Bard (Final Fantasy XIV)

The Bard is a Job in Final Fantasy XIV, introduced as the Discipline of War Archer in the original release. Players start as an Archer, and then may upgrade to Bard using the Soul Crystal obtained from the quest A Song of Bards and Bowmen after Archer reaches level 30, and completing the quests Sylph-management and The One That Got Away.

Profile[]

Archer[]

The enduring popularity of the Bow is a testament to its elegant design, but this simple weapon would be of little worth without the surpassing skill of those who master it - the archers. Bow techniques such as high-angle fire enable archers to assail their foes with deadly precision, even from great distances.

Constant assessment of the battlefield enables them to carefully determine the most advantageous ground from which to loose, as well as the nature of the arrows best suited to their enemy. Along with the longbow sentries of the Elezen military, the shortbow hunters among the Miqo'te are widely regarded as the most skilled with a bow. The guild's teachings cover a variety of long distance weapons, down to the simplest throwing rock.

Lodestone

Archers wield a bow and, while not possessing as much damage-dealing potential as other DPS classes, have the advantage of both range and instant cast abilities. The defining thing about Archers is their damage-over-time abilities.

Bard[]

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.

Lodestone

Bard shares role actions with Machinist and Dancer, as all three are classified as Physical Ranged DPS. Bards specialize in songs that enchant allies and extend a Bard's abilities by granting additional effects, such as resetting other abilities' recast time. Bards also have abilities that refresh their status effect duration on enemies, as well as maintain constant damage over time. Although starting out slow, Bards will have competent damage on higher levels as they learn their advanced archery skills.

Story[]

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 bows and sing songs for their comrades, and it was from those encouraging, aching runes that the inspiring melodies of the Bard were born.

Their lilting notes stirred the spirit, lending their fellow soldiers a tangible strength that could tum the tide of battle. Harnessing 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.

Archer[]

Bard[]

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn[]

The Warrior of Light is tasked by Luciane to seek a legendary archer to further improve their archery skill. Finding the former member of God's Quiver, Jehantel Fointeaume in South Shroud, they asked for his wisdom. But Jehantel refused to teach them archery skill and instead heed them to learn bardic music and lore. The Warrior agreed, and Jehantel gave them the Bard soul crystal.

Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward[]

After meeting with Jehantel, the Warrior of Light is introduced to Sanson in Gridania outside of the Archer's Guild, where they are told about his ambition to establish a new unit of bards in the Twin Adders. He is enthused to meet them, and hopes that their combined skill and determination will help lead to the discovery of the Ballad of Oblivion, and prove to the Gods' Quiver the power of song and not just arrows. In his enthusiasm, Sanson forgets to even ask the Warrior of Light and Jehantel their visit's purpose, and so they follow him to his meeting with the Gods' Quiver.

Within the Seat of the First Bow, Sanson petitions his expedition to Coerthas, where he will discover the origin of the Ballad of Oblivion. Though skeptical, the Gods' Quiver sends him and the Warrior of Light on a trial in the East Shroud to prove their mettle, as well as assign him an archer of the Gold Bulls' unit to join them. At the trial point, the Warrior of Light finds Sanson under attack by forest creatures. As they tend to Sanson, another creature attempts to sneak up on them, but Guydelot Thildonnet swiftly defeats it, revealing himself to be the bard assigned to them by the Gold Bulls. Sanson is furious, as Guydelot's reputation as a poorly disciplined soldier precedes him, leaving Sanson to believe the Gods' Quiver wants him to fail. Jehantel vouches for Guydelot's skill, as he is one of his best students. Sanson begrudgingly agrees to Guydelot's assistance, and returns to the Gods' Quiver to tell them of the completed assignment, and the trio departs for Ishgard.

Upon their arrival Sanson is determined to get to work, but Guydelot takes his time to enjoy the city. Frustrated with his lack of professionalism, Sanson follows Guydelot to Falcon's Nest to prevent him from misbehaving. Guydelot had run into the winter wasteland in pursuit of a knight, and is found assisting several Temple Knights from draconic attacks, where he is delivering a nameday present to a knight from his lover in Ishgard. Sanson focuses on the knight's possible knowledge of the Ballad of Oblivion, rather than on Guydelot's selflessness.

