[Draft] General Bowman Guide for Beginners

[jmh11]

The guide for someone who's new to the fine career of archery.


*NOTE* Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.
*NOTE* By the term "bowman", I am simply referring to the archer who is not a crossbowman, i.e. a Hunter, Ranger, or Bowmaster.

Spoiler!

Versions:
.01: 6/3/11

Intro

Below are some pros and cons of becoming a bowman, as well as an AP Guide.

Pros

Spoiler!

*Bowmaster is one the the best bossing classes (supposedly #1 post Jump)
*Ease of use
*Ranged attacks means little pot consumption
*Relative uniqueness

Cons

Spoiler!

*Poor mobility
*Not so great damage 1st and 2nd jobs
*End game weapons can be tremendously expensive

AP Guide

The best way to distribute the 5 points you get every level.

Spoiler!

Regular STR: Put 4 DEX and 1 STR in every level, giving you enough strength to equip the regular gear for your level. NOT recommended.

Low STR: Cap STR at anywhere from 30-60, using STR from equips to be able to equip weapons and armor. Does not necessarily require funding. Recommended.

STR-less: Put all points into DEX, keeping STR at 4. Use equips to get enough strength to equip an end-game weapon eventually. Recommended (if funded!).

1st Job

SP Builds

Recommended ways to spend your SP.

Spoiler!

Build #1
Level 10: 1 Arrow Blow
Level 11: 3 Blessing of the Amazon
Level 12: 2 Blessing of the Amazon [5], 1 Arrow Blow [2]
Level 13: 3 Arrow Blow [5]
Level 14: 3 Arrow Blow [8]
Level 15: 3 Arrow Blow [11]
Level 16: 3 Arrow Blow [14]
Level 17: 3 Arrow Blow [17]
Level 18: 3 Arrow Blow [20]
Level 19: 3 Critical Shot [3]
Level 20: 3 Critical Shot [6]
Level 21: 3 Critical Shot [9]
Level 22: 3 Critical Shot [12]
Level 23: 3 Critical Shot [15]
Level 24: 3 Critical Shot [18]
Level 25: 2 Critical Shot [20], 1 Focus
Level 26: 3 Focus [4]
Level 27: 3 Focus [7]
Level 28: 3 Focus [10]
Level 29: 3 Focus [13]
Level 30: 2 Focus [15], 1 Double Shot

I believe this build is most efficient, as Focus is used both for the accuracy (to be able to train at monsters above your level) and avoidability. Arrow Blow is certainly more useful for training than Double Shot, which is why it is included.


Build #2
Level 10: 1 Arrow Blow
Level 11: 3 Blessing of the Amazon
Level 12: 2 Blessing of the Amazon [5], 1 Arrow Blow [2]
Level 13: 3 Arrow Blow [5]
Level 14: 3 Arrow Blow [8]
Level 15: 3 Arrow Blow [11]
Level 16: 3 Arrow Blow [14]
Level 17: 3 Arrow Blow [17]
Level 18: 3 Arrow Blow [20]
Level 19: 3 Critical Shot [3]
Level 20: 3 Critical Shot [6]
Level 21: 3 Critical Shot [9]
Level 22: 3 Critical Shot [12]
Level 23: 3 Critical Shot [15]
Level 24: 3 Critical Shot [18]
Level 25: 2 Critical Shot [20], 1 Double Shot
Level 26: 3 Double Shot [4]
Level 27: 3 Double Shot [7]
Level 28: 3 Double Shot [10]
Level 29: 3 Double Shot [13]
Level 30: 3 Double Shot [16]

This build gives you both of the main attacks (mostly), while leaving out Focus. Because I believe that Focus is useful sometimes and Double Shot is not, I prefer Build #1, but this is certainly a viable option that will appeal to some players.

Training

The best ways to level up.

Spoiler!

