Ideas for an archer build?

[Abaddon]

After ~400 hours into the game I've never used a ranged weapon, with 2 exceptions:
- Heavy crossbow on a heavyweight build to avoid invaders outrunning me to heal.
- Gough's bow on a str/dex heavy build because i had like 300 arrows to move. It sucked.

I've never seen anyone go pure ranged either so I have no idea whether that would work or not so I need some advice here because it looks bad on every aspect (slow attack, easy to dodge, expensive to buy arrows all the time, no ripostes, etc.).

Summary:
- I will not be using havel's ring. I will use RoFaP. The other slot is open for debate (DWGR?)
- Needs to be mainly ranged, better if it's ranged only.
- Must be efficient. It doesn't need to be a 2000 damage/second build but I don't want to spend 20 minutes to kill the gaping dragon (You get the idea).

Any ideas on how to make something that works?

[Groen90]

Are you talking about pvp or pve? Because bow&arrow, when upgraded and with high dex is very good for pve. Use the composite bow for fast shooting and the black bow of pharis for sniping. The Leo ring works with arrows too but I never tried landing a counter hit with the bow so I don't know how hard it can be... probably not that hard against bosses.
And why the FaP ring? isn't it better to stack a bit of poise so you don't get interrupted, while also being able to fastroll? Wolf ring sounds better to me.

[Bones]

Composite bow is my favorite of the light bows. It's a quality weapon so you can get high returns from str up to 27. Leo ring is pretty good against bigger bosses like Manus. DWGR will allow you to create space between yourself and enemies but I don't like it personally. Make sure to get Pharis' hat for style points.

[TrueArchery]

Composite bow is probably the strongest bow, but it lacks range.
So, take longbow or blackbow to compensate that. Hawk ring also works.
Leo ring is recommended.
A greatbow is situational useful because of its knockdown.
You wanna stay under 25% equip. Dwgr gives you some extra distance.
A small offhand weapon like a dagger might be useful. It can also parry.

[Abaddon]

Well, looks like Composite bow is the way to go for a ranged build. I'm checking mugen and it maxes out at 27STR 40DEX for 415 damage with feather arrows.

I think it's too much of a stat investment just to make an archer that has to buy arrows constantly, so I'm giving up on this sort of build.

I guess I could try it if I decide to make a samurai build since I haven't used katanas very much either.

Thanks for the advice! Now I only need to guess whether I want a samurai or an obsidian GS character...

[Bones]

Arrow costs aren't that restrictive, trust me on this one. If you buy arrows with your extra souls after leveling you'll have more than enough.

[Groen90]

Just buy the cheapest arrows

[Abaddon]

I'll make the whole thing simple, because it's hard to explain. The basic idea is that I want to make a character I haven't played, is enjoyable and has nothing to do with what I usually play, a.k.a. sword and shield + utility. My last 3 builds were Tarkus (a rather explicit example), Ciaran (double daggers only) and Ornstein (Spear Worst weapon in the game + talisman).

It has to be something I can build quickly because I intend to buy DS2 this month (I'm waiting for black friday) and as soon as I do DS1 is pretty much done for. I first asked for an archer build because nobody uses bows except for cheesing (e.g. hellkite dragon tail, manus, etc.) but I won't spend a week to build it over time.

I had other ideas in mind, such as double claws, whips and samurais and after digging a little bit I'm going to make a samurai with a 2h katana and a (black pharis) longbow which somehow still matches the archer requirement, doesn't use it mainly but still works and uses no shields either.

Now I only need to get a good cosplay samurai set for fashion stuff and get rolling.

[TrueArchery]

Originally posted by Abaddon:

I'll make the whole thing simple, because it's hard to explain. The basic idea is that I want to make a character I haven't played, is enjoyable and has nothing to do with what I usually play, a.k.a. sword and shield + utility. My last 3 builds were Tarkus (a rather explicit example), Ciaran (double daggers only) and Ornstein (Spear Worst weapon in the game + talisman).

It has to be something I can build quickly because I intend to buy DS2 this month (I'm waiting for black friday) and as soon as I do DS1 is pretty much done for. I first asked for an archer build because nobody uses bows except for cheesing (e.g. hellkite dragon tail, manus, etc.) but I won't spend a week to build it over time.

I had other ideas in mind, such as double claws, whips and samurais and after digging a little bit I'm going to make a samurai with a 2h katana and a (black pharis) longbow which somehow still matches the archer requirement, doesn't use it mainly but still works and uses no shields either.

Now I only need to get a good cosplay samurai set for fashion stuff and get rolling.

Try this then:
Pure DEX build

RH: Iaito (actually every Katana works), Blackbow
LH: Priscilla's Dagger/Painting Guardian Scimitar

No helmet
Eastern Armor
Tattered Cloth Manchettes
Channeler's/Ingwards (I forgot how theyre really called) Leggings

Looks pretty fresh and deals some serious damage.

[ZakisFluffy]

I've done an only bow build.

As stated earlier, composibe bow for fast shots and pharis for sniping, however i only used compisite for my whole run.
Compisite is usually recommended as you can draw you bow fast and dodge before your enemy hits you.

It's no different than using melee and dodging.

It's just more tedious as you don't have that kind of burst damage, especially in the early game due to low stats.

I beleive composite would yield best results as a quality build as it also scales off STR.
As all quality builds, they usually shine end game when you have sufficient stats to pump your damage up.

The way i did it was the "hyper mode" as most like to call it, i'm talking about something like red tearstone range, with sanctum shield and power within. Made things a little less tedious from the long boss fights

The ONLY part you will have a tough time, is Four kings. Not enough burst, you'l end up against multiple kings.

[TrueArchery]

Btw, shouldn't 27 STR be enough for the scaling cap? You're always 2handing the bow, so your STR should increase to 40.

[Hanged_Ash2]

What about Gwyndolin's bow?
Edit:My friend uses it and he says it's really good.(He's dex build,"You don't say")

[Groen90]

Originally posted by Ash2Cze:

What about Gwyndolin's bow?
Edit:My friend uses it and he says it's really good.(He's dex build,"You don't say")

It's good for a faith build, last time I checked.

[Hanged_Ash2]

Originally posted by Groen90:

Originally posted by Ash2Cze:

What about Gwyndolin's bow?
Edit:My friend uses it and he says it's really good.(He's dex build,"You don't say")

It's good for a faith build, last time I checked.

Well,he's pure Dex. :/

[TrueArchery]

Originally posted by Groen90:

Originally posted by Ash2Cze:

What about Gwyndolin's bow?
Edit:My friend uses it and he says it's really good.(He's dex build,"You don't say")

It's good for a faith build, last time I checked.

Not sure, but doesn't an occult composite bow with moonlightarrows deal more damage?

[Bones]

Originally posted by Archer:

Not sure, but doesn't an occult composite bow with moonlightarrows deal more damage?

Not at the minimum faith requirement and 13 str. I think the only real strength of the darkmoon bow is base damage.