Gale Windhawk Luxury Sub-Guide by Sophie/Joan: Difference between revisions

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=== Stats&Traits ===
=== Stats&Traits ===
The actual distribution of stats and traits is more loosely defined (this is not a starter player's guide) but we aim to fulfill these '''Objectives''' (by priority):
The actual distribution of stats and traits is more loosely defined (this is not a starter player's guide) but we aim to fulfill these '''Objectives''' (by priority):
# Instant Cast (hurt others faster than they can hurt you and Damage Flow)
# Instant Cast (most important part of the Damage Flow)
# Critical Magic number: I think it is 217 (as of 10 Dec 2025)
# Critical Magic number: I think it is 217 (as of 10 Dec 2025)
# Survivability, HP pool to survive boss mechanism (put it on lowest on priority if you have devo on the team)
# Survivability, HP pool to survive boss damage/boss fight mechanism (put it on lowest on priority if you have devo on the team)
# Damage Flow: acd% at around 50% (could be less if ur laggy like me), ASPD 184 (or more)
# Damage Flow (how to manage the bottlenecks of your DPS): CB needs acd% at 50% (could be a little less if ur laggy like me, I am standing at 48% just fine), ASPD 183 (or more). More if you rotate between CB and Gale but I think it's not really needed.
# Non-priority niches (carry weight, Curse immunity)
# Non-priority niches (carry weight, Curse immunity)


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=== About Physical Damage Modifiers for Crescive Bolt Build ===
=== About Physical Damage Modifiers for Crescive Bolt Build ===


The general aim of the min-maxing process (as of Date: 10/Dec/2025) is to equalize these damage modifiers while maximizing their overall multiplicative result. You should be aware of diminishing returns as you adds up a single damage modifier. The contextual discussion of this part will rely heavily on Calamity Gale Build part as the precedent (or as The Standard); if there's any confusion arise please go back and try again to regain the contextual sauce. I was only able to start to talk about this matter as I only completed all the needed gears for the test recently and I also do not provide the guarantee that this setup and version of min-max understanding will provide absolute peak damage but y'all are welcome to bump me to test with stuff listed. TL;DR this part is, beside it is for CB instead of Gale Build, is when we ditch {{#item:400539}} for +15[A] {{#item:400723}} and {{#item:300595}}.
The general aim of the min-maxing process (as of Date: 10/Dec/2025) is to equalize these damage modifiers while maximizing their overall multiplicative result. You should be aware of diminishing returns as you adds up a single damage modifier.  
 
The contextual discussion of this part will rely heavily on Calamity Gale Build part as the precedent (or as The Standard); if there's any confusion arise please go back and try again to regain the contextual sauce. I was only able to start to talk about this matter as I only completed all the needed gears for the test recently and I also do not provide the guarantee that this setup and version of min-max understanding will provide absolute peak damage but y'all are welcome to bump me to test with stuff listed. TL;DR this part is, beside it is for CB instead of Gale Build, is when we ditch {{#item:400539}} for +15[A] {{#item:400723}} and {{#item:300595}}.


Listed from most precious to least worthy, type @bs in game to see yours:
Listed from most precious to least worthy, type @bs in game to see yours:


