XoSofiya's (Let's Get) Physical Performer Guide
Introduction
Hey! I'm Sophie :) I've been playing the dancer class since pre-renewal on PH RO ever since I was a kid. Played on and off, but was always spamming Scream/Tarot Card of Fate and dancing Please Don't Forget Me/Loki's Wail in WoE. While the (Physical) Performer classes don't have the highest DPS, they have decent damage, good range, and great survivability. This guide is more focused on the Dancer route since it's the class that i always played as, but it should also be applicable to the Bard route (with a few tweaks). The Dancer class is always gonna hold a special place in my 
Notes
As a Physical Performer, our main skill for AOE farming is 
Rose Blossom. Rose Blossom has 2 parts. The first part is the single target portion of the skill, while the second part is the AOE one. The AOE part has a stronger damage and can usually one-hit most mobs on it's own when farming, but some monsters with high HP still survive 1 cast of the skill if only the AOE part damages them (even if you could 1 hit them directly using endgame gears). This isn't a problem since clear times are still decent and this usually only happens on endgame-ish dungeons from Biosphere A onwards. I also feel like (not proven) having multiple parts for the skill also helps in triggering things like HP/SP absorption etc.
As you can see, I can 1 shot the Verdant Cornus, but only if it's the main target. You can make some adjustments to your build/switch arrows to make sure you 1 shot/deal better damage to everything in a specific map though.
I started with this disclaimer because some people prefer classes/builds that really one shot everything with just 1 click using 1 general build like Dragon Knights/Wind Hawks and etc.
1 shotting mobs using the right element/modifiers.
Additional Notes:
- The physical build for performers is like a niche build within a niche class. The meta build for performers is the magic
Metallic Fury build - There's recent news about performers getting a new magic skill. Something important to keep in mind when choosing what to build. We don't really need a new physical skill since our hands will be full just spamming Rose Blossom and Rhythm Shooting on endgame mobs, but we could definitely use some buffs for them (which there is no news about)
Stats and Traits
General Farming
Main stats that we should focus on for general farming are DEX (main ATK source and Variable Cast time reduction), INT (SP and VCT reduction), STR (additional ATK source and weight capacity), AGI (ASPD for cast animation and some FLEE for survivability. Note ASPD can easily be increased with 
Swing Dance (for Trouveres) and 
Dance with Warg , LUK (additional ATK source), and lastly VIT (for additional HP) . I won't be providing an exact stat build for farming since it would depend on your needs anyway. One thing to note is that it's best to strive to reduce Variable Cast Time via stats (DEX x 2 + INT = 530). You can use 
Almighty (12883) or 
The One Potion (50035) when adjusting your stats. I prefer not including the Blessing buff from the healer since it doesn't last as long. As for the traits, you can just use POW = 100 and CON = 100 and the rest you can put on either STA or WIS (or divide for both) depending on your RES/MRES needs.
Endgame Dungeons/Depth 2 Build
The stat build that I use for Depth 2 differs a tiny little bit compared to the build I used to farm before. You don't really have to worry too much about survivability in most dungeons so you could dump more stats in STR and LUK for additional damage when farming. However, it now matters when going to the endgame dungeons like Depth 1 and Depth 2. I'll be sharing the stat and trait build that i'm using, but take note that i'm using 
[MVP] Wanderer Trentini Card (4683) to achieve instant VCT, have additional damage, and survivability (my previous tests showed that having an MVP card with a +20 stat is better than 
Empathize Card (300270) and 
Observation Card (4392) , but it might've had something to do with my other items and stats so take that info with a grain of salt. This is for people who are thinking twice about giving up the Empathize + Observer combo because I know it's super good
Stats
- STR - 33 - Rest of remaining stats
- AGI - 110 - AGI is high not for ASPD, but for FLEE. One of my main problems in D2 before is the Depth Flame Ghost's (22257) Meteor Assault. With almost maxed out FLEE at 100 Con and
Midnight Archi Card (300177) , it's not an issue anymore - VIT - 115 - Getting VIT as high as your build can accommodate is great. Even if Meteor Assault hits, you still survive it. Would also be able to take a "pop" or 2 of Earthquake and live
- INT - 81 - For VCT
- DEX - 130 - VCT and ATK
- LUK - 80 - Helps with Curse
Traits
- POW - 100 - For ATK and P. Atk
- STA - 9 - For more RES
- WIS - 26 - For MRES. Lots of magic skills in D1 and D2. Helps you tank a lot. Magic skills aren't gonna hurt and you can tank most skills (including Moskillro) in D2. Only problems are Earthquake and Dark Grand Cross (?)
