Crossbow / Dagger PvE Build Guide
Last Updated:October 14, 2024|Change Log
Welcome to the Crossbow / Dagger PvE Build Guide. Crossbow / Dagger allows for the highest single target burst damage in game. Due to the high number of hits from both weapons, you consistently reach 20 stacks of Thunderclouds to dish out explosive damage with frequent procs of Thunderclouds Bombing.
Crossbow / Daggers are both unique weapons in the sense that they are dual-wielded. What makes dual-wielding so unique in this game is that for every attack you do with these weapons, there's a chance to do it again with their "off-hand". Between Off-Hand attacks and how many hits in these skills, Crossbow / Dagger has the ability to do over 30-40 hits within a second. Crossbow and Dagger skills can be quite deceptive when it comes to damage numbers because of how many hits that are able to be thrown out.
End Game Crossbow / Dagger PvE Build
If you're interested in PvP, check out our Crossbow / Dagger PvP Build Guide!
- High Mobility
- Hybrid Damage Types
- Highest Single Target DPS
- High Mana Consumption
Skill Builds
Some skills appear different in the Tooltip due to its Skill Specialization.
- Lightning Infusion = Inject Venom
- Detonation Mark = Mortal Mark
- Annihilation Barrage Shot = Wild Barrage
Active Skills
Damage Skills
- Quick Fire - When paired with buffs, this Crossbow skill can have high damage output and uptime.
- Thunderclouds Bombing - This is your core damage skill! You need to use this skill as soon as you reach 20 stacks of Thunderclouds to maximize your DPS potential.
- Knife Throwing - Allows you to instantly stack high amounts of Thundercloud while lowering cooldowns drastically with Selfless Diffusion.
- Fatal Stigma - Ideally used on bosses or tougher mobs that you can't kill within 3 seconds.
- Cleaving Moonlight - Make sure to pair this with Consecutive Use and Attack Speed ▲ to increase your Attack Speed and to consistently get 20 stacks of Thundercloud.
- Make sure not to use the consecutive use skill right away or lose the Attack Speed.
Buffs/Debuffs
- Weak Point Shot - Making use of this as often as possible can increase your party's clear time by a substantial margin.
- Wind Snatcher - You can swap Weak Point Shot with this skill when you want to increase your Attack Speed further by using it after Knife Throwing.
- Lightning Infusion - With the ability to throw out so many hits, you get max stacks quickly.
- Mother Nature's Protest - This skill synergizes well with so many of your skills including Knife Throwing. Each hit from this skill also procs your Mortal Mark bonus damage attack.
- Selfless Diffusion - This is your key method of lowering cooldowns! Allows you to multiply your total damage anywhere from 1.5 to 4 times the amount due to offhand attacks being able to Crit and/or Heavy Attack as well.
- Mortal Mark - The duration of this mark can be extended with Selfless Diffusion.
- Appears as Detonation Mark due to the Skill Specialization changing it's name.
- Mana Exchange - This is your only active skill for Mana Regen with this specific weapon combination. You can morph into Orc Brawler to regain 4% of your Max Health whenever you use this skill to lower the HP Cost.
Mobility Skills
- Nimble Leap - While being a mobility skill, you can also reset Quick Fire. This interaction of skills makes for a great "filler" when waiting for other skills to come off cooldown.
- Block Blade - You can use the stationary block version to instantly regain mana on fury attack blocks which becomes your primary source of Mana Regen.
- Cleaving Moonlight - It's worth mentioning this skill is also considered a mobility skill. So, for example, it procs Nature's Power.
Passive Skills
- Ambidexterity - Crossbow / Dagger is heavily reliant on offhand weapon attacks making this a must have.
- Nature's Power - Mobility skills are quite easy to maintain so you can keep this buff up indefinitely.
- Bloodlust Stack - With Crossbow / Dagger, your "Attack" skills are such low cooldowns, it's not difficult to maintain high stacks or max stacks.
