Builds
There are four primary types of builds for Arch Bishops – Full Support, Magnus Exorcismus/Holy Caster, Battle/Melee and Hybrid Support. Thanks to Renewal mechanics players are now afforded a higher degree of flexibility with these builds, enabling them to tailor each build to their specific playing style with greater ease.
Primary Arch Bishop Skills Used
For Acolytes, Priests and High Priests, the overall skill sets are rather restrictive based on whether the final build is FS, ME or Battle. As an Arch Bishop, the following skills are generally regarded as must-haves regardless of what your build is:
Many Priest skills are very useful still as well. See the effective playing tips section below for more information.
Full Support (FS) Type
- STR: 1-30
- AGI: varies
- VIT: 95+
- INT: 92-120
- DEX: 50-80
- LUK: 1, 77, or 60-100 (Arc Angeling Card is amazing for FS Arch Bishops due to the SP regen, but requires 77 LUK)
The full support build is a classic option that places its focus on keeping the party alive and going. Thanks to Renewal mechanics and a greater number of available stat points, players are no longer forced to decide between a DEX-oriented or VIT-oriented build. INT and VIT are still the primary stats here, affecting Max HP, Heal amount, and ailment resistance. Due to the way MATK is now calculated, LUK both plays a role in boosting Heal amount and provides resistance to Curse and Stone Curse. DEX is useful for reducing variable cast time. As with all FS builds STR is only used to boost weight capacity.
Sacrament is the defining skill of a FS Arch Bishop.
A focused completely FS Arch Bishop will opt to get
Clearance. However, instead of Clearance, an Arch Bishop may choose to get [[Adoramus] to handle some solo single-target hunting. It is possible to have both
Sacrament and
Adoramus at job 50, but the Arch Bishop will miss out on Clearance and higher levels of other support skills.
Sub-Types
- Healer: Focused on INT and heal-related gears to maximize heal amount as well as conserving SP to avoid becoming supplies-dependent. Useful for supporting Rune Knights and Royal Guards that have extremely high HP.
- Defense / Reductions: Focused on maxing HP and defense with buffs, high DEF gear, resistance cards (Thara Frog, etc.), elemental armors, etc., depending on the monsters. When combined with Assumptio, Gentle Touch Revitalize, VIT foods, Angelus, etc., it is possible to take 1 damage from most non-MVP monsters.
- Skill Spammer: Similar to the ME/Holy Caster Type (below), skill spammers attempt to reduce cast time and/or skill delay as much as possible. Using a combination of Sacrament, high DEX, and variable cast equips/cards (Sprint Ring, Kathryne Keyron Card, Dark Illusion Card, etc.), they can achieve fast cast times even with a Phen or Orleans Gown equipped and receive a huge boost with Magic Strings. This type also proves quite useful in WoE due to the high level of VIT for survivability while using Judex and Silentium to disrupt enemy casters.
Magnus Exorcismus (ME)/Holy Caster Type
- STR: 1-30
- AGI: 1-30
- VIT: varies (typically 50+, 95 for stun immunity)
- INT: 92-120
- DEX: 80-100
- LUK: 80-100
This build is a continuation from the Priest/High Priest
Magnus Exorcismus (ME) build, as ME is the only true solo leveling skill for Priests / Arch Bishops since it is the only skill with significant AOE damage. With Judex and Adoramus, ME ABs can now handle non-undead and non-demon monsters. Due to the high cast time of ME, this build requires high DEX. Sacrament is very useful for reducing the final cast time of ME, while INT and LUK are used to boost MATK. STR is useful for weight capacity, while VIT is used for boosting max HP.
Due to the large number of skill points required to get both Adoramus and Sacrament, it reaches its full potential near the end of the leveling stage and quite close to job 50. ME ABs can opt for Adoramus first instead of Sacrament for the PvM environment, however Sacrament is still needed for those wishing to round out their capabilities supporting parties both in and out of WoE. Judex is the natural evolution of Holy Light for ME ABs, and is effective on small mobs due to the small AoE and quick cast time.
Additionally, marrying an ME AB to a Soul Linker provides
Kaahi to improve survivability of the ME AB and can also include
Priest Spirit for boosting Holy Light.
Sub-Types
- Judex-Adoramus: The true continuation of the ME build, this type focuses on maxing MATK and casting speed while using Judex and Adoramus to inflict large amounts of damage on monsters that Magnus Exorcismus and Turn Undead are unable to touch.
- Hybrid Support: Similar to the FS Skill Spammer above, Hybrid Support ME ABs will also opt for Sacrament and other support skills, using the fast cast time and high MATK of the ME build to Heal more efficiently and buff parties faster, while also using Silentium in WoE to disrupt enemy casters.
