Choosing the Archer Vocation to start with in Dragon's Dogma 2 is a great way to fulfill your dreams of embodying Legolas from The Lord of the Rings, so it almost seems unfair that you can start the game as this class from the very beginning. Continue reading to learn more about unlocking the Archer Vocation and some basic information about how the class works, along with general tips to help you thrive.
Dragon's Dogma 2 Archer Vocation Guide
According to Game Director Hideaki Itsuno, the Archer is considered one of the two best starting classes in Dragon's Dogma 2. "If you're an FPS or third-person shooter player and you've got good aim, then the Archers could be a good match because the better you can aim, the better you will do with that kind of ranged character," he told GamesRadar+. "I think it'll help you get to grips with the game at the start."
How to Unlock Archer in Dragon's Dogma 2
Archer is one of the four starting Vocations in Dragon's Dogma 2 that the player can choose at the outset, alongside Fighter, Thief, and Mage. If you don't select it first, then you'll have to spend 100 Discipline Points (Dcp) at a Vocation Guild to unlock it. These are often located near Inns in town centers, starting in the town of Melve. At the Inn, speak to Tristan, who functions as both Inkeeper and Guild Master. As such, speak to him and select the "Vocation Guild" option followed by the "Change Vocation" option. Assuming you have the Dcp, you can unlock and equip Archer from that menu.
You gain Dcp from every combat encounter, so if you don't have enough, go on some adventures and slay enemies. It shouldn't take too long to collect enough Dcp to unlock it.
Archer Tips
- When you can, scramble to high ground and use Steady Shot to aim for enemies from afar.
- Don't be afraid to get somewhat close to the action. Archer thrives at range but is also quite nimble.
- Always combo the Core Skills Leaping Punt and Parting Shot to vault off an enemy then fire a quick arrow.
- Equip both the Ambuscade and Lethality Augments to get a 15% boost to precision damage against unaware enemies.
- Use Tarring Shot to douse enemies in flammable tar then rely on a a Mage use a Fire spell to ignite them. Drenching Arrow does the same setup with Ice magic.
- Don't hit your allies! Sweep Shot fires arrows in a wedge pattern and Exploding Shot obviously explodes for area damage. Both of these can hit ally NPCs involved in the fight.
Archer Core Skills
Core Skills in Dragon's Dogma 2 are the fundamental abilities that make up any Vocation's core toolkit. These include Steady Shot, which allows a more precise aim to target enemy weak spots. There's also Leaping Punt, which is a jumping kick that knocks the enemy off-balance while propelling you away from them.
| Rank | Core Skill | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Loose | Aims and fires an arrow at a nearby foe. Can be employed while moving. If employed while clinging to or pinning down a target, the user pierces the target with the arrow directly. | 0 |
| 0 | Front Kick | Unleashes a swift kick that causes the target to flinch. Launches the user backward if the kick connects in mid-air. | 0 |
| 0 | Steady Shot | Draws the bow carefully, allowing for precise aim. Can be employed while moving. Length of the draw affects arrow impact and distance flown. | 0 |
| 1 | Leaping Punt | Delivers a weighty kick that can knock foes off balance. Launches the user backward after it connects. | 150 |
| 2 | Parting Shot | Fires an arrow while jumping back after performing a Leaping Punt or a mid-air Front Kick. | 250 |
| 3 | Swift Nock | Enables the user to nock arrows more quickly when using Loose or Steady Shot. | 400 |
| 4 | Puncture Dart | Draws the bowstring to its absolute limit before firing. Makes aiming more difficult, but allows arrows to pierce targets with greater impact. | 600 |