Levels 10-12: Quests are available from Athena Pierce. Do them, and it should get you to (at least) Level 12 or possibly 13.
Levels 13-29: Blue Ribbon Pigs. Located near Nautilus Harbor, these pigs give great EXP and drop your Level 15 top (M), as well as the Level 20 bottom (F).
Levels 20-25: Golem Temple. A short walk away from Henesys, Golem Temple has 5 different areas (and one Mini Dungeon). Good EXP, and some drops too. Stone Golems give the Level 20 glove, and Dark Golems give the Level 25 and 30 male tops and the Level 20 shoes. Mixed Golems drop a level 30 hat and top (M), a Level 25 hat, Level 20 shoes, and a Level 25 hat. For females they drop the 30 bottom. A great area.
Levels 26-30: Zombie Lupins. A map exclusively with these monsters is 5 or so maps from Ellina. There are several good sniping platforms and portals to quickly get from the bottom of the map to the top and vice versa. Great EXP but unfortunately they only drop the Level 25 mens' top.

Other Notes

Spoiler!

I really recommend that you do Athena Pierce's quest at Level 20 to get the Amdusias Hat. It doesn't take long, and (though it's really ugly) it'll boost your damage. I would get a new bow every 10 levels at least and the Level 25 bow for sure. For the rest of your equipment during these levels, stick with what you find from drops (see above) or can buy from a NPC, if you can afford it.

[x15Lovex]

maxing arrow blow? personally i still prefer ds over arrow blow any day.
why? because u got arrow bomb after lvl 30 then arrow blow becomes useless
im stickin it old school...back when how ms was really played-with skills

[Omar Ranger]

You can stick with the old school ways sure but you'll be at a disadvantage. Arrow Blow has a special arrow curve that's different than Arrow Bomb which makes Arrow Blow useful and ever since Big Bang 1v1 training has become pretty much obsolete. Well it's only 1st job and part of 2nd until you get a good Arrow Bomb, but in my opinion it will ultimately be faster to get Arrow Blow.

[x15Lovex]

You can stick with the old school ways sure but you'll be at a disadvantage. Arrow Blow has a special arrow curve that's different than Arrow Bomb which makes Arrow Blow useful and ever since Big Bang 1v1 training has become pretty much obsolete. Well it's only 1st job and part of 2nd until you get a good Arrow Bomb, but in my opinion it will ultimately be faster to get Arrow Blow.

sure arrow blow is faster for lvling and from personal experience it's better...this i know for a fact.
HOWEVER...it will become useless later on in the game when arrow bomb is maxed. with the new exp system its not much of a difference in time consumption
comparing arrow blow to arrow bomb is like comparing the strengths of a child to a muscle builder.
arrow blow=3 monsters max
arrow bomb=6 monsters max.
u do the math

[Omar Ranger]

Yes but you want to have Double Shot which is useless in both first and second job. Arrow Bomb becomes useless in third job so should I just not max it? I mean it only takes a week or less to get to third anyway. This isn't about "oh it's going to be obsolete later." It's about what works at that level, and Double Shot doesn't work for any level anymore. Comparing the strengths of a child to a muscle builder? Arrow Blow with Enhanced Basics is barely weaker than Arrow Bomb. Arrow Bomb is useful but using Arrow Blow until its maxed will greatly accelerate the training rate.

I would use Arrow Blow until Arrow Bomb is good and strong, and I will use Arrow Bomb until 3rd job when I get a nice and good Inferno. But I'm not going to drop one because it's useless later. I would drop it if it was useless from the beginning.

[x15Lovex]

oo i forgot about enhanced basics...
after the big bang i guess i forgot how to play ms...
rly hard to pick it up again from what i rmb....v.43 or 44 LOL
1. no ore drops anymore
2. inventory slots are limited
3. maps and monsters changed. BIG CHANGE
4. skill change
5. exp rate
all these changes overwhelm me and im lost in between the old ms and the new one...sigh

[BarelyAwake]

oo i forgot about enhanced basics...
after the big bang i guess i forgot how to play ms...
rly hard to pick it up again from what i rmb....v.43 or 44 LOL
1. no ore drops anymore
2. inventory slots are limited
3. maps and monsters changed. BIG CHANGE
4. skill change
5. exp rate
all these changes overwhelm me and im lost in between the old ms and the new one...sigh

Why are you arguing with Omar about bowman............