Please Help Me build an Archer...

[Lobstersaurus]

Hey, can anyone please advise me on an Archer build? Any Level Build is acceptable...

But, I mainly need help on choosing which weapons and armor to use. If I could get tips on which weapons and armor to use, before I get the best ones for the suggested build, that would really help me.

I'd like a build that would be both versatile for PVE and PVP, if possible. Also, it'd be good to note, I wouldn't mind a hybrid build either. (I'm a fan of giant bows)

I could really use any help you people can give me, and thank you if you do decide to help me...

[gtgiygus]

Well, I can tell you that, in pvp, I get killed by archers with tactics. They will often snipe me from across the map, or they will hold the bow down until your done rolling, and then release for a hit.

Other then that idk. I would assume that most anything is pretty good for PvE. However, it would seem a pain to farm up all the ammo you will need.

[SuperSam]

The black bow is the best i can think of, you will need a lot of stamina for shots aswell.
I recommend Durgo hat for its bonus, Rob+2 for damage, dont know about hawk ring, if it really needed.

[Lobstersaurus]

if you look at my hours and achievements for the game... Still haven't made it to NG+ and I've never really found any "good bows"....

I'm depending on named items, so I can go look up where to find them in game... With some research :D

[SuperSam]

Ok.
Hunter's blackbow

[Lobstersaurus]

Originally posted by SuperSam:

Ok.
Hunter's blackbow

Thank you :D

[Toxophilite [East]]

Well, this subject just happens to be my expertise! One thing I can certainly tell you about being an Archer is that you MUST be versatile, as you suggested. In any battle, be it in real life or videogames, an Archer will almost ALWAYS switch to arms once the enemy closes distance, it happens, so you must be prepared for that. However the ideal situation is to ensure that never happens~ which means you have to practice "zoning" and "leashing" techniques against real-life opponents.

The other thing you must understand is that an Archer MUST learn how to hit a moving target. If your enemy feels confortable enough to move around, out in the open and not fear you enough to take cover, you are failing. You absolutely MUST make your enemy respect that idea that if they aren't hiding from you, they are as good as dead. This will take LOTS of practice, but it'll be worth the trouble once you understand certain fundamental principles.

Also, once the enemy closes in, your ability to fight shouldn't suddenly crumble away. An enemy should regret staying at a distance from you, but they should regret closing the distance even more. Your close quarters skills MUST rival your archery skills, or your build falls apart. How you decide to do that will be entirely your own personal choice, but if you want more advice on the subject, don't hesitate to send me a DM, or post a topic in this group --> https://steamcommunity.com/groups/yougotstyledon

Good luck! :3

[Lobstersaurus]

Originally posted by Toxophilite:

SNIP
Good luck! :3

Thanks for the advice on strategies.. I agree, I need a close range weapon to make people fear getting up close to me just as much as they fear me at range... But, what kind of builds are best for that, I'm thinking a DEX weapon... but, since I don't even know all the end game weapons, i'm not sure what other valid options I can have..

Could I make a good Strength/Dex Archer? Or how about maybe a Dex/faith or Dex/Int Archer....

What weapons scale the best, for NG+ when I get to it. What have you seen in game or tried yourself (yourself, as in anyone reading this message).

I have an idea on the bow, Hunter's blackbow.... but, now I need a close range weapon, idea... to build my stats around my weapons..

[Toxophilite [East]]

Additions: Sorry~ I forgot to mention useful items you were asking about.

I can give you opinion, but the art of archery is a personal expertise, there is no "right way" of doing it.

Short Bows: I recommend, 1.) Composite Bow for "quality builds (near equal DEX & STR)", 2.) Dragonrider's Bow for Strength builds with reasonable INT investments.

Long Bows: I suggest the 1.) Sea Bow for "quality builds" and the 2.) Hunter's Black Bow for DEX builds.

As far a Greatbows are concerned, they are all pretty much the same to me. I'd go with the one that benifits your stat investments the most, or that compliments your "fashion souls" agenda. These are more for sniping and one-shot-kills in my opinion. Had they did more damage, I would recommend them more, but the stamina cost and commitment needed for each shot does not equal out, unless you plan to kill with that shot (i.e. knocking an enemy off a cliff).

