Crossbow / Dagger PvP Build Guide
Last Updated:March 8, 2025|Changelog
Welcome to the Crossbow / Dagger PvP Build Guide! Crossbow / Dagger, or Scorpion, has dual playstyles. Scorpion can make use of Camouflage Cloak to roam around the battlefield and play similar to an Assassin / Rogue from other MMO's. This build is also capable of a fast-attacking kiting playstyle closer to what other MMO's refer to as Gunners. Having the option to do both keeps your enemies guessing on what your next move is!
Annihilation Barrage Shot allows for an "AoE bombing" playstyle which is strong early on before players get too many defensive stats. You can use skills like Thunderclouds Bombing for high single target bursts when you want to single out specific targets.
While the game gives you the option to have a single weapon out at any given time, remember you are not "main handing" one weapon over the other. This weapon combination works best when utilizing skills and passives from both weapons.
Cordy Crossbow Spin To Win Build
If you're interested in PvE related builds, check out our PvE Crossbow / Dagger guide!
Gear Progression
In all of these builds, once you have Queen Bellandir's Annihilation Crossbow or Tevent's Massacre Blade, you should always use them no questions asked.
Set Effect Options
- 2 Pieces of Abyssal Beast for Hit Chance and Wildlands Protector for Evasion helps to reach the two important stats for Scorpion.
- Chaos Harbinger is a popular damage set effect for those that don't need to worry about added Evasion/Hit stats.
- Some servers end up having over 60-70% of the PvP playerbase as Sword and Shield users. Because of this, 4 - 6 piece Deathless One Set results in a great option to reach 85%+ Shield Block Penetration.
- Enchanting Pyromancer: Solar Stone is a solid choice for a quick burst of additional Hit for times you want to ensure the kill on a priority target.
Consider the defensive and offensive breakpoints other classes can reach when building your gear.
- Melee
- Fully built Sword and Shield users reach 1500+ base Endurance.
- The amount varies depending on Trait Resonances and Runes.
- With the Palace Guard's Plate Armor item set, they will take even less damage. If you are targeting Sword and Shields, use the Shield Block Penetration Chance Rune Synergy.
- Greatswords can reach 2500+ base Melee Hit Chance fully geared without sacrificing damage.
- Spears can reach 2000+ base Melee Hit Chance before buffs.
- Fully built Sword and Shield users reach 1500+ base Endurance.
- Ranged
- Ranged Classes can reach 2000+ base Ranged and Magic Evasion or 1700+ Endurance pre-buffed without sacrificing damage. The specific numbers depend on the Runes the player slots and the Trait Resonance they use.
- Support
- If Bow / Wands follow the builds on this site, they can reach 2000+ Ranged and Magic Endurance with 500+ Heavy Attack Evasion. As mentioned above, these numbers differ depending on the Runes and Trait Resonance.
Considering the above, it's hard to find a one-size-fits-all solution. How you gear will entirely depend on the meta of your server.
- Is your server full of high Evasion users? Do you usually target those players? If so, build more Hit Chance.
- You might also need to spec Eagle Vision for the additional Hit.
- Is your server more Endurance-focused? Are you trying to kill those Endurance users? If so, build more Critical Hit Chance. Lightning Infusion will help against opponents Endurance as well.
- At some point, it may be wise to build towards more Bonus Damage if you notice you're never landing Critical Hits.
- There is no "Best Build", Talandre Gear allows for a wide variety of builds leading to different metas depending on your Server.
- Use the builds as a base, and swap different pieces around to fit the stats needed to combat your Server's meta.
- AGS is limiting gear availability for the launch of Talandre so Loot Tables may not be fully correct at during the first month of Talandre in Global Servers.
Easy Transition Build
- This is an easy to obtain build for the first couple of weeks during the release of Talandre.
- The Dawn Mist Set comes from Pre-Talandre content so there's no waiting for Milestones.
- The chest piece comes from completing the Main Story Quest.
T2 Ranged / Magic Evasion Build
- This build focuses on maintaining high Ranged / Magic Evasions.