Battle/Melee Type
- STR: 70-100
- AGI: 90-120
- VIT: 50-95
- INT: varies
- DEX: 40-60
- LUK: 60-90+
Continuing the classic hard-hitting, Mace-swinging Battle Priest build, this build is for the player who wants to break the mold and try something different with the Arch Bishop. Thanks to Renewal mechanics, Mace and Book weapons don't have any ASPD penalty, meaning high AGI makes this build extremely effective while also providing a Flee-based defense similar to the Thief classes.
Focusing on solo hunting, Duple Light and Mace Mastery (Priest/High Priest) are must have skills for this build. Battle ABs will deal more damage per second than their Priest and High Priest counterparts, while using high Critical rates, weapon buffs (Impositio Manus, Aspersio, Endows, etc.), and ASPD buffs to send that damage even higher.
Due to the flexibility of this build, weapon selection largely influences the Battle AB’s final stats. If using a Book as the primary weapon, this build will want higher INT due to the MATK boost from Duple Light. If using a Mace, high STR will be the primary focus. High AGI is useful to raise ASPD regardless of weapon type due to the use of Duple Light. When using maces, the Blacksmith skill Adrenaline Rush can further boost ASPD.
Do note that because this build does not have an effective AOE, it is impossible to level up with this build when solo hunting. It is generally regarded as a more "for fun" type of build, although it is possible to kill lower tier MVPs with this build. Certain Acolytes or High Priests may opt for a battle build while leveling up but can do a STAT / skill reset when they are higher, or high level enough to find parties. It is recommended to have support skills and INT to act as a hybrid support build for parties.
Sub-Types
- ASPD: Focuses on maximizing ASPD through high AGI and gears/cards and ATK through high STR to boost DPS at the cost of defense and support.
- Critical: This type uses a high Critical rate to boost damage dealt, however it is more gear/card dependent. Going this route limits the player to weapon choices like Encyclopedia, Veteran Hammer or Spike. Critical-boosting stat foods and Gloria are essential here.
- Hindsight/Auto Cast: This build takes advantage of the MATK boost from Duple Light, however it is extremely restrictive in terms of gear, requiring auto-cast equipment (Ring of flame lord, Kasa card, Snake hat/Chick Hat, Lady Solace/Baphomet Card, etc.). With the right gear and high ASPD, this build can dish out a high amount of damage over a short period of time.
Hybrid Support (HS) Type
- STR: 30-50
- AGI: 80-95
- VIT: 95
- INT: 92-100
- DEX: 50-80
- LUK: 70-100
This build is a mix of the FS and Battle builds. It is similar to the FS build but it differs in that it limits one of the higher stats to 100 so that the others can be raised. Using a Mace or Book and AGI-oriented equipment, HS AB can get 175+ ASPD and can kill monsters with Duple Light. Buffed with Adrenaline Rush, AGI-boosting stat foods and other ASPD boosting items, an ASPD of 185+ is possible. The high critical rate created by the LUK and the use of Gloria ensure that the HS AB can hold their own in a fight.
Thanks to the high INT, VIT and LUK of this build, HS-types can support nearly as well as a FS, giving them a much wider range of leveling options. High VIT and AGI provide for status resistance in WoE, and the higher ASPD and survivability creates a well-rounded offense and defense that can easily switch roles by binding different weapons to hotkeys. Hybrid Support builds focus on using Duple Light for leveling while getting Sacrament to help with Support and cast times.
How To Effectively Play Priest (Please Read If Considering Playing This Class)
How To Heal A Party
The most effective way to heal and buff a party is through the Party Menu (accessible through Alt + Z). Trying to heal a party by manually clicking players can become impossible when players become mobbed or are bunched up, and can lead to players dying. This is why it is strongly recommended to make use of the party menu. Another benefit to the party menu is the ability to monitor all players health. Ensure that the LOCK MENU feature is on (by clicking the picture of the lock) when using this system to avoid opening private messages with the players you are trying to heal/buff.
SP Conservation/Restoration
One of the biggest issues new priests have when playing the class is with maintaining their SP. There are many ways for the priest to ensure that he always has SP for those dire situations. These are some important methods to learn to maintain your SP:
- Always ensure that Magnificat is on at all times. This spell will not only keep a continual flow of sp coming to the Priest, but to the killers in the party that rely on SP for spell use as well . Keeping up on this buff will make the runs go alot smoother for everybody. Try not to wait until your sp is bottoming out to cast this spell, because at that point it will already be too late.
