Archer Builds and Tips - Halls of Torment Guide - IGN (2024)

As their name implies, the Archer is a bow-wielding Character that releases a steady stream of arrows to deal ranged damage. The Archer can be unlocked by surviving the Haunted Caverns until there are only 26 minutes left, meaning that you'll need to outlast the horde as the Swordsman for 4 minutes.

Despite being equipped with a below-average health pool and lackluster defensive stats, the Archer can be turned into a glass cannon with the right upgrades. In this guide, we'll outline the best Archer builds and list a couple of tips and tricks to help you shoot your way out of the Halls of Torment.

Archer Builds and Tips

• Archer Base Attributes
• Best Archer Equipment and Items
• Best Archer Blessings
• Best Archer Traits
• Best Archer Abilities
• Archer Tips and Tricks

Archer Base Attributes

Best Archer Equipment and Items

• Wind Crown - 1% attack speed for 5s for each killed enemy (up to +50% attack speed).

Though every piece of Headwear grants unique benefits that can thrive with the correct build, the Wind Crown's Attack Speed bonus cannot be rivaled, especially in the hands of the Archer. If you don't have access to the Wind Crown, consider equipping the Fighter's Headband for an HP boost when you take down an elite enemy or throw on the Hood to increase your Max Health by 12%.

• Blood-Soaked Shirt - Killing an enemy has a 3% chance to give you 1 health point.

Because you'll inevitably take down thousands upon thousands of monsters as you try to survive the Halls of Torment, the Blood-Soaked Shirt will provide more health regeneration than you might expect. When wearing the Blood-Stained Shirt, ensure that you increase the Archer's Piercing Attribute to take down more enemies, thereby triggering the health regeneration more often. Alternatively, the Chain Mail Garment can help make up for the Archer's defensive deficiencies, while Blazing Shell can increase your Block Strength and burn 50% of the enemies bold enough to hurt you.

• Runner Shoes - +15% Movement Speed

Nearly all of the Footwear Items in Halls of Torment provide defensive benefits such as Block Strength and hazards that stun or damage enemies. While each of these Items can help lessen the Archer's glaring defensive weaknesses in the early game, they inevitably fail when faced with boss-level enemies. Instead, try wearing the Runner Shoes which will enable you to avoid projectiles, aggressive monster types, and elite enemies.

• Hunting Gloves - +30% Additional Strike/Projectile.

With just the Hunting Gloves equipped, the Archer's projectiles will increase to 2.60 which means that they'll fire an extra arrow every 1-2 attacks. With each of the Archer's arrows dealing 50 base damage and 100 base critical damage, the value of the Hunting Gloves will quickly pile up. Combine the Hunting Gloves with Traits like Multihit and Proficient Stance (Projectiles) to consistently shoot over two arrows at a time. If you have yet to unlock the Hunting Gloves, the Quickhand Gloves are a good secondary option that will give you an extra 20% Attack Speed.

• Collar of Confidence - +5% damage for each enemy in your pickup range. The maximum is 50%.

Every Character in Halls of Torment starts with a base pickup range of 3 meters but this value can be increased through Equipment, Blessings, and Traits. Because the Archer doesn't do well in close quarters, you'll want to increase your Pickup Range even if you don't have the Collar of Confidence equipped. This makes for a win-win scenario where you Level Up faster and dish out more damage. Arguably the most reliable Necklace, however, is the Jade Amulet which can be added to just about any build to increase your XP Gain and enable faster Level Ups.

• Wooden Ring - +10% base crit chance.

The Archer is at their best when surrounded by builds focused on maximizing critical damage and the Wooden Ring is an effortless step in the right direction. By equipping the Wooden Ring, the Archer's Crit. Chance will jump up to 25%, but you shouldn't stop there. Select the Cunning Technique Trait whenever possible to further improve your chances of dealing double damage.

• Guiding Star - While attacking: +40% attack speed, -30% movement speed. While moving: -30% attack speed, +40% movement speed.

The Guiding Star Ring is one of the most unique Items in Halls of Torment because it provides different buffs and debuffs depending on your state of being. If you attack while standing still, you'll shoot arrows 40% faster. If you stop attacking and strategically reposition, you'll move 40% faster. This opens up various situational opportunities for you to exploit. It's also important to note that if you're moving and attacking simultaneously, as you likely will for most of your run, you'll still receive a 10% Attack Speed buff and a 10% Movement Speed buff.

Best Archer Blessings

Attack Speed and Damage are the first Blessings you should purchase to increase the Archer's damage output. The Archer flourishes when dealing consistent critical damage, and though the Shrine of Blessings doesn't offer critical hit bonuses, remember that critical damage scales with your base damage.

As mentioned above, the Archer has relatively low defenses and health so Health Regeneration and Capacity can make the Hero a bit tankier. Though it shouldn't be a priority, increasing your Pickup Range will enable the Archer to collect loot without having to fight the horde in close quarters. Lastly, the Archer's arrows have a very low Area/Projectile Size at 0.1m, but upgrading this value only makes your arrows longer not wider, so we recommend skipping this Blessing.

To get the most out of the Archer's base stats, invest in the Blessings listed above, and remember that any Gold spent on Blessings can be refunded in full at your campsite.

Best Archer Traits

Though we do not recommend purchasing Area/Projectile Size Blessings because it doesn't enhance your Main Weapon, Collateral Damage is a General Trait that can augment the Area of the Abilities you've selected during your run.

Best Archer Abilities

Archer Tips and Tricks

• As discussed above, upgrading the Archer's Area/Size Attribute will only make the arrows longer, not wider. However, Abilities selected mid-run can still be improved by Blessings and Traits.
• Though enhancing the Archer's range isn't without its benefits, you're much better off enhancing their Piercing Attribute. The Archer's arrows already fly through your entire screen and a higher Piercing stat will allow it to pass through and damage more targets, which will technically improve your range through a more effective method.
• Like the rest of the Halls of Torment cast, the Archer benefits from an XP Gain bonus that is directly linked to the number of Quests you've completed. Thus, the more Quests you complete, the faster you Level up.
• Some Items, including the Elven Slippers and the Hunter's Garb, can only be unlocked by completing the Item's corresponding Archer-exclusive Quest.
• Attacks from ranged enemies can be pesky to short-range Heros like the Shield Maiden. Instead of allowing ranged enemies to fire projectiles that can become hidden in the mass of monsters, use the Archer's range to focus them down.