A bright tune to soothe a party's wounds.... A brisk march to raise a party's spirits... A demoralizing lamentation to weaken a party's foes... The Bards of Vana'diel use music as their weapon.
A Bard (BRD) uses songs as the job's main advantage to boost the party's stats. Bards have many songs but only four non-meritable Job Abilities. A bard without an instrument or a player with the sub job bard can only keep one song up at a time, as opposed to instrument players that can use two. A party with multiple bards may stack more than 2 songs on the party as long as they are not the same song.
Job Abilities[]
- Lv. 01 (SP 1): Soul Voice
- Lv. 20: Pianissimo
- Lv. 75 (Merit): Nightingale
- Lv. 75 (Merit): Troubadour
- Lv. 83: Tenuto
- Lv. 95: Marcato
- Lv. 96 (SP 2): Clarion Call
Job Traits[]
Levels 01~49[]
- Lv. 05: Resist Silence
- Lv. 25: Resist Silence II
- Lv. 45: Resist Silence III
Levels 50~99[]
- Lv. 65: Resist Silence IV
- Lv. 80: Critical Defense Bonus
- Lv. 81: Resist Silence V
- Lv. 85: Fencer
- Lv. 95: Fencer II
Merit Point Categories[]
Group 1[]
- Lullaby Recast: Decreases the recast of Lullaby songs by 1 second per level.
- Finale Recast: Decreses the recast time of Magic Finale by 1 second per level.
- Minne Effect: Increases the Defense Bonus from Minne songs by 1 per level.
- Minuet Effect: Increases the Attack Bonus and Ranged Attack bonus from Minuet songs by 1 per level.
- Madrigal Effect: Increases the Accuracy bonus from Madrigal songs by 1 per level.
Group 2[]
- Nightingale: Halves the casting and recast times of all songs for 60 seconds. Each additional level increases the chance of instantaneous cast times by 25%.
- Troubadour: Increases the casting times of songs by 1.5 times and doubles the effect duration of songs for 60 seconds. Each additional level increases song accuracy by 25%.
- Con Anima: Reduces physical damage taken by the bard while under the effects of a beneficial song. Each level decreases physical damage taken by 1%.
- Con Brio: Reduces magic damage taken by the bard while under the effects of a beneficial song. Each level decreases magic damage taken by 1%.
Bard Songs[]
Levels 01~49[]
- Lv. 01: Knight's Minne
- Lv. 03: Valor Minuet
- Lv. 05: Army's Paeon
- Lv. 07: Foe Requiem
- Lv. 09: Herb Pastoral
- Lv. 10: Light Threnody
- Lv. 11: Sword Madrigal
- Lv. 12: Dark Threnody
- Lv. 13: Sheepfoe Mambo
- Lv. 14: Earth Threnody
- Lv. 15: Army's Paeon II
- Lv. 16: Foe Lullaby
- Lv. 16: Water Threnody
- Lv. 17: Foe Requiem II
- Lv. 18: Wind Threnody
- Lv. 19: Scop's Operetta
- Lv. 20: Fire Threnody
- Lv. 21: Knight's Minne II
- Lv. 22: Enchanting Etude
- Lv. 22: Ice Threnody
- Lv. 23: Valor Minuet II
- Lv. 24: Lightning Threnody
- Lv. 24: Spirited Etude
- Lv. 25: Mage's Ballad
- Lv. 26: Learned Etude
- Lv. 27: Horde Lullaby
- Lv. 28: Quick Etude
- Lv. 29: Advancing March
- Lv. 30: Vivacious Etude
- Lv. 31: Hunter's Prelude
- Lv. 32: Dextrous Etude
- Lv. 33: Fowl Aubade
- Lv. 33: Magic Finale
- Lv. 34: Sinewy Etude
- Lv. 35: Army's Paeon III
- Lv. 36: Light Carol
- Lv. 37: Foe Requiem III
- Lv. 37: Raptor Mazurka
- Lv. 38: Earth Carol
- Lv. 39: Battlefield Elegy
- Lv. 40: Water Carol
- Lv. 41: Knight's Minne III
- Lv. 42: Wind Carol
- Lv. 43: Valor Minuet III
- Lv. 44: Fire Carol
- Lv. 45: Army's Paeon IV
- Lv. 46: Ice Carol
- Lv. 47: Foe Requiem IV
- Lv. 48: Lightning Carol
- Lv. 49: Goblin Gavotte
Levels 50~99[]
- Lv. 50: Dark Carol
