Archer Class Guide

Introduction

The Archer class uses a crossbow as their primary weapon and a Ra’ghon as their secondary weapon, which is an Arm Guard. Unlike other classes, Archer starts with their awakening weapon, which is a Greatbow, and can also unlock awakening skills before level 56. However, you will still need to complete the Awakening questline to unlock the use of the Dandelion awakening weapon. The Archer class has lots of movement and dexterity, allowing you to kite your target and deal damage at long-range distances. They have high attack damage but very low defenses and are considered a glass cannon class that must rely on kiting and keeping their distance until the right moment.

Succession

Unlike other classes, Archer does not have a set of succession skills. The official answer as to why can be found in the Thai Pearl Abyss Q&A in 2020 (translated below)

Skill Builds

Since the skill point update in late 2022, you can obtain all skills for approximately 1,000 skill points. Focus on your main skills first, then level the passives. The Weight Training skill should be leveled last, since it only gives you weight limit increase. You basically want to take all skills.

Protected Skills

It is important to read through your skills to understand which skills have protection and crowd control effects. Read through your skills carefully to get familiar with what each skill does. You can also filter the different effects in the Skill Window (K).

Locked Skills

To lock a skill, press the lock icon on the top of each skill icon in the skill window (K)

These are the skills I recommend locking to help prevent messing up combos during PVP.

Skill Enhancement (Rabam) Skills

Skill Enhancement skills can be obtained in the Skill Window (K) under the “Skill Enhancement” tab at the top. At level 56, 57, and 58, you will have 2 different options to choose between. These skills have no skill points cost, but you have to have other skills leveled up to be able to take them.

Level 56 – [SHIFT + X]

• Radiant Storm – Requires [Arrow Explosion VI] and [Storm of Light V]
  • (Preferred Choice)
• Deadly Explosion – Requires [Arrow Explosion VI] and [Covering Fire V]

Both of the skills aren’t really that useful since they are both unprotected, slow to cast, and not got very good range. Radiant Storm has decent damage though and is the more popular choice of the two.

Level 57 – [SHIFT + Z]

• Ultimate: Verdure Clout –  Requires [Flow: Verdure Clot II] and [Wrath of Nature V]
• Radiant Ensnare – Requires [Flow: Verdure Clot II] and [Ensnare III]
  • (Preferred Choice)

Both of the skills are not considered to be very useful and generally not used. You can try both and pick whichever one you prefer. Most people go for Radiant Ensnare because it can be useful if you are at close range for a protected slow and your Ensnare is already on cooldown, but its use is very niche.

Level 58 – [Quickslot Only]

• Nature Shattering Arrow – Requires [Earth Shatter V] and [Wrath of Nature V]
  • (Preferred Choice)
• Earth’s Judgment – Requires [Earth Shatter V] and [Winged Strike III]

Nature Shattering Arrow is the preferred choice and the only useful Rabam that Archer really has. It has good ranged damage.

Skill Add-ons

Below are some examples of PVE skill add-ons you can take.

If you would like example skill add-ons for other scenarios, please refer to the Class Discord and their resources.

I recommend experimenting with your add-ons and figuring out what is best for you, because it really depends on your personal preference and how you play your class. If you’re simply not sure what to take then you can blindly follow the examples below and they will still be effective.

You can also check our Skill Add-on guide for a complete list of Skill Add-ons.

Weapons

Armor

For your armor, you will make a choice between Damage Reduction or Evasion gear. I recommend reading our guide about the two different DP stats if you want to learn what the two different stats do.

Generally, you are recommended to build Damage Reduction on Archer.

Accessories

There are various different accessories in the game. At first, just focus on using the accessories that give you the highest AP in each slot.

There are also “free” accessories that all new players should get:

Accessory	How to obtain
Tuvala Accessories	Tuvala accessories are starter accessories obtained from the Season Server. Try to push up your accessories to PEN if possible, but if you don’t have much time to play Season, then focus on your Weapons and Armor first.
PEN Capotia Necklace	You can obtain a FREE PEN Capotia Accessory from the Season Servers Special Reward. For your first season, it is recommended to get the PEN Capotia Necklace because it gives the most AP. You then want to create another Season character in the next season to get the PEN Capotia Belt, and finally the PEN Capotia Ring or Earring.
PEN Ring of Crescent Guardian	You can obtain a PEN Ring of Crescent Guardian by completing Jetina’s PEN Accessory quests. These are daily quests that take a minimum of 45 days to complete. Every new and returning player should complete these as early as possible for a highly discounted PEN accessory.

Common Starter PVE accessories:

• TET Black Distortion Earrings
• TET Basilisk’s Belt (or PEN Capotia Belt)
• TET Ring of Crescent Guardian
• TET Ogre Ring/Laytenn’s Necklace (or PEN Capotia Necklace).

Crystals

Below is an example starter Crystal build for PVE. Some of the crystals are expensive. You can obtain the Rebelious Crystal by completing the main story questline. For more example crystal builds, including an end game PVE crystal build, and PVP Crystal builds, check our Crystal Preset Guide.

This is an example PVP Build for Archers using Damage Reduction Armors and going full Human Damage (glass cannon). For more example crystal builds, check our Crystal Preset Guide or the Class Discord.

Artifacts and Lightstones

There are few different viable choices for both Artifacts and Lightstone combos. Archers are the “Ranged Damage” type so you want to go for Ranged Accuracy and Ranged Damage for offensive artifacts.

For PVE Lighstones there are a few different options to min-max. For certain spots, you may want to use Species damage combos (eg. The Wild: Demihumans, The Wild: Kamaslyvia, The Wild: Humans). Species damage combos perform better if you are reaching the monster AP caps at a certain zone.

A more generic PVE combo is listed below that is recommended for your class and will work at any spot.

You can also find more information about Artifacts and Lightstones, and how to obtain them, in our guide. We also have a list of Best in slot Artifacts and Lightstones.

Useful Links/Credits

I highly recommend checking out the Archer Class Discord for resources about your class. The class discords always have the most up-to-date information and tons of experienced players that can help with questions or gearing advice. I would like to give a shoutout to the Mods and Helpful roles in the Archer discord for all their hard work gathering resources. You can find some of their own guides below. I honestly cannot recommend enough to join the discord.

Useful links to check out:

• Official Archer Forums
• Archer Guide by the Archer Discord
• Archer Beginner Guide by General Mors
• Archer Movement Guide by Ika
• Archer Movment Guide (for console) by Jupso
• Archer PVE Combo by Jake

PVP Montage Videos:

• Archer PVP by Spawwnn
• Archer PVP by mulapobla
• Archer PVP by 저격반장
• Archer PVP by Mesh
• Archer PVP by Nikolas
• Archer PVP by Big Bad Tortoise

Credits Disclaimer: Since there are now 26 BDO classes, it is impossible for me to keep class guides fully maintained. My main class is Ranger and I don’t claim to be the best in any class. Therefore, I use resources and recommendations from the Class discords since (as all other players would agree) this is the best source. I also ask for advice from friends who are more experienced in the class. Where possible, I credit specific players for information such as Add-ons, and combos. However, sometimes there is no player mentioned as the original sharer. If there are any issues with credit or you would like certain information removed/changed, please reach out to me!