TL;DR
- Stack three new talismans for 30%+ damage boost with Arrow’s Sting, Sharpshot, and Soaring Sting
- Rakshasa armor provides 8% damage increase but requires careful positioning due to low absorption
- Bone Bow’s Rancor Shot enables rapid status effect buildup with tracking arrows
- Quality build with 55/55 Strength/Dexterity optimizes bow scaling and damage output
- Master manual aiming and elevation control to counter enemy movement patterns
The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has fundamentally transformed bow combat in Elden Ring PvP, introducing specialized equipment that elevates pure archery from niche to meta. This comprehensive guide examines the devastating Pure Archer configuration demonstrated by Chase the Bow, focusing on the synergistic mechanics between new talismans, armor sets, and weapon arts. Unlike previous bow builds that struggled with damage output, this setup delivers staggering long-range pressure while maintaining exceptional mobility during invasions.

What makes this build revolutionary is its ability to stack multiple damage multipliers while maintaining safe engagement distances. The strategic combination of new DLC items creates a playstyle that rewards precision positioning and tactical decision-making over brute force combat.
The DLC introduced three specialized talismans that create multiplicative damage scaling when combined, fundamentally changing bow build mathematics in PvP scenarios.
Arrow’s Soaring Sting Talisman
This foundational talisman provides dual benefits: 8% increased arrow damage combined with 50% extended projectile range. The range extension is particularly valuable for maintaining optimal engagement distance where enemy retaliation becomes significantly less threatening.
Sharpshot Talisman
The Sharpshot Talisman delivers a substantial 12% damage increase when employing first-person manual aiming via the crosshair reticle. This mechanic becomes essential against experienced invaders who utilize unpredictable movement patterns that break standard lock-on tracking.
When combined with the Arrow’s Sting Talisman’s 10% universal damage boost, these three items create a cumulative 32.8% damage increase when all conditions are met. The mathematical stacking works multiplicatively: (1.08 × 1.12 × 1.10) – 1 = 32.8% total damage enhancement.
Advanced players should note that the Ritual Sword Talisman provides an additional 10% damage multiplier when maintaining full health, pushing total potential damage increases beyond 45% with optimal play.
The Rakshasa Armor set represents a calculated risk-reward decision for dedicated archers. Each piece contributes 2% damage increase, totaling 8% when wearing the complete set. However, this comes at the cost of significantly reduced damage absorption compared to heavier armor options.

This defensive trade-off necessitates mastering positioning and movement patterns. Successful archers utilizing this armor must develop exceptional situational awareness and utilize terrain features to minimize exposure to direct attacks.
For players struggling with the armor’s defensive limitations, consider mixing the Rakshasa chest piece with more protective leggings and gauntlets. This hybrid approach preserves 4% damage bonus while substantially improving survivability against aggressive melee opponents.
The Ritual Sword Talisman synergizes perfectly with this armor strategy, as maintaining distance naturally supports the full health requirement for its 10% damage activation.
The Bone Bow emerges as the centerpiece weapon in this archery build, featuring the unique Rancor Shot Ash of War that fundamentally changes bow combat dynamics.
Rancor Shot enables rapid-fire arrow volleys with slight homing capabilities, making it exceptionally effective for applying status effects like Scarlet Rot or Frostbite. The rapid shot sequence builds status accumulation approximately 40% faster than standard bow attacks, creating relentless pressure on opponents.
For maximum Ash of War effectiveness, strategic talisman swapping to include the Shard of Alexander becomes crucial. This talisman increases Ash of War damage by 15%, making Rancor Shot substantially more threatening in both damage output and status buildup.
Advanced technique: Combine Rancor Shot with poison arrows for double status effect pressure, forcing opponents into difficult decisions between healing, retreating, or risking rapid health depletion.
This archery configuration operates on a Quality Build framework, balancing Strength and Dexterity to optimize damage scaling across multiple bow types.
Optimal stat allocation typically targets 55 Strength and 55 Dexterity, hitting the soft caps for both attributes while maintaining balanced damage output. This stat spread ensures both the Bone Bow and secondary bows perform exceptionally well during extended invasion encounters.
Vigor should not be neglected—aim for 45-50 to survive inevitable close encounters and area-of-effect attacks.
Endurance management is equally critical, as sustained shooting and evasive maneuvers demand substantial stamina reserves. Allocating 30-35 Endurance provides the necessary resource pool for continuous offensive pressure.
Mastering movement and positioning separates competent archers from truly dominant ones in PvP scenarios. The core principle involves maintaining optimal engagement distance—close enough for accurate shots but far enough to avoid immediate retaliation.

Elevation control becomes your primary tactical advantage. Seek elevated positions that provide clear sightlines while creating natural barriers against melee attackers.
Target selection hierarchy: prioritize casters and other ranged threats first, as they can counter your positioning advantage. Melee specialists become secondary targets, as their limited range makes them easier to manage with proper distance maintenance.
Against aggressive opponents, utilize the environment to create choke points and force predictable movement patterns. This tactical funneling makes manual aiming significantly more effective than relying on lock-on mechanics.
In close-quarters situations, Rancor Shot provides emergency crowd control, creating space to reestablish optimal engagement distance.
Many archers fail by over-relying on lock-on targeting, which becomes increasingly ineffective against experienced PvP opponents. Manual aiming with the crosshair reticle, while requiring more skill, delivers substantially better results against evasive targets.
Critical Error: Standing still while shooting. Constant lateral movement and elevation changes dramatically increase survivability.
Resource Management Pitfall: Running out of arrows mid-invasion. Always carry 999 arrows of your preferred type and consider supplementing with crafting materials for emergency replenishment.
Advanced optimization: Learn to “lead” moving targets by anticipating their movement patterns. This skill typically requires 10-15 hours of dedicated practice but pays substantial dividends in invasion success rates.
For players transitioning from other builds, expect an adjustment period of approximately 5-7 hours to develop the necessary manual aiming proficiency.
Action Checklist
- Acquire Arrow’s Soaring Sting, Sharpshot, and Arrow’s Sting Talismans from DLC areas
- Farm Rakshasa Armor set from specific DLC enemies
- Obtain Bone Bow and upgrade to +10 with Somber Smithing Stones
- Respec to Quality Build with 55 Strength/55 Dexterity
- Practice manual aiming in first-person mode for 2 hours
- Stockpile 999 arrows and status effect ammunition
- Master talisman swapping between Shard of Alexander and standard setup
No reproduction without permission:OnLineGames Guides » Elden Ring DLC: Pure Archer Build Guide Master Elden Ring's new DLC archery build with stacking damage bonuses and tactical invasion strategies
