The November 17 update is bringing an important shift to weapon balance in ArcheAge Chronicles. Elemental Staff users will see their strongest fire attacks toned down, while Longbow players are finally getting improvements to weapon attack and several key abilities. These changes matter because they affect more than individual skill damage. They could also influence how players approach hunting, boss encounters, and PvP combat. For players already investing in ArcheAge Chronicles Gold and equipment upgrades, understanding these adjustments before the patch arrives can help avoid unnecessary spending.
Our team has looked at the announced changes, and the biggest question is whether Longbow will become a more attractive choice after the update. The answer is not as simple as comparing buffed and nerfed skills. Elemental Staff is receiving compensation through Shooting Star, while Longbow is gaining improvements across both offensive and mobility abilities. Here is what players should pay attention to before changing their weapon setup.
Why the November 17 Balance Changes Matter
The upcoming adjustments are based on feedback from the community, including discussions about Mage performance and the investment required to make Longbow competitive. According to Design Team Lead Jay Lee, the team reviewed different combat scenarios using equipment and stat setups from experienced players before deciding which changes to prioritize.
The main issue was that Elemental Staff performed particularly well in both hunting and PvP, while Longbow players felt their damage did not justify the resources invested in the weapon. Rather than applying small changes across every weapon, the developers decided to address these two areas first.
This approach makes sense from a gameplay perspective. When one weapon consistently delivers strong damage and status effects, other options can become less appealing even when they offer different combat advantages. Improving Longbow while adjusting the Elemental Staff's strongest attacks should give players more reasons to consider different weapon choices.
However, the update does not mean every weapon will immediately reach the same level of performance. Warrior's Greatsword and Berserker's Axe were also reviewed, but their adjustments are being left for future balance work.
Elemental Staff Nerfs: What Changes for Mage Players?
Elemental Staff is one of the main targets of the November 17 balance update. The developers are reducing the power of its fire-based attacks, particularly Wall of Fire and Flamethrower. For players who rely on these abilities as the foundation of their damage rotation, the changes will require some adjustment.
Wall of Fire and Flamethrower Lose Power
Flamethrower is receiving particular attention because it has been effective at dealing damage while applying status effects. Its interaction with the Hellfire trait made the ability especially valuable in combat, allowing players to combine offensive pressure with efficient status buildup.
Reducing its power should make this combination less dominant. Wall of Fire is also being adjusted, which means players may need to reconsider how much of their damage depends on fire-based attacks.
We would not recommend abandoning Elemental Staff immediately, though. A weapon's overall performance depends on its complete skill setup, equipment, and combat situation. A reduction to two important abilities does not automatically make the entire weapon ineffective.
Shooting Star Receives a Buff
The positive side of the adjustment is the increased power of Shooting Star. This gives Elemental Staff players another ability worth considering when reviewing their damage rotation.
The important question is how much this improvement can compensate for the reductions to Wall of Fire and Flamethrower. Until the patch goes live and players can test the actual damage values, it is too early to say whether Shooting Star will completely offset the changes.
For now, existing Mage players should keep their current equipment and prepare to test alternative skill combinations after maintenance.
Longbow Buffs: A Better Choice for Ranged Players?
Longbow receives a broader set of improvements in this update. Instead of strengthening only one ability, the developers are increasing Weapon ATK across all Longbows and improving several important skills.
This is particularly interesting for players who enjoy ranged combat but have struggled to justify the weapon's investment. Higher base weapon attack can improve overall damage, while stronger individual abilities give players more opportunities to make their skill rotations effective.
Focus Fire, Fire Arrow, and Scarlet Arrow Get Stronger
The power of Focus Fire, Fire Arrow, and Scarlet Arrow is being significantly increased. These changes should make Longbow's offensive toolkit more attractive, especially for players who want to maintain pressure from a distance.
There is also an important distinction between direct skill buffs and weapon-based improvements. Rapid Fire and Aimed Shot are not receiving direct increases to their skill power. However, both abilities should still benefit from the higher Weapon ATK applied to Longbows.
This means players should not overlook these existing skills when testing their post-update damage rotation. Their individual skill values remain unchanged, but their overall damage can still improve through the weapon adjustment.
