect: Grants Mage's Coda Can only be executed while in combat.
The Warden's Paean	BRD	1	35	Ability		Instant	45s	30y 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	ARC		38	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 0y	Grants Barrage, allowing the use of Refulgent Arrow and Shadowbite. Upon execution, Refulgent Arrow will strike the selected target three times, while Shadowbite's potency will be increased to 270. Duration: 10s Additional Effect: Grants Resonant Arrow Ready Duration: 30s
Army's Paeon	BRD	1	40	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 0y	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 This effect can trigger repeatedly while singing the Army's Paeon. 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 Can only be executed while in combat.
Rain of Death	BRD	1	45	Ability		Instant	15s	25y 8y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to target and all enemies nearby it. Maximum Charges: 3 Shares a recast timer with Heartbreak Shot.
Battle Voice	BRD	1	50	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 30y	Increases direct hit rate of self and all nearby party members by 20%. Duration: 20s
The Wanderer's Minuet	BRD	1	52	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 0y	Grants the Wanderer's Minuet to self and all party members within 50 yalms, increasing critical hit rate by 2% Duration: 45s This effect can trigger repeatedly while singing the Wanderer's Minuet. 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 Can only be executed while in combat.
Pitch Perfect	BRD		52	Ability		Instant	1s	25y 5y	Delivers an attack to the target and all enemies nearby it. Potency varies with number of Repertoire stacks, dealing full damage for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. 1 Repertoire Stack: 100 2 Repertoire Stacks: 220 3 Repertoire Stacks: 360 Can only be executed when the Wanderer's Minuet is active and you have at least one stack of Repertoire.
Empyreal Arrow	BRD	1	54	Ability		Instant	15s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 260.
Iron Jaws	BRD	1	56	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 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 granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Sidewinder	BRD	1	60	Ability		Instant	60s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 400.
Troubadour	BRD		62	Ability		Instant	90s	0y 30y	Reduces damage taken by self and nearby party members by 15%. Duration: 15s Effect cannot be stacked with machinist's Tactician or dancer's Shield Samba.
Caustic Bite	BRD		64	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 150. Additional Effect: Poison Potency: 20 Duration: 45s Additional Effect: 35% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Stormbite	BRD		64	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Deals wind damage with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Wind damage over time Potency: 25 Duration: 45s Additional Effect: 35% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Nature's Minne	BRD		66	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 30y	Increases HP recovery via healing actions by 15% for self and nearby party members. Duration: 15s
Refulgent Arrow	BRD	1	70	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 280. Can only be executed when the effect of Hawk's Eye.
Shadowbite	BRD		72	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 170 to target and all enemies nearby it. Barrage Potency: 270 Can only be executed when under the effect of Hawk's Eye.
Burst Shot	BRD		76	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 220. Additional Effect: 35% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Apex Arrow	BRD		80	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 25y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all enemies in a straight line before you. Soul Voice Gauge Cost: 20 Potency increases up to 600 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	BRD		82	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	12y 12y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 130 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: 35% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Blast Arrow	BRD		86	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 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	BRD		90	Ability		Instant	110s	0y 30y	Increases damage dealt by self and nearby party members. Duration: 20s Effectiveness is determined by the number of different Coda active in the Song Gauge. 1 Coda: 2% 2 Coda: 4% 3 Coda: 6% Additional Effect: Grants Radiant Encore Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed when at least 1 coda is active.
Heartbreak Shot	BRD		92	Ability		Instant	15s	25y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 180. Maximum Charges: 3 Shares a recast timer with Rain of Death.
Resonant Arrow	BRD		96	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 5y	Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed while under the effect of Resonant Arrow Ready.
Radiant Encore	BRD		100	Weaponskill		Instant	2.5s	25y 5y	Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it. Potency is determined by the number of different Coda consumed in the Radiant Finale executed prior, dealing full damage for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. 1 Coda: 500 2 Coda: 600 3 Coda: 900 Can only be executed while under the effect of Radiant Encore Ready.

