Newbie questions about BRD/ARC

Hello, fellow ffxiv players!

Pretty newbie to this game yet. Already have a LV 44 tank, but I have decided to build up a dps. Tried out Smn, mnk, drg, nin, brd. BRD was the most cool in my opinion. But I have some questions before investing some time on this job (since I don't have much time to play) :

1) How much BRDs are needed in parties for raid, dgns, coils, trials, etc.? If songs are not needed, BRDs are unwanted?

2) I heard there is a distance penalty for BRD dps in pvp. How much is that penalty and its the same for pve?

3) There is some indicator to tell how far I am from my target?

4) What is better against mobs? Focus to kill 1 enemy, multi dot all enemies, or aoe?

5) How is endgame BRD dps (without songs) compared to others dps?

6) Any pro tips or "must know" about this job?

Thanks guys! :)

My Bard is only level 33, so I can't answer all of questions, but I shall do my best:

1) Bards are very much in demand for end game content. I can't imagine anyone trying to do Second/Final coil without a Bard.

2) Can't say I have ever heard about a distance penalty. But then I don't PVP. Pretty sure if there is one then it doesn't effect PVE.

3) Not as far as I know. Maybe some kind of third party tool?

4) As I'm only level 33 I can't say for certainty what you should do. But I imagine, like most classes, it depends on the number of enemies you are engaging. If less than 3 I would imagine multi-doting then then single target in the way to go. If 3 or more then AOE.

5) Without songs Bards can actually do decent damage. Not as high as other classes, but good enough. I have a Bard in my FC who does crazy DPS.

6) Again, I'm not the best suited to answer this. But I know in general gear with Crit on it is very valuable for Bards, as the higher your Crit the higher chance you have of getting Bloodletter procs. Combined with that, make sure you keep your dots up at all times.

Not the best or most accomplished bard in the world but:

1) How much BRDs are needed in parties for raid, dgns, coils, trials, etc.? If songs are not needed, BRDs are unwanted?
The only time you'll find an end-game group without a bard is if the duty finder durped out completely. I only do crystal tower for end game, and I've never seen an alliance not have at least one bard. I've been yelled at if I HAVE mana, though, as a bard should pretty much only not be singing if theyre regaining their mana

2) I heard there is a distance penalty for BRD dps in pvp. How much is that penalty and its the same for pve?
I've never heard anyone mention this, and I dont remember seeing it when looking up pvp stuff; but I've never done the pvp so can't really be sure. Only think I can relate to it in pve is boss mechanics, and thats not the same thing

3) There is some indicator to tell how far I am from my target?
Only that you can use the ability or not, usually sticking by a blm or healer is good. I usually try to stand as far away as I can, only running in to make sure the song I'm singing hits those who need it; ie heals for Mage Ballad, Tanks Paeon since melee will get it too, Foe's on target if you can hit it with attacks as far as I can tell

4) What is better against mobs? Focus to kill 1 enemy, multi dot all enemies, or aoe?
with the short duration of your dots, and no way to spread them ie Bane on summoner, I'd go single target 1-3. At 3+ I'll usually Wide Volly > Reign of Death > Quicknotch with proc after a few using Invigorate (level 22 cross skill from Lancer) and then usually single target the rest unless there is a lot of trash still up at tank

5) How is endgame BRD dps (without songs) compared to others dps?
Its very gear dependent. I've seen other bards murder B rank hunt targets fast solo, me not so much yet. if I remember right Monk > Ninja > Black Mage> Dragoon/Bard > Summoner is terms of dps. I know my i106 bard is beaten by my i100 nin dps wise usually.

6) Any pro tips or "must know" about this job?
Crit is very important for bards. Use Bloodletter EVERY time its up, this will be far more often after 48 when you get dot procs that resets its cd. Remember, Bard has 0 movement locks; able to run and dps as normal. This means bards are usually expected to never be standing in mechanics.

Bards do well over the average needed dps to pass all dps checks, when played right. There should never be a situation where a bard is not wanted to the extent that someone will say "hey, he's a bard, kick and get another dps" . If a mellee drops dead, u get him back on his feet with TP song. Same for healers with mana song . Also ofc, for the melees that really pump out the dps, they will run out of tp, and ur song is needed then. If a res is needed during the run? Chances are, u will need a mana song played . It's more than possible to run content without a bard, just like it's more than possible to run content w/o any class, but 99% of statics certainly have a bard. The boost to caster dps, added sustainability to melee dps, mana cushioning for healers, along with bards already ( imo ) impressive dps is too good a package to not have.

As for endgame dps , I'm still getting to grips with it. Although I have seen a parse of over 500 from a bard on t10. This is over-play though, you will need to truly dedicate to reach these stellar heights xD


To compare with others in my static im pretty low still...ilvl 120 Blm is 500+ on t10 and 11, 120 drg like 450, and I can get close to 400as ilvl 120 bard with crappy old HA bow still, but im not v good tbh...

1) Progression they're mandatory. When you start to get endgame content on farm status, they become less useful but not obsolete (yet).

2) The distance penalty doesn't apply in pve, and pvp is basically the greater distance you're away from your opponent = less damage given.

3) No indicator. Bard can stand max range and retrieve no penalties, but if you're singing please make sure you're in range of your teammates. Likewise with Foe Requiem, it has a shorter range than our max dps range, so you need to stay a little closer than normal. The indicator is the icon on either your team mate's tool bar or the enemies' tool bar - if it's present, your song is reaching them.

4) if there are 3 enemies or less, dot them all and focus one down. If 4 or more, straight shot -> AoE.

5) They are the worst single target dps endgame, and they scale worse than any job. Currently they're still fine, but slowly they're getting further behind all other dps. That being said, they still put up respective damage, and it does take a good mind to optimize our rotation.

6) I'm at work, I can't really give any tips :(. Read these forums, there's a lot of Bard topics asking similar questions.

Bards can do far more dmg then they are given credit for and offer group support. Even with songs if you know the class you can reach decent numbers for dmg.
Not sure about distance penalty but certain distance away from target you do more damage, if i could find the chart someone had posted i would show it. Too close also = less dmg, think in terms of velocity+ distance :)
You can apply dots to multiple targets.
Also level lancer for a must have cross class ability invigorate, this refreshes your tp once you run low, pugilist/Monk i also highly recommend to level for cross class abilities as well

1) For progression you will always want a bard for the songs, if you look at FCoB the fights are so long that not having a bard will make the entire party starved for resources
2)there is a distance penalty in PvP aye but not in PvE
3)nope you have to go by feeling
4)1-3 targets keep straight shot up, multidot and weave in bloodletters, 4+ targets quick nock everything (unless the mobs are very spread apart or you are seriously low on tp and hope for procs never use rain of death, quick nock is just better)
5) I'm an i124 BRD and burst around 800 and go for about 430-450 DPS sustained, which usually means that I'm bottom of the DPS chart but still it's respectable DPS
6) crossclass you want: invigorate(lancer), blood for blood(lancer), internal release(pugilist), second wind(pugilist), keen flurry(lancer) also bards operate on a priority system that looks like straight shot>dots>straighter shot>heavy shot and learn to properly weave your oGCDs in, you have a lot of them. Weave in bloodletter as soon as it's up(keep an eye on it, it can reset it's CD) also NEVER, EVER macro your abilities(just dont, please....)