Lost Ark features many classic MMORPG ranged classes, but it also boasts some classes equipped with high-tech yet age-old weaponry. The Sharpshooter has become the go-to class for players who enjoy handling a bow throughout gameplay. But, it can be tricky to level the Sharpshooter up at lower levels.
Sharpshooter Class Overview
The Sharpshooter is an advanced class within the Gunner main ranged class. This class is the only choice players have if they’re dead set on using a bow, as all other Gunner classes are equipped with guns of all sorts.
Although the Sharpshooter uses the classic MMORPG ranged weapon, his bow is mechanical and is far more advanced and high-tech than one might expect. He can land some powerful blows to enemies from a distance.
The Sharpshooter’s Mechanical Bow fires special arrows at his targets. But, he does have a few close-combat attacks thanks to his Daggers. He has high mobility and is quite easy to learn for newer players, but he does have relatively low party synergy as well as comparatively low HP and defense stats.
Sharpshooter Abilities
Sharpshooters primarily focus on inflicting Ranged DPS, and the large majority of his attacks will be far more deadly from afar. However, he can still hold his ground in cases where enemies are close by, as he can attack with occasional Melee damage as well.
This class generally plays a pure DPS role in Lost Ark, as Sharpshooters deal sustained damage to bosses and enemies in PvE instances. Sharpshooters can deal significant damage from a distance and with melee attacks in PvP instances, and also have a Stealth ability making this class a serious threat in many scenarios – such as in the arena.
Sharpshooter Identity Skill
One awesome aspect of the Sharpshooter class is that he has a Mechanical Hawk companion, which follows the player around while dealing extra damage to foes. This is the Identity Skill of the Sharpshooter, as he can Summon Silverhawk via his Hawk Meter.
Like other Lost Ark classes, the Hawk Meter will fill up as you deal damage to enemies. The Sharpshooter will be able to summon his companion once the meter is full.
The Silverhawk inflicts passive damage and provides a party-wide movement buff for its duration. It has two abilities available for use while it’s out, and players can choose to use both abilities within the duration. Players can quickly command the hawk to attack in the following ways:
- Wings of Storm: Players can command the Silverhawk to directly attack the target with a quick burst of damage on a somewhat low cooldown. This ability can be used multiple times per summon.
- Last Rush: Players can command the Silverhawk to self-destruct, which will deal massive damage to enemies. This ability will end the summon’s duration.
The best way to maximize the Silverhawk’s damage is to use a combination of its abilities. Players should use Wings of Storm as often as possible for supplementary damage, and activate Last Rush just before the duration of the summon expires.
Sharpshooter Awakening Skills
It will take some time and solid Lost Ark grinding before you can unlock the Sharpshooter’s Awakening skills. You will first need to complete the Main Questline until you reach Vern city, after which you will meet Beatrice who will ask you to visit her in Trixion.
Below are the Sharpshooter’s Awakening skills and how you can choose which Awakening skill would be best for your preferred Sharpshooter build:
Golden Eye
This awakening skill will summon a whirlwind of Golden Hawks, which will deal damage in a specified area around the player. The Sharpshooter will also enter a temporary stealth mode after casting this skill.
Golden Eye is typically the common choice amongst Lost Ark Sharpshooter players, as it’s versatile and useful in a wide range of scenarios. Its stealth mode grants some safe repositioning which can come in handy within PvE and PvP instances.
Fenrir’s Messenger
This awakening skill will charge up and unleash a massive spirit wolf that will travel forward, inflicting damage to enemies as it moves. It can hit enemies multiple times as it passes through.
Fenrir’s Messenger can leave the Sharpshooter vulnerable since it does have a longer charge-up time where the player will be stationary. However, it can be useful for inflicting considerable damage when taking on large bosses.
Sharpshooter Leveling Guide
Leveling up with the Sharpshooter class can be relatively smooth if you know how to play this class. His quick animations, low cooldowns, and good mobility can help you avoid hits and deal consistent damage while leveling, but his clearing speed is generally slower than most Lost Ark classes.
Gear & Combat Stats
Focus on equipping the highest item level gear possible throughout the leveling process. Also, focus on Swiftness for even more movement speed, as well as reduced casting time and faster skill cooldowns.
Prioritize the Crit and Specialization Combat Stats, as this will increase the Sharpshooter’s overall damage and clear speed. Since the Sharpshooter will likely take longer to clear out mobs compared to other classes, these stats will be crucial for increasing the clear speed throughout the leveling phase.
Best Class Engravings
Unlocking the Sharpshooter Class Engravings will take some time and gameplay, but they’ll be incredibly valuable in the endgame. Below are the Sharpshooter’s Class Engravings as well as their uses:
Death Strike
This class engraving is ideal for players who enjoy the high damage inflicted by Last Rush. It will reward half of your remaining Hawk Meter when Last Rush is activated, and enemies that get hit by Last Rush will temporarily take increased damage.