Notable items: Hawk Ring, Durgo's Hat, Engraved Gauntlets (not always suggested, but certainly good for sniping).

[Lobstersaurus]

Originally posted by Toxophilite:

Additions: Sorry~ I forgot to mention useful items you were asking about.

I can give you opinion, but the art of archery is a personal expertise, there is no "right way" of doing it.

Short Bows: I recommend, 1.) Composite Bow for "quality builds (near equal DEX & STR)", 2.) Dragonrider's Bow for Strength builds with reasonable INT investments.

Long Bows: I suggest the 1.) Sea Bow for "quality builds" and the 2.) Hunter's Black Bow for DEX builds.

As far a Greatbows are concerned, they are all pretty much the same to me. I'd go with the one that benifits your stat investments the most, or that compliments your "fashion souls" agenda. These are more for sniping and one-shot-kills in my opinion. Had they did more damage, I would recommend them more, but the stamina cost and commitment needed for each shot does not equal out, unless you plan to kill with that shot (i.e. knocking an enemy off a cliff).

Notable items: Hawk Ring, Durgo's Hat, Engraved Gauntlets (not always suggested, but certainly good for sniping).

Yussssss... thank you, that's the good stuff..

[SuperSam]

If you wanna user Hunter black bow with alot of Dex, better to keep it uninfused.
With a lot of dex and str, Sun sword and Longsword will be good choice, the drakekeeper sword is nice too, but its heavy.
Or you can try curved swords if you planning to level dex mostly.

[Toxophilite [East]]

Originally posted by ┼God┼ ♪Lobster♪:

Thanks for the advice on strategies.. I agree, I need a close range weapon to make people fear getting up close to me just as much as they fear me at range... But, what kind of builds are best for that, I'm thinking a DEX weapon... but, since I don't even know all the end game weapons, i'm not sure what other valid options I can have..

Could I make a good Strength/Dex Archer? Or how about maybe a Dex/faith or Dex/Int Archer....

Personally, I think hybrid builds with Faith or Int are better off just using spells. I don't find them superior to archery, but I do find that the spell casts will give you the statisfactory damage output for your investment, more then any infused ranged weapons. If stats aren't a concern, then you could always use a bow just for harassment and not a meta; that way you have options if you don't wanna waste any spells.

Bow of Want is a good option for Dex/ Faith builds, but IMO that particular bow is too situational for a true archer, but you could break the mold. Keep in mind that this is all just opinion, you could be the one to prove me terribly wrong - lol. If you wanna go Str/ Int, then the Dragon Rider bow is likely what you'd want, and does have a true archer meta, even if it caters to casters somewhat.

Originally posted by ┼God┼ ♪Lobster♪:

What weapons scale the best, for NG+ when I get to it. What have you seen in game or tried yourself (yourself, as in anyone reading this message).

I have an idea on the bow, Hunter's blackbow.... but, now I need a close range weapon, idea... to build my stats around my weapons..

Personally I love the Hunter's Blackbow, but keep in mind this is equally because of nostalgia (DS1), and it's effectivness for my personal build. I personally use it to snipe, but at the same time, I forego the ability to use angles and "trick-shots", which short bows are much better for. Also, because of the bows color, it's easy to catch an enemy off-guard with your first shot if they fail to hear the initial draw.

With the Black Bow, I also use the Engraved Gauntlets and Stone Ring. If I get off a lucky 'crtical shot', the next shot is gautanteed to connect, meaning an additional free hit (which is always good), but if I can pull of a crtical 'head-shot', then that's a total of three free hits.

As far as close range weapons, I personally prefer using a dagger with high critical hit damage. Some of my favorites are 1.) Umbral Dagger, 2.) Mail Breaker (very good for shield users who are your builds main weakness), 3.) Manikin Knife/ Mytha's Bentblade (for high ADP builds) and the 4.) Shadow Dagger for quality builds. If you can time weapon-swaps properly, dagger and bow are a dealy combination! :3