Runes and gear are the only things you’ll be able to keep consistent throughout your runs in Archero 2. Therefore, it’s important to optimize them for the skills you plan to use. Let’s go over the best gear and rune builds Archero 2 has to offer and how they interact with different skill combos.
Best Longbow/Crossbow Build in Archero 2 (PvE)
If you’re using the Longbow or the Crossbow in Archero 2, the best build you can make will have to rely on projectile-buffing skills, runes, and gear. This kind of build is ideal for dealing with bosses (PvE). Below is the list of the best gear and runes you should use. For optimal skill choices, check out our list of the best projectile skill combos.
Best Gear for Longbow/Crossbow Builds
In the leftmost column in the table below is the best-in-slot gear you can use together with a Longbow/Crossbow. Note that we switched out some of the Dragoon set pieces as they just don’t provide enough value for bosses.
Gear | Core Passives | Pros & Cons | Alternative |
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Crossbow of the Dragoon | Rare: 30% chance to trigger AoE explosion on hitEpic: Blast DMG +200%Mythic: Doubles the chance to trigger AoE explosion on a hit | + Single-target DPS through the roof– No inherent pierce on projectiles | ![]() |
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Rare: CRIT DMG +12%Epic: Randomly detonates 2 monsters on the field every 2sMythic: Randomly detonates 4 monsters on the field every 2s | + Good for dealing with mobs+ Griffin Amulet’s passives aren’t needed+ Bit of extra DPS against bosses | ![]() |
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Rare: CRIT Rate +3%Epic: CRIT Rate increases with more nearby monsters, up to 9%Mythic: CRIT Rate increases with more nearby monsters, up to 18% | + Better than the Dragoon ring in general– Irrelevant passives when fighting bosses | ![]() ![]() |
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Rare: Barrage DMG REDUC +5%Epic: Gain 1 Flame Shield that lasts for 10s; when damaged it shatters and explodes upon being hit againMythic: Slowly restore HP while Flame Shield is active | + Flame Shield is insanely clutch against hard-hitting bosses+ Already OP on Epic rarity | ![]() |
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Rare: Red Heart Heal +20%Epic: The closer, the higher CRIT DMG, up to 36%Mythic: The closer, the higher CRIT DMG, up to 72% | + Very good DPS increase if you know how to position+ Good passive for PvP– The passives are useless against bosses that spam swarms of projectiles | ![]() |
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Rare: Dodge +5%Epic: Triggers an explosion on the attacking monster when dodgingMythic: Dodge +10% | + Dodge is invaluable against hard-hitting bosses+ Very good PvP value– Griffin Boots are better for clearing mobs | ![]() |
Best Runes for Longbow/Crossbow Builds
Since Longbow/Crossbow builds are best suited for bosses, the rune buffs we want will focus on ranged skills. So, no Circle buffs and definitely nothing to do with Meteors for PvE. Here are the best runes based on the type of skills you want to focus on:
Loadout | Blessing Runes | Enhancement Runes | Ability Runes | Build Breakdown | Alternatives |
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PvP | ![]() ![]() |
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• Star of Fury is the best PvP rune• Star of Fury and Potion Magnet have synergy• Flamenox Touch and Flamenox Seal is a very good DPS combo• Frostshock Seal and Frostshock Touch are an alternative combo• Sword of Time and Dragonflight Sword for extra Strike DPS• Lucky Shadow’s dodge is invaluable for PvP• Revive is broken• Arrow Rain and Sharp Arrow for extra DPS | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
PvE | ![]() ![]() |
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• Sword of Time and Dragonflight Sword for extra Strike DPS• Flamenox Touch and Flamenox Seal is a very good DPS combo• Frostshock Seal and Frostshock Touch are an alternative combo• Healing Sprite offers good sustain• Ricochet Strike helps you deal with mobs• Arrow Rain and Sharp Arrow for extra DPS + AoE• Revive is broken in PvE as well• Rabbit’s Foot for more skill luck | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Best Staff/Spear Build in Archero 2 (PvE)
The Staff and Spear are go-to weapons for shredding mobs in Archero 2, which is extremely important for campaign chapter progression. Because they rely on Combo for extra DPS, deviating away from full Oracle/Echo sets is bad. Here are the best gear and runes you can use with these two weapons:
Best Gear for Staff/Spear Builds
As mentioned above, the full Oracle set is the best gear you can use with the Spear. Of course, if you don’t have any of the S-tier gear, switch it out for an Echo set piece. Using pieces from other gear sets is just suboptimal DPS-wise.
Gear | Core Passives | Pros & Cons | Alternative |
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Rare: DMG increases with Combo, up to 10%Epic: For every 5 Combo, CRIT Rate increases by 2%, up to 8%Mythic: For every 5 Combo, CRIT Rate increases by 4%, up to 16% | + Best weapon in the game overall+ Inherent pierce is great against mobs– Boss DPS is a bit lower compared to the Crossbow | ![]() |
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Rare: CRIT DMG +12%Epic: For every 5 Combo, the next DMG is doubledMythic: For every 3 Combo, the next DMG is doubled | + Any Combo passive is a priority when using Spear/Staff | ![]() |
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Rare: CRIT Rate +3%Epic: For every 5 Combo, ATK SPD increases by 2%, up to 8%Mythic: For every 5 Combo, ATK SPD increases by 4%, up to 16% | + Any Combo passive is priority when using Spear/Staff | ![]() |
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Rare: Barrage DMG REDUC +5%Epic: For every 5 Combo, the next hit gains 2 diagonal arrowsMythic: For every 5 Combo, the next hit gains 4 diagonal arrows | + Any Combo passive is a priority when using Spear/Staff | ![]() |
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Rare: Red Heart Heal +20%Epic: Gain 2x Combo on CRITMythic: Gain 3x Combo on CRIT | + Any Combo passive is a priority when using Spear/Staff | ![]() |
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Rare: Dodge +5%Epic: Crit DMG increases by 32% when Combo exceeds 30Mythic: Crit DMG increases by 48% when Combo exceeds 20 | + Any Combo passive is a priority when using Spear/Staff | ![]() |
Best Runes for Staff/Spear Builds
The runes loadout for Staff/Spear is identical to the one you’ll be using for Longbow/Crossbow. Generally, avoid using Circles and instead focus on Sprites, Strike, and projectile skills for PvE. For PvP, Meteors and a mix of auto-trigger runes is the best combo.