The knight leads the trio to the Convictory to speak with a soldier named Celaine, who is able to deliver souls to the heavens with a song. She insists she is no bard, and it is not a song she wishes to sing. Sanson tries to coax it out of her, requesting the trio accompanies her on an upcoming mission at Twinpools. The Warrior of Light and Guydelot provide support by taking out several enemies, though Celaine's unit suffers heavy losses. She sings to her fallen comrades a song of mourning, merely a Halonic requiem sung for the lost, and not a powerful song like the Ballad of Oblivion. Sanson apologizes for trying to force Celaine to relive the sadness of her lost comrades. Celaine directs them to Tailfeather to speak to a man named Sylviel who may know more of the ballad they seek.

In Tailfeather, a sellsword rushes into the village seeking help, for Sylviel's excavation party is under attack in Gnath territory. The three charge into Loth ast Gnath, and after dealing with many beastmen soldiers, they bring Sylviel to safety. Reuniting in Tailfeather, Sylviel departs to study the Ballad of Oblivion as Guydelot ponders if the song is but a fairy tale, and that it would be best to return to Gridania to pursue other avenues. Sanson reprimands him for wanting to abandon his mission, and tells him that the Gods' Quiver see both of them as thorns in their sides, hoping they return empty-handed so they can dismiss Guydelot and keep Sanson at his lower station. Guydelot leaves the party, angry that Sanson only cares to find this ballad to improve his rank and not support bards like him and the Warrior of Light.

Regretting his words, Sanson waits in Tailfeather for Guydelot to return, but he does not. Sylviel reveals that the "song of the heavens" is likely a natural weather phenomenon rather than an actual singer. The Warrior of Light tells Sanson that there is a community of moogles that live in the Churning Mists in the sky, who may be these singers. The two embark while telling Sylviel where they are going in hopes of Guydelot's return.

As they reach the summit of Sohm Al, Sanson comments about how beautiful the area is, and how he wishes Guydelot was present to compose a song about it. The two visit Moghome, the village of moogles, where Mogta joins them to help find the Ballad of Oblivion. The new trio still struggles to find it, as Chieftan Moglin suggests they are missing a vital part of their party. Sanson realizes Guydelot is the missing piece.

The trio makes its way to the Sea of Clouds with an airship provided by Gridania. They arrive at a stone edifice, to which Sanson accidentally unleashes a dangerous creature called Ligeia. She sings a terrible melody, revealed to be the Ballad of Oblivion. As Sanson tries to send the Warrior of Light and Mogta away to face the beast alone, Guydelot appears, playing a delicate, healing melody to counter the ballad. He chides Sanson for trying to impress others, and reminds him that the desire to aide those around them is what empowers a bard's song. Together, the four defeat Ligeia and put an end to the Ballad of Oblivion for good.

Guydelot reveals that he boarded the airship with them secretly and had been reflecting on himself over Sanson's journal and how Sanson's goals were more earnest than he expected. The two realize they can compose their own Ballad of Oblivion, and request the Warrior of Light provide inspiration as well.

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood[]

With a newly-established unit of bards, Sanson enlists the help of the Warrior of Light to inspire the new recruits on their first mission to ensure success and high morale. With Guydelot's transfer into the unit, he is certain their success is guaranteed. Their mission regards an anonymous letter penned to the Twin Adders about the secret truths of the Autumn War. Guydelot considers it little more than an errand, and accuses Commander Vorsaile Heuloix of looking to claim any success of theirs under the rug. Sanson reprimands him for speaking to a superior officer in such a manner.

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers[]

Equipment[]

Archers and bards wield bows while their armor is primarily made up of "Aiming" gear, light armor with average defenses that they share with other ranged physical DPS classes.

The primary attribute for archers and bards is dexterity, which boosts their attack power, and should be prioritized over other attributes. As DPS disciplines, they draw the most benefit from the critical hit, direct hit, skill speed, and determination secondary attributes, which all improve their damage-dealing capabilities in some way.

Lists of archer and bard equipment
Archer's Arms
Head Body Hands Waist Legs Feet	Earrings Necklaces Bracelets Rings Soul Crystal

Job Gauge[]

The Job Gauge was introduced to players in 4.0 Stormblood. The Bard uses the Song Gauges: Mage's Ballad, Army's Paeon, and The Wanderer's Minuet.

The Song Gauges share the same trigger effect called Repertoire, which, as of Endwalker can trigger every 3 seconds. Repertoire grants more effect per stacks (except for Mage's Ballad) and additional effects to songs.

The Mage's Ballad Gauge indicates the time remaining for its duration. While Mage's Ballad is being sung, the Repertoire effect reduces the recast times for Bloodletter and Rain of Death.