- Lv. 51: Blade Madrigal
- Lv. 53: Dragonfoe Mambo
- Lv. 54: Gold Capriccio
- Lv. 55: Mage's Ballad II
- Lv. 56: Shining Fantasia
- Lv. 57: Foe Requiem V
- Lv. 59: Carnage Elegy
- Lv. 60: Victory March
- Lv. 61: Knight's Minne IV
- Lv. 62: Bewitching Etude
- Lv. 63: Valor Minuet IV
- Lv. 64: Logical Etude
- Lv. 65: Army's Paeon V
- Lv. 66: Sage Etude
- Lv. 67: Foe Requiem VI
- Lv. 68: Swift Etude
- Lv. 69: Puppet's Operetta
- Lv. 70: Vital Etude
- Lv. 71: Archer's Prelude
- Lv. 71: Goddess's Hymnus
- Lv. 72: Uncanny Etude
- Lv. 73: Chocobo Mazurka
- Lv. 73: Warding Round
- Lv. 74: Herculean Etude
- Lv. 75: Maiden's Virelai
- Lv. 75: Adventurer's Dirge
- Lv. 75: Foe Sirvente
- Lv. 76: Foe Requiem VII
- Lv. 78: Army's Paeon VI
- Lv. 80: Knight's Minne V
- Lv. 81: Earth Carol II
- Lv. 82: Sentinel's Scherzo
- Lv. 83: Foe Lullaby II
- Lv. 84: Water Carol II
- Lv. 85: Mage's Ballad III
- Lv. 87: Valor Minuet V+
- Lv. 87: Wind Carol II
- Lv. 90: Fire Carol II
- Lv. 92: Horde Lullaby II
- Lv. 93: Ice Carol II
- Lv. 95: Pining Nocturne
- Lv. 96: Lightning Carol II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Light Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Dark Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Wind Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Fire Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Earth Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Ice Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Water Threnody II
- Lv. 99 (100 JP Gift): Lightning Threnody II
Job Points[]
Main article: Job Points
Categories[]
- Soul Voice Effect: Reduces the casting time of songs by 2% per rank while under the effects of Soul Voice.
- Clarion Call Duration: Increases the effect duration of songs by 2 seconds per rank while under the effects of Clarion Call.
- Minne effect: Increases physical defense granted by Minne by 1 per rank.
- Minuet Effect: Increases the physical attack bonus granted by Minuet by 1 per rank.
- Pianissimo Effect: Reduces the casting time of songs by 2% per rank while under the effects of Pianissimo.
- Song Accuracy Bonus: Increases song accuracy by 1 per rank.
- Tenuto Effect: Increases the effect duration of songs by 2 seconds per rank while under the effects of Tenuto.
- Lullaby Duration: Increases the effect duration of Lullaby by 1 second per rank.
- Marcato Effect: Increases effect duration of songs by 1 second per rank while under the effects of Marcato.
- Requiem Effect: Increases damage over time of Requiem by 3 per rank.
Gifts[]
| Job Points Needed | Name / Effect |
|---|---|
| 5 | Physical Defense Bonus Increases physical defense by 3. |
| Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 5%. | |
| 10 | Physical Evasion Bonus Increases physical evasion by 3. |
| 20 | Physical Accuracy Bonus Increases physical and ranged accuracy by 2. |
| 25 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 7%. |
| 30 | Magic Defense Bonus Increases magic defense by 3. |
| 45 | Magic Evasion Bonus Increases magic evasion by 5. |
| 50 | Superior 1 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 1 (Su1). |
| 55 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 9%. |
| 60 | Magic Accuracy Bonus Increases magic accuracy by 5. |
| 80 | Singing Skill Bonus Increases singing skill by 5. |
| 95 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 11%. |
| 100 | New Songs Grants eight new songs.