- SPL - 0
- CON - 100 - FLEE, P. Atk, and Skill Modifier for Rose Blossom and
Rhythm Shooting - CRT - 0
Important Skills
We have lots of skills points that we can play around with. I won't be giving an exact skill build since we have different needs (for supporting and etc.), but I'll be giving out pointers on what to max out and why.
| Skill | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
 Owl's Eye |
10 | For the passive bonus +10 DEX |
 Vulture's Eye |
10 | Additional HIT rate. It's more for when still using Bow class weapons when leveling early, we don't really have anywhere to put our skill points |
 Improve Concentration |
10 | 12% DEX and AGI boost! You can include this when calculating VCT and ASPD when adjusting stat build. Usually only need to recast every few mins or when dispelled, but you automatically auto cast the highest level learned when using The One Potion (50035)
|
 Double Strafe |
10 | Useful for leveling until becoming a Wanderer/Minstrel |
| Skill | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
 Dancing Lesson |
10 | Bonus ATK and SP |
 Throw Arrow |
0/5 | As pre-requisite for  Severe Rainstorm. You would probably just use Double Strafe til you become a Wanderer/Minstrel. You can remove it if you don't use it anymore after becoming Trouvere/Troubadour
|
 Ugly Dance |
5 | Max out for Reverberation (pre-requisite) |
 Fortune's Kiss |
10 | For supporting parties focusing on CRIT based classes. Critical +10 and Critical Damage +20% - Type: Dance Skill |
 Service For You |
10 | Very useful when soloing and when supporting other SP based classes in parties. Max SP + 20% and SP Consumption - 15% - Type: Dance Skill |
 Drum of Battlefield |
5 | ATK +40 and DEF +75. Useful when farming - Type: Ensemble Skill |
 Mr. Kim A Rich Man |
0/5 | Adds an EXP boost when killing monsters. Useful when leveling. You can skill reset and remove this when you max out your level - Type: Ensemble Skill |
 Invulnerable Siegfried |
5 | The best Ensemble skill to use in endgame dungeons whether supporting or soloing in my opinion. +15% elemental resistance to Fire, Water, Earth and Wind and +25% tolerance to Blind, Frozen, Petrified, Stun, Curse, Sleep and Silence status for 180 seconds. Never get Cursed when active with 75 LUK and higher - Type: Ensemble Skill |
Notes:
- Dance skills don't stack like Kiss of Fortune and Service For You. You can only use one. However, you can have one Song and Dance active at the same time e.g. Service For You and
Poem of Bragi - You can only have 1 active Ensemble skill at a time
| Skill | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Swing Dance |
5 | Huge increase in ASPD. Also helps with 30% FCT reduction if your party doesn't have a Cardinal who can use Sacrament on those who need it. Very versatile. Almost everyone appreciates the additional ASPD - Type: Group A Song |
 Symphony of Lover |
5 | Gives a decent boost to MDEF BUT only if you already have a decent amount of it. This is the buff that I use for myself when soloing Depth 2. Formula: MDEF Boost = [Base_MDEF_Boost + Voice_Lessons_Lv + JobLv ÷ 4]% (33.75% MDEF boost at Voice Lessons level 10, Job level 55, and Skill level 5 - Type: Group A Song |
 Moonlight Serenade |
5 | Offers a good boost of MATK. Useful for Magic Performers and for supporting Magic classes in party play - Type: Group A Song |
 Lesson |
10 | Max it out for a huge buff on all your Wanderer buffs |
 Reverberation |
5 | Just as a pre-requisite for Metallic Sound |
 Metallic Sound |
5 | Just as a pre-requisite for Trouvere/Troubadour skill  Sound Blend
|
| Severe Rainstorm |
0/5 | Useful for leveling until you get Rose Blossom and Rhythm Shooting. Can also be used for farming in Thanatos Tower alongside 4th class skills. You can remove it if you don't use it anymore |
 Circle of Nature |
0/5 | Situational. Used to love this skill, but now that we can use Group B songs alone, it kinda falls flat since it overwrites other Group B songs - Type: Group B Song |
 Death Valley |
0/5 | Optional. You can just use  Yggdrasil Leaf (610) . Advantage of this skill is the item required is lighter  Regrettable Tears (6144) and you bring a lot of it anyway. Uses up resurrected person's SP so they wake up with no SP (easily solvable if they use seeds and berries). The skill visual effect is nice tho :)
|
 Siren's Voice |
5 | My favorite skill! Use for a chance to make enemies fall in love with you. They won't attack you or cast any skills while they're in love. Receiving damage cancels the effect immediately. Very useful when getting mobbed while playing solo. Monsters would follow you around but won't cast skills (ex. Depth 2 Salamander would still follow you but won't use Earthquake if you're alone). Just be careful using this skill in party plays. If a party member falls in love with you, any Group B song buffs that they have would be overwritten - Type: Group B Song |
 Song of Mana |
