A note before you build this: Bard's own solo-viability read is still being investigated further (see the Bard guide). What's confirmed below (the skill tree, the new Vulcan Arrow damage tool, the Marionette Control synergy) is solid; treat the playstyle recommendation as a starting point, not a settled verdict.
Quick Build
- Recommended Build
- Ensemble support, paired with a Gypsy, same core as Bard
- Playstyle
- Party support first, now with a real solo damage option in Vulcan Arrow
- Difficulty
- Same as Bard — still needs a Dancer/Gypsy partner for the core kit
- Primary Stats
- DEX, INT, VIT — unchanged from Bard
- Primary Weapon
- Instrument — same as Bard
- Best For
- Bard players who want their support identity plus an actual answer when soloing
- Strengths: Vulcan Arrow is Clown's first real damage skill — Bard's kit was almost entirely Ensemble songs before; Marionette Control lets you borrow stats from a linked ally for a real power spike; Tarot Card of Fate is a powerful, if random, AoE debuff.
- Weaknesses: the Ensemble songs are still Gypsy-dependent — Vulcan Arrow gives you something to do solo, it doesn't replace the duo identity.
What Changes From Bard
Clown keeps every skill Bard has — the full Ensemble song chain, Melody Strike, Amp,
all of it, unchanged. Rebirth adds six new skills (CG_ prefix): Vulcan Arrow,
Sheltering Bliss, Marionette Control, Longing for Freedom, Wand of Hermod, and Tarot Card
of Fate.
New Skills
Priority
- Vulcan Arrow (requires Arrow Shower 5, Melody Strike 1) — a multi-hit ranged attack. This is the first real solo damage skill Bard's line has had — take it as soon as the prerequisites allow.
- Marionette Control (requires Improve Concentration 5, Music Lesson 5) — temporarily borrows a portion of a linked ally's stats onto yourself. A genuine power-spike tool, especially paired with a high-stat frontline ally.
Strong Utility
- Tarot Card of Fate (requires Improve Concentration 10, Unchained Serenade 3) — a random-effect AoE debuff on enemies. Chance-based, but the effect pool includes some very strong outcomes.
- Wand of Hermod (requires Improve Concentration 10, Music Lesson 10) — clears/prevents negative status effects on allies in the area. Real party utility beyond the Ensemble songs.
- Longing for Freedom (requires Music Lesson 10, Marionette Control 1) — removes movement-restricting effects from yourself and nearby allies. Situational but strong when you need it.
Situational
- Sheltering Bliss (requires Improve Concentration 5, Music Lesson 7) — a defensive ground AoE. Minor, situational.
Equipment & Cards
No new weapon type is introduced by Rebirth — your Instrument and card choices from the Bard guide carry forward unchanged.
Party Role & PvM
Same Ensemble-duo support role as Bard, with Marionette Control adding real synergy value — borrowing stats from your party's strongest frontline stat pool for a fight that needs it. Vulcan Arrow means you're no longer purely support when a Gypsy isn't around.
Final 99/70 Build
- Stats
- Same endgame spread as Bard, refined with your 52 Rebirth bonus points toward DEX/INT
- Weapon
- Refined Instrument, same card foundation as Bard
- Skills
- Full Ensemble chain from Bard, plus Vulcan Arrow and Marionette Control built out
- Playstyle
- Ensemble support with a Gypsy, Vulcan Arrow and Tarot Card when you need to contribute damage yourself
Transcendent
This build's foundation, before Rebirth.