General

Yeah, that was the only guide I could find, I didn't use it exactly, I read what they recommended maxing and then did it in my own order, doesn't really matter considering how quickly everyone levels now, but still I'd like to know these things, like if focus actually does anything now, or if I should have maxed Storm Break instead of leaving it at 21 to max other things like the guide said to.

Combination attacks
macro:
wind walk + wind piercing
wind walk + wind shoot

also
I didnt lvled strafe because I didnt needed it and I lvled 2nd job skills tomorrow I'll post my SP build

Someone PLEASE Update the guide make it clear to read, and for god's sake, Write what order to max things in also, what's the point of writing a guide if you're going to do it half assed? Now i'm worried because I don't have max focus and wont be maxing storm break.

Just a suggestion, if you have numerous builds, state the advantages in dot point form, a wall of text just gets skipped over 9/10 times.

Also, for training spots, Drakes from 50-55 and Kargo's from 55-60 is what I did, took like, 3 hours in total and I had all my lvl 60 gear from Kargo drops.

@TheDevilish0ne: Yeah but that takes effor- Just kidding. Yeah, I'm updating it now so it works.

@TheDevilish0ne: Hmm...well I did max Thrust in 2nd job. Although I did enjoy Storm Break during 2nd job, it has seen very little use during 3rd job...so after maxing Bow Expert and Wind Shot (since I've maxed Puppet already), should the points be dumped into Strafe or Storm Break and Storm (maxed Focus and Double Shot 1st job)?

[quote=TheDevilish0ne]Personally, I find the 100% knockback rate very useful. Even when I'm training on a straight map, I usually just Storm Break left to right and walk as I push them using Storm Break. This ensures that I don't need to stop and cast another one should one monster be left behind. I don't like to use Arrow Rain because I find the situation ineffective to use it.

Yes, I must agree that maxing Bow Booster, Soul Arrow and Thurst is important. However, I chose to leave my Bow Booster and Soul Arrow at level 18 and 6 respectively because they sync well at 3 minutes. Moreover, when buffs are casted in a macro, they seem to activate faster; well at least to me. I left my Thrust at level 7 (21 Speed) because I can 10 speed from my bathrobe (100% scrolled for DEX), 5 Speed from my Level 17 Evolving Ring and the rest of my speed (only need 4) from Maple Bows. However, I think its pretty easy to hit speed since high level bows gives quite a hefty amount of speed.

Moving on into 3rd Job, I believe that Bow Booster becomes useless when you are only using Hurricane to attack because the speed is unaffected. Therefore in some situations, Bow Booster isn't a necessity to cast. An example would be the Mulung Dojo, Booster would be irrelevant if you are just using Hurricane to kill. Therefore, the macro of Bow Booster + Soul Arrow has finally encountered a flaw.

That's why I maxed Soul Arrow in 3rd Job and macro it with Focus (maxed all my skills in 1st Job except Double Shot which I left at 16), such that they both last 300 seconds. As a plus, the animations fits well together, as they are both one - directional; the animation of Focus and Soul Arrow is different when facing left and right. To me, they kind of flowed together. When I got this macro, I maxed out my Bow Booster too, since I'm no longer burdened by 3 minutes for macro-ing with Soul Arrow.

Now, onto Thrust, I believe you have enough skill points to max all 3rd job core your skills (except Strafe) and have some leftovers. If you do need the speed boost from thrust, you could use the skill points from 3rd Job to have it maxed.

Storm Break is still useful for me as I use it as a finisher. It activates faster than Arrow Rain. Moreover, I believe it is even more useful now since Arrow Rain has such a long animation as of Chaos patch. If you still have your SP Reset, give Storm Break a try. =)

On a side note: I wrote quite a bit of Storm Break's utility at [url=http://www.basilmarket.com/forum/2080000/4#comments_list]page 4[/url] of this Topic. Its the second comment. You might want to take a look. =)

Sure, welcome ! =)[/quote]

I tried the Storm Break at 27 and Soul Arrow/Bow Booster at 6 and 18 respectively and found Soul Arrow's duration way too short...I had to keep recasting so often. I didn't worry so much about Bow Booster but Soul Arrow was of concern to me, so I redid the points with the SP Reset and switched it to 21 Storm Break, Max Booster and SA. It works a lot better and if you maxed Focus from 1st job, that can macro with Soul Arrow instead.

