It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Well… time for another
Bean Build Channel
If you wanna know what the rules are, go down to one of the links below. Ain’t gonna repeat myself every time.
So now… Archers.
Personal favorite is Emiya tbh, the guy’s stylish and badass. Gilgamesh is pretty dope too.
…what’s that? Accual bow using archer? Aw come on, here I thought we’d be getting our crossover
Back to Feh, these guys are usually a bit sidelined. Mages are more populair and daggers get more and more tricks. Especially effectiveness.
But with some nice refines and good stat lines there are a few fine options around.
However, a lot of em do truely seem to be waiting for their shot at a refine. So expect this topic to be updated in the future
Atk Focus
Leon
Most fabulous archer. Leon is a units with terrible res, alright spd/def and good atk.
For combat he’s not too impressive, but don’t you go selling him short. There are a good few bows and skillsets that can be used.
Mind that for max potential Jamke is slightly better, but Leon is obviously cheaper.
Strengths
Good atk
fine spd/def
Flaws
Very poor res
Spd won’t allow him to double much
Biggest standout factor
Not that much, but his atk is the best of the non-grail archers.
While he doesn’t stand out a lot, there are a few builds he uses better than others.
Rating
3/5
Builds
Easy to say Brave Bow, but some slayer bow builds can work really well.
Given that simple brave doesn’t need the B slot and kinda gets beaten out by Klein you could switch to the modified version below
There is however one rather build that works kind of unique. It’s very similair as Ophelia’s build but he’s easy to get. In general, slayer isn’t a bad choice for him.
Without CC I wouldn’t go for enemy phase builds, given how most ranged enemies rely on magic.
Spd refine may seem wierd on the AoE build, but it can really help keep Leon alive before he can proc his special. Or when he runs into guards.
Hardy bearing the prefent vantage bullshit, +atk seal (+3, or one of the combo seals) for more damage.
Budget
Premium
Spd Focus
Rebecca
Rebecca is just as amazing as she was in FE7
Which is to say, not that much.
Somewhat nice mixed bulk… For an archer.
And fine speed, which is kinda undone.
Rebecca is somewhat usable but not much more than that.
Strengths
Fine speed
Mixed bulk will likely save her. Once
Flaws
Poor atk
Defences aren’t high enough to really help her.
Biggest standout factor
She’ll make some use out of stacking on defences while avoiding doubles, not amazing but she can do it.
Her res especially can be made workable.
Rating
2/5
Builds
The right bow for the job can be important. The easiest way to do that is going for the good old triple DD.
Rebecca can accually reach impressive defences using that. However, her power will take a nosedive. So you better have allies swooping in to kill.
There are other ways to build her, especially offence. But I’ll just say that Setsuna does offence better than Rebecca.
Semi-Budget
Surgested IVs: +Spd, +Res, +Atk
Setsuna
Now let me tell you all abo–
Oh look a butterfly!
Well… Setsuna is a slighly more offencive Rebecca, trading 3 res for 3 spd. Making any pure offence set on Rebecca work better on Setsuna. Though I’d say Guard Bow is better on Rebecca.
But overal their performance won’t vary that much.
Strengths
Great spd
Usable mixed bulk
Flaws
Poor atk
Again: defences are one and done.
Biggest standout factor
Her speed allows Setsuna to do one thing better than the others: Flashing Blade
She can’t really make use out of high damaging specials, but it has it’s uses.
Rating
2/5
Builds
There are a lot of differend options if you were to go offence.
I’d recomment against Brave because Klein, but Firesweep, slayer, short, Coco, fishy, Beguiling… There’s no shortage of options. Won’t go into every option, these two I have now.
For A slots generally everything giving atk/spd.
Fury gives not that much, but can help take a single hit.
Solo is usually the endgame option at a price.
Budget
Surgested IVs: +Atk, +Spd
Premium
Surgested IVs: +Atk, +Spd
Def Focus
Gordin
Ohhh… My…
I’m scared to say anything bad about him, in case some Gordin fanboy will skin me alive. You know the one.
On the bright side, Gordin has great physical bulk and I’d say he accually makes use of his high hp. Atk isn’t terrible.
But his speed is in a void of too low to matter and too high that it ruins the chance of some other stats.
I half expect some optional builds be put into the comments, but I’ll do my best here
Strengths
Great hp and def.
fine Atk
Flaws
Poor speed and res
Jamke and Leon outshine him in atk.
Biggest standout factor
His phycal bulk with high hp makes him stand out.
Rating
2,5/5
Builds
Best way to make use out of him is banking on that special proc
Unlike most builds, I’m going for no pure budget here.
A semi-budget one (close counter) and a full premium one.
And using his def in some way is almost a must.
For a defence build more focussed on tanking than killing, you could use monsterous bow.
semi-Budget
Surgested IVs: +Def, +Atk
Premium
Surgested IVs: +Def, +Atk
Res Focus
Niles
Oh man, look at that atk! This guy could never be useful!
Don’t let this clever little sneak trick you, his icebergs hurt. And they hurt good.
Still has some flaws like his poor physical bulk and guard effects are his bane…
But his bow is just so much power packed in one, and he still is a fine mage bait at high hp. Giving him an easy way to drop down to desperation.
Strengths
Niles’s Bow is an all in one package with everything he loves: Flasing Blade, Slayer and shining bow effect.
