MapleStory Bowmaster Skill Build Guide

Posted on 11th November 2020

Bowmaster is one of two Explorer Archer jobs that can be chosen from in MapleStory and are a part of the original classes added to MapleStory when it was first released. There is a third Explorer Archer called Pathfinder, but it must be created separately from the character creation menu, unlike Bowmaster which uses the Job Advancement system. Bowmasters use arrows to take down their enemies, with a flurry of useful skills to help them deal lots of damage to bosses and mobs.

Bowmaster Overview
Archer First Job Skill Build
Hunter Second Job Skill Build
Ranger Third Job Skill Build
Bowmaster Fourth Job Skill Build
Bowmaster Hyper Skill Build
Bowmaster Fifth Job Skill Build
Changelog

Bowmaster Overview

As an Explorer class, Bowmaster is an original class with a simple setup. It doesn't require complex mechanics to use and their skills aren't the most flashiest either (due to being so old!). The last update to Bowmaster came in the Red update, where they were revamped to try and bring them more in-line with other classes. That update was in 2013, and since then Bowmaster's could do with some tweaking to make them viable for 2020+.

When training with Bowmaster you get some useful skills that can help cover entire maps. The problem is that your main mobbing skill Arrow Stream has limited vertical range which makes it sometimes hard to clear maps. Arrow Platter is very good if you can one-shot mobs with it and in some small maps you barely have to move. When you move into 5th job, you get another cooldown skill called Arrow Rain that really helps with mobbing in larger maps.

As a bossing class, Bowmaster sits somewhere in the middle. They provide decent party buffs in Sharp Eyes, and can deal damage from range positions to keep out of harms way. They lack an i-frame, so dodging one-shot against bosses can prove difficult. Their DPS isn't the greatest, and sits pretty low on the all-time DPS charts, however they can continue to do damage when a boss moves out of range for melee classes, allowing them to do more consistent damage over time.

The other option for Archers is Marksman.

Weapon: Bow
Job: Archer
Class: Explorer
Shared Cash Shop Inventory: Explorer Jobs
Legion Block: +DEX (10/20/40/80/100)
Link Skill: Adventurer's Curiosity (+10% Critical Rate, +35% Chance to add monsters to your Monster Collection)
Primary Stat: DEX
Inner Ability: 20% Boss Damage

Did you know?

MapleStory Explorer Classes can switch between jobs once they are level 101+. For example, a Dark Knight can job change to a Paladin. They can only job change to characters within their class branch (i.e. archers to archers, thiefs to thiefs etc). You cannot job change a Dark Knight to a Bishop.

To do job change, you can either pay mesos or use a Job Advancement Coin (which is usually given out during events). Speak to your 4th job advancement NPC in Leafre to job change.

Archer First Job Skill Build

You can max all skills in first job. Follow this build:

Arrow Bow (1), Double Jump (2)
Double Jump (MAX)
Arrow Bow (MAX)
Archery Mastery (MAX)
Critical Shot (MAX)

As an Archer you'll get lots of critical damage and critical rate. Your main mobbing skill in first job is Arrow Bow, which is pretty decent for a first job skill. Max double jump as soon as possible to help with mobility and training faster.

Skill Description & Overview

Skill	Description	Type
Arrow Blow	Shoots arrows at multiple enemies.	Main Attack Skill
Double Jump	Allows you to use the Double Jump skill to move very quickly. Double-tap the up arrow key to jump again while in midair. Double-tap the down arrow key to descend more quickly.	Flash Jump Skill
Critical Shot	Increases Critical Rate.	Passive Buff
Archery Mastery	Gain proficiency in the fundamentals of Archery. Increases Range, Movement Speed, and Max Movement Speed.	Passive Buff

Hunter Second Job Skill Build

You can max all skills in second job. Follow this build:

Arrow Bomb, Bow Mastery (2)
Bow Mastery (5)
Bow Booster (6)
Bow Mastery (MAX)
Arrow Bomb (MAX)
Soul Arrow: Bow (MAX)
Physical Training (MAX)
Final Attack: Bow (MAX)
Covering Fire (MAX)
Bow Booster (MAX)

Arrow Bomb is your new mobbing skill. You'll rarely use Covering Fire, so max that last. You want to get your Bow Booster skill for faster attacks, so get the required Bow Mastery to 5 points to unlock the skill. You'll also get a skill called Quiver Cartridge which you can adjust to your needs. I recommend using the Magic Arrow mode for a 30% chance to deal an extra hit.

