Need a simple but effective Bard rotation guide for my friend.

[Kat_Manx]

I need a Bard guide for my 60+ yo friend who is constantly told to go kill herself when she participates in dungeons for having "too low DPS."

I am a Bard myself but I barely play so I literally have no idea how it works past Heavensward.

Keep in mind I don't want a 50 step detailed guide with dexterity potions and special keyboards with turbo controls or whatever, just something a person of that age could possibly keep up with. So like.. how to become a "sorta ok" Bard.

Thanks.

[AskaRay]

Basic bard?

Wanderer's Minuet
Buffs
Barrage
Empyreal Arrow
Straight Shot
Windbite
Venomous Bite
Heavy Shot
---repeat

Bloodletter when it's available
Iron Jaws when Vemon/Windbite are going to fall off (keep them together), its okay to cast Iron Jaws at between 0-6 seconds left
Barrage + Empyreal Arrow together
Buffs when they are back up.

If your friend really wants to mix it up cast Fire Flaming Arrow in there, too.

[WinterLuna]

Bard doesn't really have a "rotation" as it's more of a priority system.

Make sure to use Wanderer's Minuet. Always cast Straight Shot first, followed by Windbite and Venomous Bite. Use Empyreal Arrow and Blood Letter when available. Iron Jaws should be used when Windbite and Venomous Bite have around 3 seconds left. You shouldn't be losing these DoT's. Sidewinder is your main damage dealer, use this after applying your DoT's.

Obviously weave in cool downs (Blood for Blood, Raging Strikes, Hawk's Eye, Internal Release) and use songs as necessary. You can also use Repelling Shot and Blunt Arrow if the situation allows you.

I've probably forgot a few skills as I don't have access to FFXIV right now but those are the basics and should allow you to do significant damage as a Bard.

[Vivi_Bushido]

As above, but I do:

Wanderer's Minuet
Foes + Battle Voice
Buffs
Barrage
Empyreal Arrow
Blood Letter
Straight Shot
Internal Release
Windbite
Flaming Arrow
Venomous Bite
Blunt Arrow (if foe doesn't need timed silences)
Heavy Shot
Side Winder
Heavy Shot
--Repeat (obviously using Blood Letter in between as it procs )

[AskaRay]

Bard doesn't really have a "rotation" as it's more of a priority system.

Make sure to use Wanderer's Minuet. Always cast Straight Shot first, followed by Windbite and Venomous Bite. Use Empyreal Arrow and Blood Letter when available. Iron Jaws should be used when Windbite and Venomous Bite have around 3 seconds left. You shouldn't be losing these DoT's. Sidewinder is your main damage dealer, use this after applying your DoT's.

Obviously weave in cool downs (Blood for Blood, Raging Strikes, Hawk's Eye, Internal Release) and use songs as necessary. You can also use Repelling Shot and Blunt Arrow if the situation allows you.

I've probably forgot a few skills as I don't have access to FFXIV right now but those are the basics and should allow you to do significant damage as a Bard.

OH yeah don't forget about Sidewinder.
While you can cast it whenever it's available, I -highly recommend- only using after WB and VB are up (it increases in damage).

[WinterLuna]

I just want to add, experienced Bards can do high damage but Bard isn't exactly a high damage DPS class. If your friend is having troubles it might be worth switching to maybe Ninja where you can still do decent damage if you mess up. The rotation is a little harder but it's a lot more forgiving compared to playing a low damage class, especially if it's not being played to its full potential (of course it's no fault of your friends). Also please report those people in the dungeons, that's horrible. Good luck to your friend!

[Evangela]

Bard needs a rotation? hahahaha

[Kat_Manx]

Thanks for the help. It is appreciated.

[UltimateAoe2]

Visual for what I use: http://ffxivrotations.com/3x7

few notes:

When i put Bloodletter and RoD together, it varies. Personally I always keep it up if a Healer is DPSing alongside, or in raids (The evasion really helps tbh.)

[MugenMugetsu]

My "rotation"...

Wanderer's Minuet (just this one time)
Battle Dance + Foe Requiem
Flaming Arrow
Blood For Blood
Hawk's Eye
Internal Release
Raging Strikes
Straight Shot
Wind Bite
Venomous Bite
Barrage
Empyreal Arrow
Sidewinder
Feint
Bloodletter
Blunt Arrow
Heavy Shot (twice if time allows to get in Iron Jaws without WB and VB falling off)
Iron Jaws
Straight Shot
Empyreal Arrow

...then whatever I feel is appropriate. Always keep Straight Shot, Wind Bite, Venomous Bite, Flaming Arrow, and whatever song is most useful up. Barrage + Empyreal Arrow at every opportunity, Sidewinder with Venomous and Wind Bite up at every opportunity. Debuff with Feint (Slow) and Blunt Arrow (Silence). Use Bloodletter then Heavy Shot, Heavy Shot, Bloodletter if it procs, Straight Shot, Iron Jaws to refresh WB + VB.....it's really situational depending on what attacks/buffs are off CD and what's going to be most beneficial, but for an opener and a "rotation" the attacks I listed as a list could work for decent DPS.

Anytime there are packs of mobs your friend could technically get away with keeping a song up, buffs up when available, Straight Shot up, Flaming Arrow up, Rain of Death when available, and then spam Quick Nock. Use Barrage + Empyreal Arrow, VB + WB + Sidewinder, and Misery's End at their own discretion. Also, wisely using Feint (Slow) and Blunt Arrow (Silence) can be beneficial as well.

I've been maining Brd for the past couple of months and am very comfortable with my playstyle, and while I do not doubt that there is a set "rotation" for optimal DPS that has been thoroughly tested by a theorycrafter, my playstyle and "rotation" work well for me and output good DPS, as far as I am aware. (I don't use a parser.)

If anyone wishes to criticize my "rotation", or playstyle, feel free. I'm certainly not against learning nor am I against improving my DPS.