Bard for me is heavily under-rated as I feel it is silently an overwhelmingly good damage dealer due to its DoTs, Passives and buffs.

Bard also plays a heavy role and currently is the only support like class that is not a healer. Bards support the party via spells like Mages Ballad (Aoe Mana regen buff) Armys Peon (Aoe TP regen) and FOE Requim (effects mages damage on enemy targets)

Stats to go for:

DEX - Personally I think you should max this stat out as a bard as it helps you put out massive damage which at the end of the day is your job as a damage dealer… Yes Vit and Piety could benefit you by giving that extra health and mana for your songs but really your base mana and hp is substantial enough so I would say this would be pointless.

Secondary stats (Example from armor, weapons and accesories)

These are the stats I recommend looking for on your armor:
- Vit - Vit is good for all classes… More hp… More hits you can take from your mistakes OR OTHER PEOPLES MISTAKES (important)
- Accuracy - You are an archer… Would be pretty sucky if you couldn't hit what you wanted and your auto attacks are a big part of your damage.
- Det - This stat is like a secondary stat to dex which complements it increasing your damage… Most gear sets have it anyway
- Crit - Crit is VERY GOOD on a bard as bloodletter procks off of a crit from your DoTs this stat is a MUST if you want to excel in DPS.
- Skill speed - least useful but still if you are looking for that little extra then this stat complements your dps quite well.

Main attack pattern:
Single target: Apply Venomous Strikes and Windbite DoT then spam Heavy Shot to prock steady shot and use Bloodletter whenever it is up then repeat. You can use Miserys End when the enemies hp falls below 20%
(You can increase your dps for situations like bursting down a phase or stopping a wipe mechanic by applying your dps buffs Barrage, Hawk Eye and Raging Strikes)

AoE: Set Flaming arrow under grouped mobs then spam wide volley until Rain of Death procks… You can use quicknock but its pretty much useless. You can also start with one Rain of death to get the effect off.

After following these steps you should be on your way to being a pretty decent Bard. if you have any questions feel free to ask via a comment on this thread and I shall try my best to answer it.

Peace, Staz

My main will be BRD any suggestions on what additonal ability I should take from other jobs ?? Currently using PUG ones atm

Personally I think you should go for Blood for Blood to help with the dps as if you use that with your buffs you should be able to burst down ANYTHING!

The other ones that I take are Second wind for the safety net heal. Mantra as it helps the healers keep the party up and Infernal Release to help your DoTs prock bloodletter.

You could also take Invigorate to get some TP back as bards can drain TP quick or if you have to sprint to get out of a insta kill you can use it to get some back

Hope this helps!

thanks for that will have a look at getting Blood for Blood