If you want to up your support game, you’ll need the best Lost Ark Bard build. The Bard is a unique class that, despite being built to buff and heal, still has a few potent DPS options at its disposal.
This Lost Ark Bard build guide is subject to change as we get more experienced with how the class performs in various circumstances and throughout the endgame content. For now, though, these leveling, PvP, and PvE guides should help see you through any challenge Lost Ark throws your way, including tough endgame Raids.
If you're just getting started in Lost Ark, check out our Lost Ark classes guide for an overview of what to expect in each class. Before you make your decision, though, read up on the Lost Ark tier list and the Lost Ark gender lock system to reduce your risk of ultimately being disappointed by your choice of character, class, or role.
Lost Ark Best Bard Leveling Skills
| Skill Point Priority | Level | Runes | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Shock | 10 | Maintained Explosion, Shock Enhancement, Rapid Fire | Basic AoE attack |
| Dissonance | 10 | Melody Increase, Law of the Jungle, Harmony Enhancement | Sustained damage and movement speed debuff |
| Stigma | 10 | Sustain Enhancement, Brilliant Stigma, Pain Brand | Continuous damage at the Stigma's location |
| Sonic Vibration | 1 | N/A | Lift and slam foes |
| Soundholic | 10 | Sound Concentration, Sustained Enhancement, Focus Fire | Damage foes multiple times |
| Prelude of Storm | 1 | N/A | Damage and stun foes |
| Heavenly Tune | 4 | Quick Prep | Damage foes, increase attack and movement speed for allies |
| Prelude of Death | 10 | Passionate Applause, Death Amplification, Aria of Death | Initial damage, then continued damage from death mark |
As with most, the Lost Ark Bard build for leveling focuses on skills to help complete main story missions. Support options aren’t quite as important here, since the goal is keeping your Bard alive and giving them an edge in boss fights.
Soundholic and Prelude of Storm deal continued damage and briefly stun enemies, respectively, which gives you a chance to retreat if needed.
- Check out: Our Lost Ark Knowledge Transfer primer to speed up your leveling
Stigma is handy for dealing with distant foes, while Prelude of Death deals heavy damage over time, making it particularly useful for tougher enemies and bosses.
Make sure to use the Bard’s Identity Skill Serenade of Salvation to restore health. After using normal attacks enough, you’ll have three charges of it and can strike a good balance between recovery and offense.
Best Lost Ark Bard Build For PvP
| Skill Point Priority | Level | Runes | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhapsody of Light | 10 | Quick Prep, Stabilized Light, Shining Protection | Heavy ranged damage |
| Sonic Vibration | 10 | Tenacity, Chain Vibration, Wide Angle Attack | Lift and slam foes |
| Rhythmic Buckshot | 7 | Shock Enhancement, Tenacity | Damages foes and pushes them away |
| Soundholic | 10 | Raid, Sustain Enhancement, Focus Fire | Continuous damage |
| Prelude of Storm | 10 | Quick Prep, Wide Angle Attack, Lightning Concentration | Damage and stun foes |
| Heavenly Tune | 10 | Agile Cast, Tough Tune, Intense Tune | Deals damage and buffs party attack and MP |
| March | 7 | Cheerful March, Impaired Mobility | Homing attack that reduces enemy movement |
| Guardian Tune | 10 | Tenacity, Endless Protection, Wind of Protection | Buffs party defense |
The Bard’s PvP build focuses on heavy-hitting skills designed to keep foes at a distance, assuming they survive the first onslaught.
The standout mentions here are Rhythm Buckshot, Guardian Tune, and March. Buckshot knocks targets away after dealing significant damage, so use it if your party needs some breathing room. Guardian Tune buffs the party’s defense, while March summons notes that follow enemies and deal damage over time.
Make sure to alternate between both Serenades to heal and buff as needed. The Awakening skill Symphonia is also a good choice, as it shields and damages simultaneously.
click to enlargeWhat are the Best Bard Raid Skills?
| Skill Point Priority | Level | Runes | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Shock | 10 | Maintained Explosion, Sacred Shock, Rapid Fire | Ranged attack |
| Rhapsody of Light | 10 | Quick Prep, Stabilized Light, Shining Protection | Heavy ranged damage |
| Wind of Music | 10 | Quick Prep, Melody Increase, Wind of Protection | AoE attack that pushes foes |
| Sonic Vibration | 10 | Tenacity, Brilliant Wave, Wide Angle Attack | Lifts and slams foes |
| Soundholic | 10 | Sound Concentration, Sustained Enhancement, Focus Fire | Heavy continuous damage |
| Prelude of Storm | 10 | Quick Prep, Melody Increase, Powerful Prelude | Damages and stuns foes |
| Heavenly Tune | 10 | Quick Prep, Tough Tune, Intense Tune | Damages foes and buffs party attack and MP |
| Guardian Tune | 10 | Mind Enhancement, Endless Protection, Wind of Protection | Buffs party defense |
The Bard’s Raid build is a mix of the PvP and Leveling builds, emphasizing powerful skills and those that keep your Bard safe from harm. As always, opt for Desperate Salvation for the Engraving to get that extra healing boost.
That's all we have to say on the Lost Ark Bard build set right now. If you're looking for another support class, the Lost Ark Paladin build set is worth a look. Beyond that, go test your support skills by fighting Lost Ark boss battles around its open world. We have guides on the Lost Ark Rovlen fight and Lost Ark Rudric battle as well.