- Make use of the Assumptio or Kyrie Eleison spells. These spells are INCREDIBLE for keeping people protected and will drastically save you SP on heals in the long run. The main classes that need the protection of this spell are fragile caster classes such as wizard/sage that cant take too many hits and tanks. Assumptio or KE can be the difference between surviving a 1 shot deathblow or not (you cannot have both buffs on at the same time). If players notice that certain teamates are running around out of range or getting hit alot, putting Kyrie Eleison on them will give them time to retreat back to a safe position and safe the priest from having to heal them back to full.
- Stack SP Regeneration or Max SP increase items!. Gearing your priest up with items that will increase their overall regeneration or SP pool will vastly help a player to maintain sp at all times.
- ALWAYS HAVE SP REGENERATION CONSUMABLES ON HAND!- All players should at least be somewhat responsible for being able to regenerate themselves and this includes priests as well. As most classes should have healing items of some sort on them at all times, Priests should have SP rejuvenating items on them. Going into a dungeon or situation unprepared is inexcusable and can lead to problems. Some common items that can be easily obtained for SP regeneration include:
Can be made by Alchemists or purchased from merchant vendor shop
Can be farmed off Mavkas for HIGH drop rate. Can be turned into potion by Alchemist.
Easily Farmed off Spores or YoYos
Farmed off Dragonflys. Can also be made with the Juice Quest
Farmed off Enchanted Peach Tree and Vitatas
Farmed off Baby Desert Wolf, Peco Peco, Conodor
Recovers a MASSIVE amount of sp AND hp. Often available through holiday quests, this is the best regen item available. Whenever holiday quests are available to get this item, take advantage and farm as many as possible. Can be purchased off merchant vendors
Mandatory Skills For Archbishops
There are several skills that every Archbishop should have to be a successful support to their party. Often players overlook very useful skills because they simply do not understand how they work or their potential to be amazingly helpful. Some of the must have skills for Archbishops are:
Clementia AoE party bless, should be kept up at all times.
Cantocandidus AoE party agi, should also be kept up at all times.
Sacrament The single most important buff that Archbishops can give. It reduces fixed cast time by 50% and should be casted on Warlocks, Sorcerers, Suras, Dragon's Breath Rune Knights, Sacrifice Royal Guards and Archbishops for PVM. For MVPs, the Genetic, Rune Knight and Sura classes must always be buffed with Sacrament.
Coluseo Heal AoE Heal with a boosted rate based on number of party members. It is very useful and SP consuming; it should be used scrupulously as needed.
As an extension to the priest class, Archbishops still rely on their first and second class skills in order to maximize efficiency and conserve SP.
Meditatio This skill should be maxed. Increases the player's Maximum SP and SP regeneration rate. Meditatio also increases the amount of HP that is restored using the Heal skill.
Increase SP Recovery: Priests will often have their SP pool taxed hard in parties, and this will aid them in regenerating that much needed SP.
Heal Single heals are often neglected by the Archbishop's Coluseal Heal skill; however, single heals are very SP effective and must be used in conjunction to Coluseal Heal.
Magnificat: Priests simply cannot function without this spell. This not only keeps the priests SP constantly regenerating, but also aids the killers in the party to allow them to be able to kill mobs faster and consistently. This benefits everyone in the end.
Resurrection: This spell is mandatory for any priest planning to party. Maxing this spell out is a MUST if players wish to participate in serious dungeon efforts or MVPing. Without instant resurrection, parties face potential wipes.
Some Useful Tips
Archbishops should remember that
Lex Aeterna loses its rather long after-cast delay if used under the effect of
Magic Strings, to the point when it can be constantly casted. This is a great way to double the damage output of parties.
Some spells in the priests arsenal may not serve a strong use while still leveling as a Priest, but players should keep in mind that some of these spells will play a pivital role in their future and should not be ignored as an Arch Bishop. Some of these include:
Pneuma : a very powerful and needed tool for Endless Tower runs as well as when fighting ranged mobs with a party. In later levels, ranged mobs become very powerful and this spell can save players alot of stress.
Aspersio : This spell greatly improves damage and is very useful against Demon and Undead types. Will help players down monsters and MVPs faster
Status Recovery and Cure Priests must pay attention to debuffs used by monsters and should use the two skills accordingly.
Sanctuary: This spell will give Arch Bishops struggling to keep all party members healed a break. Especially recommended for newer priests that feel overwhelmed by the class. This spell is cheap to cast, and will heal the entire party for a large amount. Some might argue that this spell is not exactly 'mandatory', but at least 5 points can be put into it to have for emergency situations
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