Skill Description & Overview

Skill	Description	Type
Arrow Bomb	Fires exploding arrows that temporarily Stun your target and enemies near your target.	Main Attack Skill
Soul Arrow Bow	Increases Attack Power and allows you to use Bows without arrows for a short time.	Buff
Quiver Cartridge	Fires 1 arrow from 1 of 3 types of special arrowheads. The quiver is refilled when you have used up all 3 types. Press the skill key to change the current arrowhead. You will switch to the next arrowhead automatically if you use up all of the current type.[Blood Arrow] - Restores a set percentage of Max HP.[Poison Arrow] - Deals poison damage over time, stacks up to 3 times.[Magic Arrow] - Fires an additional magic arrow when attacking.	Toggle SKill
Physical Training	Permanently increases STR and DEX through sheer physical training.	Passive Buff
Final Attack Bow	Grants a chance to activate an additional hit after an attack. Must have a bow equipped.	Passive Buff
Covering Fire	Fire arrows while leaping backwards. If you press and hold the skill key, you will fire arrows rapidly while in mid-air.	Secondary Attack Skill
Bow Mastery	Increases Bow Mastery.	Passive Buff
Bow Booster	Increases the attack speed of your weapon for a short time. Must have a bow equipped.	Attack Speed Buff

Ranger Third Job Skill Build

You can max all skills in third job. Follow this build:

Flame Surge (1), Phoenix (1), Reckless Hunt: Bow (1),
Arrow Blaster (1), Flame Surge (3)
Flame Surge (MAX)
Reckless Hunt: Bow (MAX)
Arrow Blaster (MAX)
Phoenix (MAX)
Marksmanship (MAX)
Evasion Boost (MAX)
Hookshot (MAX)
Mortal Blow (MAX)
Focused Fury (MAX)

You get a new attacking skill in Arrow Blaster, which is unusual to most skills. You can actually place the Arrow Blaster using the NPC chat key so that it acts as a stationary turret to attack mobs for you. Combine Arrow Platter and Flame Surge and you're doing some decent mobbing damage. Phoenix is your summon- not the most useful of summons but it's extra damage. The rest of the skills will boost your damage passively.

Skill Description & Overview

Skill	Description	Type
Flame Surge	Fires arrows imbued with flame to attack up to 6 enemies. Enemies continue to take damage after they're hit.	Main Attack Skill
Focused Fury	Constant attacks focus your concentration, increasing your Abnormal Status Resistance. Getting an Abnormal Status while this buff is in effect will reset the increased Abnormal Status Resistance. Also increases Abnormal Status Resistance and All Elemental Resistances permanently.	Buff
Reckless Hunt Bow	Reduces Defense and increases Attack Power and Damage.Can be toggled On/Off.	Toggle SKill
Phoenix	Temporarily summons a Phoenix to deal Fire damage to up to 4 enemies. Has a chance to Stun enemies. Permanently increases Defense. Not affected by enemy damage reflection skills.	Summon
Mortal Blow	Deal heavy damage to the enemy after a certain number of hits.	Passive Buff
Marksmanship	When attacking, ignores a portion of enemy Defense. Permanently increases your Attack Power.	Passive Buff
Hookshot	Fires a hook at the furthest enemy within range, dealing damage and pulling yourself along. While moving, you won't collide with monsters. Also increases your HP.	Secondary Attack Skill
Evasion Boost	Grants you a chance to dodge enemy attacks. When you succeed, attacks made by you in the following 1 second will result in Critical Hits.	Attack Speed Buff
Arrow Blaster	Shoots an arrow at a high angle. If you press and hold the skill key, it will fire continuously. While firing, use the Up and Down arrow keys to control the force of the shot. While the skill is casting, press the Interact/Harvest key to set up Arrow Blaster at your location to fire arrows automatically. Unaffected by attack reflection.	Summon/Attack Skill

Bowmaster Fourth Job Skill Build

You can max all skills in fourth job. Follow this build:

Arrow Stream (1), Hurricane (1), Bow Expert (1)
Arrow Stream (10)
Bow Expert (10)
Sharp Eyes (10)
Maple Warrior (10)
Advanced Final Attack (10)
Armor Break (10)
Arrow Stream (MAX)
Bow Expert (MAX)
Maple Warrior (MAX)
Advanced Final Attack (MAX)
Armor Break (MAX)
Enchanted Quiver (MAX)
Sharp Eyes (MAX)
Hurricane (MAX)
Illusion Step (MAX)
Binding Shot (MAX)
Hero's Will (MAX)

Arrow Stream is your mobbing skill, hitting up to 8 lines of damage on enemies. Hurricane is your single-target attacking skill, but you won't need it until you start facing bosses later down the line. Sharp Eyes and Maple Warrior are all good buffs to get early on, Enchanted Quiver will boost your Magic Arrows and not consume any for a short period. Binding Shot will increase the damage of your Arrow Platter, but the skill itself isn't very useful.

