Dancer Job Guide for FFXIV — Dawntrail 7.1
Dancer is a Physical Ranged DPS job in Final Fantasy XIV that combines a proc-based combo system with extensive raid buffing dance actions to increase not only their own damage, but also their party's. Dancer can be unlocked upon reaching Level 60 after purchasing the Shadowbringers expansion by speaking Eager Lominsan in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks.
What is Dancer's Playstyle?
Dancer is a ranged job that wields throwable weapons called chakrams, with a rotation
built around managing procs and usage of hard-hitting dance actions that buff other
party members.
Dancer is a physical ranged job with a suite of useful party utility. In addition
to buffing a selected party member with 
Closed Position, it also has
a damage buff for the entire party. Like the other physical ranged jobs, Dancer has
plenty of mobility and raid-wide party mitigation in the form of 
Shield Samba.
In addition to this, they also have an AoE heal in 
Curing Waltz.
The core gameplay of Dancer is revolved around buffing your partner while supporting your
party with the other tools at your disposal. As you and your partner use weaponskills
or spells on the GCD, you will earn Espirit, a resource tracked by the job gauge that
allows you to use a much stronger GCD action. Your own weapon skills also proc oGCDs
you will use to deal more damage to your targets. 
Flourish will allow
you access to all of your procs, while other abilities will trigger special procs
that you can only use after using that specific cooldown. The job is easy to learn
and is a great choice for beginners to the game.
Dancer Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Potent healing utility from 
Improvisation and 
Curing Waltz.- Flexible resource gauge.
- Extra mobility in
En Avant.
Weaknesses
Relies heavily on their Dance Partner performing well.- Lowest personal damage of any DPS job.
How do you Unlock Dancer?
In order to unlock Dancer, you must be at least Level 60 on one Disciple of Magic or War job and have access to the Shadowbringers Expansion. Once you have a Disciple of Magic or War at level 60, you will head to Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (x:9.8, y:12.0) and pick up the quest "Shall We Dance" from the NPC named Eager Lominsan. Upon completing this quest, you will be rewarded with the Dancer job stone from Nashmeira and start out as a Level 60 Dancer.
Dancer Gauges
The Dancer job gauge has two core components that will show you the Step Actions
required to use your 
Standard Finish or 
Technical Finish,
as well as manage your resources generated over the course of an encounter.
Upon using your 
Standard Step or your 
Technical Step,
your Step Gauge will change to show you the required order of Step Actions (
Emboite,
Entrechat, 
Jete, and 
Pirouette) you will
need to perform to execute your Dance. The Standard Step and Technical Step
actions will change to Standard Finish and Technical Finish,
respectively, and when pressed, will trigger your Dance with its potency being based
on the number of correct Step Actions you performed.
When your partnered party member lands a GCD weaponskill or spell, as well as when
you land your own GCD weaponskills (
Cascade, 
Fountain,
Reverse Cascade, and 
Fountainfall for single target;
Windmill, 
Bladeshower, 
Rising Windmill,
and 
Bloodshower for AoE), you will gain Espirit. This is shown on
the gauge by the yellow bar as well as the number below the bar. Having 50 Espirit allows
the usage of 
Saber Dance, a powerful weaponskill that will hit your
target and any nearby enemies. In addition, using your own GCDs has a chance to give
you a stack of Fourfold Feathers. These stacks will allow you to use
damaging oGCD abilities in the form of 
Fan Dance for single target and
Fan Dance II for AoE. Both of these actions have a chance to grant
you another proc, 
Fan Dance III, a third damaging oGCD.
Dancer Video Resources
If you would prefer to watch a video that provides an overview of Dancer, feel free to give the video below a watch. The video was provided by Julia Care, a member of the community on The Balance Discord server.
