Tera Archer
Introduction
Gifted with sharp eyes and quick reflexes, the TERA Archer class is an expert marksman who can shoot down enemies with startling killing efficiency. Archers are at their most dangerous at a distance, shooting a barrage of arrows that inflict damage and debilitating status effects like poison and slow.
Even when caught in melee range, Archers have plenty of survival tricks up their sleeve. They can leap distances and stun foes to regain enough distance and unleash another volley of shots. They can also set up a variety of immobilizing and exploding traps that help finish off the enemy. If you want to play a highly mobile class who snipes foes to submission, then the Archer is for you. More on TERA Archer
Combat Arsenal
The TERA Archer uses a main weapon Bow, and wears Light Armor.
Gameplay
To play the TERA Archer class effectively, you will need to react fast to enemy movements to stay within shooting range and to evade enemy melee attacks. Every TERA Archer Leveling Guide will also tell you to master the art of kiting – or the tactic of keeping a target at bay while still slinging arrows. This is mandatory skill for every Archer who wants to maximize his damage potential without exposing himself to counterattacks.
Skill List
| Level | Skill | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrow | A basic arrow that's strongest at close range. |
| 1 | Backstep | Quickly dodge back out of harm's way. |
| 2 | Arrow Volley | Lock onto and hit several targets with one shot. |
| 4 | Penetrating Arrow | An arrow that does more damage the longer you charge it, piercing whoever it hits. |
| 6 | Slow Trap | Drags down the movement speed of anyone near it when it goes off. |
| 8 | Close Quarters | Bash an enemy with your bow, potentially stunning it. |
| 10 | Breakaway Bolt | Fire an exploding arrow at your feet, leap clear, and then watch the fireworks. |
| 12 | Retaliate | Leap to your feet while attacking your target. You can use this skill only when knocked down. |
| 14 | Rapid Fire | Quickly fire up to seven arrows off in succession. |
| 15 | Radiant Arrow | A very powerful single shot that does more damage the longer you charge it. |
| 22 | Poison Arrow | Shoot an arrow dripping with lethal poison. Does less damage to far-off targets and other players. |
| 24 | Final Salvo | As a chained skill from Radiant Arrow or Penetrating Arrow, you rapid-fire up to five arrows at whoever's still standing. |
| 26 | Concussion Trap | Set a trap that briefly staggers the victim. The trap lasts for 20 seconds or until triggered. |
| 26 | Incendiary Trap | A magical landmine that blasts anyone near it when it goes off. |
| 30 | Velik's Mark | Mark a single opponent and do extra damage whenever you hit it. |
| 38 | Feign Death | Deceive monsters by pretending to be dead. Resets your aggro and buys you some breathing space. |
| 42 | Web Arrow | Tangle your targets, slowing them down. |
| 48 | Sniper's Eye | Slow down your attacks but greatly increase their damage, especially against other players. |
| 54 | Restraining Arrow | Drag down your opponent's speed and do damage at the same time. |
| 58 | Rain of Arrows | Exactly what it sounds like. Anyone in the area better have a steel umbrella. |
Skill Strategies
Given these tentative skills, the TERA Archer class starts as a basic single-target shooter who evolves to an area range specialist with amazing battlefield control through the use of multiple slows, and amazing burst from chaining skills, marks and traps.
Early Game
Archers begin with a wide arsenal of arrow skills that train him how to deal sustained damage a combination of instant (Rapid Fire) and charged shots (Penetrating Arrow, Radiant Arrow), and how to also dish out the pain when caught in close-range combat through skills like Close Quarters. Aside from offensive tricks, Archers are also given evasive maneuvers that help then regain distance and resume raining arrows on would-be assailants.
Mid Game
By the level twenties and thirties, Archers start to expand their chained skills and status ailments. It is assumed that those piloting the class have gotten used to the basic run-and-shoot tactics of Archers, and can jam in more skill combos. For instance, the Final Salvo skill becomes a great finisher to a well-charged Radiant Arrow or Penetrating Arrow. A couple of new traps also introduce to Archers the idea of battlefield positioning, since these can either punish enemies who attempt to chase down archers (Incendiary Trap) or stagger a foe and allow for an arrow barrage (Concussion Trap).
End Game
At the highest levels, the Archer gains ahold of clutch survival and damage amplification skills. The best Archers will be able to know the exact time to use a Feign Death and Web Arrow to escape certain death in PvE, or when to open with a Sniper’s Eye to score a kill. The class also receives a powerful area attack that can swing the tides of battle in both raiding and PvP. These endgame skills offer the best chance of survival and damage output for Archers – assuming the player masters their use.
Screenshots
Known Glyphs
Starting at level 20, glyphs can be applied to customize the skills of your TERA Archer. The complete TERA Archer Guide available at launch will have a more comprehensive list, but scan through this partial selection to get some early ideas on how to customize your Archer:
| Glyph | Effect |
|---|---|
| Slick Penetrating Arrow | You can charge your Penetrating Arrow skill and still move at full speed. |
| Energetic Breakaway Bolt | Your Breakaway Bolt skill's cooldown time decreases. |
| Lingering Poison Arrow | Increases the duration of your Poison Arrow skill tremendously. |
| Persistent Close Quarters | When you use Close Quarters, there's a chance it will have no cooldown time. |
| Spirited Rapid Fire | If you hit your target with Rapid Fire, there's a chance your mana regeneration will increase. |
| Fleetfooted Breakaway Bolt | When you use Breakaway Bolt, there's a good chance it boosts your movement speed. |
| Blazing Final Salvo | If you chain to it from Final Salvo, your Penetrating Arrow skill will charge a lot faster. |
| Empowered Incendiary Trap | Your Incendiary Trap does more damage. |
| Lingering Slow Trap | Your Slow Trap impedes affected targets a lot longer. |
| Piercing Arrow | Your basic Arrow skill has a chance of doing double damage each hit. |
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