The Dragon Age series has not been kind to archery fans over the years.  Dragon Age: Origins gave bow-wielding rogues the unique stress of running out of arrows.  It’s hard to feel as powerful as Legolas or Hawkeye when you abruptly run out of fire arrows in the middle of a fight.

Meanwhile, Dragon Age 2’s archer companion is by far the least popular in the game (and for good reason).  Outside of Varric’s personal quest in Act 2 of Dragon Age 2, the archery experience in the series doesn’t have the same flash and flair as other combat skills.

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, archers finally have their day.  Although the early game can be more difficult for bow users, an archer can become extremely powerful and deadly once the player has developed an effective build.  But which build is best for your playstyle?

1.  Tempest Archer

The Tempest specialization combines with archer abilities to create a nearly overpowered build for the mid-game onward.  With this build, you start every battle from Stealth and deal higher damage as the fight goes on.  Combining Fire Flask with the Thousand Cuts focus ability creates a devastating area attack that can destroy large groups of enemies.

In addition to the Inquisitor, Sera can be configured to this build.

The Tempest Archer Excels In:

• Executing flashy combos that deal incredible damage
• Utilizing stealth and elemental abilities to maneuver the battlefield

Build the Tempest Archer:

Recommended Skill Trees:

• Archery
• Subterfuge
• Tempest

Recommended Abilities:

• Explosive Shot + Chain Reaction 
• Full Draw
• Poisoned Weapons + Infected Wounds
• Stealth + Lost in the Shadows
• Evade
• Shadow Strike + Quick Blade
• Flask of Fire + Unquenchable Flames
• Thousand Cuts
• Flask of Lightning

Recommended Passives:

• First Blood
• Pincushion
• Evasion
• Ambush
• Fury of the Storm
• Killer’s Alchemy

Specialization: Tempest

2.  Assassin Archer

The Assassin Archer is an often overlooked build for the Dragon Age: Inquisition archer.  The assassin abilities suit more aggressive play with Double Daggers, but these abilities also strongly enhance a stealthy approach.  The Archery and Assassin trees combine to create a dominant archer who deals high damage without enemy attention.

In addition to the Inquisitor, Cole can be configured to this build.

The Assassin Archer Excels In:

• Keeping a low profile with stealth
• Stacking massive damage

Build the Assassin Archer:

Recommended Skill Trees:

• Archery
• Assassin

Recommended Abilities:

• Explosive Shot + Chain Reaction
• Full Draw
• Leaping Shot
• Poison Weapons + Infected Wounds
• Stealth
• Overkill
• Mark of Death + Mark of Doom

Recommended Passives:

• First Blood
• Strafing Shots
• Pincushion
• Death from Above
• Looked Like It Hurt
• I Was Never Here
• Knife in the Shadows

Specialization:  Assassin

3.  Artificer Archer

 

The Artificer Archer uses brutal traps and trickery to create distance between themselves and enemies, enhancing archery abilities that do greater damage from across the battlefield.  Although less flashy than Tempests and Assassins, the Artificer makes great use of the Archery and Artificer skill trees to execute high damage combos.

In addition to the Inquisitor, Varric can be configured to this build.

The Artificer Archer Excels In:

• Setting up helpful combos to help the party succeed
• Protect other Rogue and Mage companions with ranged attacks

Build the Artificer Archer:

Recommended Skill Trees:

• Archery (entire tree)
• Artificer

Recommended Abilities:

• Poisoned Weapons + Infected Wounds
• Leaping Shot
• Long Shot
• Explosive Shot + Chain Reaction
• Full Draw
• Elemental Mines
• Hail of Arrows
• Fallback Plan

Recommended Passives:

• Looked Like It Hurt
• First Blood
• Pincushion
• Set Them Up
• And Take Them Down
• Opportunity Knocks
• Tricks of the Trade

Specialization:  Artificer

4.  The Multiplayer Archer

In Dragon Age: Inquisition’s multiplayer, The Archer is a beginner-friendly option to battling online with your party.  The multiplayer skill trees are divided into two branching paths, allowing players to pick up abilities from multiple specializations for more experimental playstyles.

This versatile build for The Archer in the multiplayer mode leans heavily on passives that will effortlessly boost your effectiveness in high level matches.

The Archer Excels In:

• Dealing high damage from long distances
• Supporting more aggressive teammates in combat
• Taking down high value targets

Build The Archer:

Recommended Abilities:

• Explosive Shot (required)
• Long Shot
• Leaping Shot
• Mark of Death
• Full Draw

Recommended Passives:

• First Blood
• Cheap Shot
• Bloodied Prey
• Strafing Shots
• Gaps in the Armor
• Fury of the Storm
• Cripple
• Dance of Death
• Opportunity Knocks
• Tricks of the Trade
• Looked Like it Hurt

5.  The Nightmare Tempest Build

Watching a solo Tempest Archer take down the Gamordan Stormrider proves just how powerful this build can be.  But the Tempest ridding the Exalted Plains of its resident dragon on Nightmare difficulty alone?  Every player looking to defeat the toughest difficulty should take note.

This specific Tempest build focuses heavily on the Sabotage tree.  Since you gain mobility through the Lightning Flask and Hook and Tackle abilities, you can avoid the Subterfuge tree and sink more points into dealing extra poison damage.

In addition to the Inquisitor, Sera can be configured to this build.

The Nightmare Tempest Excels In:

• Dealing massive damage from a safe distance
• Maneuvering around enemies to minimize incoming damage
• Surviving the hardest difficulty in the game

Build the Nightmare Tempest:

Recommended Skill Trees:

• Archery
• Sabotage

Recommended Abilities:

• Poisoned Weapons + Infected Wounds
• Throwing Blades + Precision Targeting
• Flask of Frost + Bitter Chill
• Flask of Fire + Unquenchable Flames
• Flask of Lightning + Thunderstruck

Recommended Passives:

• Cheap Shot
• Explosive Toxin
• Killer’s Alchemy

Specialization:  Tempest

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