There need to be more Archer specs and classes

I don’t mean there needs to be more hunters or bow using hunter specs. I mean that there needs to be more specs for other classes that use bows or guns, and whatever new classes they add need to be archer classes. Literally almost any of the classes could have some kind of archer/gunner spec added to them and it could be unique in concept and playstyle.

• Warrior Archery spec, this is probably the most obviously doable out of all of them. They could have it emphasize a more power-oriented theme like with longbows or ballistae, or they could even do a throwing spec.
• Rogue Musketeer spec, or some other gun/crossbow user with poison bolts and throwing knives.
• Monk Zen Archery spec, this is also a very common fantasy trope that can easily be added.
• Paladin, this one is a little shakier, but a holy archer is definitely not unheard of. They could have an emphasis on cleansing fires and silver bolts.
• Death Knight, again a little shaky, but I think specifying that they use crossbows could be pretty sweet; shooting blood bolts and stuff.
• Demon Hunter… yeah maybe not. I guess they could stick a bow in their hands, but maybe a glaive throwing spec would be more appropriate, which would be pretty good.
• Shaman, this is probably the shakiest of all. A focus on using totems would probably be the best way to make this unique in concept and gameplay, like the Cra from Wakfu. They could use their weapon enhancements on bows or throwing weapons, maybe even just say they’re throwing lightning bolts or fireballs, but that alone would basically just be elemental spec anyway.
• Druid having an archer spec should just be its own Ranger class entirely, plus they already have four specs anyway.

Any of the pure caster classes getting a bow spec might be a little too far in breaking the mold of what each of their specs are in relation to each other.

• Priest archer would already be covered by paladin archer, plus priest just needs a holy damage caster spec anyway.
• Warlock archer might be getting a little too close to what hunter already is, namely a pet class with a bow. And the shadow archer spin can already be covered by the DK or a Ranger class
• Mage as an arcane archer is definitely something that needs to happen in some form, and frankly its insulting to the archetype that they be dumbed down into a single ability, Arcane Shot, for hunters to just have in their rotation; but again, it could be covered in a Ranger class.

A Ranger class would have so many options of specs based on both traditional fantasy tropes and warcraft lore alike. They could have a Shadow spec to cover the dark ranger theme; a Moon/Light spec that would heal and cover the priestess of the moon theme; an Arcane spec to cover the offensive aspect of the priestess of the moon, or just otherwise encompass the idea of an arcane archer; or they could go a little more traditional fantasy route and give them a nature magic using archer or dual wield spec.

The most likely to be added next class, Tinker, would (should) have a gun spec of some kind, but if that’s all that happened that would just be one ranged spec added to the game.

After all this let’s not forget the Naga Sea Witch class from wc3, Vashj’s class. She’s the true original frost archer with Frost Arrows that spawned the Dota dark ranger character that then spawned Ashe in League of Legends and all the other knockoffs. And then the Naga Sea Witch also had Forked Lightning, Mana Shield, and Tornado. She’s probably the most unique character I’ve seen in a game for a really long time, and she was an archer.

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I haven’t played a hunter in a long time, are the gun sounds still ruined by blizzard.

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I just started a new archer about five days ago. I’m having a blast.

Of course… it’s a FF14 archer.

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Blizzard agrees, which is why they REMOVED an archer spec from the game in the form of Ranged Survival. /s

Still salty btw

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Rogue should’ve gotten a bow spec. Focus on ambush style assaults and disappearing into the shadows from afar.

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In retail, yes.

It doesn’t make sense why people use swords when guns exist.

In fantasy realms, swords are more poweful than guns because you can like, swing really hard but you can’t shoot hard or something. Like how Goku can punch harder than he could ever shoot.

Why though?

Its not like bows are the only weapons only used by 1-2 specs. Polearms are mostly just used by Ferals and Surv, Fist Weapons mostly just by Enhance and Monks (occasionally by 1 Rogue spec but they haven’t had a BIS one in a while), Warglaives are only useable by DHs etc.

In a world where magic and superhuman strength and resilience is achievable, guns are actually pretty useless as nothing really impacts their effectiveness outside the users aim.

I wish warrior had like a heavy armored giant bow caster spec deal thingy. Artillery almost.

I don’t know if classes like Warriors have anything like that. They’re just people who charge into the fray with melee weapons. Besides, even if it’s true, a gun could kill you from afar, before you even reach your target.

GW2 Warrors can use Rifles, but its meant as a niche switch weapon (due to how the game’s skill system works) and not your primary way to attaack.

The last thing we need in this game is more hunters

In a setting where just about everybody is decked in full body armor, you’d think clubs and impact weapons would be more plentiful…

Ehh I’m holding out for 3rd dh spec being ranged and maybe using a bow or something

It’s a wonder Illidan never tried to trip Maiev, and let the impact from the massive metal breasts crush her chest.

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Yeah, I mean full plate armor pretty much restricts one’s breathing just from the rigidity of the armor itself, one false move and you’re pretty much a sardine in a can…

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yep, they still sound like a pea shooter.

You can get a laser gun from Mechagon which is great, but it only changes auto attack shots so all your special skills still sound lame.

It’s a fairly common fantasy trope with wide ranging appeal. And we used to have three specs that made use of bow / gun, don’t really see why not.