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Hello everyone, I am sincerely feeling like a the forums are lacking a proper & readable Bowmen guide. I have made a Bowmaster of my own a long while ago and did some SP mistakes because of guides made by mid-game players who are lacking experience.

Whoever knows me might know that I'm an quite the perfectionist when it comes down to my characters, so here we are.

* Important Notes & Disclaimers:
• This guide will not detail what HP washing is, I take it for granted that you already know how to HP + MP wash properly. If you don't you can read about it over *HERE*.

• I myself did not hit the end-game on my Bowmaster yet, though I am an end-game NL so I still happen to have a lot of experience with end-game bowmen.
If you feel like I missed something please do let me know as it is important to me to deliver the most accurate information.

• Some SP allocation orders might vary depending on personal needs, however by the end of the day it is important to max the specific skills that I state in the guide (even though some of them are VERY unusual - expect surprises).

• I know people in the forums can be very criticizing, sure if you feel like dropping some constructive feedback please be my guest, but if you're here to outright throw shit just get out. I spent enough of my personal time writing this and I don't feel like getting into arguments.

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[IMG]Bowmaster [IMG]

Bowmasters are the most independent ranged class in this game, on top of being one of the best single-target classes, making them the most solid class in the game.

Pros:
[Damage]
• This is the 2nd/3rd best single-target attacking class in the game (depending on the boss), their damage is amazing.


[Independency & Desired]
• This class is truly independent, it has its own Sharp Eyes [IMG] buff which buffs Critical Chance & Critical damage, this is making them the most desired class in the game for bosses.

• This class does not benefit from Speed Infusion [IMG] as their weapon speed + Bow Booster buff makes them hit the fastest hit-speed in the game already. Which means they are not depending on Buccaneers or SI mules to deal more damage.


[Mobility]
• This class has a skill called Thrust [IMG] which gives them up to +30 speed, making them likely to hit the max speed when equipping the rest of their gear, and if not they can still easily hit it with a simple speed pill.


[Avoidability]
• Bowmasters happen to have a lot of avoidability as they reach the higher levels, which makes them a lot less likely to get hit. Being hit less means getting less stuns, curses, knockbacks and such that make you lose DPS, on top of using less potions.


[Simple & Straightforward]
• Bowmasters are very simple and straightforward for the most part, no crazy combos needed to maximize the damage output, just hold your attack button and avoid stuns etc...



Cons:
[Mobbing]
• This class has some mobbing skills, though they are way inferior to the mobbing abilities of the melee classes, which makes leveling dependent mainly on bossing (aka very hard to level up).


[Funding]
• Bows & bow scrolls are quite expensive, good gear will be expensive.


[Pinkbean Issues]
• Pinkbean (the endgame boss) has a Damage-Reflection skill which makes you take 15k damage whenever you hit it when it's up. Bowmasters' main attack is Hurricane [IMG] which is attacking in the speed of light, that means it's EXTREMELY dangerous to attack Pinkbean when the Damage-Reflection timer is up. Because of that nearly all Bowmasters use their 3rd job skill Strafe [IMG] to attack during that period, which means they're dealing less damage.


[Washing]
• HP wash is MANDATORY, and you want to have at least 13,000 HP by level 163 if you're actually serious about your character. If you're not just a beginner who just wanna have fun at PQs just don't go for this class if you are not planning to wash.


Summary:
Bossing: 9/10
Mobbing: 6/10
Utility: 10/10
Mobility: 7/10
General Score: 10/10

Click here to open Bowmasters Guide:
[spoiler=Bowmaster Guide]
So you have decided to go for a Bowmaster, congratulations. Now it's time to learn how to handle your Ability Points & Skill Points.

Getting Started[IMG]

[Rolling the Dice]
When you first get started the first step is to roll that dice we all have a love-hate relationship with. The result you want to get is at least 10 INT and 4 LUK.
(If you're not planning to wash and you're still here for some reason just get INT 4 LUK 4 and try to get your DEX as high as you can, this way everything will go into DEX/STR).

Reasoning:
• Whenever you level you get +1 extra MP for every 10 INT that you have, so the whole point is to start gathering extra MP from level 1.

• The reason you want to get 4 LUK specifically is because it means that 1 AP automatically went to your STR or DEX instead, which you will need to have later on regardless (unlike LUK).


[Leveling 1-10]
I don't care how you level, what is important is that you keep increasing your INT with each and every level (without skipping or forgetting to keep increasing it between the levels). However, you need to make sure you will still have 25 DEX by level 10 so you can make the job advancement. Do your own calculation at what level you need to start increasing DEX instead of INT.


[Leveling 10-21]
After Level 10 it's time to get back to pumping INT for your HP Washing, if you want to wash minimally to hit 13k HP I'd suggest somewhere around 130-150 base INT (depending on your INT gear).
Anyway, it's time for Henesys PQ. If you're washing it means you already have other characters above level 10 that you can multi-client and solo-PQ this (preferably with your Bishop).