* '''Class%:''' [stays the same] still the hardest and most expensive to get and even slightly harder to get because you will generally want to to go with {{#item:300530}} instead of {{#item:300473}} (will be discussed later). You will have 20%-75%. Main Sources: {{#item:300533}}, {{#item:4602}} combo, {{#item:4529}}, Demigod Set, HoL accesories and enchantments, Abysmal Knight Pet.
* '''Class%:''' [stays the same] still the hardest and most expensive to get and even slightly harder to get because you will generally want to to go with {{#item:300530}} instead of {{#item:300473}} (the meta shift will be discussed later). You will have 20%-75%. Main Sources: {{#item:300533}}, {{#item:4602}} combo, {{#item:4529}}, Demigod Set, HoL accesories and enchantments, Abysmal Knight Pet.
* '''Enemy_Element%:''' [moves 1 upwards] Rare modifier mostly seen on more modern iterations of items (post 2016), but is less expensive than Class%. You will have around 40%-130%. The reason it moves upwards in the worth list is in the case you will want to use {{#item:470260}} or {{#item:470303 }} instead of {{#item:470174}} (the shift will be discussed later). Main Sources: {{#item:27126}}-like MVP cards on body slot, Maximum Mammoth Shadow gears, HoL garment 2nd slot enchant, Varmundt Boots 2nd slot enchant, Dimensions/Time Gap Weapons 3rd slot enchant, Jitterbug combo and proc.
* '''Enemy_Element%:''' [stays the same] Rare modifier mostly seen on more modern iterations of items (post 2016), but is less expensive than Class%. You will have around 40%-130%. The reason it is harder to get now specifically for one specific enemy element is the case that you will want to use {{#item:470260}} or {{#item:470303 }} instead of {{#item:470174}} (the meta shift will be discussed later) but for all enemy element, it balances out and that you get more for all enemy elements when Yorscalp Crown procs. Main Sources: {{#item:27126}}-like MVP cards on body slot, Maximum Mammoth Shadow gears, HoL garment 2nd slot enchant, Varmundt Boots 2nd slot enchant, Dimensions/Time Gap Weapons 3rd slot enchant, Jitterbug combo and proc.
* '''Enemy_Size%:''' [moves 2 upwards]  Harder to get now that your weapon slot which is now occupied by {{#item:300595}}. Even harder if the other slot is filled with {{#item:4399}}. This is where {{#item:470260}} or {{#item:470303 }} comes into play, while {{#item:24912}} and {{#item:24913}} gives a little. You will have around 45%-140%. Main Sources: Cards on Weapon slots, Shadow Gears.  
* '''Enemy_Size%:''' [moves 2 upwards]  Harder to get now that your weapon slot which is now occupied by {{#item:300595}}. Even harder if the other slot is filled with {{#item:4399}}. This is where {{#item:470260}} or {{#item:470303 }} comes into play, while {{#item:24912}} and {{#item:24913}} gives a little. You will have around 45%-140%. Main Sources: Cards on Weapon slots, Shadow Gears.  
* '''Skill%:''' [moves 1 downwards] For Crescive Bolt it is easier thanks to the Episode 21 Heroes cards and Yorscalp Crown combo. You will have 160% at +15 {{#item:400723}} and {{#item:300595}} and even more with {{#item:24912}} and {{#item:24913}}.
* '''Skill%:''' [moves 1 downwards] For Crescive Bolt it is easier thanks to the Episode 21 Heroes cards and Yorscalp Crown combo. You will have 160% at +15[A] {{#item:400723}} and {{#item:300595}} and even more with {{#item:24912}} and {{#item:24913}}.
* '''Enemy_Race%:''' [moves 1 downwards] Not very rare but getting the right ones could be costly. You will easily have 70%-200%. Main Sources: {{#item:27126}}-like MVP cards on body slot, HoL accessories and enchantments, various equipment.
* '''Enemy_Race%:''' [moves 1 downwards] Not very rare but getting the right ones could be costly. You will easily have 70%-200%. Main Sources: {{#item:27126}}-like MVP cards on body slot, HoL accessories and enchantments, various equipment.
* '''Res_Ignore%:''' The effect is roughly 5-10% pure damage increase every 20% res ignore, though it is nice, because it is outside all other modifier calculations. We have more now that we use {{#item:400723}} and that {{#item:24912}} and {{#item:24913}} you could pair them with {{#item:1270015}} and {{#item:1270016}} for even more Res_Ignore% from the latter.  
* '''Res_Ignore%:''' The effect is roughly 5-10% pure damage increase every 20% res ignore, though it is nice, because it is outside all other modifier calculations. We have more now that we use {{#item:400723}} and that {{#item:24912}} and {{#item:24913}} you could pair them with {{#item:1270015}} and {{#item:1270016}} for even more Res_Ignore% from the latter.  
* '''Critical%''': and other '''critical related modifier''' like C.RATE: You will have around 200-450% critical% and 80-140 C.RATE. We suffer here on mainly on critical and critical% as we do not use {{#item:400539}} anymore and that {{#item:312753}} is big on critical and critical%. In my case I only have around 175 critical without {{#item:300530}}, that is most likely the reason of the sudden high demand as people realized this very thing. Main Sources: various for Critical%, Shadow Gear Enchantments for C.RATE
* '''Critical%''': and other '''critical related modifier''' like C.RATE: You will have around 200-450% critical% and 80-140 C.RATE. We suffer here on mainly on critical and critical% as we do not use {{#item:400539}} anymore and that {{#item:312753}} is big on critical and critical%. I think this is the primary reason for the meta shift. In my case I only have around 175 critical without {{#item:300530}}, that is most likely the reason of the sudden high demand as people realized this problem. Main Sources: various for Critical%, Shadow Gear Enchantments for C.RATE
* Other '''non-critical related modifiers''' like POW, P.ATK. Main Sources: Shadow Gear enchantments, Varmundt boots/garment 3rd slot enchantments, {{#item:300533}}
* Other '''non-critical related modifiers''' like POW, P.ATK. Main Sources: Shadow Gear enchantments, Varmundt boots/garment 3rd slot enchantments, {{#item:300533}}
* '''Range%:''': We already have a lot thanks to Calamity Gale/Unlimit, so adding on this is generally redundant. You will have above 350%, around 450-550% or above.
* '''Range%:''': We already have a lot thanks to Calamity Gale/Unlimit, so adding on this is generally redundant. You will have above 350%, around 450-550% or above.
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**Otherwise double +10/+10 Bow/Fatal/Sword Master Shadow Gears is not bad, however it will lock you into using {{#item:9193}}. There's also possibility of using one set of +10 Bow/Fatal/Sword Master Shadow Gears and {{#item:27294}}(Experimental) and then the rest of the shadow gear will be a pair of Maximum Mammoth
**Otherwise double +10/+10 Bow/Fatal/Sword Master Shadow Gears is not bad, however it will lock you into using {{#item:9193}}. There's also possibility of using one set of +10 Bow/Fatal/Sword Master Shadow Gears and {{#item:27294}}(Experimental) and then the rest of the shadow gear will be a pair of Maximum Mammoth
**With {{#item:4399}} use +10/+7 Bow/Fatal/Sword Master Shadow Gears instead so the 50% def pierce won't trigger
**With {{#item:4399}} use +10/+7 Bow/Fatal/Sword Master Shadow Gears instead so the 50% def pierce won't trigger
**{{#item:24912 }} and {{#item:24913}} most likely becoming the new BiS, but unconfirmed (10 Dec 2025) because I have yet to test it myself.
**{{#item:24912 }} and {{#item:24913}} most likely becoming the new BiS, but unconfirmed (10 Dec 2025) because I have yet to test it myself. Be prudent on this issue because chances that the added skill% which we have tons of, will be worse than Enemy_Element% modifier from Maximum Mammoth combo.
*Currently not-haves list on this part: {{#item:300377}},{{#item:27126}},{{#item:4408}},{{#item:300007}},{{#item:300021}},{{#item:300445}},{{#item:300280}}, {{#item:24912}}, {{#item:24913}}
*Currently not-haves list on this part: {{#item:300377}},{{#item:27126}},{{#item:4408}},{{#item:300007}},{{#item:300021}},{{#item:300445}},{{#item:300280}}, {{#item:24912}}, {{#item:24913}}


= Sophie's Industrious Alts Mass Production Recommendation =
= Sophie's Industrious Alts Mass Production Recommendation (WH) =
Not going to be your typical leveling guide, because this approach will prioritize:
Not going to be your typical leveling guide, because this approach will prioritize:
* Enable sharing non-core Equipment among characters of different classes Alts Mass Production (coming soon) as much as possible, while only core items for WH will be highlighted on this guide.
* Enable sharing non-core Equipment among characters of different classes Alts Mass Production (coming soon) as much as possible, while only core items for WH will be highlighted on this guide.
* Monotonous, but will be predictable.
* Monotonous, but will be predictable. Important because this leveling is a not chill routine, but more like 30 minutes of triathlons
* Not cost conscious, though time and stress speaking it is worth it if you plan to make more than, say, 10-15 characters of various jobs (just switch out the core item) each reaching lvl 250.
* Not cost conscious, though time and stress speaking it is worth it if you plan to make more than, say, 10-15 characters of various jobs (just switch out the core item) each reaching lvl 250. I will explicitly say it here that basically you are investing in multiples of low level gears, which cumulatively in total may worth up to hundreds of millions zeny just to save time around 30 minutes to 2h per character creation and leveling up to lvl 250. Only do this when you're theoretically losing more potential value from that  farming hours loss.