[quote=TheDevilish0ne]Well, if you would allow me to direct you [url=http://www.basilmarket.com/forum/2097779/0/Post_Chaos_wind_archer_build.html]here[/url] (second job) and [url=http://www.basilmarket.com/forum/2096234/1/35753479Wind_Archer_Sp_Guide.html#35753479]here[/url] (overall), you'll see that I have posted an overview of my skill build and analysis of the skills.[/quote]

Thanks a bunch!

Hey TheDevilishOne, I was wondering about the SP distribution for the second job (30-70). I'm pretty sure there aren't enough points to max all the skills but a lot of them seem important/very useful. I wanted to get your opinion on this and maybe an example of how the skills should look by level 70. (which should/shouldn't be maxed)

@TheDevilish0ne: So the mini dungeon, not the map outside it? Now I just need potion suggestions...I'm burning through them so quickly, whether its the pots themselves or mesos.

@TheDevilish0ne: Its level 101 now...so I've finished most of it. Just need training areas...I keep dying...OH

TS, add in the potions we should use.

Here's another SP build: http://www.basilmarket.com/forum/1848975/0/Wind_Archer_SP_Build.html#

Perhaps compare them, alongside your own builds?

Sigh...the guide comes a little late for me...I've already made my Wind Archer. Tough times.

@TheDevilish0ne: ARRGH. That ruined my intended training in-depth sections. BLARGH

Ohmygosh, are you telling me there are actually people out there who care about wind archers? -dies with happiness-
I just love it when people kick me from their party for some hermit in party quests, and then yell about how i end up taking most of the boss's exp once they get into my party. >
Buuuut yeah. The only time I actually macro'd wind walk was for spamming it with wind shot at bosses when i had yet to obtain hurricane. I never bothered with macroing it with AR, cause it ate up too much MP at typhons...i sorta miss standing in the same location for hours and just pressing down on one key. Sorta.

@Akantor: Oh, ANOTHER accuracy system? Bleh >_> Could you please explain this in more detail?

Also keep in mind that the new accuracy system is 2% per level.

@JaceComix: I recommend Focus. However, both skills will become obsolete in your later levels so it's entirely up to you. I just find Storm irritating to cast, and it can attack mobs you don't want attacked.

@thedevilish0ne: 160% Damage increase juicy enough for you? ;P

@Synco: I am devoting a wall of text to Wind Walk because it is bloody awesome.

I get 27k crits for AR and 89k crits for Wind Pierce, so I love it. A LOT.

@brewsie425: Thank you for your input. Rest assured, much of your points are being covered. Puppet has little effect on bosses, especially Eleanor. She sometimes ignores the puppet >:/

Hmm...

Well the future, Storm break is going to be replaced with some "iron arrow" like move in the Jump update for archers. However for the time being, it remains to be a good skill. People have a choice to max it or leave it at 27. For my WA, I left booster and soul arrow at 18/6 (180 seconds, easy macro), maxed storm break, then whatever left into thrust. I found that I had max speed early already so no need to add anymore.

For storm break vs arrow rain, I chose to have both maxed. Storm break is great to push enemies while dealing good damage. Then just use arrow rain to finish a mob. Using wind walk, I keep it close to my thumb so I can use it without having to macro. For me, macros fail with wind walk because I tend to keep moving while pressing attacking so it disrupts the sequence. You should stress the importance of wind walk not only as an offensive bonus, but its defensive properties as well.

Eagle eye. I rarely see wind archers as it is and when I do, I never see them use EE. No summoning/magic rock required, free weapon attack and more speed, huh?

Lastly the use of puppet. When you have this with wind walk + storm break, you rarely get hit as once you push the monsters together they'll be focused on our straw buddy. I personally love this combo because it's all fair game once the monsters are gawking at the puppet.

