The Bowmaster is the Hunter branch of the Archer class, defined by Hurricane - a sustained rapid-fire skill that shoots 8 arrows per second. Combined with Sharp Eyes (the best party crit buff), Bowmasters are devastating at both grinding and bossing.

Overview

Strengths

• Hurricane - Hurricane fires 8 arrows/sec, not affected by speed buffs - insane sustained DPS
• Sharp Eyes - Sharp Eyes gives party critical hit rate + damage, best archer party buff
• Arrow Bomb - Arrow Bomb : Bow is one of the best 2nd job mobbing skills with stun
• Arrow Rain - Arrow Rain rains arrows over an area for 3rd job mobbing

Weaknesses

• Squishy - Low HP pool, need to position carefully
• Final Attack debate - Controversial 2nd job decision that some regret
• Skill book dependency - Hurricane and Sharp Eyes books are rare

AP Build

DEX is the main stat. Start DEX 13. +4 DEX / +1 STR, cap STR around 50.

1st Job - Archer (Level 10-29)

	Skill	Max Lv
	The Blessing of Amazon	16
	Critical Shot	20
	The Eye of Amazon	8
	Focus	20
	Arrow Blow	20
	Double Shot	20

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
10-11	Arrow Blow +1 (unlock Double Shot), The Eye of Amazon to 8 (MAX)
12-18	Double Shot to 20 (MAX) - primary attack, better than Arrow Blow
19-25	Critical Shot to 20 (MAX) - critical hit passive
26-30	The Blessing of Amazon +3, Focus remainder

Explanation

The Eye of Amazon early for range. Then Double Shot as your main attack (always better than Arrow Blow). Critical Shot gives passive crits. Skip Arrow Blow after the 1 unlock point.

2nd Job - Hunter (Level 30-69)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Bow Mastery	20
	Final Attack : Bow	30
	Bow Booster	20
	Power Knock-Back	20
	Soul Arrow : Bow	20
	Arrow Bomb : Bow	30

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
30	Arrow Bomb : Bow +1 (unlock stun mobbing)
31-35	Bow Mastery to 15+
36-40	Bow Mastery to 20 (MAX)
41-47	Bow Booster to 20 (MAX)
48-54	Soul Arrow : Bow to 20 (MAX) - unlimited arrows
55-64	Arrow Bomb : Bow to 30 (MAX) - stun AoE, must max
65-70	Power Knock-Back to 20 (MAX)

Explanation

Skip Final Attack : Bow (Final Attack) - the animation delay disrupts Arrow Bomb mobbing, and FA becomes useless in 3rd/4th job. The debate is fierce but modern consensus leans anti-FA. Arrow Bomb : Bow MUST be maxed to 30 for the stun rate - it's one of the best 2nd job skills in the game.

3rd Job - Ranger (Level 70-119)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Thrust	20
	Mortal Blow	20
	Puppet	20
	Inferno	30
	Arrow Rain	30
	Silver Hawk	30
	Strafe	30

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
70-80	Strafe to 30 (MAX) - primary DPS, max by level 80 always
81	Mortal Blow +1
82-91	Arrow Rain to 30 (MAX) - rain arrows AoE for mobbing
92-98	Mortal Blow to 20 (MAX) - 70% chance for 250% damage + OHKO on low HP
99-108	Silver Hawk to 30 (MAX) - hawk summon with stun
109-114	Puppet to 20 (MAX) - decoy that takes hits
115-120	Thrust to 18

Explanation

Strafe first, ALWAYS - every guide agrees. It's the definitive single-target DPS skill. Arrow Rain for AoE mobbing. Mortal Blow gives 70% chance of 250% arrows plus 10% insta-kill on sub-50% HP mobs. Inferno (Fire Shot) is skipped - only useful against fire-weak mobs and there aren't enough SP.

4th Job - Bowmaster (Level 120-200)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Bow Expert	10
	Maple Warrior	30
	Sharp Eyes	10
	Dragon's Breath	30
	Hurricane	30
	Phoenix	30
	Hamstring	10
	Concentrate	30
	Hero's Will	5

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
120-130	Hurricane to 30 (MAX) - 8 arrows/sec sustained fire
131-140	Sharp Eyes to 30 (MAX) - party crit rate + damage buff
141-150	Bow Expert to 30 (MAX) - bow mastery + min crit damage
151-160	Maple Warrior to 30 (book dependent)
161-170	Concentrate to 30 (MAX) - +weapon attack, -50% MP cost
171-180	Phoenix to 30 (MAX) - phoenix summon
181-190	Dragon's Breath to 30 (MAX)
191+	Hamstring to 30, Hero's Will +1

Explanation

Hurricane is unique - it fires 8 arrows per second and is NOT affected by Bow Booster, attack speed, or Speed Infusion. Just hold the key. Sharp Eyes makes you essential for boss parties (+20% crit rate, +10% crit damage at max). Bow Expert increases minimum critical damage, synergizing perfectly with Sharp Eyes.