Best Open-World Games For Archer Builds

Key Takeaways

Many open-world games feature archery as a powerful combat option, offering satisfying mechanics, customizable bows, and specialized builds for players.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
,
Elden Ring
, and
Dragon’s Dogma 2
provide dozens of unique bows and diverse ranged skills for creating powerful archer builds.
Monster Hunter: World
,
Ghost of Tsushima
, and
Horizon Forbidden West
may lack variety in bow weapons but still allow players to craft powerful archer builds for lethal encounters.

As someone who has spent countless hours honing my skills with various weapons in video games, I can confidently say that archery stands out as one of the most satisfying and engaging combat mechanics. The art of using a bow and arrow transcends simple point-and-shoot gameplay; it’s about precision, timing, and strategy.

Numerous open-world games offer players a variety of character customization opportunities, enabling them to focus on close-quarters fighting, employ magical abilities, or adopt the role of marksmen who heavily rely on bows and arrows. Over time, the bow has proven to be an efficient weapon due to its precision and mastery, which has prompted numerous action open-world games to include archery as a potent combat choice.

Employing a bow in various games is frequently thrilling, as developers incorporate distinctive, potent abilities or customizable bows offering diverse arrow types to intensify the thrill of archery. Eliminating adversaries from afar can streamline complex battles or provide players with a crucial edge against tough opponents and bosses. Here are some outstanding open-world games that not only include a variety of bows and arrows but also enable players to design archer characters with almost unlimited damage potential.

1 Elden Ring

Players Can Choose From 19 Bows And Other Gear To Build The Ultimate Archer

The game Elden Ring is widely recognized for its intricate system of equipment, boasting a vast variety of weapons, armor, talismans, and other items to explore and excel in. It has 19 bows categorized into three groups — Light bows, Classic bows, and Greatbows, accompanied by numerous arrow types each with unique damage effects, as well as several ranged abilities. This makes Elden Ring a fantastic choice for creating potent archer playstyles.

Even though some Elden Ring players perceive bows as less powerful than the game’s diverse melee and magical weapons, it is feasible to conquer the entire game and vanquish every boss using a bow as the main weapon, as proven by committed gamers. Although this approach might not appeal to everyone, players should not undervalue ranged weapons. A skillfully-aimed arrow can be particularly effective against certain difficult enemies or bosses, granting players an edge in challenging situations.

2 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Over 20 Unique Bows With Various Perks And A Wide Range Of Ranged Skills

Expanding upon the foundations set by both Origins and Odyssey, which ushered in numerous bow designs to the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers a diverse assortment of bows – Light, Predator, and Hunter, each possessing unique strengths and weaknesses. Gamers can discover, enhance, and personalize more than 20 visually distinct bows, each boasting a special ability that can offer an archer playstyle a significant edge in battle.

In this game, there’s a wide variety of bows you can choose from, offering multiple strategies for long-range fights, making it simple to take out marked targets without getting too close. Plus, the Wolf Skill Tree provides both passive and active abilities that boost your archery prowess, adding depth to your character if you prefer shooting arrows. However, there are some downsides: the number of arrows is limited, so you might run out during lengthy fights. Moreover, the bows aren’t very effective against the game’s bosses who specialize in melee attacks, and for critical strikes, you’ll still need the hidden blade.

3 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The Archer Is Traditionally One Of The Most Popular And Deadly Classes

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the game is renowned for its versatile character customization, and the Stealth Archer setup continues to be adored by fans due to its incredible potency. Firing deadly, critical shots from a concealed position at a distance frequently enables players to resolve confrontations without enemies even sensing the danger, which makes this configuration exceptionally effective.

In every Skyrim adventure I embark on, I find myself drawn to the allure of crafting an unmatched archer. With a specialized Archery skill tree at my disposal, I can fine-tune my skills and boost stealth for a silent, deadly approach. The game also provides me with a diverse arsenal of spells, one of which allows me to enchant animals as allies, adding an extra layer of distraction in tricky situations. Top it off with the authentic, immersive sensation of pulling back a bowstring, and it’s no surprise that I often choose to build an archer character time and again.