That's just my thoughts on Wind archers and what they need for guides. The ones I see don't talk much about training tips, which I find funny because WA have a lot of attacks to play with. More training spots would be great and good luck

@adolo: Well no offense, then REMOVE the old parts of the guide. If so many people are getting confused, clarify it for them. After all, what else would you, as a guide writer, do?

I distinctly remember the skill builds which you stated to be updated with the Eye of Amazon at level 8 still.

@bloodowner94: A popular combination attack that I use is Arrow Rain then Storm Break. Storm Break has a faster casting speed, therefore it would be convenient as a finisher before hammering away with strafe/hurricane.

Arrow rain has a slower casting speed, but the delay between attacks are small.

[quote=TheDevilish0ne]I think most guides I see deem Storm Break as useless. I personally feel that Storm Break is very useful and its a unique skill.[/quote]

Well personally the only times I ever used storm break on my wind archer were in CPQ and PyramidPQ and about that..when you hit 3rd job storm break isn't really that great anymore since you would have puppet to get hit less often and with wind piercing or wind shot most likely you would be able to kb the monster also people might just use double shot instead during 2nd job to kb the monsters because double shot would give a chance of a crit while storm break never has a crit

@adolo: 100% sure. Oh yeah, basil's skill descriptions and levels are accurate. Eye of Amazon is level 5, not 8 C:

@HimuHeat: LOL. Newties at 100 post-bb... /owmystomach

I only decided to do it myself because 1. I was confused to the Wind Archer guide on basil. Not everything made sense to me, and I couldn't read it at parts D: 2. There are still a lot of Wind Archers asking questions about training, builds and other things.

@Ashif3: WHAT. I LOVE STORM BREAK D:

@MarxMaster: Alrighty. I'm currently in the middle of the second job builds.

Yeah, and as a result my Hurricane is bloody awesome. Sometimes I love my lag<3. But normally it only affects the first bullet :7.

I've only macro'd Wind Walk and Storm Break, and that was only for Ghost Ship PQ because I could one-hit them with the damage bonus. Shortly after 80 I took the macro off, though. I don't trust Wind Walk with a macro unless if it's absolutely safe D: /overlycautious

Oh dear, it appears I may have forgotten about this.

Thanks to everyone who has given their opinions!

@MesoAvarice: I am placing in 'debate' sections, which explain my reasoning through why I decided to use a particular skill in that build. For example, I chose Focus over Storm in my builds but I do stress that it is YOUR character and ultimately, it is your playing style that decides matters like these.

@mapleck: Thrust is not recommended until later. Speed pills can always be used until you start throwing points into thrust. Speed is never a necessity; attack is prioritized. However, it will not kill you if you put thrust first.

@ByrningOne: Oh, I LOVE wind walk. Except when it killed me at LHC but otherwise it's amazing. I'll include notes on both, thanks

@MarxMaster: Yeah, I agree. I'll defintely cover this. Wind walk is my most favorite move next to Hurricane. And, if you don't mind, could I please send you a draft of the guide once I'm finished so we can pinpoint mistakes and debate over others?

@33gap33: I'll include training spots as well. Thanks.

@adolo: I felt that your guide was poorly executed and much of the information is out of date, even for post-big bang. It's why I'm writing my own C:

@rhenXD: Wind walk's 160% damage amplifier only applies to the FIRST bullet of Hurricane. Sucks, I know . I've died a few times because I forgot that I couldn't pot in Wind Walk. /rage

@KoolStoryBro: You NEVER macro Wind Walk with ANYTHING. Later, it becomes such a hassle to not wind walk because many of the monsters 3 hit you.

@wyvernaco: Thank you for your input. I use Wind Walk anyway, even with magic attacks. I'm chill like that. ;P

@mriwc: Thanks, I'll keep these in mind

@darkspawn980: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU STILL ARE MY MENTOR >:C MY DK IS STILL ALIVE

I am aware of what you're saying, and I've stressed that everything in this guide is not concrete; you can do whatever the heck you want because it's YOUR character.

