The Shadower is the Bandit branch of the Thief, a melee dagger class with the unique Meso Explosion mechanic. In 4th job, Boomerang Step is the main AoE and Assassinate charges massive damage from Dark Sight for devastating boss hits.

Overview

Strengths

• Meso Explosion - Meso Explosion explodes meso for massive AoE, makes you welcome in boss parties
• Assassinate - Assassinate charges damage from Dark Sight for huge single hits
• Boomerang Step - Boomerang Step primary 4th job AoE
• Unique playstyle - Most diverse skill build options of any class

Weaknesses

• Meso Explosion costs real meso - Each explosion consumes meso from the ground
• Melee range - Must be close to enemies, more dangerous than ranged classes
• Complex mechanics - Dark Sight charging, ME timing, more active play required

AP Build

Same as Night Lord: +4 LUK / +1 DEX, cap DEX ~50-60.

1st Job - Rogue (Level 10-29)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Nimble Body	20
	Keen Eyes	8
	Disorder	20
	Dark Sight	20
	Double Stab	20
	Lucky Seven	20

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
10-16	Double Stab to 20 (MAX) - primary melee attack
17-23	Nimble Body to 20 (MAX)
24	Disorder to 3 (unlock Dark Sight)
25-30	Dark Sight to 18 - important for 4th job Assassinate charge

Explanation

Bandits use Double Stab (daggers), not Lucky Seven. Dark Sight is more important for Bandits than Assassins because 4th job Assassinate charges damage based on Dark Sight duration. Skip Keen Eyes (Keen Eyes) and Lucky Seven (Lucky Seven). Some players take Lucky Seven for faster 1st job training then switch to daggers at 2nd job ("Sin-Dit" build).

2nd Job - Bandit (Level 30-69)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Dagger Mastery	20
	Endure	20
	Dagger Booster	20
	Haste	20
	Steal	30
	Savage Blow	30

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
30-35	Dagger Mastery to 5, then Savage Blow +1
36-45	Savage Blow to 30 (MAX) - primary multi-hit attack
46-52	Dagger Mastery to 20 (MAX)
53-59	Haste to 20 (MAX) - speed + jump for party
60-66	Dagger Booster to 20 (MAX)
67-70	Endure to 11 or Steal partial

Explanation

Savage Blow is your main attack through all of 2nd job. Steal (Steal) is near-useless despite one outlier guide recommending it - skip it. Endure (Endure) gets leftover SP if any.

3rd Job - Chief Bandit (Level 70-119)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Shield Mastery	20
	Chakra	30
	Assaulter	30
	Pickpocket	20
	Band of Thieves	30
	Meso Guard	20
	Meso Explosion	30

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
70-80	Band of Thieves to 30 (MAX) - Band of Thieves, multi-mob attack
81-90	Meso Explosion to 30 (MAX) - explodes meso for massive damage
91-97	Meso Guard to 20 (MAX) - reduces damage taken, costs meso
98-107	Assaulter to 30 (MAX) - dash attack + mobility
108-114	Pickpocket to 20 (MAX) - drops extra meso from mobs
115-120	Chakra to 18 - converts HP to MP

Explanation

This is the BOT (Band of Thieves) → ME build, recommended for general play. Band of Thieves replaces Savage Blow for mobbing. Meso Explosion makes you desirable in boss parties - it explodes meso packets on the ground for huge AoE damage (NOT accuracy-dependent). Alternative: ME first if you're funded and want early boss party invites. Shield Mastery (Shield Mastery) is near-worthless - skip.

4th Job - Shadower (Level 120-200)

	Skill	Max Lv
	Shadow Shifter	10
	Venomous Stab	10
	Maple Warrior	30
	Assassinate	30
	Taunt	30
	Ninja Ambush	30
	Smokescreen	30
	Boomerang Step	10
	Hero's Will	5

Skill Build

Level	SP Allocation
120-130	Boomerang Step to 30 (MAX) - primary 4th job AoE
131-140	Assassinate to 30 (MAX) - massive boss damage from Dark Sight
141-150	Maple Warrior to 30 (book dependent)
151-160	Smokescreen to 30 (MAX) - party invincibility zone
161-170	Shadow Shifter to 30 (MAX) - dodge passive
171-180	Venomous Stab to 30 (MAX) - passive DoT
181-190	Taunt to 30 (MAX)
191+	Ninja Ambush to 30, Hero's Will +1

Explanation

Boomerang Step is your main AoE attack - max first. Assassinate is the bossing skill: enter Dark Sight, let it charge, then unleash for massive damage. The longer you stay in Dark Sight, the harder Assassinate hits. Smokescreen creates a smoke zone where all party members are untargetable - excellent for boss fights. Ninja Ambush (Ninja Ambush) is lowest priority.