FFXIV Bard Guide – Leveling Up the Bard Profession
There are a number of different jobs available to you when playing FFXIV. One that has been introduced to the delight of players is the Bard, which we will be discussing in this FFXIV Bard guide. If you are looking to get the most out of this feature, then there are a few things that you will want to know about how you can be the best Bard you can be.
In this guide, we will be discussing the following:
- About the Bard
- FFXIV Bard Leveling Tips
- Bard Quests
- Resting
About the Bard in FFXIV
Bards are described as having the ability of inspiring their allies through soothing melodies. These in turn provide ways in which they can both heal and strengthen said allies. Originating as archers, Bards were able to pick up ways in which they could use magicks to make their presence known in the heat of battle by aiding their comrades.
Where the Bard’s guild is concerned, you will find it in New Gridania. This is the Archer’s Guild, in which they can then specialize into bards from level 30. This will require the quests Sylph-Management and The One That Got Away to be completed before you can do so.
Bards, as disciples of war, tend to don leather armour and opt for the use of bows for weapons. Crafting classes can come in very handy to help the Bard, with the Carpenter class ready to make bows, a Leatherworker to make leather armour, and a Goldsmith for the likes of necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings.
It is important that you know how the Bard plays too, and if you are a player that likes a safer approach, then you will be right at home here. Even though they use bows, don’t expect that you will be having to take on the role of being a sniping sort of attacker. They are more akin to being on the support side, which you may have gathered by what you have read so far.
FFXIV Bard Leveling Guide Tips
There are lots of effective ways in which you can take your character through to level 80. There are general tips that are available to you that can help you to get to the higher levels. If you are a newer player, and you want to start leveling up, then you should focus on quests wherever possible. Of course, the Bard does have some specific ones that we mentioned earlier to become a Bard in the first place. This is a good method of not only learning more about the narrative, but they are also a great way for you to earn experience to help you level up.
Many players opt to grind Fates when leveling up their character. You may find that some players do not enjoy this method of leveling. It is generally considered as one of the more boring ways to level, Bards included. Some don’t enjoy playing solo content as Bard either since their single skills aren’t as strong as others. With that in mind, Fates may not be the way to go unless you are really committed to them. That being said, they are a way to get your EXP up fast when you get to a later point in the game. So gather your friends and start grinding away with those levels to get to where you need to be.
Bard Quests
Bards have several quests that you can complete. From level 30 to 40, you have A Song of Bards and Bowmen, The Archer’s Anthem, and Bard’s-eye View which come in at level 30, 35 and 40 respectively. Then, at level 45 you can participate in Doing It the Bard Way and Pieces of the Past, before getting to level 50 to do Requiem of the Fallen and On the Road Again.
Going beyond level 50, you can complete The Stiff and the Spent at level 52, then Requiem on Ice at 54 and When Gnaths Cry at 56. A Saint of Song is available at level 58 from Sanson, as is The Ballad of Oblivion at level 60. Also at level 60 is Three’s a Company, followed up by Masked Motives at level 63, then One Autumn’s Secret at 65 and Sleeping Truths Lie at 68. Finally, we have Sweet Dreams Are Made of Peace at level 70, then at level 80 we have A Harmony from the Heavens.
Resting
Your Bard needs to rest and looking after as you would in real life. Make sure that you gather food or purchase it from stores, which is beneficial to your character courtesy of the 3% EXP boost for 30 minutes each time its used. You will also find that you can purchase food for lower prices from inns and in cities earlier on in the game.
As for resting, when you log off in a Sanctuary you receive rested EXP, which increases the experience that you gain by an additional 50%. You will see a moon icon on your screen to let you know that you are in a Sanctuary so you have an idea when to rest. It does sound obscure but resting your character is a great way for you to add experience to your game.
Conclusion
A lot of the advice that you will hear does ring true as it would for any other job. Focusing on quests is a great way to get up the ladder of leveling, and the Bard has a number of them available once your archer reaches level 30. Remember that your archer levels with your Bard, so if you are familiar with playing as an archer already then you will be find getting along with leveling up your Bard.
Hopefully this FFXIV Bard guide has served as a helpful introduction to the class job, and you will be able to enjoy everything that it has to offer. Overall it is a fun class to play as, albeit maybe better when playing in that support role in the heat of battle.