Dancer Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cascade
Lv. 1
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 220. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting Silken Symmetry Duration: 30s |
 Fountain
Lv. 2
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Combo Action: Cascade Combo Potency: 280 Combo Bonus: 50% chance of granting Silken Flow Duration: 30s |
 Standard Finish
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies. Potency varies with number of successful steps, dealing full potency for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. 0 Steps: 360 1 Step: 540 2 Steps: 850 Step Bonus: Grants Standard Finish and Esprit to self and party member designated as your Dance Partner Damage bonus of Standard Finish varies with number of successful steps. 1 Step: 2% 2 Steps: 5% Duration: 60s Additional Effect: Grants Last Dance Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while Dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Standard Step changes to Standard Finish when requirements for execution are met. |
 Standard Step
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Begin dancing, granting yourself Standard Step. Duration: 15s Action changes to Standard Finish while dancing. Only Standard Finish, En Avant, Curing Waltz, Shield Samba, step actions, role actions, Sprint, and Limit Break can be performed while dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. |
 Windmill
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting Silken Symmetry Duration: 30s |
 Reverse Cascade
Lv. 20
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 280. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting a Fourfold Feather Can only be executed while under the effect of Silken Symmetry or Flourishing Symmetry. |
 Bladeshower
Lv. 25
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Combo Action: Windmill Combo Potency: 140 Combo Bonus: 50% chance of granting Silken Flow Duration: 30s |
 Fan Dance
Lv. 30
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 180. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting Threefold Fan Dance Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in possession of Fourfold Feathers. |
 Rising Windmill
Lv. 35
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting a Fourfold Feather Can only be executed while under the effect of Silken Symmetry or Flourishing Symmetry. |
 Fountainfall
Lv. 40
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 340. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting a Fourfold Feather Can only be executed while under the effect of Silken Flow or Flourishing Flow. |
 Bloodshower
Lv. 45
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 180 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting a Fourfold Feather Can only be executed while under the effect of Silken Flow or Flourishing Flow. |
 En Avant
Lv. 50
|
|
|
Quickly dash 10 yalms forward. Maximum Charges: 3 Cannot be executed while bound. |
 Fan Dance II
Lv. 50
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: 50% chance of granting Threefold Fan Dance Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in possession of Fourfold Feathers. |
 Curing Waltz
Lv. 52
|
|
|
Restores own HP and the HP of all nearby party members. Cure Potency: 300 Additional Effect: Party member designated as your Dance Partner will also heal self and nearby party members |
 Shield Samba
Lv. 56
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by self and nearby party members by 15%. Duration: 15s Effect cannot be stacked with bard's Troubadour or machinist's Tactician. |
 Closed Position
Lv. 60
|
|
|
Grants you Closed Position and designates a party member as your Dance Partner, allowing you to share the effects of Standard Finish, Curing Waltz, Devilment, and Finishing Move with said party member. Effect ends upon reuse. |
 Ending
Lv. 60
|
|
|
Ends dance with your partner. |
 Devilment
Lv. 62
|
|
|
Increases critical hit rate and direct hit rate by 20%. Duration: 20s Additional Effect: Party member designated as your Dance Partner will also receive the effect of Devilment Additional Effect: Grants Flourishing Starfall Duration: 20s |
 Fan Dance III
Lv. 66
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 220 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed while under the effect of Threefold Fan Dance. |
 Technical Finish
Lv. 70
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies within 15 yalms. Potency varies with number of successful steps, dealing full potency for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. 0 Steps: 350 1 Step: 540 2 Steps: 720 3 Steps: 900 4 Steps: 1,300 Step Bonus: Grants Technical Finish and Esprit to self and party members within 30 yalms Damage bonus of Technical Finish varies with number of successful steps. 1 Step: 1% 2 Steps: 2% 3 Steps: 3% 4 Steps: 5% Duration: 20s Additional Effect: Grants Flourishing Finish Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants Dance of the Dawn Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while Dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Technical Step changes to Technical Finish when requirements for execution are met. |
 Technical Step
Lv. 70
|
|
|
Begin dancing, granting yourself Technical Step. Duration: 15s Action changes to Technical Finish while dancing. Only Technical Finish, En Avant, Curing Waltz, Shield Samba, step actions, role actions, Sprint, and Limit Break can be performed while dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. |
 Flourish
Lv. 72
|
|
|
Grants you the effects of Flourishing Symmetry, Flourishing Flow, Threefold Fan Dance, Fourfold Fan Dance, and Finishing Move Ready. Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in combat. |
 Saber Dance
Lv. 76
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 520 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Esprit Gauge Cost: 50 |
