Choose Range Control or Aggressive Melee
The Ranger's Longbow favors precision shots, marked targets and control at a distance, while the Hatchet favors aggressive close combat through movement, lightning and counters. You can swap between the weapons during combat, so choose the approach you want to practice without treating it as a permanent choice.
Start with Longbow if you enjoy managing an enemy's approach and choosing your shot. Start with Hatchet if you prefer moving into an opening and responding directly to incoming attacks. The class-preview skills below explain those contrasting styles; XLGAMES has also announced Early Access adjustments to Fire Arrow and the Hatchet.
Longbow and Hatchet Compared
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Longbow: precision and control | Rapid Fire attacks marked targets, Aimed Shot emphasizes precision, and the preview's Fire Arrow is explosive. Ice Arrow immobilizes enemies, while Crescent Kick offers a defensive response. Favor this style when you want to manage the approach before committing to close combat. |
| Hatchet: movement and counters | Stormsplitter combines evasion with lightning attacks, and Overcharge provides a concentrated attack sequence. Shocking Kick moves forward, Wind Blade supplies a deflection counter, and Storm Chaser closes distance after a counter. Favor this style when you enjoy engaging up close and answering attacks. |
Use Longbow Control Before Enemies Reach You
The Longbow preview connects Rapid Fire with marked targets and presents Aimed Shot as a precision attack. Treat those as different tools to learn rather than assuming every ranged move serves the same purpose. When practicing, pay attention to whether you are choosing an attack deliberately or simply firing because the enemy is distant.
Ice Arrow supplies immobilization, making it the demonstrated control option to consider against an approaching enemy. Crescent Kick gives the Longbow a defensive counter option when threatened. Practice recognizing that change in distance early, so you can decide whether to control the approach, respond defensively or switch weapons.
Fire Arrow appeared as an explosive attack in the class preview, but XLGAMES announced a rework for Early Access. Recheck its in-game description before building your habits around that earlier presentation. Use the preview to understand the weapon's general style, then judge the available skill by what it does in your build.
Use Hatchet Movement to Enter and Answer Attacks
Hatchet movement has distinct purposes in the class preview. Shocking Kick provides forward movement, while Storm Chaser closes distance after a counter. Choose between them according to the situation instead of treating every movement skill as an interchangeable way to rush an enemy.
Wind Blade provides a deflection counter, and Stormsplitter combines evasive movement with lightning attacks. Overcharge supplies a concentrated attack sequence. Learn the defensive responses alongside the aggressive moves, so your close-range practice includes reading the enemy rather than only starting your own attacks.
Keep enough stamina available to escape dangerous attacks. A useful practice goal is to notice when you have committed too eagerly and left yourself uncomfortable with the enemy's next move. Favor a manageable opening over continuing an attack sequence simply because you have already started it.
Practice a Combat Loop That Responds to Range
- Choose your opening distance. Use Longbow when you want precision and target control from range, or prepare Hatchet when you intend to engage up close. Make the choice deliberately before attacking.
- With Longbow, practice Rapid Fire against marked targets and learn when you prefer Aimed Shot. If an enemy approaches, consider Ice Arrow's immobilization instead of automatically continuing your ranged attacks.
- Reassess when threatened at close range. Crescent Kick offers a defensive counter option, while switching to Hatchet lets you take a close-combat approach. Pick the response you want to practice rather than switching without a purpose.
- With Hatchet, distinguish entry from response. Shocking Kick moves you forward; Wind Blade supplies a deflection counter; Storm Chaser closes distance after a counter. Practice recognizing the situation each move answers.
- Check your stamina before extending the engagement, and preserve room to escape a dangerous attack. After the fight, review whether your main difficulty was controlling distance, choosing a defensive response or committing too aggressively.
Plan Traits Around the Moves You Enjoy
Every weapon type has its own trait tree. Nodes can provide stat boosts, unlock skills or change existing skills, so inspect the relevant weapon tree before planning around a preview move. Choose a path that supports the combat decisions you enjoy making.
Trait points come from Raeven's Coilstones near powerful bosses, separately from character-level stat points. If your next goal is expanding your weapon options, pursue those challenges and review your Traits menu afterward. This gives your exploration a concrete purpose without requiring an invented skill order.
Carry the Playstyle Forward Into Early Access
The Steam Next Fest demo has ended. For Early Access, XLGAMES announced a Fire Arrow rework and Hatchet tuning, while broader work on stamina, hit stun, movement and ranged soft-lock targeting continues. Keep the preview's playstyle distinctions separate from expectations about final balance.