Undergoing Assumptions:
Undergoing Assumptions:
* Exp Event ongoing and you use the Novice Battle Manual (very important for efficiency). You are also spend on episode ticket 16, 17.1, and 17.2.
* Exp Event ongoing and you use the {{#item:7803}} (very important for efficiency). When {{#item:7803}} expires you will use {{#item:12411}} or {{#item:100351}}
* Is leveling up single character only per attempt (different methods might be needed for mass leveling multiple chars).
* You spend on episode ticket 16, 17.1, and 17.2.
* You are using Guyak Pudding(very important), Eden Food buff separately / {{#item:50035}} / or at the very least {{#item:23204}}. Teleport items, infinite fly wing, fly wing, or creamy card is mandatory.
* Is leveling up single character only per attempt (different methods might be needed for mass leveling multiple chars). And that you One Hit or Two Hit most if not all mobs listed on all maps on the Steps part.
* You have done your research, mastered the basic (I leave it to your wisdom to decide which level range you want which non-core equipment will be worn and what equipment you will skip), and that you have invested and plan well for item progressions each level range, e.g.:  
* You have done your research, mastered the basic (I leave it to your wisdom to decide which level range you want which non-core equipment will be worn and what equipment you will skip), and that you have invested and plan well for item progressions each level range, e.g.:  
** +9/+11 {{#item:400023}} combo with {{#item:490099}} or its derivatives (red/blue but not really recommended unless you need HP/SP leech early and you don't need acd% this early) starting at level 1
** +9/+11 {{#item:400023}} combo with {{#item:490099}} or its derivatives (red/blue but not really recommended unless you need HP/SP leech early and you don't need acd% this early) starting at level 1.
** Temporal boots and manteaus for level 100 and up
** Temporal boots and manteaus for level 100 and up.
** Illusions set starting at level 120/130 up to 150/160
** Illusions set starting at level 120/130 up to 150/160.
** Convertible wings/Automatic set starting at level 150/160
** Convertible wings/Celine Set/Automatic/FWM/EDDA set starting at level 150/160/170.
** Grey Wolf set starting at level 190
** Grey Wolf set starting at level 190.
** MVP equips (e.g. PCC)/Good and Evil set starting at level 200/205
** MVP equips (e.g. +9[C] or +11[C] PCC is nice)/Good and Evil set starting at level 200/205.
** Varmundts pieces/Glacier set starting at level 230
** Varmundts pieces (e.g. +9[C] or +11[C] DRM is nice)/Glacier set starting at level 230.
* Other methods out there might be more efficient and effective than mine, I just don't know it yet so be adaptable and don't treat this guide as if written in stone. Mine is expected to reach level 230-250 in around 30 min, and 250 in around to 1-2h depending on your performance and investment level.
* Other methods out there might be more efficient and effective than mine, I just don't know it yet so be adaptable and don't treat this guide as if written in stone. Mine is expected to reach level 230-250 in around 30 min when I do it myself, and at worst 250 in around to 1-2h depending on your performance and investment level.


Non-core Equipment will not be specifically named on the phases below (this is not a newbie guide), you will just have to do the best with what you currently possess. Though result may vary if your non-core equipment are far too weaker compared to the original assumption.
Non-core Equipment and Secondary Skills (passives, buffs, debuffs) will not be specifically named on the phases below (this is not a newbie guide), you will just have to do the best with what you currently possess. Though result may vary if your non-core equipment are far too weaker compared to the original assumption.


=== Phase 1: lvl 1 to post-Rebirth lvl 100 ===
=== Phase 1: lvl 1 to post-Rebirth lvl 100 ===


Primary Skill: Arrow Shower
Primary Skill: {{#skill:47}}


Core item:  
Core item:  
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=== Phase 2: lvl 100 Job 3 to lvl 200 ===
=== Phase 2: lvl 100 Job 3 to lvl 200 ===


Primary Skill: Arrow Storm -> Aim to reduce 0.3 seconds fixed casting time.
Primary Skill: {{#skill:2233}} (AS)-> Aim to reduce 0.3 seconds fixed casting time. Ignis cap + virtual bow combo eliminates the skill cooldown making it very spammable.


Core item:  
Core item:  
*+9~+11{{#item:18110}} with 2x {{#item:27361}} at lvl 100.
*+9~+11 {{#item:18110}} with 2x {{#item:27361}} at lvl 100. The allure of this item is that it's AS boosting weapon that is equippable as soon as you're job changing
*+9~+11{{#item:400022}} and +9~+11{{#item:18178}} with 2x {{#item:27361}} at lvl 130. Recommended setup is either +11{{#item:400022}} combined with cheaper {{#item:1000521}} or +9{{#item:400022}} combined with more expensive {{#item:1000522}} at lvl 170. Or source the fixed cast time reduction from other items such as Illusion Sprint Mail + Shoes Set combo at +22 total refinement.
*+9~+11 {{#item:400022}} and +9~+11 {{#item:18178}} with 2x {{#item:27361}} at lvl 130. Recommended setup is either +11 {{#item:400022}} combined with cheaper {{#item:1000521}} or +9 {{#item:400022}} combined with more expensive {{#item:1000522}}. Or source the fixed cast time reduction from other items such as Illusion Sprint Mail + Shoes Set combo at +22 total refinement.
*+9~+11{{#item:400266}} (upgrade hammer exist) with 2x {{#item:700054}} or Yormi-Scalleg combo. Economically not really recommended though because the gain is miniscule to unreformed version but gain is a gain and there's no other better bows until Gale Storm is spammable reliably.
*+9~+11 {{#item:400266}} (upgrade hammer exist) with 2x {{#item:700054}} or Yormi-Scalleg combo at lvl 170. Economically not really recommended though because the gain is miniscule to unreformed version but gain is a gain and there's no other better bows until Gale Storm is spammable reliably.


Steps:
Steps:
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5. Do and claim Varmundt's Powerplant2 until job 4. Should be viable if your AS is strong and spammable enough, otherwise just do Illusion of Twins until you get into job 4.
5. Do and claim Varmundt's Powerplant2 until job 4. Should be viable if your AS is strong and spammable enough, otherwise just do Illusion of Twins until you get into job 4.