 Improvisation
Lv. 80
|
|
|
Dance to the beat of your own drum, granting Rising Rhythm to self. Stacks increase every 3 seconds, up to a maximum of 4. Additional Effect: Healing over time for self and nearby party members Cure Potency: 100 Duration: 15s Effect ends upon using another action or moving (including facing a different direction). Cancels auto-attack upon execution. |
 Improvised Finish
Lv. 80
|
|
|
Creates a barrier around self and all nearby party members. Damage absorbed increases with stacks of Rising Rhythm. 0 Stacks: 5% of maximum HP 1 Stack: 6% of maximum HP 2 Stacks: 7% of maximum HP 3 Stacks: 8% of maximum HP 4 Stacks: 10% of maximum HP Duration: 30s Can only be executed while Improvisation is active. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Improvisation changes to Improvised Finish when requirements for execution are met. |
 Tillana
Lv. 82
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Increases Esprit Gauge by 50 Can only be executed while under the effect of Flourishing Finish. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Technical Finish changes to Tillana when requirements for execution are met. |
 Fan Dance IV
Lv. 86
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to all enemies in a cone before you with a potency of 420 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed while under the effect of Fourfold Fan Dance. |
 Starfall Dance
Lv. 90
|
|
|
Delivers a critical direct hit to all enemies in a straight line before you with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate or direct hit rate. Can only be executed while under the effect of Flourishing Starfall. |
 Last Dance
Lv. 92
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 520 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed while under the effect of Last Dance Ready. |
 Finishing Move
Lv. 96
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to all nearby enemies with a potency of 850 for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Standard Finish and Esprit to self and party member designated as your Dance Partner Standard Finish Effect: Increases damage dealt by 5% Duration: 60s Additional Effect: Grants Last Dance Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while under the effect of Finishing Move Ready. Shares a recast timer with Standard Step. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Standard Step changes to Finishing Move when requirements for execution are met. |
 Dance of the Dawn
Lv. 100
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 1,000 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Esprit Gauge Cost: 50 Can only be executed while under the effect of Dance of the Dawn Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Saber Dance changes to Dance of the Dawn when requirements for execution are met. |
Step Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Emboite
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Perform an emboite. When performed together with other step actions, in sequence, the potency of Standard Finish and Technical Finish is increased. Can only be executed while Dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Cascade and Windmill change to Emboite when requirements for execution are met. |
 Entrechat
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Perform an entrechat. When performed together with other step actions, in sequence, the potency of Standard Finish and Technical Finish is increased. Can only be executed while Dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Fountain and Bladeshower change to Entrechat when requirements for execution are met. |
 Jete
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Perform a jete. When performed together with other step actions, in sequence, the potency of Standard Finish and Technical Finish is increased. Can only be executed while Dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Reverse Cascade and Rising Windmill change to Jete when requirements for execution are met. |
 Pirouette
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Perform a pirouette. When performed together with other step actions, in sequence, the potency of Standard Finish and Technical Finish is increased. Can only be executed while Dancing. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. Upon execution, the recast timer for this action will be applied to all other weaponskills and magic actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Fountainfall and Bloodshower change to Pirouette when requirements for execution are met. |
Role Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Leg Graze
Lv. 6
|
|
|
Afflicts target with Heavy +40%. Duration: 10s |
 Second Wind
Lv. 8
|
|
|
Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 800 |
 Foot Graze
Lv. 10
|
|
|
Binds target. Duration: 10s Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Target unbound if damage taken. |
 Peloton
Lv. 20
|
|
|
Increases movement speed of self and nearby party members. Duration: 30s Effect ends when enmity is generated. Has no effect in battle. |
 Head Graze
Lv. 24
|
|
|
Interrupts the use of a target's action. |
 Arm's Length
Lv. 32
|
|
|
Nullifies most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: When you are struck by a physical attack, the striker will be afflicted with Slow +20% Duration: 15s |
Dancer Traits
| Action Name | Acquired | Effect |
|---|---|---|
 Fourfold Fantasy |
Lv. 30 |
Grants a Fourfold Feather upon landing certain actions. Maximum Stacks: 4 |
 Increased Action Damage |
Lv. 50 |
Increases base action damage by 10%. |
 Increased Action Damage II |
Lv. 60 |
Increases base action damage by 20%. |
 Enhanced En Avant |
Lv. 68 |
Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of En Avant. Maximum Charges: 2 |
 Esprit |
Lv. 76 |
