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Class guide · Lv 10-30 · Easy

Bowman (Arrow Blow) guide

MapleStory Classic World · Build: DEX, Arrow Blow · Updated November 6, 2026

Who it is for

Every future Hunter and Crossbowman starts here. You shoot from the longest range in the game and almost never miss, but you have little HP.

Good at

  • Longest attack range of any class, more with The Eye of Amazon.
  • Huge Accuracy from DEX and level.
  • Critical Shot makes every arrow hit harder.

Watch out for

  • One target at a time until second job.
  • Too close to a monster, you swing your bow instead of shooting.
  • Arrows cost mesos all the time.
  • Low HP: bad positioning gets punished.

Comes after: Beginner (Maple Island). Next: Hunter (Arrow Bomb), Crossbowman (Iron Arrow).

AP: stats by level

Main stat: DEX. Secondary: STR.

LevelWhere your AP goes
1-10Every AP into DEX. There is no stat test for your first job.
11-13DEX +5.
14-15Bow: STR +5 at each level, for 15 STR and the Composite Bow. Crossbow: DEX +5, the Battle Crossbow needs no STR.
16-19DEX +5.
20Bow: STR +2, DEX +3 (Hunter's Bow wants 20 STR with gear). Crossbow: STR +3, DEX +2 (Balanche wants 10).
21-23DEX +5.
24-25STR up to 25 total for the Battle Bow, or 15 total for the Mountain Crossbow. The rest in DEX.
26-29DEX +5.
30STR up to 30 total for Ryden, or 20 total for Eagle Crow. The rest in DEX.
Lv 30: about 28 STR and 134 DEX on a bow, or 20 STR and 142 DEX on a crossbow (base, before gear). Add STR only for the next weapon; STR on your armor counts, so you need a bit less.

SP: skills by level

LevelSkills by the end of itWhy
10Arrow Blow 1Your attack from day one.
11-14Arrow Blow 12, The Eye of Amazon 1Damage first, one point of range at 12.
15Arrow Blow 13, The Eye of Amazon 3Eye 3 adds range and opens Focus.
16-18Arrow Blow 20, The Eye of Amazon 3, Critical Shot 2Max Arrow Blow at 18.
19-23Arrow Blow 20, The Eye of Amazon 5, Critical Shot 15Critical Shot works on every arrow.
24-27Arrow Blow 20, The Eye of Amazon 15, Critical Shot 15, Focus 2Full range, start Focus.
28-30Arrow Blow 20, The Eye of Amazon 15, Critical Shot 15, Focus 10, Power Knockback 1Focus for Accuracy and Evasion, one point to push mobs away.
  • Arrow Blow or Double Shot: both reach 240% at max. Arrow Blow is one big hit for 14 MP and 1 arrow. Double Shot is two 120% arrows for 16 MP and 2 arrows, and can split them over two mobs. We max Arrow Blow: cheaper, a little longer range, better knockback. Double Shot only pays off when each arrow kills a separate weak mob.
  • Pure damage instead: max Arrow Blow, then Critical Shot, then Eye, then Focus (Focus 11 at Lv 30, no Power Knockback). More damage before Lv 23, less range early.
  • Crowded maps: take Power Knockback 1 at Lv 11 and one less Arrow Blow. Arrow Blow still maxes at 18.
  • Second job SP can't go into first job skills, so finish this plan by Lv 30.

Where to train

LevelMapsWhy
10-14L Forest I, The Tree That Grew II, Dungeon, Southern Forest IPigs, Slimes and Stumps near Henesys while Arrow Blow is low.
15-20Henesys Hunting Ground III, Tree Dungeon, Forest Up North IV, Line 1 <Area 1>Green Mushrooms and lots of Bubblings.
20-25Transfer Area, Dark Cave, The Land of Wild Boar IIStirges and Wild Boars. Transfer Area is close to Kerning City for refills.
25-30Ant Tunnel III, Ant Tunnel ParkDense Zombie Mushrooms and Evil Eyes with room to shoot.

Every level range: where to train by level. MesoLens also ranks the maps for your own character, from your level and stats.

Gear by level

LevelWhat to wear
10-14Beginner's War Bow (free at the job change, 29 attack) or Karl's War Bow or Crossbow in Henesys. Green Winter Hat and Green Archer Top from Sam.
15-19Composite Bow (15 STR) or Battle Crossbow (no STR, 37 attack). Green Feather Hat, Basic Archer Gloves.
20-24Hunter's Bow (42 attack) or Balanche (39 attack, faster than most crossbows). Green Robin Hat, Blue Diros gloves.
25-29Battle Bow (fast) or Mountain Crossbow. Blue Savata gloves. Old Raggedy Cape from Jane Doe's quest, Squishy Shoes from KPQ if you get them.
30Ryden or Eagle Crow (Woodcrafting crafts). Green Hawkeye, Green Hunter's or Huntress set, Black Hunter Boots, Green Marker. Scroll gloves for attack, not critical rate.

Before you buy, check what a piece really sells for: how to price-check the Free Market.

Quests and party quests

  • Lv 10: Vicious in Need of an Apprentice in Henesys teaches Woodcrafting. You can make your own arrows from Tree Branches and Stiff Feathers.
  • Lv 12: sign up for Henesys citizenship with Arthur. Its grades unlock Bronze Arrows at 2 mesos from Raymond, and DEX overall and glove scrolls from Flint. Raymond's Supreme Sniper Potions need no citizenship.
  • Lv 21: Maya and the Weird Medicine, a good EXP quest.
  • Lv 28: Caretaker's Ledger, the biggest EXP quest before Lv 30, and Faded Maple Leaf Earrings.
  • Lv 32 (soon after): Mr. Wetbottom's chain in Sleepywood for a Sauna Robe with 10 slots.
  • Kerning City Party Quest from Lv 21, party of 4. King Slime there drops Squishy Shoes.

Tips and common mistakes

Tips

  • Keep space. Inside about 65 px you swing your bow. Pick maps with room and slower mobs.
  • Carry several stacks of arrows. Arrow Blow uses one per shot.
  • Bow or crossbow: take what drops for free. Bows shoot faster; crossbows hit harder per arrow, need less STR and save MP.
  • Keep casting the beginner skill Recovery when it is ready. It saves potion money until second job.
  • Buy potions for value: Red Potion, Fried Chicken or Meat for HP, Orange or Lemon for MP.

Common mistakes

  • Adding STR for the job change. There is no stat test. Add STR only for the next weapon.
  • Following bow STR numbers on a crossbow. Crossbows need 10 less STR.
  • Thinking Double Shot does more damage to one mob. At max both total 240%.
  • Running out of arrows in the middle of a map.
  • Leaving first job SP unspent at Lv 30.

Written by the MesoLens team from the game data and community guides: NiaDB, Bowman guide, Lv 1-30 · NiaDB, Best grind maps for every level · NiaDB, Kerning City Party Quest guide.

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