Looking to master the art of ranged combat in Dragon’s Dogma 2? The Archer vocation offers beginners a powerful and versatile playstyle, combining precision shots, devastating burst damage, and strategic debuffs to take down foes from a safe distance. Whether you’re targeting elusive weak points or unleashing elemental arrows, this guide will equip you with the best skills, equipment, and tactics to dominate your enemies right from the start. Get ready to transform your gameplay with the ultimate Archer build designed for newcomers seeking both power and finesse.
However, there’s more to a good Archer than just firing arrows. Like many other vocations, this one comes armed with plenty of weapon skills that make it a much more engaging class to play than it may seem at first glance.
You can change vocation whenever you like in Dragon’s Dogma 2, though, so don’t feel like you’re locked into this choice if you need something closer to the action. But if you’re looking to rock this vocation, read on for our recommendation of the best Archer build for beginners in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Best Archer weapon skills to get first in Dragon’s Dogma 2
The best Archer weapon skills to prioritize for getting first in Dragon’s Dogma 2 focus on a mix of high damage, crowd control, and precision targeting. Key skills include Exploding Shot, which deals significant area damage by detonating a flaming arrow lodged in enemies, ideal for large foes; Cascade Shot, useful for handling groups by firing multiple arrows at once; Erupting Shot, which attaches explosives to arrows for heavy damage and knockdown potential; Spiral Arrow, effective for sustained single-target damage; and Deathly Arrow, a powerful shot that can unbalance or pin enemies. Complementing these are core skills like Parting Shot and Swift Nock that enhance firing speed and mobility, helping maintain pressure on enemies while staying safe at range. This combination allows beginners to efficiently control battles, exploit enemy weak points, and secure early victories.
The Archer vocation is less versatile than some of the others, which means there’s only really one way of playing the class. Focusing on ranged DPS is by far your best bet, but there are a number of skills available that all do a very similar job. To ensure you’re only using the best skills, make sure you’re upgrading all of these to the advanced versions when available too.
- Barrage Shot
- Sweep Shot
- Dire Arrow
- Exploding Shot
First up is Barrage Shot, which is very self-explanatory, as it simply fires a barrage of shots. More specifically, it allows you to shoot multiple arrows in quick succession at a single target. Against smaller targets each arrow will have a knockback effect and upgrading it to Manifold Shot results in more arrows fired per barrage.
Cascade Shot is very similar but, rather than multiple consecutive arrows against the same target, it fires multiple arrows simultaneously in a wedge pattern, so you can hit more than one target. It also fires multiple times in a row, so you can effectively deal with a crowd of foes. Both Barrage Shot and Cascade Shot can also be used while moving, in case any of the enemies have encroached on your position at the back of the pack.
Dire Arrow is a little different than those: It’s just one single arrow, but you simply need to treat it as a more powerful shot. It will reliably knock down small targets and deals increased damage to larger ones, though it takes a moment to draw back the arrow. This is best used when you have control over a fight and you’re not scrambling to take down enemies from all angles.
Finally, there’s Exploding Shot, which does what it says on the tin. Fire an arrow with an explosive attached to the tip and it’ll lodge inside either an enemy or the ground, exploding as soon as it either takes damage or after a few seconds. This means it doesn’t explode immediately, but that’s helpful as you can time it to get enemies in a group so it hits more of them at once. However, if you have a Mage in your party casting fire spells, you can replace this with the Tarring Shot to cover enemies in a flammable substance.
Best Archer core skills and augments in Dragon’s Dogma 2
The best Archer core skills in Dragon’s Dogma 2 focus on enhancing mobility, rapid firing, and precision targeting. Key core skills include Leaping Punt, which allows the Archer to kick off enemies and create distance; Parting Shot, enabling firing an arrow while jumping backward to maintain pressure; Swift Nock, which speeds up arrow nocking for faster shots; and Puncture Dart, allowing charged shots that pierce multiple enemies for increased damage. These core skills complement essential weapon skills like Tempest Shot and Deathly Arrow, making the Archer highly effective at dealing damage from a distance while staying agile. Additionally, augments such as Ambuscade boost damage when attacking unaware foes, further enhancing the Archer’s lethality in combat.