- Piercing Strike - Bonus Damage is done per hit dealt so this synergizes well with the number of hits you're doing. This adds a lot of extra damage as long as you're stacking Bonus Damage.
- Destructive Fang - Bosses tend to have higher Defense so it's important to stack as much damage potential as possible.
- Assassin's Instincts - Crossbow / Dagger weapons tend to have high variance in damage between min and max damage so it's important to get as much Critical Hit as possible.
- Murderous Energy - This combined with Epic Inject Venom can help you keep your poisons up on a target almost indefinitely.
- Wrathful Edge - Crossbow / Dagger relies heavily on landing Critical Hits so this is a must have for damage.
Active Skills
Damage Skills
- The main difference between this version and the Fatal Stigma version is that you're using Annihilation Barrage Shot instead.
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.
Active Skill Priority
Passive Skill Priority
PvE Gameplay and Skill Rotation
PvE is all about getting 20 stacks of Thunderclouds and then using Thunderclouds Bombing to deal massive damage, repeating as often as possible.
Skill Rotation
- Lightning Infusion
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Selfless Diffusion
- Fatal Stigma
- If this is going off before getting 20 Stacks back after using Thunderclouds Bombing, then wait to use it after using Thunderclouds Bombing.
- Mortal Mark
- Cleaving Moonlight
- Quick Fire
- Thunderclouds Bombing
- Knife Throwing
- Cleaving Moonlight
- Thunderclouds Bombing
Tips
- Use Weak Point Shot every time the enemy uses a Fury Attack to maintain high DPS.
- Use only the first attack of Cleaving Moonlight every time it's ready. The 2nd attack should never be used because you gain Attack Speed while it's up.
- Use Mana Exchange whenever possible to maintain your Mana.
- Block Blade is a solid source of gaining instant Mana if the opponent does a lot of Fury Attacks.
- Dexterity is Key! Having high attack speed increases the animations of your skills allowing you to get more skills off per second greatly increasing DPS.
- Use Nimble Leap to reset the cooldown of Quick Fire.
- This is your filler DPS when other skills are on cooldown.
This version plays similar to the other however, now you're using the combination of Selfless Diffusion and Annihilation Barrage Shot to extend the duration of Detonation Mark for increased explosion damage. The Spin to Win Version allows for added AoE damage while farming packs of mobs as well.
Skill Rotation
- Mother Nature's Protest
- Lightning Infusion
- Selfless Diffusion
- Detonation Mark
- Quick Fire
- Cleaving Moonlight
- Nimble Leap
- Quick Fire
- Thunderclouds Bombing
- Knife Throwing
- Annihilation Barrage Shot
- Thunderclouds Bombing
Tips
- If your Attack Speed is too low and the mark explodes before getting to Annihilation Barrage Shot, don't do the additional Quick Fire.
- Knife Throwing while Selfless Diffusion is active helps to lower cooldowns.
- Always make sure important skills and high damaging skills are on cooldown before using this combination.
Stat Priorities
Use the following stat priorities when playing a Crossbow / Dagger build in PVE:
- Primary Stat
- Dexterity
- Secondary Stats
- Strength and Perception
You have 49 Stat Points to distribute however you see fit, and gear gives additional stat points that you cannot change. It's free to reset the Stat Points so that you can "respec" whenever you need to as you progress and swap out items. Above are the main Stats you should be attempting to reach with the given builds in this guide.
Crossbow / Dagger excels when stacking very high Critical Hit, Attack Speed, and Maximum Weapon Damage. All three of these things are given to you by stacking Dexterity!
Mid-Game
Your first goal is to hit 50 Dexterity. For PvE, we care mainly about increased Critical Hit, Attack Speed, and Maximum Weapon Damage so place enough points to reach 50 Dexterity. Then allocate points into Wisdom up to 50, for higher Weapon Damage, Cooldown Speed, and Mana Regen. Last, you're going to place points into Perception to reach 40, this grants us increased Buff Duration which works on skills like Selfless Diffusion and Lightning Infusion.
