The Rogue Build has been one of the most popular classes in the Bioware’s Dragon Age Origins. Inquisition makes it possible to develop an archer build, which has evolved with quite a significant DPS character. If perhaps you’ve had problems progressing levels, you need to rebuild your game. What are the weapons and armor to use? Which are the upsides and downsides of this game? Read on this article to know all about this Rogue archer build.
Since already you have decided to go by the Archer build, a common mistake by most players is trying to merge the dual-wielder into their game. This game major on your skill points, and trying to pursue both makes your character less effective.
Just select a single skill tree and master it inside out. An archer builds primarily uses skills in the Archery tree. Nevertheless, additional abilities from the Subterfuge trees and Sabotage can also come in handy.
Playing the Rogue class allows for explosive arrow shots, long-range attacking, striking multiple enemies, striking from above, first blood, and pincushion. All these abilities come from the archery tree. On the other hand, the Sabotage tree offers poisoned weapons (you can damage your enemies for a lifetime). The Subterfuge tree allows for easy to miss and stealth ability, making you kind of ‘invisible’ to your enemies.
Building a Successful Archer Build
Avoid building up high strength and save up those points to equip your character with the best type of armor. Light armor is the best for the rogues, discussion for later, and so dexterity is a significant stat. High endurance serves you in the best interest of avoiding being hit. Excellent willpower should be 15-20. Do not invest too much on magic (15 or less).
Instead, maximize on cunning (up to 20) to achieve more successful backstabs. The following steps will help you make a high DPS character, rarely hit by opponents, and use the best equipment available. Now that you have a brief idea of what you should do to develop a good Archer build in Dragon Age Origins, what are the specific armor and weapons one should use?
Armor and Weapons
Armor
There are four different types of body armor. These include heavy, light, massive, and medium. Each armor is made in different materials, and the tiers for each increase as one progresses through the game. Regardless of the skillset you choose, light armor works best with this build’s character. Additional protection from the heavier armors is unnecessary as it only slows you down during attacks and reduces stamina quickly. Note that having matching armor gives you a bonus.
The armor to use include; Red Jenny Seeker Gloves (fund the after the Trial of Crows battle), Cadash Stompers for the feet (from the personal quest at Shales), and The Ring 1 and 2 (found at Orzammar and Greater Shade respectively). The Felons and Mercenary coat are perfect for this build, the latter having a +5% ranged defense. Essentially, armors having a high ranged defense work best for this Archer build.
Furthermore, they add on to willpower and strength. The Longsight+Longbowman’s belt (found at camp, for a price) gives you a higher striking accuracy.
Weapons
Since the Archer Build works well in the lower levels (1-10), the weapons need to be less complicated. The Far Song is a vital weapon, far much better than the Mages Eye. It has a +3% critical chance, +10% attack and backstabs damage, and +2% rapid aim. This weapon helps with cunning, willpower, combat, and endurance. Other weapons used include the
The Inquisition Longbow. found in level 10, has a +6% Strength/Dexterity and +3% attack. The Fereldan Officer Longbow found in level 6 and has a +35% Dexterity and +2% Critical chance. It is suitable for its striking accuracy. Besides, it boosts stamina up to 15. These bows flanking, attack and dexterity bonuses help you with accuracy, positioning, and power.
More: Best Mage Build in Dragon Age Origins
Pros and Cons
The Archer Build has its advantages, but cannot lack in some downsides. Here are some of those pros and cons.
Pros
- The character’s long shot ability, having a plus 600% damage bonus (max 15 meters), and works well during long-range combat.
- The Sabotage tree’s poisoned weapons and archer tree’s pincushion gives character s +25% weapon damage and +5% bonus, respectively, which progressively wears down enemies.
- The archery tree’s full drawn ability helps in higher damage on the first strike to uninjured enemies.
- When shooting from a higher point, death adds a max damage bonus (25 %). Besides, it helps with defensively by missing/avoiding enemy attacks- it provides an outflanking strategy opening.
- On a brighter note, outflanking’s enemy evading ability adds 100% flanking and 25% threat reduction. By staying high and keeping your enemy’s side, the Archer build character is advantaged.
Cons
- Various abilities of the Archery Tree have quite a long recovery time. For instance, this Long-range striking ability’s cool-down time is 8 seconds, the explosive shot being 12 seconds, and the full drawn is 24 seconds. This factor might be detrimental, especially when your objectives need a short cool down.
- Similarly, the recovery times of the Subterfuge and Sabotage are quite long. Its stealth abilities and poisoned weapons require an extensive recovery time of up to 24 seconds.
- The significant abilities of the Archer build come at a stamina cost. For instance, Explosive shot ability goes for 35, Long Shot for 50, stealth/Poisoned weapon for 20, and Full Draw for 65 points. A low stamina/dexterity reflects significant character wear during an attack.
- The Archer build will work efficiently when the character is well-positioned. For instance, the ‘Easy to miss’ and ‘Death from Above’ will work if you are positioned, either on the side or higher ground from your enemy.
- The Archer build only works best during the Dragon Age’s Nightmare or Inquisition stages. As you progress, you need to develop your game once again.
There is everything you need to know about the Archer Build in Dragon Age Origins. We hope this article helps you become an even better player!