Maneuver Skills Improve Longbow's Combat Flexibility
All Maneuver skills are also receiving significant power increases. This is an important part of the update because Longbow's value is not determined by damage alone.
Ranged players often need to manage distance, reposition during dangerous encounters, and avoid allowing enemies to close the gap too easily. Stronger Maneuver skills could make these situations more favorable, depending on how the abilities perform after the patch.
In our view, this combination of higher Weapon ATK, stronger offensive skills, and improved Maneuver abilities is what makes Longbow the most interesting weapon to watch in the November 17 update.
Longbow vs. Elemental Staff: Which Weapon Should You Choose?
The upcoming changes make Longbow a stronger candidate for players considering their next weapon investment. However, choosing between Longbow and Elemental Staff should still depend on your preferred combat style and the activities you spend the most time completing.
| Comparison | Elemental Staff | Longbow |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon changes | Fire skill power reduced | Weapon ATK increased |
| Main skill adjustments | Wall of Fire and Flamethrower reduced | Focus Fire, Fire Arrow, Scarlet Arrow increased |
| Additional changes | Shooting Star increased | All Maneuver skills increased |
| Combat focus | Elemental and fire-based attacks | Ranged damage and mobility |
| Main consideration | Reworking the fire skill rotation | Testing the improved damage potential |
Which Weapon Is Better for PvE?
For PvE players, the most important factor is consistent performance across different encounters. Elemental Staff players may need to adjust their rotations after losing some power from their main fire attacks.
Longbow, meanwhile, has several improvements that could make it more appealing for regular hunting and boss encounters. Higher Weapon ATK benefits its overall damage, while stronger offensive skills provide more options during combat.
Still, we need actual post-update testing before deciding which weapon performs better against specific bosses. Enemy resistance, equipment quality, and skill execution can all influence the result.
What About PvP?
PvP is where the Longbow changes could become particularly interesting. Better offensive abilities combined with stronger Maneuver skills may give ranged players more opportunities to maintain pressure while controlling their position.
Elemental Staff will still have its own advantages, but the reduction to Flamethrower and its Hellfire interaction could make its previous approach less effective.
Players should also pay attention to the Elemental DEF changes included in the same update. Matching elemental defense will now reduce both the buildup and damage of related status effects. This gives players another way to prepare against elemental attacks rather than focusing entirely on raw defensive stats.
Importantly, status effects will still retain a minimum effect, so stacking Elemental DEF will not provide complete immunity.
What the Weapon Changes Mean for Mage and Longbow Players
The November 17 update is a meaningful step toward improving weapon balance in ArcheAge Chronicles. Elemental Staff is losing some of its strongest fire-based damage, but Shooting Star receives compensation. Longbow, on the other hand, gains improvements to Weapon ATK, several offensive abilities, and all Maneuver skills.
Our recommendation is to avoid making expensive equipment decisions based only on the preview. Existing Mage players should test their revised rotations first, while Longbow users should compare their damage and mobility after the changes go live.
For players considering a different starting point or planning their progression around the updated weapon balance, researching ArcheAge Chronicles Accounts can also be part of the preparation process. Ultimately, the best weapon will depend on how well its abilities match your playstyle, equipment, and preferred content.
FAQ
Is Elemental Staff Getting Nerfed on November 17?
Yes. Wall of Fire and Flamethrower are receiving damage reductions, while Shooting Star is being strengthened to improve the weapon's overall balance.
Is Longbow Getting a Major Buff?
Yes. All Longbows are receiving higher Weapon ATK, while Focus Fire, Fire Arrow, Scarlet Arrow, and all Maneuver skills are getting significant power increases.
Are Rapid Fire and Aimed Shot Being Buffed?
Their individual skill power is not changing. However, both abilities should benefit from the increased Weapon ATK applied to all Longbows.
Will Longbow Become the Best Weapon After the Update?
It is too early to confirm that. Longbow is receiving substantial improvements, but its actual position will depend on post-update damage testing, equipment setups, and performance across PvE and PvP.
Should Mage Players Switch to Longbow?
Not necessarily. Players who have already invested in Elemental Staff should test the revised skill rotation before switching. The Shooting Star improvement may still provide useful damage potential, and the final decision should depend on actual combat results.
