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You Spoony Guide! - A Troubadour's Libretto
 Asura.Sechs
Server: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 11471
By Asura.Sechs 2026-03-16 07:51:44
Static mate just made a Carn for our dual boxed BRD. Carn/Daru/Marsyas good enough, or should he make the Ghorn while we get the gally for Loughnashade? Leaving S5 Prime away for a sec, I would say what's "mandatory" is by far Dau99 for 4 songs and then Marsyas for Honor March.
Ghorn is good and, most of all, it's relatively cheap and fast to obtain, so really no reason not to get it.
But "mandatory"?
You can get (total) Song+3 on other things like Linos or Miracle Cheer.
So really the difference with Ghorn is what? Missing Song+1.
Some examples:
Minuet5: 210att instead of 223
Minuet4: 190att instead of 201
Herc Etude: 23str instead of 24
Blade Madrigal: 108acc instead of 114
Carol: 144elemental meva instead of 152
I'm not addressing march because most of the time you only use Honor March (which is on Marsyas, so Ghorn can't be used).
If for whatever reason you're using double march (HM+VM) you're gonna reach magic haste cap regardless of being at Song+4 or Song+3.
Last but not least Ghorn provides additional macc for landing debuff songs, altough I wouldn't say they're extraordinarily valuable. Well threnodies on some V25 fights and on Aminon, for sure. For the rest it's an additional nice bonus but I wouldn't say it's the difference between failure or victory.
So, tl;dr, is Ghorn mandatory?
Imho no, it's not. But it's so cheap there's really no reason not to get one.
Make sure you do have the HQ neck (song+3) though-
[+]
 Asura.Eiryl
By Asura.Eiryl 2026-03-16 08:20:25
I'd never call 1/3 of a food mandatory. ***is always extremely silly.
Repast+1 is now mandatory. Sounds dumb right. It's ~13 more attack, not optional.
Magma steak+1 only. Mandatory.
Gjaller is nice to have.
Gjaller is low effort (relatively).
Gjaller is best in slot.
Gjaller is not mandatory. -1 song potency is not a deal breaker anywhere.
 Valefor.Dathus
Server: Valefor
Game: FFXI
Posts: 72
By Valefor.Dathus 2026-03-16 08:20:58
So, tl;dr, is Ghorn mandatory?
Imho no, it's not. But it's so cheap there's really no reason not to get one.
Make sure you do have the HQ neck (song+3) though- We recently took it as a group effort to go from a Linos/Blurred Harp to kitted out, as he was mostly just a song slinger alt. Got him his Dau99/Finished mythic/had Marsyas already. Also has the HQ neck(was the 2nd thing he bought IIRC. Think Blurred+1 was first?).
Kinda what we were thinking when it comes to the horn IMO, so good to know we're about on the right page.
Asura.Sechs
Server: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 11471
By Asura.Sechs 2026-03-16 11:52:37
Well, they did say this mule will eventually get S5 prime, in due time. Which will be a lot lol xD well Stage4 will be faster I guess, but still a lot of time.
It's just a mule, I don't think going either way will be a massive difference for Dathus and their group.
I don't think Ghorn is mandatory at all if you have a Song+3 instrument.
But, because it's so fast/cheap to get horn and because it's gonna be a long time until Laughnashade will be completed, I don't see why not getting as a temporary thing to use on your way for S5?
Really, both reasons look very solid to me and, if anything, this should be further demonstration that having it or not having it won't really be a massive difference either way.
Carbuncle.Nynja
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 7897
By Carbuncle.Nynja 2026-03-16 12:13:32
Repast+1 is now mandatory. Sounds dumb right. It's ~13 more attack, not optional. What kind of dumbfuck statement is this?
You dont lose your Gjallarhorn if you die. You dont need a new Gjallarhorn every time you do an event.
I got Gjallarhorns on 2 of my alts so I could use them for EP farming instead of having one char stuck on bard every time. Its cheap and takes negligible effort.
Necro Bump Detected!
