Archer (ARC) Abilities, Traits, Combos and Materia
The enduring popularity of the bow is a testament to its elegant design, but this simple weapon would be of little worth without the surpassing skill of those who master it–the archers. Projectile techniques such as high–angle fire enable archers to assail their foes with deadly precision even at great distances.
Constant assessment of the battlefield enables them to carefully determine the most advantageous ground from which to loose, as well as the nature of the arrows best suited to their enemy. Together with the longbow sentries of the Elezen military, the shortbow hunters among the Miqo'te are widely regarded as the most skilled with a bow. The guild's teachings cover a variety of projectile weapons, down to the simplest throwing rock.
By completting quests the Archer can become a
Bard.
Below is a list of current actions and traits for the Archer class and the levels they are earned. Patch 1.20 saw massive changes to the abilities that the Archer class learns and the levels they are learned.
Abilities
Abilities are actions that the
Archer can equip to their bar and select to use at any time as long as their timer is available. Actions used in a combo will generate additional damage and effects.
|
Name |
Level |
Cast |
Recast |
MP |
TP |
Requires |
 |
Heavy Shot |
1 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
1000 |
Discipline of War |
| Delivers a ranged attack. Must be at least 8 yalms from the target for use in a combo. |
 |
Refill |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Exclusive |
| Refills quiver with arrows from your inventory. |
 |
Light Shot |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Exclusive |
| Delivers a ranged attack. |
 |
Decoy |
2 |
0 |
90 |
280 |
0 |
All Classes |
| Consumes MP to evade a single ranged or magic attack. |
 |
Piercing Arrow |
4 |
0 |
20 |
0 |
1000 |
Discipline of War |
| Delivers a ranged attack. Must be at least 8 yalms from the target for use in a combo. |
 |
Hawk's Eye |
6 |
0 |
90 |
0 |
0 |
All Classes |
| Increases physical accuracy. |
 |
Leaden Arrow |
10 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
1500 |
Discipline of War |
Delivers a ranged attack. Chance to inflict Heavy.
Combo Action: Heavy Shot Combo Bonus: Increased Heavy duration. |
 |
Raging Strike |
14 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
Exclusive |
| Increases attack power each time Light Shot hits while effect is active, up to a maximum of three stacks. Effect fades upon missing an attack. |
 |
Shadowbind |
18 |
0 |
40 |
0 |
250 |
Exclusive |
Delivers a ranged attack. Chance to inflict Bind.
Combo Action: Piercing Arrow Combo Bonus: Increased Bind duration. |
 |
Quelling Strike |
22 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
All Classes |
| Reduces enmity and increases TP generated by next attack. Does not affect auto-attacks. |
 |
Swiftsong |
26 |
3 |
10 |
280 |
0 |
Exclusive |
| Increases movement speed of all party members within range. Effect fades when enmity is generated by or against you. |
 |
Gloom Arrow |
30 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
1000 |
Discipline of War |
Delivers a ranged attack.
Combo Action: Piercing Arrow Combo Bonus: Chance to inflict Blind. |
 |
Barrage |
34 |
0 |
90 |
0 |
0 |
Exclusive |
| Reduces accuracy to make your next Light Shot a multifold attack. |
 |
Quick Nock |
38 |
0 |
180 |
0 |
1000 |
Exclusive |
Delivers a short-range attack to enemies in a cone before you.
Combo Action: Heavy Shot Combo Bonus: Fivefold attack and conversion to single target. |
 |
Chameleon |
42 |
0 |
180 |
0 |
0 |
All Classes |
| Reduces enmity. |
 |
Bloodletter |
46 |
0 |
80 |
0 |
1500 |
Exclusive |
Delivers a ranged attack. Chance to inflict a bleed effect.
Combo Action: Gloom Arrow Combo Bonus: Inflicts additional damage when bleed fades. |
 |
Wide Volley |
50 |
0 |
80 |
0 |
2000 |
Exclusive |
Delivers a ranged attack to the target and enemies near it at low accuracy.
Combo Action: Leaden Arrow Combo Bonus: Increased accuracy. |
Combos
The Archer class has the following combos which can be executed. These will give extra damage and effects.
Heavy Shot > Leaden Arrow
Heavy Shot > Quick Nock
Piercing Arrow > Shadowbind
Piercing Arrow > Gloom Arrow
Leaden Arrow > Wide Volley
Gloom Arrow > Bloodletter
Heavy Shot > Leaden Arrow > Wide Volley
Piercing Arrow > Gloom Arrow > Bloodletter
Traits
Traits are not abilities and can not be equipped to your bar. They are just earned as you level up and are always active. As a result they require 0 cast time and have a 0 MP and TP cost. They are also all exclusive to the archer class and its
job Bard.
Materia Selection
To get the most out of your
Archer, you should aim to maximise their stats through
using materia that best benefits the class. An archer's main attributes are
DEX and
PIE, so focusing on these will be beneficial. Below is a list of materia that we recommend you aim for.