3-5 | Restores SP based on skill level and gives good SP regen. Super useful when farming. You won't have any SP issues when combined with Service For You and while using an SP Absorption equipment like a +10  Absorb Shadow Shield (24685) . Just a tip, since most Group B songs have a long cooldown and don't stack, you can cast this first before using any other Group B Song buff, that way, you can restore your and your whole party's SP and then choose whatever other buff you want - Type: Group B Song
|
| Dance with Warg |
5 | Gives a huge ASPD buff, - 70% FCT reduction, and 5% Ranged Damage. Buff of choice when soloing - Type: Group B Song |
 Lerad's Dew |
5 | Gives a huge HP buff to the whole party. Can be used as an alternative to the other buffs if you need more survivability. Very useful in parties with Inquisitors and Dragon Knights - Type: Group B Song |
 Unlimited Humming Voice |
5 | Gives a huge all element magic damage buff to the whole party. Great for Magic Performers and when in a party with Magic damage dealers - Type: Group B Song |
| Frigg's Song | 5 | Gives a huge HP buff to the whole party. This is not included in Group A or B songs which means it can stack with them! Always keep this buff up |
Notes:
- Group A Songs skills don't stack like Swing Dance and Moonlight Serenade. ALSO Minstrel's other skills like
Windmill Rush is considered a Group A song. So... you can only have one of those buffs active at any given time. If you have a Troubadour party member, be sure to communicate which buff the party needs so you don't overwrite each other's buffs - Group B Songs skills don't stack either. Just be careful with Siren's Voice and Circle of Nature overwriting your main Group B Song buffs if you use them
- This is just a guide and you don't have to get all these skills as there are other prerequisites for these skills that might take up all of your skill points. Just know what you want to focus on
| Skill | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
 Stage Manner |
5 | Passive + 15 P.Atk |
 Mystic Symphony |
1 | Increases Rose Blossom and Rhythm Shooting damage by 100% (Ultimate Skill) |
 Sonata of Kvasir |
1 | Allows you to use Ensemble Skills and Chorus Group B Songs skills alone (Ultimate Skill) |
 March of Prontera |
5 | P. Atk Buff |
 Serenade of Jawaii |
5 | S. Matk Buff |
 Musical Interlude |
5 | Res Buff |
| Sound Blend |
5 | Adds a debuff on a single target monster that boosts your Rhythm Shooting and Rose Blossom damage to them. This is the auto cast skill of the Physical Performer Dimensions combo. Allows you to inflict the debuff on multiple enemies easily and with a high damage (using Rhythm Shooting) |
 Rhapsody of Mineworker |
5 | Useful for inflicting a -RES debuff on monsters near you. Useful for mid-late game content, but is useless by endgame content with Boss Protocol monsters. Can just be used to recover AP |
| Rhythm Shooting |
5 | Useful for inflicting the Sound Blend debuff on enemies. Can also be used to finish off monsters not killed by one cast of Rose Blossom |
| Rose Blossom |
5 | Our main skill! Quite strong, but has a long cooldown. Very cute with the pink flower effect |
Notes:
- A good skill rotation to be able to use both Mystic Symphony and Sonata of Kvasir in a quick interval (at max AP), is to use Mystic Symphony first, cast March of Prontera, Serenade of Jawaii, Musical Interlude, and then cast Sonata of Kvasir
- Sonata of Kvasir's cooldown is almost the same as the cooldowns and buff duration of all Chorus Group B Songs so you can almost always keep them up as long as you can use Sonata of Kvasir. The exception is Lerad's Dew which has a bit of a longer cooldown
- I didn't max out some skills in this skill tree and just used the extra points on the Wanderer skill tree to get more useful (albeit situational) buffs. You can do what you want with the remaining skill points, but since some skills are useable only in PVP, it's up to you if you wanna level them up or not
Leveling
Reminder: Always use 
[Bound] Battle Manual (12263) or any other type of Battle Manual that you have. They work even when just turning in quests.
Early Game
This is just gonna be a short guide for leveling. Your first priority is joining the Eden Group and then doing the [Board Quests]. To prepare for this, just collect the Bows for levels 10 and 45 from the [Eden Gears] and then get the 
Paradise Wanderer Whip (580022) at level 100. From Archer to Gypsy, you only need to use the skill Double Strafe to level. Prioritized getting your DEX and AGI to 99 and you should be all set. Just do random Eden Quests until you're level 70 and can collect the level 70-99 quest for hunting 15x Wraith 15x Evil Druid in Glast Heim (Monastery). From warper, just choose Dungeons > Glast Heim > Monastery. Repeat this a few times to get to level 99 but don't rebirth yet, make sure you keep 1 completed quest of this so you can turn it in later for quick leveling. After that, rebirth to High Novice > job change to High Archer > do some Eden Boards quests again til you're job 50 and can job change to Gypsy. After changing your job to Gypsy, turn in the the level 70-99 quest that you saved earlier, and you should be around high level 80 to 90's. Repeat and do some quests again to go level 99 and job 70 to become a Wanderer