Hail of Arrows Marksman Guide
Last Updated:May 17, 2025|Changelog
The Hail of Arrows Marksman unleashes Hail of Arrows to cover the screen with a deadly Elemental Damage Over Time rain and watch enemies die inside of it! This tactical Marksman build controls the battlefield with its huge AoE while staying out of range of enemies. The build, created in the Last Epoch Beta by Tunk, has evolved over the years but remains a strong Marksman choice.
This build utilizes the Rogue's Shadows as a core mechanic and has a clear combo rotation that you need to learn and execute. Proc Heartseeker and spam Puncture to generate Mana and to apply Ailments. Create Shadows with Smoke Bomb to consume them with Dark Quiver's Umbral Resolution Node and buff the Damage of your next Hail of Arrows. This Marksman also has good control and utility thanks to Smoke Bomb and unspecialised Decoy.
While the build does not require any Unique to be played, it needs Ravager's Dart to proc Heartseeker to boost your Hail of Arrows. Additionally, it greatly benefits from Items like Dragonsong, Crystalwind, Brewmaster's Buckle, Fiery Dragon Shoes, Nihilis, Red Ring of Atlaria and Ravenous Void.
Overall, Hail of Arrows Marksman is a potent ranged build. If you are looking for a Bow setup with a tactical, safe and combo-based playstyle, this build is perfect for you!
This build guide assumes you have a Level 70 Character.
Reach Level 70 with our Rogue Leveling Guide.
Check our Tier Lists to know how this build performs in the current patch.
If you are looking for a different playstyle, check all our Build Guides!
Skills
Hail of Arrows
Hail of Arrows is your Damage Skill. The deadly Elemental Damage Over Time rains it leaves on the ground do insane Damage, have huge AoE and long Duration. Be sure to buff it with your other abilities and aim to force enemies into it while they chase you. Convert it to Fire to gain access to the Arsonist Damage Multiplier.
- Grab Exposed inside Heartseeker when fighting hard Bosses. Take 2 Points out of Returning Darkness for it.
- Use your other Skills to apply a single Ignite to benefit from the Arsonist Damage Multiplier from Hail of Arrows.
- Use this Specialized Decoy Skill Tree until you find Ravager's Dart.
Skills showcase extra Skill Points in case you find +Level of Skills that may not be included in the Planners.
Passives
- Thief's Quiver is crucial for sustain.
- Elemental Arrows and Elemental Barrage fit the playstyle of the build perfectly. Combining both Nodes with Coated Blades is crucial for scaling the Damage of the build. Coated Blades increases the Mana cost of your Hail of Arrows substantially for DPS.
- Grab Master Archer to increase your Hail of Arrows area.
Make sure to complete the Campaign to get all your Passive Points.
Gameplay
Skill Usage/Rotation
- Start the rotation with Smoke Bomb and let it create Shadows.
- Immediately follow with Dark Quiver to start summoning Black Arrows.
- When you have at least 2 Shadows and 4 Crystalwind stacks, grab a Black Arrow and immediately follow with Hail of Arrows. Thanks to Umbral Resolution, it consumes all 3 existing Shadows, granting it insane Damage multipliers.
- Use Puncture to generate Mana and to apply Ailments.
- Repeat the combo once you have enought Mana and Smoke Bomb is off Cooldown.
- Let Ravager's Dart proc Heartseeker to boost your Hail of Arrows.
Bossing
- Use Decoy to distract the Boss. Take advantage of this window to reposition and perform the DPS rotation.
- Smoke Bomb can save you from incoming damage. Time it against dangerous telegraphed Boss attacks.
- Make sure you always have at least one Silver Shroud active. Since Silver Shrouds last 10 seconds each, you can time Smoke Bomb and Covering Fire apart to make sure you always have one Silver Shroud active, or quickly recover them if they proc. If you do this properly you can always have this protection against Hits that can be Dodged, including some major Boss mechanics!
- You might not need the full combo to clear trash mobs while mapping. Performing the rotation with less than 3 Shadows is faster, figure out how much damage you need and don't wait for unnecessary Shadows.
- The total amount of active Shadows appears on a dedicated tracker on your buff bar. Keep track of how many Shadows are active at a time easily with just a quick glance at the indicator.
- Place Decoy on choke points to funnel enemies into your deadly rain.