=== Phase 3: Job 4 lvl 200 to 250 ===
6. (optional, credit to Mango's guide [[Mango%27s_guide_to_leveling_and_farming_with_SA|Mango's guide to leveling and farming with SA]]) ) At lvl 180 do Thanatos Fragments quest from Daily Hunts NPC, buy 10 each of these {{#item:7436}}, {{#item:7437}}, {{#item:7438}} and {{#item:7439}}.
 
=== Phase 3: Job 4 lvl 200 to 250 and beyond===
 
Primary Skill: {{#skill:2233}} (early levels), {{#skill:5330}}
 
Core item: {{#item:19484}} with acute and +9 {{#item:700052}} fully enchanted at level 230. Get one with 1st slot enchant Gale Storm if you can. Other enchantments could be double elements and physical(ATK).
 
Steps:
 
1. Do and claim Powerplant 2 until you are lvl 230. The Eden coin side farming is nice.
 
2. Do and claim Amiticia 2 until you are 240.


Primary Skill Gale Storm
3. Do and claim either Biosphere Glade (if you can OH the Pegasus and all the other mobs) or Biosphere Death (still have to OH all mobs). Otherwise do nif2 as you are farming while leveling up (will be slower).


Core item: {{#item:1702}} with 4x {{#item:27361}}
4. You are at maximum power at lvl 250 able to wield any equipment (e.g. your main character's best equipment). D1 or D2 runs would be great at this point provided you are in a good company. Otherwise solo is only recommended if you know what you are doing.


= Glossary=
= Glossary=
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*Old BiS: Old Best in Slot, was the BiS on previous meta. Some have the potential to be BiS again in the future (e.g. Bio5 MVP Ranger Shecil card in the case future Job 4 Wind Hawk Bio MVP cards will give strong combo bonus), so they are generally still top tier recommended items, though not to die for.
*Old BiS: Old Best in Slot, was the BiS on previous meta. Some have the potential to be BiS again in the future (e.g. Bio5 MVP Ranger Shecil card in the case future Job 4 Wind Hawk Bio MVP cards will give strong combo bonus), so they are generally still top tier recommended items, though not to die for.
*Experimental: Strong items that could possibly be BiS on some setups, but are not widely accepted as the BiS and still need a lot of testing and discussion for it to be universally designated as BiS. Or items that are situationally considerably better than BiS or offering niches that are considered worth trading with the boons gained from the BiS items depending on your personal playing style.
*Experimental: Strong items that could possibly be BiS on some setups, but are not widely accepted as the BiS and still need a lot of testing and discussion for it to be universally designated as BiS. Or items that are situationally considerably better than BiS or offering niches that are considered worth trading with the boons gained from the BiS items depending on your personal playing style.
*Damage Flow: Your continuous stream of damage flowing through, it is considered good if you have only skill unique CD as your bottleneck. If your bottleneck is anything else (could be your non-instacast, your ASPD, your aftercast delay,etc) it means your damage flow is not good and you will have to improve upon that. If your bottleneck is PC power or connection (like me) well then it's too bad can't do anything about that but also it means you can be more relaxed and be a bit below theoretical values on some aspects like your '''acd%''' reduction.


= Acknowledgements =
= Acknowledgements =

Latest revision as of 15:49, 13 December 2025


R.ClickToRename242812
WindHawk

Introduction

<page under construction (last update 10 Dec 2025)>

Hello I'm Sophie/Joan (Guide Start Date: 28/Aug/2025). You would often see me playing in D1/D2/HoL/LoF/ToT/CT/Villa/Mjol with my Windhawk char R.ClickToRename242812 or with characters of other jobs. Feel free to hit me up to join my #LFG calls.

This guide is merely what I do on my gale storm WH and is not optimized (dm me on discord/In-game if you can improve upon it). I just tried to write it out to satisfy the demand after seeing some people asking in the #archer channel for a Gale Storm build guide from time to time. There's different requirements and priorities with GS build vs CB build (e.g. %acd reduction is not really needed for GS build, while 50% is needed for CB build) and the aim of GS build is strictly for farming (it is not for bossing). However between both builds, most of it is simply the matter of gear swapping (most significantly between the weapons and gambler's seal), so I would advice you readers to familiarize yourself with gear swapping (even easier now that there's a custom skill created for that very purpose).

Scope/For Whom this guide is Intended for

End game luxury of nice to have and fun to do things for those players who have reached end game and have collected most if not all BiS gears or their equivalent (for returning players, y'all can refer to this guide as the continuation of the old meta of Set's End Game WH guide). This guide is not intended to be a stand-alone and more of complimentary for other more comprehensive WH guides. This guide is very subjective and intuitive as I do not provide exact numbers and optimization, but for that case you can find me to test out or experiment with any gears/luxuries that are listed/mentioned within this guide, unless I specifically stated to not have them. In this guide you are assumed to have already worn BiS (Best in Slot) equipment or incomplete BiS (enchanting in progress) and have moved away from wearing 300261.png Galensis Card (300261) on garment because 125 LUK is bad for your stat balance.

End game optimization problem is that for some people, some gear/enchant/MVP setups suit them better as it touches the specifics of their playing styles and consumables consumption patterns (e.g. with 300473.png [MVP] Snow Angel Card (300473) you will want to consume 14536.png Abrasive (14536) ), so we will not assume a narrow-minded stance on this issue and would tolerate a bit lesser or bigger DPS and whatnots as long as things work well (shout out to get the DPS envy immunity people!).

General Overview

Stats&Traits

The actual distribution of stats and traits is more loosely defined (this is not a starter player's guide) but we aim to fulfill these Objectives (by priority):

  1. Instant Cast (hurt others faster than they can hurt you)
  2. One Hit (OH) damage capability and 217 critical rate (if they're dead they can't hurt you)
  3. Survivability, HP pool and evasion (one might get hurt by lag/mishap/bad luck face spawn but somehow have to survive it)
  4. Curse immunity
  5. Non-priority niches (carry weight, ASPD, Gale Storm spammability)
Stats
  • STR - 50-100; Carry weight
  • AGI - 80-120; (all remaining points here); reaching 183 ASPD should be easy
  • VIT - 77-110; Should adjust it yourself so that you don't get yeeted by D1/D2 mobs that facespawn on you. Can put minimum amount when in a party with devo
  • INT - 100-120; For Instant Cast, SP pool.
  • DEX - 120-130; For Instant Cast, Damage.
  • LUK - 80-100; For Curse Immunity, Critical rate.

