Instruct me how to mistrel

[Aurius]

Hello! I recently started leveling bard as my fc had literally no other people playing it. I'm not all the way to 60 yet (honestly not 50 yet, I think I'm 43) and wanted to know how to play to the fullest. How I play currently (be kind, its my first DPS)

Apply all the dots to non main focus enemies (trash) or keep it up always on bosses while straight shot is up.

Don't know how to maximize barrage utility currently, maybe it works with some post 50 skills but right now I use it on heavy shot.

Use songs when a teammate is low on tp/mp (I have never queued with a mage DPS) or when phase shifting.

Any tips are appreciated!

Blunt arrow when off CD, same with blood letter.

Advice is appreciated, thanks in advance!

[Risvertasashi]

It sounds like you have the basics. Barrage works well with Empyreal Arrow once you get that. For very in depth endgame guides, there's this and one somewhere here on the OF I think...

[nexas506]

Make a user macro for windbite.

Use venom bite first

/macroicon windbite
/ac windbite
<wait.16>
/e BITE <se.8>

Venom bite lasts 18 seconds. Minus (rounded up) 2 seconds in between actions. The /e command makes it so only you can hear the sound effect. This way, you'll hear a "ping" right before venom bite wears off. It's a lot easier that constantly looking at the status bar.

[Risvertasashi]

Ehhmm... there's a (potentially) very big problem with macros--they stop skill queuing. If the OP wants more convenience tracking DoT timers... well, parsers can do it without the drawback.

[Aurius]

Let's say one has a parser, and lets say that parser rhymes with fact, how would one add dot timers? Thanks for the tips!

[Risvertasashi]

Theoretically, one might right click on timer window. They might then add the skill name and duration, add a sound or text to speech notifier. They would probably also be sure to check the right tickboxes so it will restart the timer even if it the last one hasn't ended (clipping) and to make sure it doesn't track other peoples' DoTs. I imagine popular search engines might have graphical guides or even video tutorials.

[Strawberry_Mimosa]

I've been a Bard since the game first came out in the US. My forever role. I have to say, I'm the queen of Macros when it comes to Barding it up.

If you're starting out, macros will help you learn your 60 rotations. If you don't want to stick with macros because of reasons, you can un-macro your skill bars (sadface).

Before 60 I wouldn't worry about it too much, just do what you thinks best for you, because 1-59 is not the same as 60.

Personally, some people are against macros and some are for it. I'm ALL for macroing. If you would like a list, I can come up with one later and link it to you.

I should note that I'm talking macros strictly for PvE.

[jssanderson747]

Generally you want to use all available cooldowns slightly before then directly after applying straight shot, then applying your dots and then barraging a heavy shot after those are up. If you want to get really fancy, you can reapply those dots once your shortest cooldown is sitting at 5 seconds so you can clip a second set of dots with all cds again. Not necessary but it's a dps increase generally. Definitely easier to do once you get iron jaws. I don't recommend using macros for very long, because they slow your output significantly. Just find a rotation that works and get it committed to muscle memory while you're leveling. Get into a habit of spamming your bloodletter button once you get the river of blood trait if you can. Use battle voice generally on pull with foe requiem up (even healer dps can get a good bump up with it). Don't worry too much about singing songs in dungeons or anything unless your damage is super low, resources will generally survive if dps is good.

[FunkYeahDragons]

Your MP/TP songs lower your damage output, so it's best to use them situationally. No small pulls or short skirmishes. Other classes have their own ways of handling or regenerating MP/TP.

Foe's Ballad doesn't lower your DPS, though.

[Aurius]

Thanks for the tips, I'll get in the habit of using foes more often, thanks again!