BRD - I am completely lost

[Nyma76]

Hello all,

I am really embarrassed to admit that I don't understand my job. Now before I get flamed on here please allow me to explain. I have tried to read guides and understand the mechanics, but I still find myself confused on getting the max DPSing during parties, raids, and primals. I got called out saying that the damage output is too slow and I don't know my job. Well I don't know, but I want to fix this issue. Is there a Dummies Guide to Barding or a step by step walkthrough? Again this is really embarrassing to admit, but I want to enjoy the game and not perform below expectations. Thanx

[Cetonis]

Bard is in a bit of flux right now due to the (technically arguable) failed implementation of Wanderer's Minuet. However, some basics that will always be true are (1) Keep Straight Shot and your DoTs up at all times, and (2) aim to stack your buffs on top of each other when possible to multiply their effect. When not in WM, add (3) Always Be Attacking.

[Nyma76]

Bard is in a bit of flux right now due to the (technically arguable) failed implementation of Wanderer's Minuet. However, some basics that will always be true are (1) Keep Straight Shot and your DoTs up at all times, and (2) aim to stack your buffs on top of each other when possible to multiply their effect. When not in WM, add (3) Always Be Attacking.

Thank you!

[Buff_Archer]

Whatever you do, don't use those macros that some people tout for bard that's supposed to guarantee bloodletter procs are used and such. After straight shot and internal release, put your two dots on like 3 enemies really quickly if fighting a mob and see if that gets you a lot of bloodletter instant procs (it should). If you can get familiar with using bloodletter in between GCD skills like straight shot/heavy shot, that's where the missing DPS is for a lot of bards who aren't interweaving on- and off-GCD skills.

If that's not something you're doing yet, try this at a practice dummy and you'll see what I mean- do straight shot, then off-GCD bloodletter BEFORE heavy shot is available, then heavy shot, then off-GCD blunt arrow, then heavy shot again as soon as it comes up. If you do this right, in the space of where someone not weaving in these abilities would have gotten off 3 skills (straight shot and 2 heavy shots), you'll have gotten off 5 in the same amount of time. Once you have that down, getting more dots up gives you additional chances for recast timer to reset on bloodletter, which lets you use it in between GCD skills more often. Sometimes I've been able to use heavy shot -> bloodletter -> heavy shot-> bloodletter -> heavy shot -> bloodletter really fast because of multiple resets.

[Edellis]

General:

1) keep your DoTs on. This is alot of damage no matter which stance you're in. It's essentially an extra auto attack as long as they're up.

2) Try not to clip your dot timers off. I'd say only reapply them when they get around 4-5 seconds or less.

3) Your DoTs are affected by your damage and crit rate buffs (Raging, Hawkeye, Blood4Blood, Internal Release), but ONLY if they were on at the time of implementation. So, be sure to get these applied during buffs.

4) Having Straightshot + Internal Release on when applying DoTs should give a noticable increase to Bloodletter / RoD procs, especially when AoEing.


*Something i like to do during DPS checks with multiple, long-lived targets, I'll apply 2 DoTs to 2 different enemies. The DoT on the other target will do a little bit of damage, but most importantly it'll be giving you better chances for bloodletter. This is much much easier to manage at level 56 because of Iron Jaws.



In Wanderer's Minuet:

1) At level 52, this is pretty much only useful for opening DoTs and Barrage. Otherwise, turn it off.

2) At level 54, use Empyreal Arrow as early as possible. It's not instant cast, but it can be cast during GCD, so that should make it easier. As long as you do this (and are attacking without being interrupted), you will be doing comparable damage to offstance. Otherwise, turn minuet off.

3) At 56, use Iron Jaws to keep your timers up after you apply them once. At this point you should be able to maintain higher DPS than offstance pretty easily, again as long as you aren't being interrupted.

4) Raging/Hawkeye/B4B + Barrage + Empyreal Arrow is the best thing about bard right now. Do not waste Barrage on any skill that isn't Empyreal Arrow or Heavy Shot. Bloodletter and Misery's End can be used without wasting it.

5) Learn "slidecasting". You are not completely immobile while in minuet, depending on latency you can move at the very ends of casting, as well as shortly during the cooldown period. This is real important for dodging and getting in position (for something like repelling shot) without completely dropping DPS.

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and interrupt your casting. If you feel like it's going to happen alot (like the first boss in The Vault), just turn minuet off and turn it back on the next time you have downtime.

[Viar]

No clipping at 4-5sec unless you're clipping them in the opener/burst to prolong buffed up DoT's. Learn to clip them at 2-1 sec max, since even under wm you can clip them at 1 sec due to the DoT's icons' disappearance lag.

No macros. Never ever. Especially, if you have latency issues. They're only ever useful to SMN/SCH for pet commands.

Personally, at 55+ dungeons I use only AoE rotation on 2+ mobs because IJ is just that amazing. I'm also lazy, but eh, it works better for me under minuet.

Learn the burst rotation. It's incredible. Just google Krietor's guide. If you don't have enough gil for Dex pots, then don't use them. Save them for food. You can remain on the second place in aggro list for the opener's duration if you're doing it right.

If you want to use a buff, don't. Delay it till you get at least 2-3 of them to line 'em up.