The Army's Paeon Gauge indicates the time remaining for its duration and the number of current stacks. If the Repertoire effect triggers while Army's Paeon is being sung, the bard is granted one stack and reduced action cast and recast time.

The Wanderer's Minuet Gauge indicates the time remaining for its duration and the number of current stacks. The action Pitch Perfect will become available if the Repertoire effect triggers while the Wanderer's Minuet is being sung, reaching maximum potency in three stacks.

Upon reaching level 80 and acquiring the Soul Voice trait, the Soul Voice Gauge unlocks. The gauge increases every time Repertoire is accumulated, allowing the use of Apex Arrow.

When the Bard learns the trait Minstrel's Coda at level 90, the Coda will be displayed on the Song Gauge. 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. The Bard can execute the action Radiant Finale (acquired on level 90) if they have at least one Coda, increasing the damage of everyone in the party.

Abilities[]

Class and Job Actions[]

Action	Level	Type	Cast	Recast	MP Cost	Range	Area
Heavy Shot	1	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. Additional Effect: 20% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s Upgrades to Burst Shot.
Straight Shot	2	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Can only be executed when under the effects of Hawk's Eye. Upgrades to Refulgent Arrow.
Raging Strikes	4	Ability	Instant	120s	—	—	—
	Increases damage dealt by 15%. Duration: 20s
Venomous Bite	6	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Venom Potency: 15 Duration: 45s Upgrades to Caustic Bite.
Bloodletter	12	Ability	Instant	15s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 130. Maximum Charges: 2 ( 3) Shares a recast timer with Rain of Death. Bloodletter Mastery Upgrades to Heartbreak Shot.
Repelling Shot	15	Ability	Instant	30s	—	15y	—
	Jump 10 yalms away from current target. Cannot be executed while bound.
Quick Nock	18	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	12y	12y cone
	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 Upgrades to Ladonsbite.
Wide Volley	25	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	5y radius
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to target and all enemies nearby it. Barrage Potency: 220 Can only be executed while under the effect of Hawk's Eye. Wide Volley Mastery Upgrades to Shadowbite.
Windbite	30	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Deals wind damage with a potency of 60. Additional Effect: Wind damage over time Potency: 20 Duration: 45s Upgrades to Stormbite.
Mage's Ballad	30	Ability	Instant	120s	—	—	—
	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 Bloodletter (Bloodletter Mastery 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	35	Ability	Instant	45s	—	30y	—
	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	38	Ability	Instant	120s	—	—	—
	Grants Barrage, allowing the use of Straight Shot ( Refulgent Arrow) and Wide Volley (Wide Volley Mastery Shadowbite). Upon execution, Straight Shot ( Refulgent Arrow) will strike the selected target three times, while Wide Volley's potency will be increased to 220 (Wide Volley Mastery Shadowbite's potency will be increased to 270). Duration: 10s Additional Effect: Grants Resonant Arrow Ready Duration: 30s Action optionally changes to Resonant Arrow upon execution.
Army's Paeon	40	Ability	Instant	120s	—	50y	—
	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	45	Ability	Instant	15s	—	25y	8y radius
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to target and all enemies nearby it. Maximum Charges: 2 ( 3) Shares a recast timer with Bloodletter (Bloodletter Mastery Heartbreak Shot).
Battle Voice	50	Ability	Instant	120s	—	—	30y radius
	Increases direct hit rate of self and all nearby party members by 20%. Duration: 20s
The Wanderer's Minuet	52	Ability	Instant	120s	—	30y	—
	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 This effect can trigger repeatedly while singing the Wanderer's Minuet. 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. Action optionally changes to Pitch Perfect upon execution.
Pitch Perfect	52	Ability	Instant	1s	—	25y	5y radius
	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	54	Ability	Instant	15s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 240 ( 260).
Iron Jaws	56	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: If the target is suffering from a Venomous Bite or Windbite ( 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	60	Ability	Instant	60s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 320 ( 400).
Troubadour	62	Ability	Instant	120s ( 90s)	—	—	30y radius
	Reduces damage taken by self and nearby party members by 10% (Enhanced Troubadour II 15%). Duration: 15s Effect cannot be stacked with machinist's Tactician or dancer's Shield Samba.
Caustic Bite	64	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	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	64	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	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	66	Ability	Instant	90s	—	—	30y
	Increases HP recovery via healing actions by 15% for self and nearby party members. Duration: 15s
Refulgent Arrow	70	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 260 ( 280). Can only be executed when under the effect of Hawk's Eye.
Shadowbite	72	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	5y radius
	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	76	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200 ( 220). Additional Effect: 35% chance of granting Hawk's Eye Duration: 30s
Apex Arrow	80	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	25y line
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 ( 120) to all enemies in a straight line before you. Soul Voice Gauge Cost: 20 Potency increases up to 500 ( 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	82	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	12y	12y cone
	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	86	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	25y line
	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. ※Apex Arrow changes to Blast Arrow when requirements for execution are met.
Radiant Finale	90	Ability	Instant	110s	—	—	30y radius
	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% Enhanced Radiant Finale Additional Effect: Grants Radiant Encore Ready Enhanced Radiant Finale Duration: 30s Can only be executed when at least 1 coda is active. Enhanced Radiant Finale Action optionally changes to Radiant Encore upon execution.
Heartbreak Shot File:Heartbreak Shot from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	92	Ability	Instant	15s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 180. Maximum Charges: 3 Shares a recast timer with Rain of Death.
Resonant Arrow File:Resonant Arrow from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	96	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	5y radius
	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 File:Radiant Encore from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	100	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s	—	25y	5y radius
	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.