Grants Esprit to self and nearby party members upon successfully executing Standard Finish or Technical Finish. Esprit Effect: Increases Esprit Gauge by 5 upon successfully landing Cascade, Reverse Cascade, Fountain, Fountainfall, Windmill, Rising Windmill, Bladeshower, or Bloodshower. When party members successfully land a weaponskill or cast a spell, has a chance of increasing Esprit Gauge by 10. Chance of triggering party member effect differs according to job. |
 Enhanced En Avant II |
Lv. 78 |
Allows a third charge of En Avant. |
 Enhanced Technical Finish |
Lv. 82 |
Grants Flourishing Finish after executing Technical Finish. Duration: 30s Technical Finish becomes Tillana while under this effect. |
 Enhanced Esprit |
Lv. 84 |
Increases Esprit Gauge by 10 upon successfully landing Reverse Cascade, Fountainfall, Rising Windmill, or Bloodshower. |
 Enhanced Flourish |
Lv. 86 |
Grants Fourfold Fan Dance upon executing Flourish. Duration: 30s |
 Enhanced Shield Samba |
Lv. 88 |
Reduces Shield Samba recast time to 90 seconds. |
 Enhanced Devilment |
Lv. 90 |
Grants Flourishing Starfall upon executing Devilment. Duration: 20s |
 Enhanced Standard Finish |
Lv. 92 |
Grants Last Dance Ready upon executing Standard Finish. Duration: 30s |
 Dynamic Dancer |
Lv. 94 |
Increases the potency of Cascade to 220, Fountain to 120, Double Standard Finish to 850, Reverse Cascade to 280, Fan Dance to 180, Fountainfall to 340, Fan Dance III to 220, Quadruple Technical Finish to 1,300, Saber Dance to 520, and Fan Dance IV to 420. |
 Enhanced Second Wind |
Lv. 94 |
Increases the healing potency of Second Wind to 800. |
 Enhanced Flourish II |
Lv. 96 |
Grants Finishing Move Ready upon executing Flourish. Duration: 30s Standard Step changes to Finishing Move while under the effect of Finishing Move Ready. |
 Enhanced Shield Samba II |
Lv. 98 |
Improves Shield Samba's damage reduction effect to 15%. |
 Enhanced Technical Finish II |
Lv. 100 |
Grants Dance of the Dawn Ready upon executing Technical Finish. Duration: 30s Saber Dance changes to Dance of the Dawn while under the effect of Dance of the Dawn Ready and the Esprit Gauge is 50 or higher. |
Dancer Lore
From the Near Eastern nation of Thavnair comes a troupe of bewitchingly graceful performers. Though certainly elegant and beautiful, their movements also speak of martial discipline ─ of a pulsing, persistent energy whose rhythm can inspire souls and soothe troubled hearts. Inured to the hardships of the road, these dancers have learned to land throwing weapons with the same exacting precision as their footfalls, removing any who would obstruct the endless beat of the dance.
Changelog
- 12 Nov. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 7.1.
- 12 Nov. 2024 (gear page): Updated for 7.1.
- 08 Oct. 2024 (gear page): Updated for new gearsets.
- 31 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for patch 7.05
- 24 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Added Opener for patch 7.0.
- 22 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Dance Partner Priority has been updated. This section will be expanded upon when more information is available.
- 18 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Updated rotation explaination.
- 13 Jul. 2024 (job changes): Updated to remove Endwalker changes.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (keybindings page): Page updated for patch 7.0.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (job changes): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 04 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 06 Jun. 2024 (job changes): Updated to add changes from the Media Tour.
- 20 May 2024 (job changes): Added DNC changes from patches 6.1 to 6.58.
- 17 Apr. 2024 (keybindings page): Page added.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (gear page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 05 Oct. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 02 Aug. 2023 (gear page): Updated for new relic.
- 09 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated for new gearset format.
- 25 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 25 May 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 25 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 25 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 05 May 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 11 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 11 Jan. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 11 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 11 Jan. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 11 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 26 Aug. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 26 Aug. 2022 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 26 Aug. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 26 Aug. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 26 Aug. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 17 Mar. 2022 (Leveling page): Guide added.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (rotation page): Guide added.
- 10 Feb. 2022 (gear page): Guide added.
- 10 Feb. 2022 (melding page): Guide added.
- 10 Feb. 2022 (this page): Guide added.
- 19 Dec. 2021 (job changes): Page added.
Guides from Other Classes
Stella is a long-time FFXIV player who started in 2018, and has become a Mentor for The Balance in the years since. She enjoys large-scale content such as Eureka and Save the Queen areas and raids, and can be found on Twitter, Youtube and Twitch, as well as Discord (EshEhdAfah). After several previous tiers of raiding casually, she has cleared Anabaseios Savage week 1, completed four out of five Ultimate raids, and taken to challenging herself by using unorthodox, high-speed builds for certain jobs in older ultimates in Party Finder.
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