Now if you aren't washing and you don't have more characters to solo-PQ this you can go grind at the Bubblings at Kerning City [IMG], just don't forget to buy Ciders [IMG] for extra damage. (Those can be bought from Showa Town, Ninja Castle, or the Free Market such as CH 8 Room 8).


[Leveling 21-31]
If you have a Bishop just go on your leech berserk journey from level 20 at Jenins till you are burnt out at Shaolin 5-6. Otherwise at level 21 just go do Kerning PQs and try to get the Squishy Shoes (aim for 2 INT).


[Leveling 31-35]
This is a very problematic spot if you're washing and you don't have a Bishop. You'll have to get through those levels somehow, you can try Ariant Questline and simply get help from your other characters doing the killings.


[Leveling 35-45]
Ludibrium PQ if you ain't leeching, try to get the broken glasses. If you're washing you won't have any damage, just be the MVP and do all of the black job collecting tickets and stuff. Also bribe your attackers with [IMG] Ciders to keep you in the party.


[Leveling 45-55]
Whether you have a Bishop or not, I'd extremely recommend doing Ellin PQ and getting those SWEET ASS [IMG] Glittering Altaire Earrings with 2 all stats + 5 slots. They are the second-best earrings in the game right now.



[IMG] Skill Points [IMG]

[Archer Skills - 1st job]
[IMG] Arrow Blow: 1
[IMG] Critical Shot: 20 (max)
[IMG] The Eye of Amazon: 8 (max)
[IMG] Arrow Blow: 20 (max)
[IMG] The Blessing of Amazon: 3
[IMG] Focus: 9

Reasoning:
Wait, why the hell [IMG] Arrow Blow? The reason people usually take [IMG] Double Shot is because it hits twice, which means it has a higher chance to proc [IMG] Critical Shot. While Double Shot is indeed better for the lower levels, Arrow Blow is the skill with the skill with the highest single-line damage you'll ever have, which comes very handy for knocking back and pinning bosses at 4rd job (sometimes 3rd too). Credits to @StepSissy


[Hunter Skills - 2nd job]
[IMG] Arrow Bomb: 1
[IMG] Bow Mastery: 1
[IMG] Soul Arrow: 4
[IMG] Arrow Bomb: 30 (max)
[IMG] Bow Mastery: 5
[IMG] Bow Booster: 6
[IMG] Bow Mastery: 20 (max)
[IMG] Power Knockback: 20 (max)
[IMG] Bow Booster: 20 (max)
[IMG] Soul Arrow: 20 (max)
[IMG] Focus (1st job): 20 (max)

Note:
You can mix up Soul Arrow, Power Knockback, and Bow Booster order a little if you feel the need to. Just make sure they're all maxed up eventually.

Reasoning:
Why no [IMG] Final Attack?
It's trash, it pops at random times, feels clunky, decreases your DPM with Arrow Bomb, it doesn't apply on 3rd/4th job skills, and it's a waste of SP that can go into something useful instead.


[Ranger Skills - 3rd job]
[IMG] Strafe: 30 (max)
[IMG] Mortal Blow: 20 (max)
[IMG] Arrow Rain: 30 (max)
[IMG] Thrust: 20 (max)
[IMG] Puppet: 20 (max)
[IMG] Silver Hawk: 30 (max)
[IMG] Inferno: 1

Note:
I feel like the exact order varies a lot depending on how you're training. For the most part you'd want to follow the order stated above, but feel free to switch your brain on and think if a different order is going to benefit you more. I am not going to tell you where or how you should train at these levels, I'm simply leeching so I ain't no expert in this area.

Reasoning:
Okay why the hell max [IMG] Thrust & [IMG] Silver Hawk and leaving [IMG] Inferno at 1?
Inferno is never used after 4th job, it's weaker than [IMG] Arrow Rain and the only time it's useful is against fire-weak mobs. Currently there's no use for it, and the reason we even give it its single point instead of getting another point at [IMG] The Bless of Amazon is because we'd like to keep the ability to keep this SP at 3rd job tab, so in case there would ever be a fire-weak mobs farming meta you can switch up some of your skills, and it can also help luring mobs from afar without stunning them.
Now Silver Hawk has a very high chance to stun and it is actually used instead of [IMG] Phoenix (4th job bird) at some bosses such as Jiaoceng where you might prefer constantly stunning over a bit of extra damage. Also the higher the level of your Silver Hawk the more damage it deals, so yes... max it out please.


[Bowmaster Skills - 4th job]
[IMG] Sharp Eyes: 30 (max)
[IMG] Hurricane: 30 (max)
[IMG] Bow Expert: 30 (max)
[IMG] Phoenix: 30 (max)
[IMG] Hero's Will: 5 (max) - Make sure it's maxed before your first Horntail.
[IMG] Maple Warrior: 10/20/30 (max) - Depends on how funded you are.
[IMG] Dragon's Breath: 1 (optional)
[IMG] Concentrate: 30 (max)
[IMG] Hamstring: 30 (max)
[IMG] Dragon's Breath: 30 (max)


[IMG] Endgame Gear [IMG]

[Helmet]
[IMG] [IMG] [IMG]
Doesn't matter which one (though Scarlion (STR) is the best), you want their DEX + STR sum to be at least 50.