Reduces an enemy's resistance against the corresponding element. |
| Superior 2 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 2 (Su2). | |
| 125 | String Instrument Skill Bonus Increases string instrument skill by 5. |
| 145 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 13%. |
| 150 | Wind Instrument Skill Bonus Increases wind instrument skill by 5. |
| 180 | Physical Defense Bonus Increases physical defense by 5. |
| 205 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 15%. |
| 210 | Physical Evasion Bonus Increases physical evasion by 5. |
| 245 | Physical Accuracy Bonus Increases physical and ranged accuracy bonus by 5. |
| 275 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 17%. |
| 280 | Magic Defense Bonus Increases magic defense by 3. |
| 320 | Magic Evasion Bonus Increases magic evasion by 8. |
| 355 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 19%. |
| 360 | Magic Accuracy Bonus Increases magic accuracy by 8. |
| 405 | Singing Skill Bonus Increases singing skill by 8. |
| 445 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 21%. |
| 450 | String Instrument Skill Bonus Increases string instrument skill by 8. |
| 500 | Wind Instrument Skill Bonus Increases wind instrument skill by 8. |
| Superior 3 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 3 (Su3). | |
| 545 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 23%. |
| 550 | Song Spellcasting Time Reduces the casting time of songs by 5%. |
| 605 | Physical Defense Bonus Increases physical defense by 6. |
| 655 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 25%. |
| 660 | Physical Evasion Bonus Increases physical evasion by 6. |
| 720 | Physical Accuracy Bonus Increases physical and ranged accuracy by 6. |
| 775 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 27%. |
| 780 | Magic Defense Bonus Increases magic defense by 4. |
| 845 | Magic Evasion Bonus Increases magic evasion by 10. |
| 905 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 29%. |
| 910 | Magic Accuracy Bonus Increases magic accuracy by 10. |
| 980 | Singing Skill Bonus Increases singing skill by 10. |
| 1045 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 31%. |
| 1050 | String Instrument Skill Bonus Increases string instrument skill by 10. |
| 1125 | Wind Instrument Skill Bonus Increases wind instrument skill by 10. |
| 1195 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 33%. |
| 1200 | Song Effect Duration Increases the effect duration of songs by 5%. |
| Superior 4 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 4 (Su4). | |
| 1280 | Physical Defense Bonus Increases physical defense by 8. |
| 1355 | Capacity Point Bonus Increases acquired capacity points by 35%. |
| 1360 | Physical Evasion Bonus Increases physical evasion by 8. |
| 1445 | Physical Accuracy Bonus Increases physical and ranged accuracy by 8. |
| 1530 | Magic Defense Bonus Increases magic defense by 5. |
| 1620 | Magic Evasion Bonus Increases magic evasion by 13. |
| 1710 | Magic Accuracy Bonus Increases magic accuracy by 13. |
| 1805 | Singing Skill Bonus Increases singing skill by 13. |
| 1900 | String Instrument Skill Bonus Increases string instrument skill by 13. |
| 2000 | Wind Instrument Skill Bonus Increases wind instrument skill by 13. |
| 2100 | ★Master! Grants the designation "Master Lyricist." Decreases the recast time of one-hour abilities by 15 minutes. |
| Superior 5 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 5 (Su5). |
Combat Skills[]
Master Levels increase player combat skill caps by +1 every level.
| Skill | Rank | Caps | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lv. 1 | Lv. 49 | Lv. 99 | ||
| Dagger | B- | 5 | 144 | 388 |
| Staff | C+ | 5 | 139 | 378 |
| Sword | C- | 5 | 139 | 368 |
| Club | D | 4 | 133 | 334 |
| Throwing | E | 4 | 124 | 300 |
| Evasion | D | 4 | 133 | 334 |
| Parrying | E | 4 | 124 | 300 |
See Bard Skill Caps for a by-level breakdown of Weapon Skill limits.