End Game
With Purple Gear in the End Game, you can reach all of your desired Stat Breakpoints. 50 Dexterity grants increased Critical Hit, Bonus Damage, and high amounts of Attack Speed before using our buffs. 50 Wisdom is the next goal as it also increases your Maximum Weapon Damage while increasing Mana Regen and Cooldown Speed. 40 Perception ensures high Buff Duration as well as enough Hit for the PvE content currently in the game.
Gear Progression
The additional Attack Speed trait from Rex Chimaerus's Rake Bow in combination with the increased Weapon Damage item effect from Lequirus's Thorny Edge make these the highest performing weapons in PvE. The fastest times in Gate of Infinity are 1-2 seconds using these weapons.
If your goal is to PvP, use our Crossbow / Dagger PvP Build Guide as all PvE content can be done with PvP Gear!
Transition Build
Transition Build
End- Game Build
Early Game Build for Crossbow / Dagger
If you followed our Leveling Guide for Crossbow / Dagger, you may have some of these pieces already.
- Most of these gear pieces come from Open World Dungeons, or Lithograph Book entries so it's easy to get.
- Don't stress over traits if you are not planning to PvP as many of these items are replaced by Dungeon drops.
- If PvP is something you want to do, use our PvP builds instead as you can do all PvE content with your PvP gear.
- Don't stress over traits if you are not planning to PvP as many of these items are replaced by Dungeon drops.
- Elusive Hexweaver Hat comes from killing Worker Ants in Ants Nest Open World Dungeon.
- Elusive Hexweaver Pants comes from killing Acid Ants in Ants Nest Open World Dungeon.
- Glade Stalker Boots is a Main Story Quest.
- Can also be obtained by completing the Lithograph Book entry, Offroad Footwear.
- Heroic Tunic of the Resistance is a reward from the Main Story Quest.
- Can also receive by completing the Lithograph Book entry, Mysterious Shadows in the Fog.
- Mitran Leaf Collar drops from Black Boars in Purelight Hill.
Mid - End Game Transition Gear
As you work towards your End Game build, here are some transitional pieces available to use earlier on. Focus on weapons first as they have the highest damage increase.
Gear Sources
- Insightful Ring of Dimension
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Accessory Selection Chest
- 10 Tokens from each Co-Op Dungeon are required to craft Recipe: Dimensional Essence: Salvation
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Accessory Selection Chest
- Temple of Slaughter Co-Op Dungeon
- Rex Chimaerus's Crossbows
- Cave of Destruction Co-Op Dungeon
- Lequirus's Thorny Edge
- Beast King's Gilded Bracers
- Reflection Alter Ego Secret Art Armor
- Cursed Wasteland Co-Op Dungeon
- Violent Signet
- Feathered Drakeskin Mask
- Can also be obtained from Roaring Temple Co-Op Dungeon
- Soul Mirror Boots
- Butcher's Canyon Co-Op Dungeon
- Belt of Endless Slaughter
- Syleus's Abyss 3-4 Floors
- Soul Mirror Hand Guards
- Clasp of the Conqueror
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Equipment Chest: Abyss
- Sapphire Dimensional Band
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Accessory Selection Chest
- Requires crafting 1 Recipe: Dimensional Essence: Salvation
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Accessory Selection Chest
Crit Damage + Melee Heavy Attack
- This build helps to increase the frequency of Melee Heavy Attacks on Thunderclouds Bombing and Fatal Stigma.
- Melee Evasion with this build is higher than other PvE Builds, making most Open World grinding locations easier since most mobs tend to have melee attacks.
Crit Damage + Bonus Damage
- This build helps to increase all of your damage by stacking Bonus Damage.
- With the constant barrage of hits being dealt from both weapons, high Bonus Damage results in a huge increase in DPS without relying on any RNG procs.
- Both of these builds optimize your damage output by granting increased Critical Hit Damage.
- It's just up to you to decide if you want to opt for an increased chance at proccing Melee Heavy Attacks, or a more consistent increase in DPS by stacking Bonus Damage.