- The Imperial Tracker Set allows for relatively high Critical Damage.
- This build results in the following Offensive Stats
- 2000+ Hit
- 600+ Heavy Attack Chance
- 1800+ Critical Hit.
T2 Triple Evasion Build
- This build is focused on stacking evasions for higher survivability.
- Post-Buff, Scorpions reach the following Evasion Potentials
- 3400 - 3800 Melee Evasion
- 3800 - 4800 Ranged / Magic Evasion
T2 Bonus Damage Build
- This build is more for "Spin to win" builds.
- Allowing for 200+ Bonus Damage, this ensures high damage output per hit even though the attack uses just 37% Weapon Damage.
- While HP is on the lower end at around 19,500 HP, Scorpions using this build reach anywhere from 3400 - 4400 Ranged / Magic Evasions.
Stats and Gearing Logic
- Queen Bellandir's Toxic Spine Throwers poison damage is not as high in T2 which lowers its attractiveness in T2.
- With the addition of Bercant's Spineflower Crossbow, the T1 Archboss Weapon becomes much less desireable due to this new Dungeon Crossbow giving similar Dexterity and Bonus Damage while also granting additional Perception leading to higher Hit Chance.
- Tevent's Fangs of Fury is still very much useful in desired in most cases due to the ability to go in and out of stealth frequently.
- Scorpions have the highest Evasion potential in the game due to Detection, Shadow Walker, and the Crossbow Masteries that increase Evasion.
- Crossbow naturally gets a lot of increased damage with its Offhand Attacks allowing for over 40-60 hits in a single combo.
- Ensuring that more of your attacks land with high Hit become vastly important due to the nature of how many hits Scorpions do with Offhand Attacks potentially doubling the amount of hits dished out.
- Scorpions normally have really low base Weapon Damage and anywhere from 2.5 - 3 times that as Maximum Weapon Damage which is why maintaining high Critical Hit is so important.
Alternatives + Other Common Weapons / Armors
- Hit Alternatives
- Nether Overwatcher's Leather Pants
- Nether Overwatcher's Leather Gloves
- Great Tree Sap Necklace
- This can be obtained from Material Transformation as well as Precious Blessing Pouch: Nebula which drops from regular Nebula Island Monsters making it very obtainable
- Ogre King's Horned Helm
- Admiral's Combat Hat
- Elite Resistance Fighting Spirit Gloves
- Elite Resistance Bone Bandana
- Evasion Alternatives
- Elite Resistance Fighting Spirit Armor
- Nether Overwatcher's Leather Gloves
- Red Demonic Eye Bracelet
- Offensive Stats Alternatives
- Admiral's Directive Gloves
- Provides both Attack Speed and Range as item effects and trait to allow for faster combos and/or more Range!
- Tree King's Ring
- Granting more Attack Speed and Bonus Damage, this was made for Scorpions
- Ogre King's Horned Helm
- Already listed under Hit alternative, this also grants high amounts of Heavy Attack Chance
- Master Assassin's Belt
- Violent Demonic Beast's Fur Boots
- Great alternative for more Bonus Damage and Attack Speed
- Admiral's Directive Gloves
T2 Cordy Crossbow + Tevent Daggers
- This is the ultimate goal for any Scorpion in T2 gear.
- Cordy's Stormspore Spike Slingers takes spinning in large scale to a whole different level.
- The reason why Cordy's Stormspore Spike Slingers is so strong with spinning is because opponents cannot block when being pulled in.
- This basically continuiously pulls players in and interrupts all skill casts including "Q Blocks"
- Collision Chance is required to stack which is why there's so much in the traits.
- Glove Alternatives
- Dread Admiral's Gloves
- Perfect for increased Bonus Damage and Attack Speed
- Infernal Demonpact Grasp
- Great for increased Attack Speed while maintaining high Collision Chance
- Dread Admiral's Gloves
- All pre-Talandre Builds will be revamped once it releases
- They will include new T2 Blue Gear which may prove to be better than T1 Epic Gear.
- Hover over items to see how to obtain them!