All four core skills for the Archer are a big help, especially when using Steady Shot, which is essentially just aiming as opposed to firing a Loose Shot. Leaping Punt is a terrific pseudo-melee option as it kicks an enemy backwards while you propel off them to put some distance between. Use that in conjunction with Parting Shot, which allows you to fire in that mid-air jump.
Swift Nock simply allows you to “reload” your arrows faster, while Puncture Dart lets you draw the bowstring even further to ensure arrows deal more damage. Both the Endurance and Ambuscade augments are well worth picking up too, as the former increases your stamina while the latter deals increased damage to unaware enemies, letting you get the drop on them.
Best Archer equipment in Dragon’s Dogma 2
For the best Archer equipment in Dragon’s Dogma 2, focus on acquiring bows with high Strength and Knockdown Power to maximize damage output. Early-game options like the Dinistrydd bow, available at Grisha’s Armory in Sacred Arbor, offer solid Strength and Knockdown stats, making it a reliable choice for beginners. As you progress, mid-game weapons like Dragon’s Blink, found at Awaran’s Arms in Bakbattahl, provide even greater Strength and Knockdown Power, enhancing your effectiveness in combat. Complement your weapon choice with armor and augments that boost damage, lethality on weak spots, and survivability. Rings like the Ring of Vehemence further increase your damage potential, especially when combined with powerful weapon skills. For a balanced build, ensure your fighter pawn has skills to manage enemy aggro, allowing you to focus on ranged attacks safely.
Recommending very specific pieces of equipment for an Archer is tricky because this is a build for beginners and you don’t tend to find the best stuff until later in the game, but the one place you do have access to is the row of shops in Vernworth. Here is where you’ll find Bjorn’s Armory and Roderick’s Smithy with armor and weapons respectively, all of which should be upgraded as soon as you get the chance.
The Plumed Cap (3,900 gold) is the best of a small selection of head armor, while the Lamellar Armor (12,400 gold) is the best body armor. You could also go for the Ranger’s Vest (7,900 gold) here as it’s over a kilo lighter, but the Lamellar Armor has much better defensive stats. Finally, the Sprinter’s Boots (7,900 gold) are the best choice for the leg armor, although if you don’t quite have enough cash, go for the Combat Breeches (3,200 gold) instead.
As for weaponry, expensive is best here, so go for the Savage Fang (17,800 gold) if you can afford it. If not, persevere with the Hunter’s Bow (4,240 gold) because the Bespoke Bow isn’t worth it at the middling price since it weighs so much.
What makes the Archer build ideal for beginners in Dragon’s Dogma 2
The Archer build is ideal for beginners in Dragon’s Dogma 2 because it allows players to deal high physical damage from a safe distance, minimizing the risk of taking damage while learning combat mechanics. Its focus on precise shots targeting enemy weak points makes it easier to quickly take down tougher foes, rewarding good aim and positioning without overwhelming complexity. Additionally, the Archer’s versatile skill set-including rapid arrow barrages, crowd control, and elemental effects-offers a balanced mix of offense and utility that supports various playstyles and party roles. This combination of safety, damage potential, and tactical depth makes the Archer a beginner-friendly choice that remains powerful throughout the game.
Why is the Archer considered more beginner-friendly than other vocations
The Archer is considered more beginner-friendly than other vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2 primarily because it excels at long-range combat, allowing new players to stay safely distant from enemies while learning the game’s mechanics. Unlike melee vocations that require close-quarters engagement and precise timing for blocking or counterattacks, Archers can focus on targeting enemies’ weak points from afar, which simplifies combat and reduces the risk of taking damage. Additionally, Archers are especially effective against flying enemies early on, a common challenge in the game, making them a valuable and resourceful choice for newcomers. Their mobility and ability to reposition quickly also help beginners avoid enemy aggression and maintain control of the battlefield without complex defensive skills. This combination of safety, straightforward damage output, and tactical positioning makes the Archer a more accessible and forgiving vocation for beginners compared to melee-focused or more complex classes.