Example (My stats when wearing 300530.png [MVP] Yortus Arbiter Card (300530) or 300473.png [MVP] Snow Angel Card (300473) :

  • STR - 80
  • AGI - 82
  • VIT - 77
  • INT - 110
  • DEX - 130
  • LUK - 99

other variation stats (adjusting my dex and int with existing gears to give just enough instant cast):

  • STR - 90
  • AGI - 90
  • VIT - 90
  • INT - 113
  • DEX - 122
  • LUK - 89
Traits
  • POW - 110; Damage (non-crit related)
  • CRT - 110; Damage (crit related)
  • CON - 72; Little more damage and evasion/survivability, otherwise can be put into WIS or STA (so far no content needs it though)

Core Skills

Buff

45.png Improve Concentration: For Instant Cast

380.png True Sight: Additional Critical Rate

383.png Wind Walk: MS and FLEE rate

5328.png Calamity Gale / 5002.png Unlimit: Makes Gale Storm crit (Calamity Gale only) and adds an additional 350% ranged% damage (both)

7.png Magnum Break (optional, from 4084.png Marine Sphere Card (4084) ): 20% fire-elemental bonus damage outside of all other sources. It simply hits above its weight after you have exhausted every other damage% modifier source

Active Skills

Swap Equip: You will want to swap into CB build when Calaminity Gale/Unlimit is not active to recover AP.

2247.png Camouflage: Survivability.

2241.png Warg Rider: MS and Survivability.

130.png Detect: Useful on some maps like D2.

5334.png Crescive Bolt: Your secondary hard hitting skill in case the enemy gets too close and a way to recover AP while still hitting hard.

5330.png Gale Storm: Your hard hitter, but is useless without Calamity Gale/Unlimit active.

Gears and Min-Max Technicalities: Calamity Gale Build

About Physical Damage Modifiers for Gale WH Build

The general aim of the min-maxing process (as of Date: 28/Aug/2025) is to equalize these damage modifiers while maximizing their overall multiplicative result. You should be aware of diminishing returns as you adds up a single damage modifier. The contextual reason of the importance on this matter is because of the aforementioned One Hit (OH) Objective, that we want each hit of our Gale Storm damage to be as high as possible (to be clear it is the single instance of the damage, not the DPS).

Listed from most precious to least worthy, type @bs in game to see yours:

  • Class%: Hardest and most expensive to get, generally speaking. You will have 30%-85%. Main Sources: 300533.png [MVP] Encroached Tan Card (300533) , 4602.png [MVP] Realized Amdarais Card (4602) combo, 4529.png [MVP] Violent Coelacanth Card (4529) , 300473.png [MVP] Snow Angel Card (300473) , Demigod Set, HoL accesories and enchantments, Abysmal Knight Pet.
  • Enemy_Element%: Rare modifier mostly seen on more modern iterations of items (post 2016), but is less expensive than Class%. You will have around 40%-130%. Main Sources: 27126.png [MVP] Boitata Card (27126) -like MVP cards on body slot, Maximum Mammoth Shadow gears, HoL garment 2nd slot enchant, Varmundt Boots 2nd slot enchant, Dimensions/Time Gap Weapons 3rd slot enchant, Jitterbug combo and proc.
  • Skill%: Quite hard to get as the source is only from TDRC and Dimensions/Time Gap Weapons for Gale Storm skill and is already mandatory. You will have 35%-95%.
  • Enemy_Race%: Not very rare but getting the right ones could be costly. You will easily have 70%-200%. Main Sources: 27126.png [MVP] Boitata Card (27126) -like MVP cards on body slot, HoL accessories and enchantments, various equipment.
  • Enemy_Size%: Easy to get and cheap. You will have 45%-170%. Main Sources: Cards on Weapon slots, TDRC, Shadow Gears.
  • Res_Ignore%: Only relevant source for now is the Fatal Master Shadow Gears for 20%. The effect is only roughly 5-10% pure damage increase, though it is nice, because it is outside all other modifier calculations.
  • Critical%: and other critical related modifier like C.RATE: You will have around 300-550% critical% and 80-140 C.RATE. Main Sources: various for Critical%, Shadow Gear Enchantments for C.RATE
  • Other non-critical related modifiers like POW, P.ATK. Main Sources: Shadow Gear enchantments, Varmundt boots/garment 3rd slot enchantments, 300533.png [MVP] Encroached Tan Card (300533)
  • Range%:: We already have a lot thanks to Calamity Gale/Unlimit, so adding on this is generally redundant. You will have above 350%, around 450-550% or above.

Trivia:

  • ATK%: this is useless tier damage modifier and should just be ignored for physical build (different case with MATK% of the magical build) unless someone can prove me wrong. Also was tested but not thorough (and I already yeeted the 10% ATK% gambler's seal I'm so sorry)

Gears

Recommended gears (as of Date: 28/Aug/2025):

Type Item Card Enchants and Notes
Upper +12 to +15 [A] 400539.png Time Dimensions Rune Crown (Wind Hawk) [1] (400539)

Middle 410233.png Gambler's Seal [1] (410233)

  • Enchanted with any of the following:
    • Critical Atttack +8-10%
    • Long Range Atttack +8-10%
    • MaxHP +8-10% (Experimental), the reason is sometimes additional HP is simply better when you already have saturated every other damage source modifiers.
Lower 420220.png Ace of Diamonds in Mouth (Ranged Physical) (420220) (BiS)
and/or
420269.png Ace of Clovers in Mouth (Defense) (420269) (Experimental)
N/A
  • Enchanted with any of the following:
    • 1st line: DEX +5
    • 2nd line: Critical Atttack +6-7% or Long Ranged Atttack +6-7%
Armor +12 to +15 [A] 450172.png Nebula Suit of Creative [1] (450172)

Weapon +12 to +15 [A] 700108.png Time Gap Wind Bow [2] (700108)
and/or
+12 to +15 [A] 700093.png Dimensions Wind Crossbow [2] (700093)

Garment +12 to +15 [A] 480352.png Circulation of Life Winter [1] (480352)