[64 days between previous and next post]
Server: Odin
Game: FFXI
Posts: 6
By Odin.Vlaken 2026-05-19 19:02:40
I have a question... just wondering with Null belt being out would it be a good replacement for Acuity Belt+1, or does the int from Acuity out-weight extra 15 macc on songs...
p.s never tried sim thing so just general curiosity
 Carbuncle.Maletaru
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 4482
By Carbuncle.Maletaru 2026-05-19 19:58:18
Int doesn't give macc for songs, CHR does. Null is bis for debuffs
Phoenix.Shantae
Server: Phoenix
Game: FFXI
Posts: 9
By Phoenix.Shantae 2026-05-20 09:45:40
I am very close to reaching stage 3 Loughnashade. Once I get it and can add Aria into song rotation for Sortie runs, should I immediately swap my Marcato use from Honor March to Aria, or more context dependent? We do physical damage setups for our runs, and do have COR + GEO along.
By fractalvoid 2026-05-20 10:04:50
with s5 horn, i still mostly use marcato for HonorMarch. at s3/4 it may be useful in sortie to boost the duration of Aria and get it closer to matching your other songs
[+]
By DaneBlood 2026-05-20 14:14:42
I have a question... just wondering with Null belt being out would it be a good replacement for Acuity Belt+1, or does the int from Acuity out-weight extra 15 macc on songs...
p.s never tried sim thing so just general curiosity
if you are talking songs then i dont believe int does anything for you. Songs have CHR as dstart/modifier for Macc.
So in short.. use null belt for songs
By darkwaffle 2026-05-21 00:59:25
Tonight my squad finally finished our second aeonics meaning I now have a Marsyas. I do not have a Carnwenhan and normally I'm using a Miracle Cheer, but is there anything else I'm missing to extend the duration? The relevant gear pieces I have are the following.
Moonbow Whistle +1
Kali
+2 Empy Body
+2 Empy Hands
+2 Inyanga Legs
+4 Artifact Feet
Bard is mastered and if I pop Tenuto, Marcato, and Troubadour it ends up at just about 10.5 minutes. Clarion Call or dual wielding Kali would add a bit more but not something you can do all the time obviously.
Carbuncle.Maletaru
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 4482
By Carbuncle.Maletaru 2026-05-21 04:04:27
That's it for duration, though you should add empy head for set bonus.
Similarly, while using MC it's also a good idea to use as much empy as possible, since legs/feet don't matter with 15m durations.
By darkwaffle 2026-05-21 10:24:44
Got it, thanks. My buff song set does include all the empyrean gear, it's only being modified for Honor March in this case.
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[76 days between previous and next post]
By Felgarr 2026-08-05 06:27:30
This piece of gear (Coalrake sabots) is giving me trouble, I want to use it...but I can't think of a way to make it useful.
Does anyone have use-case for "Song Recast Delay minus" Gear? (no matter how small)
Same question for, but Song Casting Time minus?
Carbuncle.Maletaru
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 4482
By Carbuncle.Maletaru 2026-08-05 08:47:45
It's completely useless.
Spell casting time -8 is worse than Fili boots.
Spell recast time -5 is worse than Fili boots.
Toss it.
[+]
By Felgarr 2026-08-05 09:33:28
Thanks for the feedback guys!
Let me back up a bit. I wanted to apply dummy+max buff songs as quickly as possible. I typically do 2 buffed songs, 2 dummies, then 2 buffed songs...and then let the party go on their way. We can talk about efficiency of 4 dummies vs 2 buff/2 dummy/2 buff later, please!)
If I wanted to be really efficient about applying these songs, what should I change in my FastCast/Midcast/Dummy Song set?
I typically use Paeon 1/2/3/4 as my dummy songs, but I'm open to other suggestions!
