FFXIV Job Unlock: Bard Guide

A step-by-step guide to unlocking the Bard job in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.

Unlock Quick Facts
Quest Name	A Song of Bards and Bowmen
Starting NPC	Luciane (Archers' Guild)
Location	New Gridania (X: 15.4, Y: 12.1)
Prerequisites	Level 30 Archer & "The One That Got Away"
Role	Physical Ranged DPS

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Bard is an advanced job that evolves from the Archer class. It was part of the original release of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.

1. Level Archer to 30

Your first step is to level the **Archer** class to Level 30. Archer is a starting class available in Gridania.

2. Complete Class Quests

You must complete all your Archer class quests up to Level 30. The final class quest is titled "The One That Got Away". If you have not done this, the job quest will not appear.

3. Accept "A Song of Bards and Bowmen"

Once you have met the requirements, speak to Luciane in the Archers' Guild in New Gridania (X: 15.4, Y: 12.1). She will offer the quest that transitions you from Archer to Bard.

You will be rewarded with:

Soul of the Bard (Job Stone)
Bard's Attire Chest (Optional Gear)

4. Equip Your Soul Crystal

Don't forget to equip the Soul of the Bard in your equipment menu (bottom right slot). This changes your class from Archer to Bard and gives you access to Bard-specific skills.

Why Play Bard?

Bard is a highly mobile Physical Ranged DPS job. It is unique because it provides constant buffs to the party through its songs ("Mage's Ballad", "Army's Paeon", "The Wanderer's Minuet") while maintaining high personal damage output. It offers a fast-paced playstyle with no cast times, allowing for complete freedom of movement during combat.