Shoes +12 [A] 470174.png Glade Rune Boots [1] (470174)
and/or
+12 [A] 470175.png Ice Rune Boots [1] (470175) and/or
+12 [A] 470197.png Dim Glacier Boots [1] (470197) (Experimental)

  • Midnight Archi Card or Piloted Midrange Rgan Card will serve as your general all-purpose card while the episode 21 racial/element cards will be for targeting specific MVPs/maps.
  • The reason I did not list 470260.png Gaebolg Boots [1] (470260) or 470303.png Yorscalp Boots [1] (470303) is because it doesn't contain Enemy_Element% (more details on previous part), so I still value it less than our Varmundt Boots. Note that the mats are cheap nowadays, so resetting the 2nd slot enchantment is not as daunting as it used to be.
  • Dim glacier boots are only to be paired with jitterbug combo proc. The reason is the overwhelming Enemy_Element% from the proc, so with Dim Glacier Boots you fill the Enemy_race% modifier instead.
Accessory (Right)
490135.png Creative Signet of Star [1] (490135)

Accessory (Left) 490486.png Signet of Circulation Winter [1] (490486)

Gears and Min-Max Technicalities: Crescive Bolt Build (Added by Popular Demand)

Stats&Traits

The actual distribution of stats and traits is more loosely defined (this is not a starter player's guide) but we aim to fulfill these Objectives (by priority):

  1. Instant Cast (most important part of the Damage Flow)
  2. Critical Magic number: I think it is 217 (as of 10 Dec 2025)
  3. Survivability, HP pool to survive boss damage/boss fight mechanism (put it on lowest on priority if you have devo on the team)
  4. Damage Flow (how to manage the bottlenecks of your DPS): CB needs acd% at 50% (could be a little less if ur laggy like me, I am standing at 48% just fine), ASPD 183 (or more). More if you rotate between CB and Gale but I think it's not really needed.
  5. Non-priority niches (carry weight, Curse immunity)
Stats

Example (My stats when wearing 300530.png [MVP] Yortus Arbiter Card (300530) while ignoring the potential 10 critical bonus at 120 luk):

  • STR - 90
  • AGI - 90
  • VIT - 90
  • INT - 113
  • DEX - 122
  • LUK - 89

other variation stats (adjusting my luk to 120 for the bonus critical, pending because I haven't actually needed to do this to pass the critical magic number):

  • STR -
  • AGI -
  • VIT -
  • INT -
  • DEX -
  • LUK - 120
Traits
  • POW - 90-110; Damage (non-crit related)
  • CRT - 90-110; Damage (crit related)
  • CON - 72; Little more damage and evasion/survivability, otherwise can be put into WIS or STA (so far no content needs it though)
  • WIS - as needed (more important at bossing in contrast to Gale build's OH farming)
  • STA - as needed (more important at bossing in contrast to Gale build's OH farming)

About Physical Damage Modifiers for Crescive Bolt Build

The general aim of the min-maxing process (as of Date: 10/Dec/2025) is to equalize these damage modifiers while maximizing their overall multiplicative result. You should be aware of diminishing returns as you adds up a single damage modifier.

The contextual discussion of this part will rely heavily on Calamity Gale Build part as the precedent (or as The Standard); if there's any confusion arise please go back and try again to regain the contextual sauce. I was only able to start to talk about this matter as I only completed all the needed gears for the test recently and I also do not provide the guarantee that this setup and version of min-max understanding will provide absolute peak damage but y'all are welcome to bump me to test with stuff listed. TL;DR this part is, beside it is for CB instead of Gale Build, is when we ditch 400539.png Time Dimensions Rune Crown (Wind Hawk) [1] (400539) for +15[A] 400723.png Yorscalp Crown of Execution [1] (400723) and 300595.png Epesto Walther Megas Card (300595) .

Listed from most precious to least worthy, type @bs in game to see yours:

  • Class%: [stays the same] still the hardest and most expensive to get and even slightly harder to get because you will generally want to to go with 300530.png [MVP] Yortus Arbiter Card (300530) instead of 300473.png [MVP] Snow Angel Card (300473) (the meta shift will be discussed later). You will have 20%-75%. Main Sources: 300533.png [MVP] Encroached Tan Card (300533) , 4602.png [MVP] Realized Amdarais Card (4602) combo, 4529.png [MVP] Violent Coelacanth Card (4529) , Demigod Set, HoL accesories and enchantments, Abysmal Knight Pet.
  • Enemy_Element%: [stays the same] Rare modifier mostly seen on more modern iterations of items (post 2016), but is less expensive than Class%. You will have around 40%-130%. The reason it is harder to get now specifically for one specific enemy element is the case that you will want to use 470260.png Gaebolg Boots [1] (470260) or 470303.png Yorscalp Boots [1] (470303) instead of 470174.png Glade Rune Boots [1] (470174) (the meta shift will be discussed later) but for all enemy element, it balances out and that you get more for all enemy elements when Yorscalp Crown procs. Main Sources: 27126.png [MVP] Boitata Card (27126) -like MVP cards on body slot, Maximum Mammoth Shadow gears, HoL garment 2nd slot enchant, Varmundt Boots 2nd slot enchant, Dimensions/Time Gap Weapons 3rd slot enchant, Jitterbug combo and proc.
  • Enemy_Size%: [moves 2 upwards] Harder to get now that your weapon slot which is now occupied by 300595.png Epesto Walther Megas Card (300595) . Even harder if the other slot is filled with 4399.png [MVP] Thanatos Card (4399) . This is where 470260.png Gaebolg Boots [1] (470260) or 470303.png Yorscalp Boots [1] (470303) comes into play, while 24912.png Crescive Shadow Armor (24912) and 24913.png Crescive Shadow Shoes (24913) gives a little. You will have around 45%-140%. Main Sources: Cards on Weapon slots, Shadow Gears.
  • Skill%: [moves 1 downwards] For Crescive Bolt it is easier thanks to the Episode 21 Heroes cards and Yorscalp Crown combo. You will have 160% at +15[A] 400723.png Yorscalp Crown of Execution [1] (400723) and 300595.png Epesto Walther Megas Card (300595) and even more with 24912.png Crescive Shadow Armor (24912) and 24913.png Crescive Shadow Shoes (24913) .
  • Enemy_Race%: [moves 1 downwards] Not very rare but getting the right ones could be costly. You will easily have 70%-200%. Main Sources: 27126.png [MVP] Boitata Card (27126) -like MVP cards on body slot, HoL accessories and enchantments, various equipment.
  • Res_Ignore%: The effect is roughly 5-10% pure damage increase every 20% res ignore, though it is nice, because it is outside all other modifier calculations. We have more now that we use 400723.png Yorscalp Crown of Execution [1] (400723) and that 24912.png Crescive Shadow Armor (24912) and 24913.png Crescive Shadow Shoes (24913) you could pair them with 1270015.png Fatal Master Shadow Earring (1270015) and 1270016.png Fatal Master Shadow Pendant (1270016) for even more Res_Ignore% from the latter.
  • Critical%: and other critical related modifier like C.RATE: You will have around 200-450% critical% and 80-140 C.RATE. We suffer here on mainly on critical and critical% as we do not use 400539.png Time Dimensions Rune Crown (Wind Hawk) [1] (400539) anymore and that 312753.png Acute Jewel Lv5 (312753) is big on critical and critical%. I think this is the primary reason for the meta shift. In my case I only have around 175 critical without 300530.png [MVP] Yortus Arbiter Card (300530) , that is most likely the reason of the sudden high demand as people realized this problem. Main Sources: various for Critical%, Shadow Gear Enchantments for C.RATE
  • Other non-critical related modifiers like POW, P.ATK. Main Sources: Shadow Gear enchantments, Varmundt boots/garment 3rd slot enchantments, 300533.png [MVP] Encroached Tan Card (300533)
  • Range%:: We already have a lot thanks to Calamity Gale/Unlimit, so adding on this is generally redundant. You will have above 350%, around 450-550% or above.