Limit Breaks (PvE)

See also: Limit Break

Action	Acquired	Level	Type	MP	Casting	Recast	Range Radius	Description
Big Shot	Physical Ranged DPS	1	Limit Break Level 1		2s	Instant	25y 30y	Delivers an attack that deals 54% the damage of Braver to all targets in a straight line.
Desperado	Physical Ranged DPS	1	Limit Break Level 2		3s	Instant	25y 30y	Delivers an attack that deals 117% the damage of Braver to all targets in a straight line.
Sagittarius Arrow	ARC	1	Limit Break Level 3		4.5s	Instant	25y 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	Physical Ranged DPS	6	Ability		Instant	30s	0y 0y	Inflicts target with Heavy +40%. Duration: 10s
Second Wind	Melee DPS Physical Ranged DPS	8	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 0y	Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 800
Foot Graze	Physical Ranged DPS	10	Ability		Instant	30s	0y 0y	Binds target. Duration: 10s Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Target unbound if damage taken.
Peloton	Physical Ranged DPS	20	Ability		Instant	5s	0y 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	Physical Ranged DPS	24	Ability		Instant	30s	25y 0y	Interrupts the use of a target's action.
Arm's Length	Melee DPS Physical Ranged DPS Tank	32	Ability		Instant	120s	0y 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		Level	Type	MP	Casting	Recast	Range Radius	Description
Powerful Shot (PvP)	BRD		30	Weaponskill		1.44s	2.4s	25y 0y	Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 6,000. Additional Effect: Reduces the recast time of Harmonic Arrow by 4s Requires casting time to execute. However, it is possible to walk while casting.
Apex Arrow (PvP)	BRD		30	Weaponskill		Instant	20s	25y 25y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 8,000 to all enemies in a straight line before you. 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 Additional Effect: Grants Blast Arrow Ready Duration: 20s 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.
Harmonic Arrow (PvP)	BRD		30	Weaponskill		Instant	16s	25y 0y	Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 8,000. Consumes all charges upon execution, each charge adding an additional strike to the attack while lowering potency. 2 Charge Potency: 6,000 per strike 3 Charge Potency: 5,000 per strike 4 Charge Potency: 4,250 per strike Maximum Charges: 4
Silent Nocturne (PvP)	BRD		30	Ability		Instant	20s	20y 0y	Silences target. Duration: 2s Additional Effect: Grants Repertoire Duration: 10s ※Powerful Shot changes to Pitch Perfect while under the effect of Repertoire.
Repelling Shot (PvP)	BRD		30	Ability		Instant	12s	10y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 4,000. Additional Effect: 10-yalm backstep. Additional Effect: Bind Duration: 3s Additional Effect: Grants Repertoire Duration: 10s Cannot be executed while bound. ※Powerful Shot changes to Pitch Perfect while under the effect of Repertoire.
The Warden's Paean (PvP)	BRD		30	Ability		Instant	24s	30y 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: 4s
Pitch Perfect (PvP)	BRD		30	Weaponskill		Instant	2.4s	25y 5y	Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 8,000 for the first enemy, and 4,000 for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Reduces the recast time of Harmonic Arrow by 4s Can only be executed while under the effect of Repertoire. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Blast Arrow (PvP)	BRD		30	Weaponskill		Instant	2.4s	25y 25y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 10,000 to all enemies in a straight line before you. Additional Effect: 10-yalm knockback Can only be executed while under the effect of Blast Arrow Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Encore of Light (PvP)	BRD		30	Ability		Instant	1s	25y 5y	Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 10,000 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Reduces target's MP by 5,000 Effect cannot be applied to players riding machina or non-player combatants. Can only be executed while under the effect of Encore of Light Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

Limit Break (PvP)

Action	Acquired	Level	Type	MP	Casting	Recast	Range Radius	Description
Final Fantasia (PvP)	BRD	30	Limit Break		Instant	10s	0y 30y	Grants Final Fantasia. Final Fantasia Effect: Reduces your weaponskill cast time and recast time by 10%, while also increasing damage dealt by self and all party members within 30 yalms by 10%, and movement speed by 25% Effect also gradually fills the limit gauge when targets are in combat. Duration: 30s Grants Encore of Light Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed when the limit gauge is full. Gauge Charge Time: 120s ※Action changes to Encore of Light upon execution.