- STATS FROM ARTIFACTS, ITEM SETS, AND MASTERIES ARE NOT FULLY IMPLEMENTED.
Archboss Weapons + Archboss Gloves / Boots
4 Piece Phantom Wolf
Harvester + Wolf Build
- This version utilizes 2 piece Ghost Wolf Set and 2 piece Death Set to maximize damage.
- This version relies on constant Critical Hits to maintain the increased damage output.
4 Piece Ghost Wolf Build
- This option is to maximize Off-Hand Weapon Attack Chance by utilizing Ghost Wolf Set.
Melee Evasion Focused
Skill Builds, Rotations, and Mastery
Scorpions have quite a few options to choose from when it comes to skills based on playstyles. The most important thing about Scorpion is understanding what’s going on in the fight and adjusting skill builds for the specific scenario. Here is a Skill Build with common skills, Skill Specializations, and a Mastery Tree to use as a basis if you want to customize your own Skill Builds.
- Knife Throwing is a good option to help reduce incoming healing and/or slow melee users when kiting making it a valuable option to place in during various scenarios.
- Phantom Smokescreen becomes a good choice to swap in when many ranged users are targeting you.
- Mana Exchange is a valid option when multiple users are constantly looking to CC you as it allows for 2 trinkets instead of just 1.
This skill build becomes a lot stronger with Cordy's Stormspore Spike Slingers.
AOE Bomber Build
AOE Bomber
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Make sure this is active.
- Camouflage Cloak
- Selfless Diffusion
- Use this right before jumping in to increase the damage of your spin.
- Mortal Mark
- The Skill Specialization Chain Effects allows for higher damage output.
- Shadow Strike
- Phantom Smokescreen (Optional)
- Nimble Leap
- Annihilation Barrage Shot
Tips
- Shadow Strike puts you into combat so you can use this straight from the safe zone if need be.
- In situations where enemies are quick to react, skip using Phantom Smokescreen as it does increase the time it takes to get the burst damage off.
- Try to prioritize large clumps that are close together and pre-occupied to make use of the AoE damage from Gale Arrow.
- If enemies aren't clumped together close enough, consider using Lightning Arrow instead.
- Try and avoid Sword and Shield users because Counter Barrier can kill you while you're spinning.
Single Target Burst
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Make sure this is active. Don't press if already active.
- Inject Venom
- Selfless Diffusion
- Fatal Stigma
- Mortal Mark
- Quick Fire
- Nimble Leap
- Quick Fire
- Multi-Shot
- Repeat #7 - #8
Tips
- Priority targets are Staff and other Ranged Users with other DPS / Healers as the next option.
- Shadowdancers and Scorpions users tend to have higher Ranged Evasion so be cautious.
Kiting Version
- This option allows for more kiting potential where the only time you find yourself in melee range is just to use Thundering Bomb.
- With all the additional movement speed available to you via masteries, this option is the safest version especially for users without Tevent's Fangs of Fury.
Melee Version
- This option has a bit higher damage but requires more time in melee range by using Mad Sword Dance.
- This option does have hard CC with Ankle Strike however, there's more time for enemy peelers to get to you.
Burst Combo 1
- Lightning Infusion
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Make sure this is toggled on.
- Selfless Diffusion
- The offhand chance increase allows for high additional burst damage.
- Offhand Chance is a similar damage increase to Crossbows that Heavy Attack Chance does for Greatswords.
- The offhand chance increase allows for high additional burst damage.
- Fatal Stigma
- Detonation Mark
- Quick Fire
- Nimble Leap
- Quick Fire
- Shadow Strike
- Thunderclouds Bombing
Burst Combo 2
- Lightning Infusion
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Make sure this is toggled on.
- Selfless Diffusion
- The offhand chance increase allows for high additional burst damage.
- Offhand Chance is a similar damage increase to Crossbows that Heavy Attack Chance does for Greatswords.
- The offhand chance increase allows for high additional burst damage.
- Fatal Stigma
- Detonation Mark
- Quick Fire
- Shadow Strike
- Ankle Strike
- Mad Sword Dance
- Thunderclouds Bombing
Skill Prioritization
- This is a general list of skills used across all forms of content that's recommended to upgrade.
