Bard

Bard
Job Base:	Archer
Job Type:	2-2
Job Bonuses
STR AGI VIT INT DEX LUK +2 +7 +3 +5 +9 +4

Overview

Job Change

At minimum, an Archer should only become a Bard after job level 42. This allows for maxing all support skills and Double Strafe, and level 1 Arrow Shower.

Click here for the Bard Job Change Guide.

Skill Data

Ensemble skills can only be performed when a Bard and Dancer are in the same party and standing beside each other and both of them have learned the specific Ensemble skill. When an Ensemble skill is performed by a Bard and Dancer, the lower level of the Ensemble skill learned by either performer is utilized.

Skill	Description	Levels	Type
Poem of Bragi	Performs a song that will shorten Cast Time and Cast Delay of all players around the performer. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 5 seconds.	10	Supportive
Apple of Idun	Performs a song that will boost Max HP of all players around the performer and restore their HP every 6 seconds. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 6 seconds.	10	Supportive
Assassin Cross at Sunset	Performs a song that will boost attack speed of all players around the performer. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 3 seconds.	10	Supportive
Whistle	Performs a song that will boost Flee rate and Perfect Dodge of all players around the performer. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 5 seconds.	10	Supportive
Musical Lesson	Enhances attack (Weapon Mastery) with Instrument class weapons and enables movement while playing songs. This skill also enhances the effects of the player's songs.	10	Passive
Frost Joke	Tells a lame joke loudly, which has a chance of leaving enemies frozen due to how boring it was. This skill may also affect party members	5	Active
Adaptation to Circumstances	Stops the currently active performance. This skill cannot be used in the first or last 5 seconds of the duration.	1	Active
Encore	Replays the last song/dance performed at half of its SP Cost. Replayed performances carry the requirements to be used, like the equipped weapon and the required partner for Ensemble Skills.	1	Active
Dissonance	Performs a song that will inflict piercing damage every 3 seconds to all enemies around the performer. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 3 seconds.	5	Active
Musical Strike	Slings an arrow at a single target using the equipped Instrument. This skill can also be used during a performance without interrupting it. Each cast uses one arrow, the property depends on the arrow equipped.	5	Offensive
Invulnerable Siegfried	Performs an ensemble that will boost resistance to elemental properties except neutral and Status Effects of all party members around the performers. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 3 second	5	Ensemble
Sound of the Drums on the Battlefield	Performs an ensemble that will boost attack and defense of all party members around the performers. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 5 seconds.	5	Ensemble
Loki's Veil	Performs an ensemble that will block the use of skills to all entities around the performers, with the exception of the skill Longing for Freedom. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 4 seconds.	5	Ensemble
Eternal Chaos	Performs an ensemble that will nullify all defense of all enemies around the performers. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 4 seconds.	5	Ensemble
Ring of Nibelungen	Performs an ensemble that will add piercing damage on the attack of all players around the performers. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 3 seconds.	5	Ensemble
Into the Abyss	Performs an ensemble that will remove the item requirement of skills used around the performers. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 5 seconds.	5	Ensemble
Lullaby	Performs a dreamy ensemble that may leave all enemies sleeping. The higher the performers' INT is, the higher is the chance of effect. Maintaining this skill active will drain 1 SP every 4 seconds.	5	Ensemble
Mr. Kim A Rich Man	Performs an ensemble that will increase experience yield of all monsters around the performers. Maintaining this skill active will drain 3 SP every 3 seconds.	5	Ensemble

Builds

Solo PVM - Double Strafe

This build is designed for solo leveling. Medium-to-high VIT and INT afford the Bard survivability in case he takes a hit, while allowing for extended use of Double Strafe. AGI is not used for flee in this build; rather it is a boost for attack speed, allowing for faster Double Strafe casts. It is highly recommended, if not mandatory, to get job level 50 as an Archer for Arrow Shower 9.

Stats

Stat	Range
STR	1 - 30
AGI	50 - 60
VIT	30 - 50
INT	50 - 60
DEX	80 - 90+
LUK	1

First get DEX to 50. Bring AGI up to 40, followed by INT to 20. Take DEX up to 80 and increase INT to 40. VIT will not help you as an Archer, so leave it alone until around level 70.

Skills

Almost entirely optional if soloing.

• Adaptation to Circumstances 1
• Encore 1
• Dissonance 3
• Musical Lesson 10
• A Poem of Bragi 10
• Rest are optional; consider ensemble skills for fun in town

Party PVM/Support

This build is designed for players looking to party their way through life. While slower to level solo, their main goal is to be useful to others. Getting job 50 is optional, but a Harp [2] is available to players who do.

Stats

Stat	Range
STR	1 - 30
AGI	1 - 30
VIT	50 - 60+
INT	70 - 80+
DEX	90
LUK	1

DEX and INT are the main stats in this build, both being the modifiers for A Poem of Bragi, with INT further adding to your SP pool. Take DEX to 70, followed by INT to 40. VIT should only be increased after the job change. From here, get 20-30 VIT then start pumping DEX and INT. STR and AGI to taste.

Skills

Can be a little more complicated, but below are a few examples.

• Adaptation to Circumstances 1
• Encore 1
• Dissonance 3
• Musical Lesson 10
• A Poem of Bragi 10
• Musical Strike 1
• Frost Joke 1

Apply remaining points as you wish:

• Option 1: "EXP Song"
  • Invulnerable Siegfried 3
  • Rich Man Mr. Kim 5

• Option 2: Jack of All Trades
  • Assassin Cross at Sunset 10
  • Apple of Idun 10
  • Frost Joke 3

• Option 3: Offensive(ish)
  • Frost Joke 5
  • Musical Strike 5
  • Assassin Cross at Sunset 10

PVP/WoE

This build is designed for PvP scenarios, yet can survive just as well in dangerous PvM parties. Or if you're feeling strong and start pulling.

Stats

Stat	Range
STR	40
AGI	1
VIT	80+
INT	50
DEX	80+
LUK	1

VIT is going to be your primary concern once you get around level 70. Until then, focus on the other stats that will help you level: DEX and INT. STR should be the last stat to max, but don't neglect it.

Skills

• Adaptation to Circumstances 1
• Encore 1
• Dissonance 3
• Frost Joke 5
• Musical Lesson 10
• Musical Strike 5
• A Poem of Bragi 10
• Assassin Cross at Sunset 10
• Loki's Veil 1 (Mandatory for WoE)
• Eternal Chaos 1 (Optional, but handy in larger guilds)