Fast Cast set: I sometimes toggle weapon-swaps off, so FC+78 with Weapons and FC+68 without weapon swaps when I'm DDing as BRD). Code xml
<set name="FastCast">
<!-- FC+07 --> <main>Oranyan</main>
<!-- FC+03 --> <sub>Clerisy Strap +1</sub>
<range>Marsyas</range>
<!-- FC+10 --> <head>Vanya Hood</head>
<!-- FC+13 --> <body>Zendik Robe</body>
<!-- FC+08 --> <hands augment="S1237184143319274236">Leyline Gloves</hands> <!-- capped -->
<!-- FC+05 --> <legs augment="S123718414322180138">Lengo Pants</legs> <!-- capped -->
<!-- FC+05 --> <feet>Navon Crackows</feet>
<!-- FC+05 --> <neck>Orunmila's Torque</neck>
<!-- FC+03 --> <waist>Witful Belt</waist>
<!-- FC+02 --> <ear1>Enchntr. Earring +1</ear1>
<!-- FC+02 --> <ear2>Loquac. Earring</ear2>
<!-- FC+10 --> <ring1>Medada's Ring</ring1>
<!-- FC+05 --> <ring2>Weather. Ring</ring2>
<back>Moonlight Cape</back>
<!-- Total FC+78 -->
<back>Moonlight Cape</back>
</set>
This is my Song duration set. I put the FC+10 cape here in my midcast set to see if I could get set up party songs faster...but I don't love it. (Yes, I DO the necessary Song+ gear, like Mousai/etc afterwards when those songs are being cast) Code xml
<set name="SongDuration">
<main>Carnwenhan</main>
<sub augment="D15496489799196">Kali</sub> <!-- Path A -->
<range>Marsyas</range>
<head>Fili Calot +1</head>
<body>Fili Hongreline +1</body>
<hands>Brioso Cuffs +3</hands>
<legs>Inyanga Shalwar +2</legs>
<feet>Brioso Slippers +3</feet>
<neck>Mnbw. Whistle +1</neck>
<waist>Luminary Sash</waist>
<ear1>Regal Earring</ear1>
<ear2>Enchntr. Earring +1</ear2>
<ring1>Stikini Ring +1</ring1>
<ring2>Stikini Ring +1</ring2>
<back augment="S81392185678342612583564">Intarabus's Cape</back> <!-- CHR+30 M.Acc/M.dmg+20 FC+10 PDT-10 -->
</set>
....I think my dummy set is what needs work. I should cap Haste obviously, but what should I change to make sure I can apply dummy+max-potency songs as quickly as possible?
Code xml
<set name="Dummy-Idle">
<main>Carnwenhan</main>
<sub>Ammurapi Shield</sub>
<range>Marsyas</range>
<ammo>Displaced</ammo>
<head>Fili Calot +1</head>
<body>Fili Hongreline +1</body>
<hands>Fili Manchettes +1</hands>
<legs>Fili Rhingrave +1</legs>
<feet>Fili Cothurnes +1</feet>
<neck>Mnbw. Whistle +1</neck>
<waist>Luminary Sash</waist>
<ear1>Etiolation Earring</ear1>
<ear2>Genmei Earring</ear2>
<ring1>Stikini Ring +1</ring1>
<ring2>Defending Ring</ring2>
<back>Moonlight Cape</back>
</set>
Edit: Is that a tell? When someone is able to apply 4-songs really, really fast, if it's not a quick magic proc, maybe they're not applying Mousai gear properly or at all?
Carbuncle.Maletaru
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 4482
By Carbuncle.Maletaru 2026-08-05 10:36:57
I haven't really done dummies for a while, but hot take here: You should do dummies with NiTro.
In 99% of cases, you don't need to do anything during NiTro except cast your buffs. It shouldn't take 80 seconds to cast 6 songs.
If you're casting dummies during NiTro, your set doesn't matter at all (in terms of recast).
The way I handle it is by casting 2 real songs, 2 dummies of the 2 I want to put up, in regular potency gear but with Daurdabla instead of Gjalla, then the 2 regular songs to overwrite the Daurdabla ones. It gets songs up fast, powerful, and efficiently.
So like HMarch -> Min V -> Daurdabla lock -> Min IV -> Min III -> Daurdabla unlock -> Min IV -> Min III
It's possible to do this in GS but I'm not a GS wizard so IDK how you do that.
Also: your midcast set should include Fili hands, for the set bonus.
VIP
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1479
By Sylph.Funkworkz 2026-08-05 10:41:25
I have a manual trigger for when soul voice is up to lock my instrument to miracle cheer for the extra duration songs, then turn it off after i sing them. I know its so-2009 but it give me more control.
Ideally this is the way to do it with dummys too, because if your fighting and casting, using the actual songs with durdabala gives more DOT than paeon or some other dumb resistance song.
Also, remember that its best to sing with soul voice at first and recast your songs before it wears off with nitro to get that extra two min+ of soul voice duration.
PS: im going to update the bard guide soon (soon is subjective) with AF/relic +4 and new gear.