Great res
Good speed
Flaws
Atk is still very low, needs those special procs
Any worthwhile physical hit will crush him
Biggest standout factor
Icebergs. Iceberg aaallll the waaay across the enemy’s corpse. Naughty Niles is a cold killer.
Rating
4,5/5
Builds
I’ll just give you one build here, the one build he really needs.
You can go ahead and tweak it with atk/spd solo or a wave skill, but the core will stay the same. This is Niles.
One note, I’d surgest Darting Blow as seal over Brazen Atk/Res, Niles needs to double and proc flashing blade.
Budget
Edited:
Another build surgested by @Kirchou
Very premium, but it does keep Niles healthy and kicking. Does really like team support, especially for def and res so he can get around without desperation. Best suited for mage dueling. Seal can be +3 spd instead if you keep him buffed up to help with the mixed phase.
If you want him to battle foes that can’t counter, Iceberg is the better choice.
Assist is to help him get back at full hp if mystic boost isn’t enough. Cuz no desperation
Balanced
Virion
Archest of Archers
Elite Archer
…man… Best part of Virion’s character is that he’s a braggart that can back up his word. Not in heroes though.
If there was some powerful trick hp could give him, he’s be a lot better. but there isn’t. Outclassed and outmatched, Virion can be used. But really? You shouldn’t.
Strengths
Amazing hp
Passable atk/spd
Flaws
Horrible Res
His offences really don’t let him stand out
Does need spd support for faster foes
Biggest standout factor
His hp is pretty much all he has. It’s massive, reaching 48 with a refined weapon, reaching above some armored units. But it’s not that useful when his spd and defence don’t help him.
Rating
1,5/5
Builds
Try to do something with his hp, and his workable offence.
Panic ploy, infantry pulse, support skills in general. Something.
Healing is also an option.
Using escape route and bonds…
I do think he’d use fishy bow with ER well.
Gonna try something
Budget
Surgested IVs: +spd, +atk, +hp
Premium
Surgested IVs: +spd, +atk
Note: Keep a healer close by!
Klein
Remember the good old days of Bride Cordelia? Brave bow quads, no unit came close to her balance of atk and spd. But her being so rare made the public forget about her.
BUT DO NOT FEAR!
This humble Archer General graces us with what’s basicly the same idea, cheap and avalable.
Compared to B!Cordelia with a brave bow, he does have 3 lower atk, but he can either have 3 higher spd or go for chill def on his weapon fixing the gap in atk. And, you know, the low star pool is quite a perk.
Strengths
Amazing Brave Bow in Argent Bow. Not only a straight upgrade, it also as support (or extra stats)
Fine offences
Will likely take a hit if not doubled or raventome’d
Flaws
Pretty one note for combat.
High def enemies are his bane, can’t do much with 4x0.
Poor enemy phase
Does rely somewhat on spd buffs
Biggest standout factor
Cheap brave bow with utility, real simple. If you want to use a brave bow unit that’s not 5 star only, Klein’s your man. When he can’t do anything, he still chills by only standing around.
Rating
4,5/5
Builds
Pretty simple way to build him, just like Niles. Go with the first one, adjust a few skills if you got the budget ect. Make sure to keep it high. If you don’t like/need Chill you could go for +spd
The second build is made for him to focus on the triple chill. It’s both the easiest and hardest type of support.
Budget
Surgested IVs: +Spd, +Atk
Premium
Surgested IVs: +Spd, +Atk
Mind, the seal is Chill Atk
Jeorge
The forgotten refined bow, the very classy dresser.
Arden’s voice.
All of this apply to Jeorge. Lemme tell you, he’s not that bad.
But he’s also not an hidden gem.
This has been done to death in this topic, but he’s among the many here who can take a hit. But slightly better than average. But more importantly, he has an extra 6 atk on top of his 14mt weapon when baiting ranged foes. This can be used well.
Strengths
A good bow that improves his enemy phase potential
Fine offences
Alright defences
Flaws
His stats are somewhat too balanced.
Doesn’t have the attack to really make use out of his weapon
Biggest standout factor
Parthia allows for some good damage, especially with the right skills. Making him the best archer option for vantage builds.
Rating
3,5/5
Builds
You might think he might not be strong enough to oneshot ranged unit, but remeber that ranged units (especially mages) have raither meh def most of the time.
If you want more long term use, you can again opt for solo skills. With the right skillset and allies he can be a fine duelist.
Distand def could be used as seal if you have proper spd support.
Budget
Surgested IVs: +Atk
Premium
Surgested IV: +Spd, +Atk, +Res
Overal ratings
Ratings
5
4,5 - Niles, Klein
4
3,5 - Jeorge
3 - Leon
2,5 - Gordin
2 - Rebecca, Setsuna
1,5 - Virion
1
Do mind that 2,5 really does mean middle of the road.
This is no 9,1 is meh. (or 4,5 in this case)
Edits
Edit Log
Added a build for Niles
Posted that build outside the tab, fixed it now
Previous Episodes
#1 - Lance Cavaliers
Bean Build Channel - Class Comparison episode #1 - Lance Cavaliers [Sully updated 12-5]
#1x - Lance Cavaliers {Grail Edition}
Bean Build Channel - Class Comparison episode #1x - Lance Cavaliers {Grail Edition}
#2 - Axe Fliers
#2x - Axe Fliers {Grail Edition}
Bean Build Channel - episode #2x - Axe Fliers {Grail Edition}
