In order to excel at Lost Ark End game as a Bard, you first need to know what skills to bring to each scenario. Here we break down the skills and tripods you will want to focus on in each scenario. Then you should check out the Bard Engravings Guide.
Skill Priority in Combat
For Normal packs of enemies, the Bard rotation is generally Stigma>Dissonance. This combo will clear pretty much everything, however, if there are any leftovers use Sound Shock for a quick clean up.
Since Stigma has a longer cooldown than Dissonance, alternate between Stigma>Dissonance and Sonic Vibration>Dissonance
For Bosses you’ll use Serenade of Courage(if ready)>Stigma>Dissonance>Heavenly Tune>Soundholic
You’ll want to use Attack Buffs before Soundholic as it is the Bards highest Single Target damaging ability. Wait for a clear opportunity to use it and better yet: hit the boss from behind with it for extra damage potential.
Stat Priority
Just equip the highest Item Lv. item you find. Focus on Agility for increased movement speed, reduced casting time, and faster skill cooldowns. Secondly, your next best stat is Specialization.
Bard Solo Skills Build
Here’s the general strategy for Bards Chaos Dungeons, Tower Event, and solo Quests. Focus on grouping up enemies and using AoE abilities. First cast Heavenly Tune for the Attack Speed and Damage Buff. Stigma and Dissonance are the main skills that clear most enemies on their own. Sonic Vibration is another good choice for AoE. An important note here is that Prelude of Death can be an incredible ability with Tripod 3: Area of Death; it will cause insane chain reaction explosions if an enemy dies from it.
The rest of the abilities is up to you. Sound Shock is an option for a quick skill while others are on cooldown. If you find yourself taking too many hits and are low on health, Guardian Tune is another good option for some damage reduction.
For Solo content you should have an accessories set that has high Crit and Agility.
Below is a solo build that focuses on clearing trash quickly.
Solo Skills & Tripods
This build requires 296 Skill Points which will require the collecting all the available Points in Shushire or if you have Rohendel unlocked, then you can grab some from there. Also, it would be wise to pick up the second Awakening skill Oratorio for a very powerful boss killer.
Icon | Name | Level | Tripods | Notes |
Heavenly Tune | 10 | 1 1 1 | Attack Speed and Power Buff | |
Stigma | 10 | 3 2 1 | AoE | |
Dissonance | 10 | 2 1 2 | AoE | |
Sonic Vibration | 10 | 1 2 1 | Damage and Attack Power Buff | |
Prelude of Death | 10 | 1 1 1 | AoE | |
Soundholic | 10 | 1 1 2 | Line up enemies and Laser Beam them down | |
Sound Shock | 4 | 1 | For use between cooldowns. (Can pick up Tripod 2: Sacred Shock for Increased Damage Taken Debuff) | |
Guardian Tune | 4 | 1 | Reduce Damage Taken | |
Oratorio | Awakening | N/A | Can often kill bosses in one hit. |
Bard Group Skills Build
Here’s the general strategy for Paladins Guardian Raids, Chaos Dungeons and Abyss Dungeons in a group setting: Alternate using Heavenly Blessings and Wrath of God to keep the Attack Power Buff on Party Members. Use Light Shock on Cooldown to keep the 10% Increased Damage Taken Debuff on the boss. Mitigate damage taken with Godsent Law for heavy hitting attacks or Holy Land if on Cooldown. Use Holy Protection to shield and heal with the 3rd Tripod Vow of Light. And lastly, try to Counter any interruptible abilities with Holy Sword.
PvE Skills & Tripod Build
This build requires 328 Skill Points which will require the collecting all the available Points in Shushire or if you have Rohendel unlocked, then you can grab some from there.
Icon | Skill Name | Skill Level | Tripods | Notes |
Wind of Music | 10 | 2 1 2 | Shield | |
Sonic Vibration | 10 | 3 2 1 | Attack Power Buff | |
Guardian Tune | 10 | 1 1 2 | Damage Reduction; Tripod 2: Endless Protection for a Shield or Tripod 2: Powerful Protection for even more Damage Reduction | |
Heavenly Tune | 10 | 1 1 1 | AoE Attack Speed Buff; Tripod 3: Intense Performance for Attack Power Buff. | |
Harp of Rhythm | 10 | 1 3 1 | Tripod 3: Note Brand for Increased Damage Taken Debuff on Target Tripod 2: For Identity Gauge generation | |
Sound Shock | 7 | 1 1 | Tripod 2: Sacred Shock for Increased Damage Taken Debuff on Target | |
Prelude of Storm | 7 | 1 2 | Tripod 1: Mind Concentration for Mana Regen. Tripod 2: Melody Increase for Identity Gauge Generation | |
Soundholic | 10 | 1 1 2 | High Damage | |
Symphonia | Awakening | N/A | Powerful Shield |
PvP Skills & Tripod Build
In Player versus Player Arenas, Bards are a valuable asset to the team. They provide great utility with attack buffs, shields, and minor healing through their identity skill. They also have some pretty decent CC with a slow, stun, and a 4 second fear.
Stats Build for Bard PvP
- 1000 Agility
- 249 Endurance
- 1 Crit
PvP Skills & Tripod Choices
Feel free to change whatever skills you like depending on your playstyle and how you see fit.
The one change below, especially if you play in 3v3’s, is including Rhapsody of Light with the Tripod 3: Shining Protection for a very strong damage taken reduction buff. You will definitely also want Tripod 2: Stabilized Light for Knockback Immunity.
The Best Bard Awakening Skill in PvP is Symphonia due to it’s very high Shielding. However, if your team finds it would be more helpful to have more damage use Oratorio; if you need to be more defensive use Symphonia.
Below is a general PvP build that is a great foundation to build upon.
Icon | Skill Name | Skill Level | Tripods | Notes |
Heavenly Tune | 10 | 2 1 3 | Precast for buff | |
Guardian Tune | 10 | 1 1 3 | Precast for buff | |
Sonic Vibration | 10 | 3 3 | Knock up enemy | |
Prelude of Storm | 10 | 2 1 2 | CC: Stun Tripod 3: Lightning Concentration for Longer ranged stun | |
Prelude of Death | 10 | 3 2 2 | CC: Fear Tripod 3: Howling of Pain for the fear effect | |
Soundholic | 10 | 2 1 2 | Once CC’d, free burst damage. | |
March | 7 | 3 3 | Useful to run away and slow enemies | |
Rhythm Buckshot | 7 | 2 2 | Quick Knock Down to Peel |
Next Steps
Now that you’ve made it through this sub-guide, make sure you are completely familiar with which Bard Engravings you should choose.
Also note that these sub-guides are also part of our full-scope Bard Class Guide which will encompass all of these sub guides.