Role Actions[]

Action	Level	Type	Cast	Recast	MP Cost	Range	Area
Leg Graze	6	Ability	Instant	30s	—	25y	—
	Inflicts target with Heavy +40%. Duration: 10s
Second Wind	8	Ability	Instant	120s	—	—	—
	Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 500 (Enhanced Second Wind 800)
Foot Graze	10	Ability	Instant	30s	—	25y	—
	Binds target. Duration: 10s Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Target unbound if damage taken.
Peloton	20	Ability	Instant	5s	—	—	30y radius
	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	24	Ability	Instant	30s	—	25y	—
	Interrupts the use of a target's action.
Arm's Length	32	Ability	Instant	120s	—	–	–
	Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struck Duration: 15s

Traits[]

Name	Level	Description
Heavier Shot	2	Adds to Heavy Shot a 20% chance to grant Hawk's Eye. Duration: 10s
Increased Action Damage	20	Increases base action damage by 10%.
Enhanced Quick Nock	25	Adds to Quick Nock a 35% chance to grant Hawk's Eye. Duration: 30s
Increased Action Damage II	40	Increases base action damage by 20%.
Bite Mastery	64	Upgrades Venomous Bite and Windbite to Caustic Bite and Stormbite respectively.
Enhanced Empyreal Arrow	68	Guarantees the trigger of the additional effects for current Mage's Ballad, Army's Paeon, and the Wanderer's Minuet when Empyreal Arrow hits a target.
Straight Shot Mastery	70	Upgrades Straight Shot to Refulgent Arrow.
Wide Volley Mastery File:Wide Volley Mastery from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	72	Upgrades Wide Volley to Shadowbite.
Bite Mastery II	76	Adds to Stormbite, Caustic Bite, and Iron Jaws a 35% chance to grant Hawk's Eye. Duration: 30s
Heavy Shot Mastery	76	Upgrades Heavy Shot to Burst Shot.
Enhanced Army's Paeon	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	80	Increases Soul Voice Gauge by 5 each time Repertoire is granted.
Quick Nock Mastery	82	Upgrades Quick Nock to Ladonsbite.
Enhanced Bloodletter	84	Allows a third charge of Bloodletter and Rain of Death.
Enhanced Apex Arrow	86	Grants Blast Arrow Ready upon executing Apex Arrow after the Soul Voice Gauge has reached 80 or higher. Duration: 10s Apex Arrow becomes Blast Arrow while under this effect.
Enhanced Troubadour	88	Reduces Troubadour recast time to 90 seconds.
Minstrel's Coda	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 File:Bloodletter Mastery from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	92	Upgrades Bloodletter to Heartbreak Shot.
Ranged Mastery	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	96	Grants Resonant Arrow Ready upon executing Barrage. Duration: 30s
Enhanced Troubadour II File:Enhanced Troubadour II from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	98	Improves Troubadour's damage reduction effect to 15%.
Enhanced Radiant Finale File:Enhanced Radiant Finale from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	100	Grants Radiant Encore Ready upon executing Radiant Finale. Duration: 30s

Role Traits[]

Name	Level	Description
Enhanced Second Wind File:Enhanced Second Wind from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	94	Increases the healing potency of Second Wind to 800.