[Eye Accessory]
[IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG]
Your Eye Accessory can be any of the listed above, it should simply have as much DEX as possible. People do tend to Chaos Scroll Spectrum Goggles, so it's easier to find them with high DEX, although any of the above could work.. as long as they have some nice amount of DEX (for end-game I'd say about 6~9 DEX).


[Face Accessory]
?
Your Face Accessory can be anything, from the emotional Masks for level 25 to Branch Noses to Rat Mouthes. It just has to be at least +7~8 DEX.


[Ear Accessory]
Your Earrings can be anything, just make sure they have at least +11 DEX.

• TIP: [IMG] Glittering Altaire Earrings starts with +2 All Stats, I would recommend doing Ellin PQ in order to get them, and scroll them with 60% DEX. Hopefully you'll manage to get +10 DEX, combined with the additional +2 STR, this is even better than a +12 DEX earrings.


[Overall]
[IMG] [IMG] [IMG]
Getting the Evernew will not be easy, though for the most part Green Armis/Arzuna will be more than sufficient when scrolled properly. It is preferred to scroll these overalls with STR, though that would be significantly more expensive process. Regardless, the sum of DEX + STR should be somewhere around 34+


[Pendant]
[IMG] [IMG]
Either a Timeless Pendant or Horntail Necklace, avoidability is very important for Bowmen, therefore it is better than a chaosed MoN.


[Cape]
[IMG] [IMG] [IMG]
Doesn't matter which one, get at least 10 ATT cape.


[Gloves]
[IMG] [IMG]
Doesn't matter what glove, get at least 14 ATT.


[Shoes]
[IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] [IMG]
I still need to do more research regarding avoidability shoes, but here's what I can tell you for now.
• You might want to get shoes scrolled with Avoidability for being hit less often, that can work very well on bosses such as Horntail (try getting around 24+ Avoidability).

• If you decide to go for stats-based shoes you're likely to grab the Red Arnah Shoes which you'll want to have at least +3 STR +16 DEX...

• If you're filthy rich then you already know that you might want to get chasoed Facestompers shoes with as much ATT as you can possibly get.
[/spoiler]

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[IMG] Marksman [IMG]

Marksmen are a solid ranged class in a very healthy spot, extremely desired in bosses and Pinkbean especially.

Pros:
[Damage]
• This class has an insane damage output EVEN if heavily washed after 4th job advancement. Their [IMG] Snipe skill can be casted every 5 seconds and it deals max damage (199k).


[Desired]
• This class has the Sharp Eyes [IMG] buff which buffs Critical Chance & Critical damage, this is making them the most desired class in the game for bosses.


[Mobility]
• This class has a skill called Thrust [IMG] which gives them up to +30 speed, making them likely to hit the max speed when equipping the rest of their gear, and if not they can still easily hit it with a simple speed pill.


[Avoidability]
• Marksmen happen to have a lot of avoidability as they reach the higher levels, which makes them a lot less likely to get hit. Being hit less means getting less stuns, curses, knockbacks and such that make you lose DPS, on top of using less potions.


[Simple & Straightforward]
• Marksmen are very simple and straightforward for the most part, no crazy combos needed to maximize the damage output, just hold your attack button, use your snipe whenever it's available and avoid stuns etc...


[Funding]
• Crossbows & Crossbow scrolls are very cheap, getting a good gear will be very easy in comparison to most classes.


[Pinkbean Supremacy]
• Pinkbean (the endgame boss) halves the damage by all weapon-attacks (aka for everyone but mages). But since [IMG] Snipe is excluded due to its unique nature and the fact that it plays a huge role in a Marksman's DPM, they have the best DPM in Pinkbean.


Cons:
[Mobbing]
• This class has some mobbing skills, though they are way inferior to the mobbing abilities of the melee classes, which makes leveling dependent mainly on bossing (aka very hard to level up).


[Speed Infusion Dependency]
• This class is depending on [IMG] Speed Infusion buff to unlock their full potential, which means you might need a Buccaneer in your party at all times.

[Endgame Outclassed]
• Marksmen are being slightly outclassed somewhere around level 180+ by funded players as Marksmen main attack is [IMG] Strafe from 3rd job, combined with occasional [IMG] Snipe. That means their damage exponential is a little more flat when you hit those heights.
Though they're still the best at Pinkbean so don't you worry friend, Marksmen life are gucci.

[Ugly]
• Yeah lol Crossbows are huge and covering your entire face & body, get a tiny ass NX weapon if you mind that.

[Washing]
• HP wash is MANDATORY, and you want to have at least 13,000 HP by level 163 if you're actually serious about your character. If you're not just a beginner who just wanna have fun at PQs just don't go for this class if you are not planning to wash.


Summary:
Bossing: 9/10
Mobbing: 6/10
Utility: 10/10
Mobility: 7/10
General Score: 10/10