Gear, Idols & Blessings
- Dragonsong is your first priority for the +2 Fire Skills it provides. Craft it into a Legendary with Bow Fire Damage for a huge boost to your DPS.
- Obtain Ravager's Dart to enable Heartseeker.
- Get Crystalwind provides an additional Damage Multiplier. This Item has great synergy with the build.
- This setup is very Unique heavy, so it's good to include the ones that shine even without Legendary Potential. Use Brewmaster's Buckle and Nihilis as soon as you get them.
- Aim for Exalted Level of Hail of Arrows to invest more Points into Hail of Arrows and to increase your DPS significantly.
- Get Legendary Fiery Dragon Shoes with Exalted Movement Speed for the base stats it provides.
- Finish your Idol setup. Prioritize Dodge Rating and Increased Health and Increased duration with Hail of Arrows Prefixes.
- Use Twisted Heart of Uhkeiros until you manage to get a Legendary Shattered Worlds.
- Red Ring of Atlaria is usable even if you don't meet the threshold of 180 total Attributes. Combine this Ring with Ravenous Void and Core of the Mountain to significantly increase your tankiness. Good luck with the chase!
Learn the basics for crafting gear with our Beginner Crafting Guide.
Make sure to complete the Campaign to get all your Idol Slots.
Build Scaling
Offensive Stats
- Flat Fire Bow Damage
- Dexterity
- % Increased Fire Damage
- % Increased Fire Damage Over Time
- % Increased Bow Damage
- Fire Penetration
- Increased duration with Hail of Arrows
Defensive Stats
- Health
- Armor
- Dodge
- Endurance
- Glancing Blow Chance
- Leech
Scaling Tips
- Ignite: Apply this Ailment to benefit from the Arsonist and Aim for the Heart Nodes. Arsonist justifies Hail of Arrows' Fire conversion.
- Efficacious Toxin isa powerful debuff that increases the Damage Over Time you deal.
- Shadows & Dark Quiver: The Umbral Resolution Node is the core interaction that causes Hail of Arrows to deal massive Damage when following the DPS rotation described in this guide. Consume up to 3 Shadows for More Damage.
- Coated Blades: Increases the Mana cost of Hail of Arrows but grants it another huge Damage Multiplier Source.
- Increased duration with Hail of Arrows: The longer Hail of Arrows lasts, the more Damage it deals.
- Silver Shroud: As long as you have one up, the next Hit you take is Dodged instead. You get them from Smoke Bomb and the Covering Fire Passive.
- Dusk Shroud: Each grants 5% Glancing Blow Chance and 50 flat Dodge. You take 35% less damage from Hits with Glancing Blows.
- Evasion: The Damage Reduction while moving is great while escaping from threats.
- Red Ring of Atlaria: Grants Damage Reduction when you have at least 180 total Attributes.
- Ravenous Void: Grants Damage Reduction.
Our Damage Explained Article covers all you need to know to scale Damage.
Learn all you need to know to scale Defense with our Defense Explained Article.
Loot Filter
Loot Filters are critical in Last Epoch. Making sure you highlight all the related valuable Item Bases, Affixes, Uniques and Idols is necessary to ensure your character's progression. Click on the Generate Loot Filter button down below then use the Paste Clipboard Contents button in-game to import it!
Here is the Endgame Loot Filter for this build:
Learn how to load and make Filters with our Loot Filter Guide.
Video Guide
COMING SOON!
Summary
Overall the Hail of Arrows Marksman is a very complete build that performs well in endgame. It rewards tactical, rotation based gameplay and it's super safe!
- Start the rotation with Smoke Bomb and let it create Shadows and follow with Dark Quiver to start summoning Black Arrows. Grab a Black Arrow from the ground when Smoke Bomb. Get 3 Shadows and 4 Crystalwind stacks before casting Hail of Arrows for an amazing DPS boost.
- Spam Puncture to generate Mana and to apply Ailments.
- Let Ravager's Dart proc Heartseeker to boost your Hail of Arrows thanks to Ravager's Dart.
- The build greatly benefits from Items like Dragonsong, Crystalwind, Brewmaster's Buckle, Fiery Dragon Shoes, Nihilis, Red Ring of Atlaria and Ravenous Void.
Credits
Written by Volca.
Content Reviewed by Lizard_IRL.