Trivia:

  • ATK%: this is useless tier damage modifier and should just be ignored for physical build.

Gears

Recommended gears (as of Date: 10/Dec/2025):

Type Item Card Enchants and Notes
Upper +15 [A] 400723.png Yorscalp Crown of Execution [1] (400723)

Middle 410233.png Gambler's Seal [1] (410233)

  • Enchanted with any of the following:
    • After cast delay -8-10% (Recommended for aforementioned reasons in Upper Part, but unconfirmed if BiS)
    • Critical Atttack +8-10%
    • Long Range Atttack +8-10%
    • MaxHP +8-10% (Experimental), the reason is sometimes additional HP is simply better when you already have saturated every other damage source modifiers.
Lower 420220.png Ace of Diamonds in Mouth (Ranged Physical) (420220) (BiS)
and/or
420269.png Ace of Clovers in Mouth (Defense) (420269) (Experimental)
N/A
  • Enchanted with any of the following:
    • 1st line: DEX +5 (The important part for insta-cast)
    • 2nd line: Critical Atttack +6-7% or Long Ranged Atttack +6-7% (The not so important part because we already have a lot)
Armor +12 to +15 [A] 450172.png Nebula Suit of Creative [1] (450172)

Weapon +12 to +15 [A] 700093.png Dimensions Wind Crossbow [2] (700093)

  • For a list of possible enchants, refer to this. Enchants of your choice will vary depending on your needs, and the race/elemental property of the mobs you're going to prioritize.
  • Any combination that involves 300595.png Epesto Walther Megas Card (300595) (Core Item) will work well.
Garment +12 to +15 [A] 480352.png Circulation of Life Winter [1] (480352)

  • Use 14536.png Abrasive (14536) to get above the critical magic number
Shoes +12 [A] 470174.png Glade Rune Boots [1] (470174) (old BiS)
and/or
+12 [A] 470260.png Gaebolg Boots [1] (470260) (Experimental) and/or
+12 [A] 470303.png Yorscalp Boots [1] (470303) (BiS)

  • Midnight Archi Card or Piloted Midrange Rgan Card will serve as your general all-purpose card while the episode 21 racial/element cards will be for targeting specific MVPs/maps. Piloted Midrange Rgan Card will be more relevant if your critical stats is not in good shape.
  • The reason I list 470174.png Glade Rune Boots [1] (470174) andhttps://muhro.eu/flux/data/zrenderer_cache/item/icon/470260.png Gaebolg Boots [1] (470260) is because the gain might or might not be justifiable for the cost. But by all means upgrade to 470303.png Yorscalp Boots [1] (470303) if you have the spare budgets, though is nowhere a priority.
Accessory (Right)
490135.png Creative Signet of Star [1] (490135)

Accessory (Left) 490486.png Signet of Circulation Winter [1] (490486)

Sophie's Industrious Alts Mass Production Recommendation (WH)

Not going to be your typical leveling guide, because this approach will prioritize:

  • Enable sharing non-core Equipment among characters of different classes Alts Mass Production (coming soon) as much as possible, while only core items for WH will be highlighted on this guide.
  • Monotonous, but will be predictable. Important because this leveling is a not chill routine, but more like 30 minutes of triathlons
  • Not cost conscious, though time and stress speaking it is worth it if you plan to make more than, say, 10-15 characters of various jobs (just switch out the core item) each reaching lvl 250. I will explicitly say it here that basically you are investing in multiples of low level gears, which cumulatively in total may worth up to hundreds of millions zeny just to save time around 30 minutes to 2h per character creation and leveling up to lvl 250. Only do this when you're theoretically losing more potential value from that farming hours loss.