PvP Actions[]

Action	Type	Cast	Recast	MP Cost	Range	Area
Powerful Shot	Weaponskill	1.44s	2.4s	—	25y	—
	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	Weaponskill	Instant	20s	—	25y	25y line
	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 File:Harmonic Arrow PvP from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	Weaponskill	Instant	16s	—	25y	—
	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	Ability	Instant	20s	—	20y	—
	Silences target. Duration: 2s Additional Effect: Grants Repertoire Duration: 10s ※Powerful Shot changes to Pitch Perfect while under the effect of Repertoire.
Repelling Shot	Ability	Instant	12s	—	10y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 4,500. 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	Ability	Instant	24s	—	30y	—
	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	Weaponskill	Instant	2.4s	—	25y	5y radius
	Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 9,000 for the first enemy, and 4,500 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	Weaponskill	Instant	2.4s	—	25y	25y line
	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 File:Encore of Light PvP from Final Fantasy XIV icon.png	Ability	Instant	1s	—	25y	5y radius
	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.
Final Fantasia	Limit Break	Instant	10s	—	—	—
	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 Additional Effect: Grants Encore of Light Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed when the limit gauge is full. Gauge Charge Time: 120s Can only be executed while in combat.
Standard-issue Elixir	Ability	4.5s	5s	—	—	—
	Restores your HP and MP to maximum. Casting will be interrupted when damage is taken.
Recuperate	Ability	Instant	1s	2500 MP	—	—
	Restores own HP. Cure Potency: 15,000
Purify	Ability	Instant	24s	—	—	—
	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	Ability	Instant	30s	—	—	—
	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	Ability	Instant	1.5s	—	—	—
	Increases movement speed. Effect ends upon reuse or execution of another action.

Removed actions[]

The following actions are no longer usable. Removed actions will still appear on a hotbar, their icon greyed out icon with a red strikethrough. They will have no effect and must be removed by the player. The given statistics represent their last form before their removal.

Action	Level	Type	Cast	Recast	MP Cost	Range	Area
Shadowbind	10	Ability	Instant	40s	—	25y	—
	Binds target. Duration: 10s Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Target unbound if damage taken. Removed in patch 4.0.
Misery's End	10	Ability	Instant	12s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 190. Can only be executed when target's HP is below 20%. Removed in patch 5.0.
Swiftsong	22	Spell	Instant	2.5s(Base value; the higher the character's Spell Speed stat, the lower the recast time will be)	—	—	20y radius
	Increases movement speed of self and nearby party members as long as they remain within hearing distance. Effect ends upon reuse or when enmity is generated. Cannot be used in battle or with other songs. Removed in patch 4.0.
Hawk's Eye	26	Ability	Instant	90s	—	—	—
	Increases DEX by 15% and guarantees that all attacks land. Duration: 20s Removed in patch 4.0.
Quelling Strikes	34	Ability	Instant	120s	—	—	—
	Reduces enmity generation. Duration: 15s Removed in patch 4.0.
Foe Requiem	35	Ability	1.5s	2.5s(Base value; the higher the character's Skill Speed stat, the lower the recast time will be)	—	20y	—
	Increases damage taken by nearby enemies by 3%. MP is drained while singing. Effect is lost if targets move out of hearing distance, and ends upon reuse. Removed in patch 5.0.
Blunt Arrow	42	Ability	Instant	30s	—	25y	—
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Silence Duration: 1s Removed in patch 4.0.
Flaming Arrow	46	Ability	Instant	60s	—	25y	5y radius
	Sets the ground ablaze, dealing damage with a potency of 40 to any enemies who enter the flames. Duration: 30s Removed in patch 4.0.
Wide Volley	50	Weaponskill	Instant	2.5s(Base value; the higher the character's Skill Speed stat, the lower the recast time will be)	—	25y	5y radius
	Delivers an attack with a potency of 110 to target and all enemies nearby it. Removed in patch 4.0.

Limit Break[]

Archers' and Bards' Limit Breaks focus on dealing powerful damage to enemies in a straight line in front of the player. They both share the same Level 1 and Level 2 limit breaks as Machinists and Dancers.

Originally, they used the same Limit Breaks as healer classes.

Action	Level	Description	Image
Big Shot	1	Delivers an attack to all enemies in a line, dealing 0.54x the damage of Braver.
Desperado	2	Delivers an attack to all enemies in a line, dealing 1.17x the damage of Braver.
Sagittarius Arrow	3	Delivers an attack to all enemies in a line, dealing 1.89x the damage of Braver.

Other appearances[]

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]

Bard and Archer appear in Final Fantasy Trading Card Game as Ice- and Wind-elemental Backup cards, respectively.

Gallery[]

Arms and Gear sets

Actions

Role Actions

PvP actions

Final Fantasia.

Removed actions