What Class is Bard in FFXIV? A Comprehensive Guide
The Bard (BRD) in Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) is a unique and versatile physical Ranged DPS job that distinguishes itself through its powerful offensive capabilities intertwined with valuable support contributions. Unlike most DPS classes that focus solely on damage output, the Bard utilizes their musical prowess and ranged attacks to enhance their own effectiveness and empower their allies. This makes them a highly sought-after role in any party composition. The Bard’s core identity lies in the harmonious blend of damage and support, making them a dynamically engaging and strategic job to play. They wield a bow, and their gameplay revolves around maintaining a rotation of damaging abilities, while also strategically deploying songs to buff their party members. Bards start as Archers and evolve into Bards after completing specific quests. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of this intriguing job and explore the answers to the most frequently asked questions about them.
Bard: DPS with a Supportive Melody
The Bard’s Role in Combat
At its heart, the Bard is a DPS (Damage Per Second) class. They contribute a significant amount of damage through their bow and arrow attacks. However, they are not solely confined to dealing damage. What sets the Bard apart is their remarkable support toolkit. Their songs provide various buffs to the party, enhancing their allies’ attack power, critical hit rate, and overall survivability. Bards use their musical abilities to inspire and empower their teammates, making them an invaluable asset in raids, dungeons, and other challenging content. It is this unique blend of damage and support that defines the Bard’s role in FFXIV. They are not a pure support class, but a DPS class with invaluable support capabilities.
Key Gameplay Mechanics
Bards primarily use ranged physical attacks, making them effective at engaging enemies from a safe distance. Their core rotation involves managing various procs (or chance-based activations) and utilizing powerful abilities strategically. A crucial aspect of playing a Bard well is mastering their songs. These songs not only boost the party but also affect the Bard’s own performance, requiring players to manage the song’s duration and effects carefully. This management layer adds a depth of strategic decision making to the rotation that other DPS classes lack. Furthermore, mobility is key for Bards, as their abilities can often be cast on the move, allowing them to maintain consistent damage output while maneuvering the battlefield. They aren’t rooted like many casters, but do need to be mindful of their position, to not waste time moving into range.
Progression from Archer to Bard
Players do not start as a Bard, instead they begin as an Archer. They must first reach level 30 as an Archer. Once they have reached this level, they must complete the level 30 Archer class quest, “The One That Got Away”. They also need to complete the main story quest “Sylph-Management,” which is available around level 20. After both those requirements are met, players can speak to Luciane at the Archer’s Guild in New Gridania to start the “A Song of Bards and Bowmen” quest. Upon completing this quest, the Bard Job Stone is obtained, allowing the Archer to become a Bard. When you equip the Bard soul crystal, your Archer will gain access to bard specific skills, quests, and equipment, and your Archer will essentially become a Bard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bard in FFXIV
1. Is Bard a beginner-friendly class?
While the Bard’s core mechanics are not overly complex, mastering the job’s nuances and the balance between damage and support can be challenging for new players. It is not the most intuitive class, as the rotation is complex and there’s a lot to keep track of to be effective. However, with practice and patience, the Bard can be very rewarding to play. If you are new, consider playing a simpler DPS like the Black Mage or Samurai before trying the Bard.
2. What are the primary strengths of the Bard?
The primary strengths of the Bard include its high mobility, strong damage output, and valuable support capabilities which enhances their party’s performance. They also have a good range and are easy to position as long as the player is aware of the boss’s telegraphs. This unique combination makes them a desirable addition to any team.
3. Does Bard have healing capabilities?
While the Bard is not a dedicated healer, it does have abilities that can provide limited healing, through song effects. In critical situations, a Bard’s healing can certainly come in handy, but it’s not their primary role. Do not expect to be able to substitute a healer with a Bard.
4. How does Bard’s support compare to other support classes?
Bards are unique in that they are the only ranged physical DPS with support capabilities, whereas the other support roles tend to be healers and tanks. While they might not be able to provide the dedicated support of other roles, their support abilities are particularly potent as they do not come at the cost of their DPS output.
5. Is the Bard considered a “meta” class in FFXIV?
The “meta” in FFXIV can shift depending on balance patches and raid strategies, but the Bard is consistently a strong pick due to its balance of damage and support. They are rarely out of favor. They tend to be a staple in high-end raid compositions.
6. What type of gear does Bard use?
Bards primarily use Ranged DPS gear, including bows and arrows. They utilize a dexterity based set of armour which is shared with the other physical ranged jobs. They have unique accessories though, which tend to be tailored to their rotation and skills.
7. Are Bards good for solo play?
Yes, Bards are capable of handling most solo content in FFXIV due to their high damage output and self-healing potential, but solo content is generally designed to be easily completed with any job. They excel at ranged combat, but can also be played with melee range in mind.
8. How important is positioning for a Bard?
Positioning is moderately important for Bards. While they are a ranged class, they have certain abilities with shorter range. They need to be mindful of their range as they do have mobility options. Moving around while dealing damage is key to playing the class to its fullest.
9. What is the learning curve of playing Bard?
The learning curve for Bard is moderate. Understanding the priority-based damage rotation and the timings for your support abilities will take some time. Getting comfortable with their flow is the biggest hurdle. Their rotation isn’t straightforward, and requires management of your songs.
10. How does the Bard’s performance vary at different levels?
Bards get progressively stronger as they level up and unlock new abilities. Early-level Bards are less complex, but at max level, they gain their full breadth of tools, allowing for dynamic gameplay that combines damage and support efficiently. The complexity of their rotation ramps up at higher levels.
11. What are the main stats to prioritize as a Bard?
The main stat for Bard is Dexterity, as it directly increases their damage output. Critical hit, determination, and direct hit are also important secondary stats to prioritize when gearing your Bard.
12. Do Bards require a specific playstyle?
Bards need a playstyle that emphasizes consistent damage output while being mindful of support opportunities. A good Bard player will anticipate when to use their songs and how to weave them into their rotation without sacrificing damage. This is why the class is considered a bit more difficult.
13. How does a Bard impact party synergy?
The Bard’s support buffs significantly enhance the entire party’s performance, making them a crucial part of party synergy. They are designed to work with other classes, increasing the power of the team as a whole. Good communication with your party is essential to using your support at the right time.
14. Is Bard better at single-target or multi-target damage?
Bards are generally good at both single-target and multi-target damage. Their damage abilities have the ability to be used against multiple foes, allowing them to be effective in various combat scenarios. Their songs, however, affect the entire party, which can make them a better choice than jobs that are purely focused on one thing.
15. Can Bard be customized?
Yes, Bards can be customized through their equipment and use of skills. It’s important to optimize your skill usage to best suit the encounter in question. Although their core gameplay loop remains similar, their skill usage can vary. Furthermore, their appearance can be altered with transmog and glamour systems, which allow the character to look the way you want.
In conclusion, the Bard in FFXIV is a dynamic and powerful physical Ranged DPS job that blends robust damage dealing with substantial support capabilities. Its unique blend of offense and utility makes it a highly valued member of any party, perfect for players who enjoy a challenge that rewards both skill and strategic thinking. If you enjoy managing multiple mechanics and have an affinity for music and bows, the Bard might just be the perfect class for you.