Undergoing Assumptions:

  • Exp Event ongoing and you use the 7803.png Novice Battle Manual (7803) (very important for efficiency). When 7803.png Novice Battle Manual (7803) expires you will use 12411.png HE Battle Manual (12411) or 100351.png Core Battle Manual (100351)
  • You spend on episode ticket 16, 17.1, and 17.2.
  • You are using Guyak Pudding(very important), Eden Food buff separately / 50035.png The One Potion (50035) / or at the very least 23204.png Brilliant Protection Scroll (23204) . Teleport items, infinite fly wing, fly wing, or creamy card is mandatory.
  • Is leveling up single character only per attempt (different methods might be needed for mass leveling multiple chars). And that you One Hit or Two Hit most if not all mobs listed on all maps on the Steps part.
  • You have done your research, mastered the basic (I leave it to your wisdom to decide which level range you want which non-core equipment will be worn and what equipment you will skip), and that you have invested and plan well for item progressions each level range, e.g.:
    • +9/+11 400023.png Drooping Thanatos's Dolor [1] (400023) combo with 490099.png Thanatos' Necklace (490099) or its derivatives (red/blue but not really recommended unless you need HP/SP leech early and you don't need acd% this early) starting at level 1.
    • Temporal boots and manteaus for level 100 and up.
    • Illusions set starting at level 120/130 up to 150/160.
    • Convertible wings/Celine Set/Automatic/FWM/EDDA set starting at level 150/160/170.
    • Grey Wolf set starting at level 190.
    • MVP equips (e.g. +9[C] or +11[C] PCC is nice)/Good and Evil set starting at level 200/205.
    • Varmundts pieces (e.g. +9[C] or +11[C] DRM is nice)/Glacier set starting at level 230.
  • Other methods out there might be more efficient and effective than mine, I just don't know it yet so be adaptable and don't treat this guide as if written in stone. Mine is expected to reach level 230-250 in around 30 min when I do it myself, and at worst 250 in around to 1-2h depending on your performance and investment level.

Non-core Equipment and Secondary Skills (passives, buffs, debuffs) will not be specifically named on the phases below (this is not a newbie guide), you will just have to do the best with what you currently possess. Though result may vary if your non-core equipment are far too weaker compared to the original assumption.

Phase 1: lvl 1 to post-Rebirth lvl 100

Primary Skill: 47.png Arrow Shower

Core item:

1702.png Bow [4] (1702) with 4x 27361.png Polluted Wander Man Card (27361)

Steps:

1. Payon Dungeon + Eden Quest, don't claim yet.

2. Orc Dungeon + Eden Quest, don't claim yet.

3. Amatsu Dungeon + Eden Quest, don't claim yet.

4. Keep hitting either Orc Dungeon 2 mobs or the kill Novus outside Abyss Lake (is also Eden Quest) until Rebirth.

5. Rebirth and kill mobs on Payon Dungeon until you change class into high archer, then start to claim Eden Quests as you progress.

6. Repeat Step 2, 3, and 4 and accumulate claimable Eden Quests but do not claim yet until job change to Job 3.

Phase 2: lvl 100 Job 3 to lvl 200

Primary Skill: 2233.png Arrow Storm (AS)-> Aim to reduce 0.3 seconds fixed casting time. Ignis cap + virtual bow combo eliminates the skill cooldown making it very spammable.

Core item:

Steps:

1. Claim previously stacked Eden Quests.

2. Do and claim Illusion of Moonlight until lvl 150.

3. Do and claim Illusion of Teddy Bear until you are strong enough for Illusion of Twins.

4. Do and claim Illusion of Twins until lvl 190.

5. Do and claim Varmundt's Powerplant2 until job 4. Should be viable if your AS is strong and spammable enough, otherwise just do Illusion of Twins until you get into job 4.

6. (optional, credit to Mango's guide Mango's guide to leveling and farming with SA) ) At lvl 180 do Thanatos Fragments quest from Daily Hunts NPC, buy 10 each of these 7436.png Fragment of Agony (7436) , 7437.png Fragment of Misery (7437) , 7438.png Fragment of Hatred (7438) and 7439.png Fragment of Despair (7439) .

Phase 3: Job 4 lvl 200 to 250 and beyond

Primary Skill: 2233.png Arrow Storm (early levels), 5330.png Gale Storm

Core item: 19484.png Temporal Circlet (Ranger) [1] (19484) with acute and +9 700052.png Glacier Bow (700052) fully enchanted at level 230. Get one with 1st slot enchant Gale Storm if you can. Other enchantments could be double elements and physical(ATK).

Steps:

1. Do and claim Powerplant 2 until you are lvl 230. The Eden coin side farming is nice.

2. Do and claim Amiticia 2 until you are 240.

3. Do and claim either Biosphere Glade (if you can OH the Pegasus and all the other mobs) or Biosphere Death (still have to OH all mobs). Otherwise do nif2 as you are farming while leveling up (will be slower).

4. You are at maximum power at lvl 250 able to wield any equipment (e.g. your main character's best equipment). D1 or D2 runs would be great at this point provided you are in a good company. Otherwise solo is only recommended if you know what you are doing.

Glossary

  • BiS: Best in Slot, refers to items/cards that are considered the best according to the ongoing meta. May be subject to change, that is why I put emphasize on dates whenever the term BiS is mentioned on that part.
  • Old BiS: Old Best in Slot, was the BiS on previous meta. Some have the potential to be BiS again in the future (e.g. Bio5 MVP Ranger Shecil card in the case future Job 4 Wind Hawk Bio MVP cards will give strong combo bonus), so they are generally still top tier recommended items, though not to die for.
  • Experimental: Strong items that could possibly be BiS on some setups, but are not widely accepted as the BiS and still need a lot of testing and discussion for it to be universally designated as BiS. Or items that are situationally considerably better than BiS or offering niches that are considered worth trading with the boons gained from the BiS items depending on your personal playing style.
  • Damage Flow: Your continuous stream of damage flowing through, it is considered good if you have only skill unique CD as your bottleneck. If your bottleneck is anything else (could be your non-instacast, your ASPD, your aftercast delay,etc) it means your damage flow is not good and you will have to improve upon that. If your bottleneck is PC power or connection (like me) well then it's too bad can't do anything about that but also it means you can be more relaxed and be a bit below theoretical values on some aspects like your acd% reduction.

Acknowledgements

  • Special Thanks to Tmisn for editing and proofreading.
  • Discussions and demonstrations from Various Masters (ain't namedropping y'all but you know who you are) mostly but not limited to #archer, #swordsman, and #mage class channels of MuhRo Discord that have educated me on so many things regarding this class beyond general guides.
  • Hurt Locker's Wind Hawk Guide character picture format was used for character picture formatting of this guide.
  • Goldie's EM Guide Endgame part table format was used for gears part formatting of this guide.
  • Credit to Yanalicious for personally contacting me and pointing out that on 490135.png Creative Signet of Star [1] (490135) the double 310701.png Star of Master Archer Lv5 (310701) enchantment was actually the slightly better enchantment than double 310706.png Star of Sharp Lv.5 (310706) enchantment (tested, around 1-2% better). (30/Aug/2025)
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