Common actions (PvP)

Action	Acquired	Level	Type	MP	Casting	Recast	Range Radius	Description
Standard-issue Elixir (PvP)	ANY	30	Ability		4.5s	5s	0y 0y	Restores your HP and MP to maximum. Casting will be interrupted when damage is taken.
Recuperate (PvP)	ANY	30	Ability	2,500	Instant	1s	0y 0y	Restores own HP. Cure Potency: 15,000
Purify (PvP)	ANY	30	Ability		Instant	24s	0y 0y	Removes Stun, Heavy, Bind, Silence, Deep Freeze, and Miracle of Nature. Additional Effect: Grants Resilience Resilience Effect: Nullifies status afflictions that can be removed by Purify, as well as knockback and draw-in effects Duration: 3s Can be used even when under the effect of certain status afflictions.
Guard (PvP)	ANY	30	Ability		Instant	30s	0y 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)	ANY	30	Ability		Instant	1.5s	0y 0y	Increases movement speed. Effect ends upon reuse or execution of another action.

Traits

PvE traits

Trait	Acquired		Level	Effect
Heavier Shot	ARC		2	Adds to Heavy Shot a 20% chance to grant Hawk's Eye. Duration: 30s
Increased Action Damage	ARC		20	Increases base action damage by 10%.
Enhanced Quick Nock	ARC		25	Adds to Quick Nock a 20% chance to grant Hawk's Eye. Duration: 30s
Increased Action Damage II	ARC		40	Increases base action damage by 20%.
Bite Mastery	BRD		64	Upgrades Venomous Bite and Windbite to Caustic Bite and Stormbite respectively.
Enhanced Empyreal Arrow	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	BRD	1	70	Upgrades Straight Shot to Refulgent Arrow.
Wide Volley Mastery	BRD		72	Upgrades Wide Volley to Shadowbite.
Bite Mastery II	BRD		76	Adds to Stormbite, Caustic Bite, and Iron Jaws a 35% chance to grant Hawk's Eye. Duration: 30s
Heavy Shot Mastery	BRD		76	Upgrades Heavy Shot to Burst Shot.
Enhanced Army's Paeon	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	BRD		80	Increases Soul Voice Gauge by 5 each time Repertoire is granted.
Quick Nock Mastery	BRD		82	Upgrades Quick Nock to Ladonsbite.
Enhanced Bloodletter	BRD		84	Allows a third charge of Bloodletter and Rain of Death.
Enhanced Apex Arrow	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	BRD		88	Reduces Troubadour recast time to 90 seconds.
Minstrel's Coda	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.
Bloodletter Mastery	BRD		92	Upgrades Bloodletter to Heartbreak Shot.
Enhanced Second Wind	Melee DPS Physical Ranged DPS		94	Increases the healing potency of Second Wind to 800.
Ranged Mastery	BRD		94	Increases the potency of Empyreal Arrow to 260, Sidewinder to 400, Refulgent Arrow to 280, Burst Shot to 220, and Apex Arrow to 120 up to 600.
Enhanced Barrage	BRD		96	Grants Resonant Arrow Ready upon executing Barrage. Duration: 30s
Enhanced Troubadour II	BRD		98	Improves Troubadour's damage reduction effect to 15%.
Enhanced Radiant Finale	BRD		100	Grants Radiant Encore Ready upon executing Radiant Finale. Duration: 30s

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).

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.

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.

Simple Mode

  Mage's Ballad

  Army's Paeon

  The Wanderer's Minuet

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

Soul Voice Gauge:

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:

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:

Achievements

This job is associated with the following achievements:

Name	Points	Task	Reward	Patch
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts IV	5	Achieve archer level 40.	-	2.0
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts V	5	Achieve archer level 50.	-	2.0
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts VI	5	Achieve archer level 60.	-	3.0
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts VII	5	Achieve archer level 70.	-	4.0
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts VIII	5	Achieve archer level 80.	-	5.0
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts IX	5	Achieve archer level 90.	-	6.0
Just Talkin' 'bout Shafts X	5	Achieve archer level 100.	-	7.0

Notable Bards

• Jehantel
• Wandering Minstrel

Gallery

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  Bard Artifact Armor in 2.0 A Realm Reborn.

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  Bard Artifact Armor in 3.0 Heavensward.

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  Bard Artifact Armor in 4.0 Stormblood.

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  Bard Artifact Armor in 5.0 Shadowbringers.

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  Bard Artifact Armor in 6.0 Endwalker.

• 

  Bard Artifact Armor in 7.0 Dawntrail.

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.

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.

See also

• Bard Macros

External links

• FinalFantasyXIV.com Bard on the official website.
• Comprehensive Job Guide provided by The Balance.

References

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Jobs