- Should there be a skill here that you don't ever plan to use in your build, skip it.
- Use Quality Skill Growth Books to upgrade your skills from Green to Blue in the order shown below. Once all skills below are Green, use the rest on other skills used in the builds above.
- Use Rare Skill Growth Books to upgrade your skills from Blue to Purple in the order shown below. Once all skills below are Blue, use the rest on other skills used in the builds above.
- Prioritize getting all these skills to blue first before getting them to purple. These are universal skills you always use.
- Upgrade the rest of your skills as you play the game.
This "Guardian Cheese" was something most players used in PvE specifically. Once the Sword and Shield skill Counter Barrier was nerfed in Korea, many players realized that you could use it in PvP. While almost anybody can use this, Crossbow / Dagger users have a greater advantage than other Weapon Combinations because of skills such as Mother Nature's Protest that affect projectiles and the ability to do it from stealth.
After you pop your Guardian, you want to position yourself inside the enemy ball. More importantly, you want to be as close to as many of the enemy backline as possible. This is because you are then better able to spread damage on the squishier targets and have more choices of enemies to jump onto after you exit stealth for quick kills.
- Lightning Infusion
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Shade Revenant Stheno
- Camouflage Cloak
- This works even better with Queen Bellandir's Annihilation Crossbow because the additional hits from Mother Nature's Protest can proc the Bellandir Poison.
- You must first attack an opponent so that you are in PvP Combat mode. If you try before attacking an enemy the Guardian won't hit anybody.
- Stay in stealth as long as possible for free damage.
- DO NOT come out of stealth in the middle of the entire enemy ball! If your team is losing the fight, opt to reposition in a safer spot closer to your allies when you decide to come out of stealth.
This strategy works well with skills like Lightning Infusion because then every attack can weaken an enemy. Piercing Strike increases the damage dealt on each individual attack from the Guardian and Mother Nature's Protest will throw out an additional attack as well!
Guardians
Guardians are special transformations that add offensive or defensive buffs or attacks to your character for 30 seconds. You'll have a few options for Guardians when it comes to PvP.
- Lady Knight Kamarshea - This guardian lowers your cooldown while also giving you a damage shield equal to 50% of your maximum mana. This is the go-to defensive guardian whenever the plan is to dive the ball to try and survive longer along with higher uptime on my skills.
- Pale Nemesis Hartach - This guardian allows you to reset your stealth if you get a kill within 3 seconds of engaging an opponent. It's useful when AoE Bombing because it almost always procs the invisibility at the end of the spin. This is also similar to the weapon effect of Tevent's Massacre Blade so until you get those daggers this is a good way to go in and out of stealth during fights. Sadly, however, it's only a 30 second duration so be careful when you pop it.
- Shade Revenant Stheno - This guardian shoots out projectiles and can synergize well with weapons like Queen Bellandir's Annihilation Crossbow, and skills like Mother Nature's Protest! You can spread poisons and do quite a lot of damage, not to mention you can use it while in stealth from Camouflage Cloak for some free damage that people can't avoid if they're in range.
Gameplay
Summary
- This Crossbow / Dagger PvP Build Guide explores the many different ways to play this weapon combination in detail.
- Crossbow / Dagger can play like Assassins or Rogues from other MMO's.
- You also have access to a Kiting Mid-Ranged playstyle like Ebonsong from Archeage!
- Crossbow / Dagger utilizes a variety of Buffs/Debuffs to provide additional damage hits to a target that can result in over 40+ Hits per second.
- Crossbow / Dagger has the highest single target DPS possible out of the various weapon combinations in the game!
- Selfless Diffusion is quite versatile of a skill, whether you need to get out of sticky situations, lower your cooldowns, or increasing your burst immensely, it should always be on your hotbar!
- Crossbow / Daggers can utilize Damage Bonus, unlike any other weapon combination due to the ability to output so many hits.
Credits
Written by Bloo
Reviewed by Dredscythe