Ragnarok: The New World – Bard DPS Comprehensive Guide

Bard DPS Build Guide

Bard is primarily designed as a support class, but it can also be built as an off-meta DPS character. This setup focuses on dealing damage while retaining some of Bard’s party support capabilities through its built-in stat boosts.

The build offers:

• Decent DPS once the auto-cast loop is running
• Party stat boosts built into the kit, allowing you to contribute while dealing damage
• Large AOE damage through the Solo skill line

Stats

Prioritize the following stats:

• DEX: Maximize DEX to increase ranged PATK and improve DPS.
• AGI: Invest in AGI to reach maximum ASPD.
• LUK: Once maximum ASPD is reached, invest the remaining points into LUK for additional DPS.
• VIT: For PvP content, VIT can be used instead of fully investing in AGI and LUK.

Skills

First Job

• Double Strafe Lv. 10
• Owl’s Eye Lv. 10
• Vulture’s Eye Lv. 10
• Attention Con Lv. 10

Second Job

• Musical Lesson Lv. 10
• Melody Strike Lv. 10
• Dissonance Lv. 10
• Assassin’s Cross of Sunset Lv. 10
• Requiem Lv. 1

Third Job

• Prof Musician Lv. 3
• Encore Lv. 5
• Ring of Nibelungen Lv. 10
• Endless Rhythm Lv. 10
• Arrow Vulcan Lv. 10
• Pang Voice Lv. 1

Prof Musician is kept at Lv. 3 and Encore at Lv. 5 because of the special skills used with this build. Pang Voice only needs to be Lv. 1 to trigger its passive.

Auto-Cast Priority

Set the following skills to auto-cast:

1. Self Buffs
2. Dissonance
3. Ring of Nibel
4. Encore
5. Melody Strike
6. Arrow Vulcan
7. Basic Attack

Dissonance is classified as Sustained Dmg, Melody Strike as Single, and Arrow Vulcan as Burst. These classifications should be considered when building the Rune Engine.

Special Skills

Gold versions should always be prioritized to maximize their potential.

Recommended special skills:

• Rhythm Arcanum
• Condition Improving
• Concerto Encore
• Sonic Surge

Concerto Encore gave slightly more DPS in the reported runs because its ATK% increase raises total Attack, which in turn causes Ring of Nibelungen to provide more ATK to the party. This allows the Bard to continue contributing to the group while using a damage-focused build.

Equipment

Armor

• Preferred: General Set
  • Assaulter
  • Captain’s Manteau
  • Battle Greave
• Alternative: Odin Set
• PvP: Goibne Set

Weapon

• Royal Bard Ukelele

Shield

• Lamor Shield

Accessories

• Rogue’s Cold Set
  • Rogue’s Treasure
  • Cold Heart

Relic

A full red relic setup is considered the best option.

Prioritize:

1. A yellow relic that gives DEX
2. Purple DEX relics if a yellow DEX relic is unavailable
3. Blue DEX relics if neither a yellow nor purple DEX relic is available

Cards

Weapon

For PvE, prioritize cards in the following order:

Size > Race > Element

Recommended PvP options include:

• Skel Worker
• Hydra
• Status Cards

Off-Hand

• Munak
• Horn as a good starting option
• Thara if available

Armor

Use elemental cards based on the content.

Other options include:

• Peco Peco for HP
• Status Cards for PvP
• Wraith Dead Card for Clash of Chosen

Cape

• Elemental Reduction Cards
• Orc Baby
• Eclipse

Shoes

• Matyr Card

Accessories

Four Orc Archer Cards are still viable if you already have them.

You can also start farming Zealotus Cards and fuse the Orc Archer Cards.

Headwear

For PvE:

• Mirage: Orc Hero
• Cramp

For PvP:

• Deviruchi
• Marduk
• Ice Ghost

Facewear

• Arc Angeling
• Mirage Cards

Mouthwear

• Mastering
• Elder Willow for MDEF and SP
• Mirage Cards

Backwear

• Giant Spider
• Grand Peco for Clash
• Mirage Cards

Rune Engine

For PvE, prioritize Resonance.

For PvP, prioritize:

3 Blue > Yellow > Green > Red/Brown

Recommended runes include:

• Layered Blade: Best DPS Rune
• Burst Amplification: Boosts Arrow Vulcan DPS
• Abnormal Damage Boost: Benefits from Pang Voice applying abnormal status
• Balanced Defense: Provides a good damage boost and defense
• Desperate Strike: Boosts ATK and is useful for PvE, but is not recommended for PvP
• Sustained Amplification: Boosts Dissonance skill damage
• Body Amplification: PvP only
• Low HP Shield: PvP only
• Defense Runes: Other available defense runes can also be used
• Fortune’s Favor: Good alternative if the primary runes are unavailable
• Blade Dmg Boost: Good alternative if the primary runes are unavailable
• Chance for Bonus Dmg: Good alternative if the primary runes are unavailable

Pets

Pets are generally universal, so use what is available to you. To maximize DPS, prioritize:

1. Flora
2. Dawn
3. Miya
4. Rocker
5. Dust

For PvP, Alice and Garm are also very useful.