[quote=MesoAvarice]Sorry for the late reply, been doing stuff.

As for the roar skill being useful (or any skill for that matter) it really up to the player playing style. I know a DrK who deleted his character to recreate it in Windia and agree that Roar is "useless" as he play as a DrK twice.
[/quote]

sorry, i digress, and almost every DrK around is backing me up that roar is far from useless, your pal has to get used to it. roar is a fantastic move, and unless you have soul driver, it is very high damage that adds up very fast., it's the best ultimate in the game along with Heaven's hammer.

as for your guide, i know naught about archers, but if i know one thing about guides, is that they are to [b]guide[/b] you, most people misunderstand this as "you must follow this!" it's not that, a guide is to show the alternatives, why they are alternatives, and give a player the choice, however, there will be bad skills that shouldn't be raised, these must be noted, but there also might be small details that are up to the player, a good example (sorry, no archer related) is the brawler first job, they have a skill activated by dualtapping left or right, some prefer to dump the last point on it, others prefer not to, because they run into monsters, up to the playstyle of the player.

so don't just make a "top damage/training efficiency build" the guide will probably be centered on that, since it's what most people want, but don't forget the tips and more obscure builds other players might want to use. Djp's DrK guide is a great example, you can look at it for some tips on how to form a guide.

your old DrK mentor~

PD: [url=http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Shinkudragon/Maplestory/MapleStory2011-06-2606-46-14-88.jpg]picture of an useless skill[/url]

[quote=MarxMaster]Stress the importance of mastering wind walk.

I see enough Wind Archers not getting their full potential because they don't spam it like it's a habit.[/quote]

Maybe she should put in how they should macro it with <Insert Skill Here>

[quote=MarxMaster]Stress the importance of mastering wind walk.

I see enough Wind Archers not getting their full potential because they don't spam it like it's a habit.[/quote]

Could you explain to me how Wind Walk is so effective? I know it adds damage, but it just seems like it takes too much time to keep casting it when I could just keep attacking. Also, I often die to magic attacks while I'm using Wind Walk because I can't use HP pots. I usually try to use it while jumping down to another platform, but I stopped using it altogether because I kept dying.

Yes, wind walk increases damage by a ton! I always imagined what it would be like to use it with hurricane even though it doesn't work.
Don't forget to mention that you can't pot in wind walk

Let me see, uhh
Theres going to be a WA bandwagon after the Jump! patch :l

Dunno, but early thrust any use? like, fast movement speed + storm break might help, seeing how mobbing > double shot
I raised thrust first for the fast training but if you can add a note saying why this is good or bad... idk

Get the equips in it if you can and add maybe a part of bossing like pap and zak-run, compare with other classes.
And what the equips should be if you are ; unfunded / semi funded or funded.

@sethkenzo: The option to fund one's character is entirely up to the player. However, yes, you do have a point and thank you for your input.

Remember to remind them NOT TO FUND A CYGNUS <3

@MesoAvarice: Thank you for your input.

I believe that the DrK guides on Basilmarket are reliable, as all regulars on the forums are constantly playing and have reason behind their recommendations. I know, because I am one. Post-BB, Roar is used to lure monsters and is considered a mini-ultimate. Roar no longer stuns so that's a bonus as well. The move that decreases elemental attacks by 30% is absolutely ridiculous. I've never used it. Roar IS used frequently by many DKs and DrKs. I use the move frequently during training sessions due to the large range .

Anyway, back onto topic.

- Could you please elaborate on the ratio aspect of your comment? For regular Wind Archers, Str = Current Level + 5 Str. However, it is recommended to have it capped at the maximum of 90, considering players will obtain equipment that add stats. Low str Wind Archers cap much earlier, although I don't know the exact number as I'm not one. Str-less just don't add anything at all.

- I do list pros and cons to making a Wind Archer, and I'll add a section for basic comparisons.

- I have been working on Skill Builds, so that's covered.

I may require assistance with equipment, due to the fact that I went my entire journey unfunded.