To add to song recast, haste/set bonus/song bonus gear is generally better and trumps all recast time gear
[+]
Server: Fenrir
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1750
By Fenrir.Richybear 2026-08-05 16:19:56
For me, I'll do 2 full potency songs, then the 2 dummy songs are the buffs I want anyway, just with Daurdabla. Then overwrite with Ghorn. Got used to doing it that way because of seeing so many people be like "Got 4 song icons, must be good!" and scatter like ants. At least now if people aimlessly run away, they have the right songs up. Which I'm still thankful everyday that they changed up being able to overwrite the same songs right away.
2010* Richybard would rage when trying to precast songs and "No effect!"
* I dunno the actual update it was changed in. Random year used.
Bahamut.Dannyl
Server: Bahamut
Game: FFXI
Posts: 1656
By Bahamut.Dannyl 2026-08-05 16:34:33
If you haven't seen it already; Great explanation!
<3 Velner
Final Fantasy XI: Dummy Songs and You Bard Dummy Song GUIDE Vana'diel 101
YouTube Video Placeholder
By Felgarr 2026-08-05 18:16:04
On FC:
Inyanga Jubbah +2 is 14% - you have 13.
Aya. Cosciales +2 is 6% - you have 5.
Fili Cothurnes +3 is 13% - you have 5.
Embla Sash is 5% - you have 3.
Fi Follet +1 for 10% on back.
Lets you drop a lot of gear for less swaps and HP swing.
My dummy song precast set is my FC set + song cast reduction( set_combine(fc, song_reduction) ).
Midcast is songrecast reduction, mix of FC and -recast and up to gear haste cap:
Code
head="Bunzi's Hat",
neck="Voltsurge Torque",
left_ear="Enchntr. Earring +1",
body="Inyanga Jubbah +2",
hands="Bunzi's Gloves",
legs="Fili Rhingrave +3",
feet="Bihu Slippers +4",
left_ring="Kishar Ring",
right_ring="Prolix Ring",
waist="Cornelia's Belt",
back=gear.magic_jse_back, -- Fi Follet +1
Not that recast matters much for dummy songs unless you have to piano them one after the other on multiple people.
I have dummy songs set to Puppet and Scop's operetta, and only those songs. Paeon you will realistically want to sing at full potency at some point, so I avoid those.
Have yet to find a use case for the Operettas.
Realistically the only thing that matters for dummy songs is how fast you cast them. Ie FC + song cast reduction.
Recast is for multiple dummies on different people, kinda niche.
Which song_reduction pieces in your dummy FC set? I'm seeing Bihu Slippers +3 and I can't justify that to reach 80 cap when Empy+3 feet have FC+10, like you said....right?
Carbuncle.Maletaru
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 4482
By Carbuncle.Maletaru 2026-08-05 19:01:07
Which song_reduction pieces in your dummy FC set? I'm seeing Bihu Slippers +3 and I can't justify that to reach 80 cap when Empy+3 feet have FC+10, like you said....right?
Not him and I don't have such a set, but:
Fili Legs have song recast delay-10
Fili feet have FC+13, not 10
He might be using Bihu for the -PDT?
As a side note: I typically use Ambu cape since it can have 10 FC and also -10 PDT (and macc, if its a debuff) so it's superior to Fi Follet, IMO. If you're trying to save inventory space you can cut it...kind of? But you still need a macc cape somewhere so...not really. These days Null Shawl kinda covers that but again, you're trading 10 PDT for 50 meva...not always the best choice.
BRD song FC:
Fili head (-16)
AF body (-15)
Leyline Gloves (-5~8)
Volte Brais (-8)
Fili boots (-13)
Kishar (-4)
Voltsurge (-4)
Embla (-5)
JSE cape (-10)
It's 80% with a ring, both earrings, ranged, and both weapons open.
Carbuncle.Maletaru
Server: Carbuncle
Game: FFXI
Posts: 4482
By Carbuncle.Maletaru 2026-08-06 04:33:49
I'm getting more and more confused the more we talk about this set.
If it's a midcast set, why does song cast time-10 matter?
If you're trying to cap FC in the set, why use boots with no FC on them, and what's the Cornelia's belt for?
You could put empy boots and murky ring on, swapping 2 FC and 5 pdt for 13 FC and 10 dt.
Set's a complete mess, even for its stated (silly) goals.
There ya go, capped dt, some song recast, capped equip haste, and loads of FC. Your pointless set is fixed.
ItemSet 403587
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