The Bard class is one of Lost Ark's main supports - viable for both PvP and PvE. This is the class you pick if you want to almost guarantee a spot in endgame content.
This guide covers an overview of how the class works, including an overview, the best Engravings for the class, and a complete list of the skills and what they do.
Class Overview
The Bard is one of Lost Ark's dedicated support characters and is usually the top choice for a dedicated support in both PvE and PvP, although the Paladin (and in the future, the Artist) see play as well. This class provides all sorts of buffs to the party, including damage reduction, damage increases, and various other buffs.
The Bard's Identity Skill is Serenade. You earn Serenade Bars during combat for hitting attack abilities, and each activation of a Serenade consumes one bar. You can stack up to three bars at the same time.
There are two types of Serenade you can use:
- Serenade of Courage - Boosts attack damage across the board for you and your allies.
- Serenade of Salvation - Grants healing to your allies.
Knowing when to use your special Serenade songs is essential to mastering the Bard. Typically, the healing Serenade is more useful as it better suits your role as a support.
For information about the Bard and other classes in Lost Ark, please check out our Class Hub.
Pros
- Dedicated Support class in the game
- Can support your team in both PvE and PvP - a support role is required for some high-level/endgame content, you will be in high demand
Cons
- Squishy
- Low attack values, not the best option for someone who wants to get the most out of the game's heavy-hitting/satisfying combat mechanics
Best Bard Engravings
First up, we take a look at Bard's two Class Engravings. These are unique Engravings for the Bard and both impact your playstyle pretty significantly.
True Courage |
Desperate Salvation |
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As you are mostly focusing on the support side of things with bard, The Song of Courage, then you want to go for the Desperate Salvation Engraving. This boosts your healing effect after the initial burst, as well as provides you with some of your own sustainability. Bards are squishy. Staying alive longer in the fighter will benefit you, and therefore benefit your team.
Other Recommended Engravings For The Bard
Here are the other recommended Engravings for the Bard. These do differ from other popular Engravings in the game.
Awakening |
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Heavy Armor |
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Spirit Absorption |
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Increased Max MP |
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Best Bard Skills
There are many ways to play the Bard, and you will find different skill setups and builds depending on whether players are dealing with endgame PvE content or PvP arena content.
As such, there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to how you play. For this list of skills, we've opted for a set that should be viable in both PvE and PvP.
Skill |
Tripod One |
Tripod Two |
Tripod Three |
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Sound Shock
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Quickly Prepare
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Holy Shock
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N/A |
Wind Of Music
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Quickly Prepare
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Melody Increase
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Wind Of Protection
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Sound Holic
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Focus Sound
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Enhanced Duration
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Concentrated Fire
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Overture Of Storm
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Quickly Prepare
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Melody Increase
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Powerful Overture
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Heavenly Performance
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Quickly Prepare
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Strong Performance
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Intense Performance
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Harp Of Rhythm
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Summoned Will
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Melody Increase
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Stigma Notes
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Sound Wave Vibration
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Protective Vibration
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Brilliant Soundwave
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Wide Attack
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Indomitable Performance
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Tenacity
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Endless Protection
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N/A |