Magic Skill Ratings[]
Master Levels increase player magic skill caps by +1 every level.
| Skill | Rank | Caps | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lv. 1 | Lv. 49 | Lv. 99 | ||
| Dark Magic | A- | 6 | 150 | 417 |
| Elemental Magic | B+ | 5 | 144 | 404 |
| Enfeebling Magic | C | 5 | 139 | 373 |
Job-Specific Equipment[]
- To see a side by side comparison of Artifact/Relic sets visit Bard Artifact/Relic Sets Comparison.
- To see a side by side comparison of Empyrean sets visit Aoidos' Sets Comparison.
Artifact Equipment[]
See Also: Painful Memory
Brioso Attire Set
Item Level 109
Brioso Attire +1 Set
Item Level 119
Brioso Attire +2 Set
Item Level 119
Brioso Attire +3 Set
Item Level 119
Relic Armor[]
Bard's Attire +1 Set
Lv. 75
Empyrean Armor[]
Aoidos' Attire +1 Set
Lv. 81~89
Other JSE[]
| Slot | Armor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | Choral Torque | 30 |
| Ring | Minstrel's Ring | 50 |
| Waist | Gleeman's Belt | 60 |
| Ring | Getsul Ring | 61 |
| Neck | Piper's Torque | 69 |
| Ear | Minstrel's Earring | 70 |
| Feet | Aoide's Pumps | 72 |
| Head | Sha'ir Turban / Sheikh Turban | 72 |
| Body | Sha'ir Manteel / Sheikh Manteel | 72 |
| Hands | Sha'ir Gages / Sheikh Gages | 72 |
| Legs | Sha'ir Seraweels / Sheikh Seraweels | 72 |
| Feet | Sha'ir Crackows / Sheikh Crackows | 72 |
| Waist | Marching Belt | 75 |
| Neck | Barcarolle Medal | 78 |
| Back | Mesmeric Cape | 79 |
| Hands | Schellenband | 82 |
| Hands | Bewegt Cuffs | 99 |
| Head | Mousai Turban / Mousai Turban +1 | 99 |
| Body | Mousai Manteel / Mousai Manteel +1 | 99 |
| Hands | Mousai Gages / Mousai Gages +1 | 99 |
| Legs | Mousai Seraweels / Mousai Seraweels +1 | 99 |
| Feet | Mousai Crackows / Mousai Crackows +1 | 99 |
| Neck | Bard's Charm / +1 / +2 | 99 |
| Neck | Brioso Whistle | 99 |
| Neck | Canto Necklace / Canto Necklace +1 | 99 |
| Neck | Moonbow Whistle / Moonbow Whistle +1 | 99 |
| Ear | Fili Earring / +1 / +2 | 99 |
| Back | Rhapsode's Cape | 99 |
| Back | Intarabus's Cape | 99 |
Ultimate Weaponry[]
- Superior 4/5: Bard's Knife / Bihu Knife / Barfawc
- Relic: Mandau, Gjallarhorn
- Mythic: Carnwenhan
- Empyrean: Twashtar, Dardaubla
- Aeonic: Aeneas, Marsyas
- Prime: Mpu Gandring, Loughnashade
Job Guides[]
- Shattering Stars/Bard
- Bard/Song_List - For a summary of all the spell scrolls and where to find them
Outdated Guides[]
- Job Specific Equipment/Bard
- A Bard's Tale
- How-To Guide: Bard
- Bard: Guide to Playing the Job
- Bard: Guide to Weapons and Armor
- Bard Guide by Tattersail
- Endgame Barding Guide by Ghlin
- Bard Song List (Also available: Japanese-English Song List)
- Bard: Guide to Songs 101
- Guide to Dispelling Effects
- Itazura's Bard Puller Guide
- Tanshortys_Bard_Guide
| Starting | |
|---|---|
| Extra |
|
| Rise of the Zilart | |
| Treasures of Aht Urhgan | |
| Wings of the Goddess | |
| Seekers of Adoulin |
|