Loadout | Blessing Runes | Enhancement Runes | Ability Runes | Build Breakdown | Alternatives |
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PvP | ![]() ![]() |
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• Star of Fury is the best PvP rune• Star of Fury and Potion Magnet have synergy• Flamenox Touch and Flamenox Seal is a very good DPS combo• Frostshock Seal and Frostshock Touch are an alternative combo• Sword of Time and Dragonflight Sword for extra Strike DPS• Lucky Shadow’s dodge is invaluable for PvP• Revive is broken• Arrow Rain and Sharp Arrow for extra DPS | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
PvE | ![]() ![]() |
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• Sword of Time and Dragonflight Sword for extra Strike DPS• Flamenox Touch and Flamenox Seal is a very good DPS combo• Frostshock Seal and Frostshock Touch are an alternative combo• Healing Sprite offers good sustain• Ricochet Strike helps you deal with mobs• Arrow Rain and Sharp Arrow for extra DPS + AoE• Revive is broken in PvE as well• Rabbit’s Foot for more skill luck | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Best Knuckles/Claw Build in Archero 2 (PvP)
The Knuckles and Claws are the best weapons for PvP in Archero 2, and our build will reflect that. We’ll be going for all the close-range-buffing gear we can get, as well as runes that boost the best PvP skills there are. Here are the best gear and runes:
Best Gear for Knuckles/Claw Builds
Generally, you want the full Griffin set for PvP. The only deviation you can make is to go with the Boots of the Dragoon, which gives you extra Dodge and explosion trigger on dodge. Both of these are amazing for PvP and bosses. The Griffin Boots passive just makes dealing with mobs in PvE easier.
Gear | Core Passives | Pros & Cons | Alternative |
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Rare: The closer, the higher DMG, up to 10%Epic: The closer, the higher CRIT Rate, up to 9%Mythic: The closer, the higher CRIT Rate, up to 18% | + The by far best weapon for PvP+ Insane close-range DPS potential– Requires careful gameplay against most bosses | ![]() |
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Rare: CRIT DMG +12%Epic: Counter with 2x DMG to nearby monstersMythic: Counter with 4x DMG to nearby monsters | + Counter is invaluable in PvP+ The best piece of gear for PvP in the game | ![]() |
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Rare: CRIT Rate +3%Epic: CRIT Rate increases with more nearby monsters, up to 9%Mythic: CRIT Rate increases with more nearby monsters, up to 18% | + Helps with mob clear in PvE– Little value for PvP | ![]() |
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Rare: Barrage DMG REDUC +5%Epic: Deals continuous DMG on enemies within 7 metersMythic: Doubles continuous DMG on enemies within 7 meters | + Amazing DPS buff both for PvP and PvE+ Useful even with Longbow/Crossbow and Staff/Spear in PvP– No point in using it with Longbow/Crossbow and Staff/Spear in PvE | ![]() |
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Rare: Red Heart Heal +20%Epic: The closer, the higher CRIT DMG, up to 36%Mythic: The closer, the higher CRIT DMG, up to 72% | + Excellent stat boosts both in PvE and PvP+ Works on any build in PvP | ![]() |
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Rare: Dodge +5%Epic: Triggers an explosion on the attacking monster when dodgingMythic: Dodge +10% | + Dodge is invaluable both in PvP and against bosses– Griffin/Decisiveness boots are better for mob clear | ![]() ![]() |
Best Runes for Knuckles/Claw Builds (Best PvP Runes In General)
Below are the best runes you can use with Knuckles and Claws. Generally, Circle skill-oriented runes are the best if you’re taking melee for a spin in PvE. Otherwise, Meteor runes and everything else that has auto-triggers are just best for PvP and the most reliable in combo with the melee builds.
Loadout | Blessing Runes | Enhancement Runes | Ability Runes | Build Breakdown | Alternatives |
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PvP | ![]() ![]() |
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• Flamenox Seal and Flamenox Touch have great synergy• Sword of Time and Star of Fury auto-trigger• Star of Fury is the best PvP rune• Sword of Time and Dragonflight Sword have synergy• Revive is the best Blessing in the game• Lucky Shadow provides extra Dodge we’ll need• Potion Magnet works well with Star of Fury• Sharp Arrow just for extra stats• Healing Sprite for extra sustain | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
PvE | ![]() ![]() |
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• Spin SPD Up and Sawblade Circle work well with Circle skills• Ring of Agony is perfect for melee• Healing Sprite is there to sustain• Flamenox Touch is good DPS against bosses• Circle is just an extra orb DPS• Sharp Arrow for more weapon DPS• Flamenox Seal has synergy with Flamenox Touch• Revive is just OP• Rabbit’s Foot for better skills in general | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Well, that covers all the best gear and rune builds in Archero 2, and with all this info, you should be one step closer to dominating both PvP and PvE! For more content, check out the Archero 2 hub here on PGG.
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