bowmanbuild2 min read· updated 2026-11-08
Bowman build variants
There is no dexless bowman and STRless is a trap. The choices that really change a bowman are Eye or Focus, and when to take Soul Arrow.
Every number and name on this page is read live from the game data.
Short answer: no bowman has a meaningful stat build choice. Raise STR to your weapon's requirement and put everything else in DEX.
What actually varies
- Eye or Focus at 30. Take range if you train at or below your level, Focus if you train above it. The numbers are in Bowman build.
- Soul Arrow timing. A Hunter can take it at 34 and delay Arrow Bomb 30 by two levels, or go Bomb first. See Hunter.
- Final Attack on a Crossbowman. One point at 34 gives 270% of the eventual 360%. See Crossbowman.
STRless: a trap
Four weapons need no STR: , , and . Nothing above level 15 does.
So a STRless bowman is stuck on a level 10 or 15 weapon for the whole game. By our estimate, a STRless bow falls about a third behind at level 30 and about 60% behind at 70. Battle Crossbow is the less bad version, at about a quarter behind at 30 and about 55% at 70.
Dexless: does not exist
Every bow and crossbow has a DEX requirement, from 25 at level 10 up to 145 at level 70. You could not hold the weapon, let alone hit with it.
Extra STR
Do not go over what your weapon and armor need. By any estimate, one point of DEX is worth several points of STR, and DEX also feeds accuracy. Adding STR "for damage" just loses points.
The low-STR route
Crossbowman is the closest thing to a low-STR bowman. Crossbows need level minus 10 from level 20 up, against level for bows. That is 10 AP saved at any level from 30, so 10 more DEX for good.
Undecided before 30? Follow the crossbow STR ladder: 0 at 15, 10 at 20, 15 at 25. You can top up STR in two levels if you pick Hunter. The catch is that needs 20 STR at level 20, so this only suits someone not buying bows yet.
Made a mistake?
costs 7,000 NX and resets all stats, including AP put into HP and MP. costs 7,000 NX and resets all skills except Beginner skills. Both also sold for mesos between players in the week to 7 Nov. Before you pay NX, ask in chat what one recently sold for. Store listings show only asking prices.
Not confirmed yet
- Whether STR or DEX on gear counts toward a weapon's requirement. Plan on base stats until it is tested.