- Be sure to block Fury Attacks with Block Blade to increase your mana sustain.
- There is another alternative build that grants higher Cooldown Speed resulting in higher uptime on DPS skills without relying on buffs from party members.
Gear Sources
- Cave of Destruction Co-Op Dungeon
- Archpriest's Devotion
- Beast King's Gilded Bracers
- Temple of Slaughter Co-Op Dungeon
- Rex Chimaerus's Rake Bow
- Shadow Harvester Grips
- Tyrant's Isle Co-Op Dungeon
- Phantom Wolf Tunic
- Great Sage's Necklace
- Obtained from Grand Aelon
- Eternal Ring of Dimension and Insightful Ring of Dimension
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Accessory Selection Chest
- 10 Tokens from each Co-Op Dungeon are required to craft Recipe: Dimensional Essence: Salvation
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Accessory Selection Chest
- Abyss Conqueror's Necklace
- Craft Recipe: Precious Epic Equipment Chest: Abyss with 40 Abyss Currency.
- Tycan's Bloodlust Belt
- Obtained from Aridus
- Reaper's Black Mask
- Obtained from Adentus
- General's Frenzy Gloves
- Obtained from Aridus
- Reaper's Interring Pants
- Obtained from Junobote
- Divine Justiciar Shoes
- Obtained from Nirma
- Phantom Wolf Boots
- Obtained from Minezrok
No Field Boss Alternative End Game
Bonus Damage Build
No Field Boss Alternative End Game
Crit Damage Build
- Both of these builds are able to be created without ever going to a single Field Boss.
- The Bonus Damage build will be more consistent damage because it doesn't rely on Critical Hits.
- The Crit Damage build is more universal should you decide to try out other weapons, because all weapons can make use of Critical Damage.
- Crit Damage build also increases your maximum DPS potential.
Gear Sources
- Tyrant's Isle Co-Op Dungeon
- Ghost Wolf Alter Ego Armor
- Butcher's Canyon Co-Op Dungeon
- Ascended Guardian Gloves
- Temple of Slaughter Co-Op Dungeon
- Shadow Harvester Grips
- Shadowed Crypt Open World Dungeon
- Grim Judicator's Pants
- Sabatons of the Field General
- Sanctum of Desire Open World Dungeon
- Swirling Essence Hat
- Shadow Harvester Tunic
- Saurodoma Island Open World Dungeon
- Phantom Wolf Breeches
- Syleus's Abyss Co-Op Dungeon
- Ascended Guardian Shoes
Guardians
Guardians are special transformations that add offensive or defensive buffs or attacks to your character for 30 seconds. For damage purposes, Shade Revenant Stheno is the best option for Crossbow / Dagger.
- Shade Revenant Stheno is a Guardian that shoots projectiles against all enemies around you for 30 seconds. The reason this Guardian synergizes so well with Crossbow / Daggers is because the projectiles that hit enemies proc the Thunderclouds Weaken from Lightning Infusion, additional projectiles from Mother Nature's Protest, and even the bonus damage procs on Mortal Mark.
Gameplay
Summary
- Crossbow / Daggers PvE revolves around getting 20 Stacks of Thunderclouds and then using Thunderclouds Bombing to explode them for high damage as frequently as possible.
- Getting stats around 50 Dexterity, 50 Wisdom, and 40 Perception, this build gains high Attack Speed, Cooldown Speed, Buff Duration, and Critical Hit outputting the highest damage possible as fast as your fingers can press your skills!
- Skills like Selfless Diffusion help lower your cooldowns to the point where you're constantly rotating through your skills with little to no downtime between cooldowns.
- Selfless Diffusion increases the chance for these two weapons to proc Offhand Attacks increasing your damage by 200-400%. This is something only Crossbows and Daggers can do.
- Crossbow / Daggers can utilize Bonus Damage, unlike any other weapon combination due to the high number of hits you're able to throw out.
Credits
Written by Bloo
Reviewed by Dredscythe