So as a Bard Main only starting to play the game around the end of Storm Blood and now Shadow Bringers

I really Think at lower levels Bard feels like your only using straight shot because the procs are way to rare. Buffing how often things proc a bit at lower levels would make Bard feel much better early on.


I think the Job just needs a few things to power it up a bit more and also please both sides of the coin Archer and Bards of all MMOs ever.

1. We need 1 AOE dot application skill to empower our dots when we are hitting multiple enemies.

. My suggestion for this would be applying the normal dot skills but when using Iron Jaws on a target you not only reset the duration of the skill but a musical note tornado type of animation is triggered creating an AOE and applying the dot to all the enemies in the area

2. Bard Feels Very Awkward when skills dont trigger with the dots. When I use ballad just as an example I use Burst shot > Blood letter > burst shot >blood letter but sometimes the blood letter doesn't proc and if your Empyreal Arrow is not up you just start only using your burst shot hoping the skill will bloody proc. (basically fix this awkwardness that tends to happen)

3. 4th song I do think a 4th song idea mentioned in another thread that extremely buffs up the party and had maybe musical notes flying around all players would be super cool to see.
. Heck make bard enter a performance mode where they put that bow on their back wip out an instrument of the players choosing ( the ones you are able to perform with) and enter a state where all their skills do less damage and have musical animations on all your attacks playing from the instrument not a bow. (please note while your hitting weaker your party is doing the extra damage you are lacking during this mode and then some so your not losing overall party DPS your gaining it)

. Basically 4th song would make the bard an actual bard for a bit rather then the hybrid its always been. Maybe as well the 4th song would empower our 3 remaining support skills example:

Wardens Paeon > removes all detrimental effects from the party

Troubadour > Damage taken recieved reduced by 15-20% ( again percentages would have to be messed with.)

Natures Minne > HP recovery 40% to self or target or just increase all healing received to the entire party

. Also make this song only usable when either filling up some new gauge or after going through x amount of total current songs. or just have this song replace Army's Paeon since Army's Paeon has always been very neish.

Bard Does not need a complete rework Bard just needs to do something more with its instruments in terms of animations as well as have a moment where its not strictly a Archer.

Bard has always felt like archer first quick button press for music then back to bow let us strum our instruments more and you make all bards very happy!