Loyal Companion
This class engraving is an amazing option for players that enjoy using the Silverhawk’s passive skills while it’s out. It will upgrade the Silverhawk to Silverhawk MK-II, which will afford higher basic attack damage and an improved party movement speed buff.
Wings of Storm will inflict increased damage and will apply a Mark of Death debuff which will increase the damage to targets. In addition, this class engraving will also increase the Hawk Meter regeneration rate.
While most class engravings are chosen based on preferred playstyle, the Sharpshooter class is unique as both class engravings will afford supplementary benefits rather than defining a certain playstyle. Sharpshooter players can actually use either without changing this class’s build and setup too much, which isn’t usually a viable option for many other classes.
Generic Engravings
Generic Engravings can be acquired from Engraving Books, or from items such as necklaces, rings, or earrings. The Sharpshooter’s most suitable generic Engravings will depend on your preferred playstyle as all of them may have certain pros and cons.
Below are the most beneficial generic engravings for the Sharpshooter:
- Hit Master: This engraving will increase the damage of attacks that do not have the Back Attack or Frontal Attack modifier, which applies to most of the Sharpshooter’s skills.
- Raid Captain: This engraving will increase attack damage based on movement speed. It’s a great pair with Loyal Companion thanks to the increased party movement speed buff.
- Grudge: This engraving will increase incoming and outgoing damage. However, since the increase in outgoing damage scales with the engraving’s level while the incoming damage penalty is flat accross all levels, this engraving is only really worthwhile once you can max it out to level 3.
- Cursed Doll: This engraving will increase damage while decreasing incoming healing. It’s also more worthwile when it’s maxed at level 3.
Continue The Main Story
Continuing the Main Questline will be the best way to get levels as quickly as possible in Lost Ark. You will have to face a ton of enemies and mobs along the way, which will reward you with some great XP.
In addition to the XP gained from enemy encounters, players can expect to receive some bonus XP for each quest after it’s completed. Completing the Main Questline is also vital for unlocking the Sharpshooter’s most powerful skills, as well as gaining access to some awesome in-game activities.
Skill Point Allocation
Allocate Skill Points to gain Tripods for the Sharpshooter’s most effective skills, depending on where you’re at in the game. You’ll be able to switch out skills as needed based on the needs of the encounter or the needs of your team.
Below are the most useful Skill Tripods for the Sharpshooter class, as well as how to manage your Skill Points as you head towards level 50:
- Level 12: Moving Slash (4 points) for mobility; Blade Storm (4 points) for damage and some Identity Gauge gain.
- Level 20-21: Charged Shot (48 points) for damage and some AoE clearing.
- Level 30: Claymore Mine (48 points each) for damage and AoE clearing. (Arrow Wave is an alternative option for higher burst damage but lesser AoE)
- Level 38: Sharp Shooter (48 points) for single target burst with some AoE.
- Level 45: Arrow Wave (48 points) for high burst damage with some AoE.
- Level 48: Blade Storm (20 points) for increased AoE.
If you have any extra Skill Points while leveling up the Sharpshooter, you can invest them into Blade Storm as this skill will help with AoE clearing for a faster leveling experience. Make sure to reallocate these points to the Sharpshooter’s main skills where needed.
Sharpshooter Gameplay Tips
Although every player’s experience with the Sharpshooter will vary depending on build, setup, and preferred playstyle, there are a few fundamental aspects that any gamer can use throughout their Lost Ark journey.
Defeating Mobs, Bosses, and Elites With Sharpshooter
Since Sharpshooters deal minor AoE damage, taking out enemy groups and mobs can be a bit tricky. But, you can still clear them out relatively quickly if you use some specific skills.
Group up mobs closely together and burst them down using Blade Storm, Charged Shot, and Claymore Mine at earlier levels. Once you have upgraded Arrow Wave and Sharp Shooter, drag mobs and burst them down with narrow AoE when they line up.
Defeating Bosses and Elites will be aided with some high burst single-target damage, which the Sharpshooter specializes in. Charged Shot, Arrow Wave, and Sharp Shooter are incredibly versatile high burst damage skills and work well for defeating these enemies.
Mobility With Sharpshooter
The Sharpshooter already has decent mobility throughout the leveling phase, but improving this strength will help you reach level 50 much faster. Use the Sharpshooter’s mobility skills to decrease travel time in areas where you are unable to mount. You can close gaps after dodging enemies with Stalker and Moving Slash.
The Sharpshooter class may seem intimidating, but it’s fairly straightforward to get the hang of his gameplay mechanics and abilities. With the right leveling process, gear, and build, you’ll be blasting through enemies from afar or slicing them down head-on in no time.
