Since when is Bard an Archer?

[Eruantien]

bows are not uncommon as said for bards to wield, 2 straight from the top of my head that I can think of is Edward from FFIV and Leliana from Dragon Age both used bows

[yukikaze_yanagi]

As many already stated, bards aren't just singers, but fighters as well. In the western folklore, bards have ofted bows or daggers, so forget the ffxi's bard this time, at least until they're using the mandolin fighting style (i know, i put this video in every topic like this, but it work)
The bard !

[MysteriousRonin]

Bards in other games and books (A Song of Ice and Fire for example) use daggers, axes and other weapons, so it makes sense for one to use a bow.

As for the "This isn't Final Fantasy XI!" argument, I know of a certain Spoony Bard who used only instruments as weapons and I believe other Bards in other FF games only used music as weapons instead of actual weapons, and last I checked this is a Final Fantasy title. Final Fantasy Bards.

[Arcell]

This thread AGAIN? I could have sworn there was a thread before with this exact same title.

Anyway, Archer to Bard actually makes sense to me. Bard is mostly a support role, they give out the song buffs and all. It would make sense to give that role to a class with a ranged attack, since they'll be moving around the battlefield and often out of melee range of the enemies. Making a ranged support job is really the best way to do it since their range allows them to move freely where they are needed.

[Velhart]

Thancred is a bard and uses throwing knives.

[Jacien]

Thancred is a bard and uses throwing knives.

Came in to post this.

But I think he calls himself a bard to get into pants instead of actually having a job-stone equipped. :P

(Starting City: Lominsa)

[Rydin]

Thancred is a bard and uses throwing knives.

Thancred is AWESOME....

If this was an offline game... he should be the main character....

[charlemagne]

I wanna see bards hitting the mobs with a banjo.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

On a side note, this topic should be transferred to the Archer forums.

[Relic]

Silly people. Stop using your brains and questioning what's given to you. Squeenix only asks for your blind, unwavering, acceptance. If Squeenix says 2+2=5, it is so.