PvP Job Series: Archer

As we continue the Tactics PvP Job Series, we will have a look at the viability of the Archer job as the main role in PvP for competitive use.

PvP Performance Statcard

Based on the statcard, Archers are effective in PvP as well as having decent primary job stats for an early job option. Their biggest advantage is the versatility of bows, being the only generic job besides Onion Knight that can equip it. We will break down the scoring below, starting with abilities.

For more information on Archer visit the job link: Archer.

Abilities

Archers’ biggest feature in PvP is the ability to equip bows as a job. The bow’s advantage is using height to reach distant targets and the “arc” of the arrow projectile getting around certain objects. However, they are probably not going to be scoring much out of their own action abilities as there are innate issues with their ability tree, Aim, that we will highlight:

Aim (action) – The concept of Aim seems cool in story content, but it has some real issues in PvP that have some similarity to casting magicks. Each version of Aim, from Aim +1 through Aim +20 requires charging and while you are charging up your Aim attack, the Archer cannot move or the Aim will fail and if the target moves before the ability goes off, the Aim will likely result in no damage (it is tile-targeted). This also poses a risk in that while charging up, the Archer will take increased damage due to casting (other cast time abilities share this penalty as well). All in all, it is ideal to avoid using really high Aim variants altogether and either focus with just Attack or no more than Aim +2 unless the game play is very slow in nature. Checking the turn order is important in the success of casted abilities.

Adrenaline Rush (reaction) – Adrenaline Rush is a fairly good reaction ability in general, increasing the character’s Speed by 1 each time it procs (the chance is based on their Bravery). Increasing Speed helps a unit get their turn faster and some abilities also do increased damage based on Speed, like Ninja’s Throw.

Concentration (support) – Concentration causes the target’s evasion stats to be ignored most cases (there are a few things that this does not apply to like Arts of War) so that even if they are using Reflexes or running high evasion gear, most of it does not count. This ability can be handy for melee builds that want to ensure their hard-hitting attack always connects.

Stats

Stats as a primary job: HP: 100% | MP: 65% | Speed: 100% | PA: 110% | MA: 80% | C-EV: 10 | Move: 3 | Jump: 3

Can equip: Bows, Crossbows, Shields, Hats, Clothes

Though Archers are not considered a starter job (they require Squire job to be Lv. 2) they are a good job in general for having instant ranged damage. Their job stats aren’t really going to excel in any particular area, but their decent PA and Speed and 10 C-EV can be handy, especially in slower formats.

Conclusion

The Archer job is a decent spec for ranged damage in PvP. Their job ability probably won’t see much effective play, but some of their other passive abilities may find their way into other builds. Their access to bows leaves a set of options for playing from safety; taking advantage of the high ground on certain maps.