The Basics
Bowmen have the strongest ranged damage out of the four classes you can choose in MapleStory. But to better show comparison, we've included a nice Pros and Cons chart.
Pros
Bowmen have high ranged damage.
Bowmen have the highest knock back.
Can attack from far away.
At start, can do more damage than a starting magician.
Can attack quickly.
Equipment is relatively cheap in the higher levels
Bowmen can use swords in the beginning to help in the training.
Cons
Bowmen have horrible melee attack when level about Level 25+
Bowmen have unstable damage.
Bowmen consume arrows fairly quick at first.
Training is tedious in the beginning
Bowmen attack slowly drops when reaching Level 20+ (attack lower than all jobs)
You must know that Bowman, like all other jobs, will require many hours of training, leveling, and more in order to be number one. Many things will happen, but this guide will help make sure that you won't make a mistake!
Starting Up
MapleStory has an alternative way to obtain your first job. Unlike most MMORPGs, MapleStory doesn't allow you to choose your first job at level 1. Also, you must follow a specific method in order for you to get the best out of your character.
When we first start up MapleStory, we'll encounter the Create Character button. What we would like to do is to have the following stats.
STR: XX
DEX: XX
INT: 4/5
LUK: 4/5
The reason is because INT and LUK will never be used for a bowman and the lowest a stat will go is 4. Therefore, we'll maximize the amount of STR and DEX we can get and minimize the amount of INT and LUK. Please know, you must keep rolling the dice until you recieve that combo. It may take up to 20 minutes to complete this. If you're impatient, an INT and LUK of 5 is fine also.
As a Beginner
Now that you're a beginner, you can start training by attacking snails that are found all over. As you level up, you will gain 5 AP. These points should be spent only on STR and DEX. We've come up with a formula to help guide you as to how STR and DEX should go.
STR should be 5 more than your current level if you want to become a Hunter (uses bows) or equal to your level if you want to be a Crossbowman (uses crossbows) Leftover points should go into DEX.
You should also remain in Maple Island until you reach level 10 with 25 DEX. At level 10, venture all the way to a city called Southperry and go all the way to the opposite side and talk to Shanks. Shanks will then ask you for 150 mesos and will transport you to Lith Harbor.
Becoming an Archer
Now that you're in Lith Harbor, in order to become a Archer you must venture to the forest-like city of Henesys. In order to go there, you can either follow a path on your World Map or find the ticket booth that is just a little off from the boat you came from.
When you arrive to Henesys, go to the Mushroom Park and enter the portal. Go all the way to the right (kind of the edge of the map)and find a portal. Inside, you will find Athena Pierce. There, you should talk to her and follow her instructions to become an Archer. Please remember, the following stats are required to become an archer, but if you followed the guide you should be fine.
You must be level 10.
You must have at least 25 DEX.
Now that you're an Archer, let's begin finding out what your bowman can do.
Archer Skills
Archers have several skills that helps assist them when training. These skills are listed below along with additional information. On the next page, we will discuss how to use these skills to your advantage.
Picture Name Master Level Prerequisites Type
Arrow Blow 20 None Active
Critical Shot 20 None Passive
Double Shot 20 1 point in Arrow Blow Active
Focus 20 3 points in The Blessing of Amazon Supportive
The Blessing of Amazon 16 None Passive
The Eye Of Amazon 8 3 points in The Blessing of Amazon Passive
Archer Builds
On the previous page, you have seen the skills of the Archer. Now, you must choose how to spend it. Although we have compiled a list of Builds for you, it is absolutely up to you as what you can do.
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Archer: Arrow Blow with Amazon's Bless
Using this build, you maximize the range of your arrows, as well as your chance to deal critical blows.
Archer: Arrow Blow with Double Shot Build
This build is similar to the Double Shot with Arrow Blow Build, but maxing Arrow Blow instead of Double Shot. Again, you acquire two different attack skills. However, you are only able to max one passive skill, being possibly the least useful one (as it is based completely on chance). Also, having two different attacks is fairly unnecessary.
Archer: Arrow Blow with Focus Build
With this build, you will have your Arrow Blow maxed, along with 10 points into your Focus. This will allow for better accuracy and avoidability during training. Keep in mind that unlike Double Shot, Arrow Blow does not have a prerequisite, allowing for one extra point to be placed into a skill of your choice.
Archer: Double Shot With Amazon's Bless
Using this build, you maximize the Range of your arrows, as well as your chance to deal critical blows. Also, Double Shot is maxed, allowing you to fire two arrows at one enemy simultaneously.
Archer: Double Shot With Arrow Blow Build
Using this build, you acquire two different attack skills. However, you are only able to max one passive skill, being possibly the least useful one (as it is based completely on chance). Also, having two different attacks is fairly unnecessary.
Archer: Multi-Build
You always want to attack and defend well, right? By limiting points in passive skills, you can place more points into your attack skills. Of course, this does lower the effectiveness of your second and third job advancement skills.
Archer: Passive Skill Build
This build is the least recommended, for it will be very hard to level through the first job advancement with no active skills. However, you do get almost all of your passive and supportive skills maxed, which may prove to have an advantage
Subject: Bowmen Guide 
Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:26 am