Skill Description & Overview

Skill	Description	Type
Arrow Stream	Shoots a wild flurry of arrows straight ahead.	Main Attack Skill
Advanced Final Attack	Permanently increases Attack Power. Greatly increases the damage and activation rate of your Final Attack.	Passive Buff
Sharp Eyes	Temporarily grants party members the ability to locate an enemy's weak spot to deal fatal damage to that enemy.	Buff
Maple Warrior	Temporarily increases the stats of all party members. Does not stack with Maple Warrior, Call of Cygnus, Nova Warrior, Hero of the Flora, President's Orders, Anima Warrior, or Rhinne's Protection.	Buff
Illusion Step	Greatly enhances DEX and Avoidability for a short time. Also permanently reduces damage taken.	Passive Buff
Hurricane	Launches arrows at tremendous speed like a catastrophic rainstorm. Holding the skill key will fire arrows continuously. You can also move while firing.	Single Target Attack Skill
Hero's Will	Hones your resolve to ignore certain abnormal status effects. Immune to Abnormal Status for 3 sec after use.	Buff
Enchanted Quiver	Allows you to shoot without consuming your current quiver's #carrows for a short time#. The quiver cannot be changed. In addition, permanently increases each quiver's quantity and effect.	Passive Buff
Bow Expert	Increases Bow Mastery, Attack Power, and Critical Damage. Additionally, allows you to set Arrow Blaster's firing angle instantly when placing. Placing while holding the up arrow key will fire at the highest angle and placing while holding the down arrow key will fire at the lowest angle.	Passive Buff
Binding Shot	Inflict a wound on an enemy to #creduce their HP Recovery and Speed#. Also increases damage for Arrow Blaster and placed Arrow Blasters.	Secondary Attack Skill
Armor Break	Pierce the enemy's defenses while attacking and increases damage in proportion to enemy DEF. Does not activate for monsters with 0 DEF.	Passive Buff

Bowmaster Hyper Skill Build

Hyper skills are available at level 140. You get Hyper Skill Points as you level towards 200, but not enough to max all the skills, so choose wisely. These skills mostly help increase the damage of your current skills.

Arrow Stream - Reinforce
Arrow Stream - Spread
Arrow Stream - Extra Strike
Hurricane - Reinforce
Hurricane - Boss Rush
Gritty Gust
Epic Adventure
Concentration

Bowmaster Fifth Job Skill Build

Upon reaching level 200, you will now have access to the V Matrix, which acts as your new fifth job skills. Each class gets their own skills to use, along with boosting nodes to increase the damage of existing skills. To obtain new skills, you open up items called Nodestones, which drop from every mob in Arcane River. You have limited number of slots in your V Matrix, so you want to obtain perfect nodes for maximize your character's damage.

Bowmaster's Nodes should include:

Storm Of Arrows
Inhuman Speed
Quiver Barrage
Silhouette Mirage
Trinode: Arrow Stream, Hurricane, Final Attack Bow
Trinode: Arrow Blaster, Quiver Cartridge, Phoenix

All 5th Job classes should try to also obtain these:

Decent Holy Symbol
Decent Sharp Eyes
Decent Speed Infusion
Erda Nova
Rope Lift
Vicious Shot
Guided Arrow
Fury Of The Wild

Skill Description & Overview

Skill	Description	Type
Storm Of Arrows	Arrows shot into the sky fall like rain. Unaffected by attack reflection. Has no effect in towns.	Cooldown Attack Skill
Quiver Barrage	Use every type of arrowhead at once, including a special flaming arrowhead that explodes when hits an enemy. The Flaming Arrow is unaffected by attack reflection. Does not consume arrowheads in the quiver and cannot use Enchanted Quiver while in use. Enchanted Quiver will be canceled if Quiver Barrage is used while Enchanted Quiver is active.	Burst Attack Skill
Inhuman Speed	[Active Effect] Causes you to attack so quickly you produce afterimages. Unaffected by attack reflection. [Passive Effect] After performing a certain number of attacks while the skill is on cooldown, an afterimage is created that attacks for a short time.	Attack Skill
Silhouette Mirage	Evade enemy attacks by moving fast enough to create illusory doubles of yourself. Illusory doubles disperse the enemy's attention to either reduce damage taken by Bow Master or inflict damage on the enemy. Not affected by Buff Freezer effects. Illusory doubles are unaffected by attack reflection.	Toggle On / Off Skill