4 Dragon’s Dogma 2

17 Unique Bows And An Advanced Magick Archer Vocation For Experimentation

In the sequel of Dragon’s Dogma, they have further developed the intense battle system from the first game, and the Archer class, or Archer Vocation, receives some thrilling enhancements. Initially, players can choose to begin as an Archer, amassing a variety of 17 distinct bows throughout your journey, all belonging to a single bow category. For those seeking more specialized long-range skills, there’s the option to unlock the advanced Magick Archer Vocation, specializing in distant combat with potent magic attacks.

This game provides a diverse assortment of ranged and magical abilities to tinker with, enabling players to discover the ideal mix for their gaming approach. Moreover, it features a distinctive Pawn system that allows you to assemble an entire team of Archers, resulting in a relentless barrage of arrows to overpower enemies – a one-of-a-kind, adrenaline-pumping choice that is seldom seen in archery games.

5 Monster Hunter: World

Archery Is Fun To Use, With A Variety Of Combat Skills To Choose From

In the Monster Hunter series, the bow is often cherished by many gamers as their preferred weapon of choice. Within Monster Hunter: World, this weapon provides an appealing balance between raw power and stun capabilities, enabling hunters to effectively incapacitate certain beasts while inflicting substantial damage in quick succession. Although the oversized design might require some adjustment, players are also encouraged to experiment with light and heavy bowguns for a slightly distinct ranged battle encounter.

In Monster Hunter: World, players can customize their archer characters with four distinct upgrade paths for the bow: Independent, Bone, Ore, and Defender. These paths allow for unique and potent archer builds. However, mastering positioning is vital when using the bow in this game, as your character becomes almost stationary while aiming or charging attacks. It’s crucial to time these actions perfectly, as a poorly timed charge can leave players vulnerable to swift, powerful monster attacks. Accuracy and awareness are therefore indispensable for successful bow play in Monster Hunter: World.

6 Horizon Forbidden West

Three Types Of Upgradable Bows And Numerous Skills To Choose And Master

In Horizon Forbidden West, archery reaches unprecedented levels, expanding on what made the bow combat in Horizon Zero Dawn so impressive. Despite being set in a post-apocalyptic era, Aloy’s main hunting tools are her trio of upgradable bows: Hunter, Warrior, and Sharpshot. These bows can be enhanced with elemental arrows, enabling players to tactically exploit the vulnerabilities of diverse mechanical creatures. For those who prefer a covert approach, even weaker machines can be eliminated with a precise, well-aimed shot.

In the updated skill structure of the game, there have been notable enhancements, broadening the range of archery-oriented abilities and boosting Aloy’s battle capabilities. By blending Hunter and Infiltrator skills, players can create a potent dedicated archer setup that largely depends on bows. This setup proves to be one of the strongest, giving players an exciting, smooth combat experience as they face off against colossal machines such as the Thunderjaw. The game, Horizon Forbidden West, delivers a thrilling, fluid combat experience that makes perfecting archery not only rewarding but also endlessly enjoyable.

7 Ghost Of Tsushima

While The Approach To Archery May Lack Flexibility, It Still Feels Rewarding

In the game “Ghost of Tsushima“, although Jin Sakai’s path as a samurai primarily revolves around his katana, the game surprisingly provides versatile archery possibilities. Players have the ability to utilize two distinct types of bows – the Half Bow and Longbow, which can be tailored and enhanced. Each bow significantly improves with ranged abilities that unleash potent effects such as explosive or fiery shots, enabling players to eradicate groups of Mongols effectively with a skillfully aimed arrow. The expansion “Iki Island” even includes archery challenge side activities to test players’ proficiency with the bow.

Some armor sets boost Jin’s skill as an archer, and there are various Charms to augment his ranged capabilities. By utilizing these items, players can develop Jin into a skilled marksman, taking down enemies at a distance while resorting to his katana for close-quarters combat or when facing bosses. The Longbow, in particular, delivers a substantial punch, with its heavy arrows sending opponents flying, making it an exciting option for eliminating unsuspecting adversaries from afar.

2024-11-15 09:04