Some people prefer rushing head-first into a battle, with their trusty sword or axe in hand. Others relish learning all the ins and outs of a magic system, utilizing deep mystical powers to strike enemies with bolts of lightning and fireballs.
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Throwing weapons are a more unusual choice for a Baldur's Gate 3 build, but there are still powerful weapons that are designed to be thrown in combat.
But some people are drawn to the call of the bow. Picking off enemies, one by one, showcasing one’s precision and skill. The bow has been historically efficient in combat, and there is no reason that (mostly) fantasy games shouldn’t have at least some implementation. But certain games have made the archer class so well, that they have been immortalized within the gaming community.
8 Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Combining The Power Of A Bow With The Utility Of Magic
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
- Released
- April 23, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
With the sequel looming over the horizon, many players are biding the time by returning to this tried and true classic. There are many incredible classes and playstyles in the game, and the Magick Archer is considered to be extremely powerful and viable for an entire playthrough.
The Magick Archer, as the name would suggest, combines the arcane powers with a trusty bow, to unleash devastating power on the battlefield. The class is also extremely versatile, capable of quickly switching between magick or strength-based attacks to fit the situation.
7 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Tricky To Master Archer Class That's Incredibly Powerful When Practiced
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
- Released
- October 25, 2022
- Developer(s)
- TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Strategy
Players have long been waiting for the return of the fantastic franchise, and the sequel’s release did not disappoint. From a massive upgrade in visuals to new mechanics and maps, every part of the game has been polished to great effect.
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There are a few kinds of archers in the game, depending on the faction. But the actual shooting feels great, realistic enough, and very satisfying to use. Overall it is a great choice for players that want good, medieval warfare mayhem.
6 Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Deal Incredible Damage From A Safe Distance As An Archer
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
- Released
- September 2, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Owlcat Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous has an incredibly deep and complex system when it comes to character creation. From moral alignment to various backgrounds to classes. Players have a lot of freedom when creating their character, and even two champions of the same class can look almost nothing alike.
The Rangers in the game are extremely effective, especially at later levels. As is often the case with similar games, physical classes take some time to really get rolling, but once a character reaches enough levels, they become a true menace on the battlefield.
5 Pillars of Eternity
Archers Not Only Deal Good Damage But Gain An Animal Companion
Pillars of Eternity
Pillars of Eternity still remains one of the best CRPGs on the market and for many great reasons. The lore is incredibly detailed and extensive, the characters vibrant and lively, and the combat system never gets stale or boring, even by the time that one finishes a game for the nth time.
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Rangers utilize bows to great effect, along with a trusty animal companion. They can both dish out and take some damage, thanks to their tankier pets. Overall they are a great companion to have in a party, whether as the player’s character or an NPC.
4 Divinity: Original Sin 2
Archer Are Incredibly Crit Damage Dealers With High Utility
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin gives players quite a few choices when it comes to character creation, allowing them to mix and match different branches to create their perfect playstyle. The Huntsman utilizes a bow to a great extent, allowing players to do incredible damage, and even play around with different elemental arrows.
From tactical overwatch to rapid shooting and chain shots, the game gives an Archer all the tools they might ever need to be an absolute menace on the battlefield. Given the special effect arrows, they can also be great at crowd control, helping out the mages in a pinch.
3 Baldur's Gate 3
Stealthy Snipers With Possible Animal Companions And Option To Multiclass
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur’s Gate 3 came in swinging in 2023, completely dominating the RPG scene for a while. The beloved Dungeons and Dragons lore and system is a fantastic fit for a videogame, and Larian Studios has done a fantastic job of adopting it.
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The Ranger feels great to play, despite the community’s overall displeasure with the D&D version. There are a few great subclasses to consider, from the trusty sharpshooting Hunter to Beast Master that comes with a few spells a pet, and a devastating Gloom Stalker. Mixing Rogue with Ranger while multiclassing in particular can make for some powerful builds.
2 Monster Hunter: World
A High Power Playstyle That Can Adapt To Any Situation
Monster Hunter: World Game
- Released
- January 26, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The Bow has always been a staple within the franchise, and over the years many players have chosen it as their go-to class. Compared to other ranged weapons in the game, the Bow finds a great balance between straight and stun damage.
Archers should be wary though, positioning is everything for the Bow. Since the character is almost completely immobile during firing and has to wait in place for the most powerful attack, players can easily find themselves unable to dodge a massive beast that is diving straight at them.
1 Skyrim
Stealth Archer Is One Of The Strongest Builds In The Game
Skyrim
And of course, how could any archery list be made, without the incredibly infamous Skyrim Stealth Archer? Many players vow each and every time to try and play something different, but the allure of critical one-shots is just too great to overcome.
Perhaps it is the incredibly tactile shooting, the insane damage, or something else entirely, but the Archery skill line just feels fantastic. And given that the Thieves Guild makes the class even better, it really is a no-brainer, even on the 10th playthrough of this beloved classic.
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