Blackarrow
The ranged class, split into an Archer playstyle built on fully charged shots and a Hunter playstyle built on high-frequency hits. The developers said it was slightly overturned in solo mode and overbearing in high-tier gear matches — the most direct statement about solo strength anywhere in the notes.
Two playstyles, one bow
Unlike the melee classes, the Blackarrow’s split is not two weapons — the official balance notes document one Bow with two talent paths.
Archer rewards fully drawn shots. The Sepsis talent used to boost splash damage outright; it now requires a fully charged bow to trigger the increase, with a higher splash multiplier in exchange. That is a straight trade of consistency for commitment.
Hunter rewards volume. The developers extended the effective range of its key talent to make it “far more synergistic with the Hunter playstyle’s high-frequency hit demands.”
What got reduced
The nerfs landed on the special arrows rather than on the class’s core:
- Mysticfly Arrow — True damage scaling slightly reduced, to lower its piercing effect against high-tier equipment affixes and stats
- Paralysis Arrow — duration of its Exhausted state reduced
- Shadow Step — charge-speed boost on breaking Stealth toned down
At the same time the developers realigned the no-cost special arrow talents with their playstyles and slightly buffed their raw power, with the stated goal of a “more distinct, impactful Archer/Hunter identity.” The ceiling came down; the floor went up.
The solo line
One sentence in the notes is worth more than the rest for anyone who queues alone: the Blackarrow’s solo-mode performance was slightly overturned, and its skills were becoming overbearing specifically in high-tier gear matches.
Developers do not reduce a class that is losing. If you intend to go into the mist by yourself rather than in a squad, that is the clearest signal available — provided you accept that you are reading a description of the class as it was before the patch, not after.
Other classes
Compare all →Frequently asked questions
Is the Blackarrow good for solo play in Mistfall Hunter?
The developers said its performance in solo mode was slightly overturned, with certain skills becoming overbearing in high-tier gear matches. That is the most direct endorsement of a class for solo play in the notes — with the caveat that they reduced it for exactly that reason.
What is the difference between Archer and Hunter for the Blackarrow?
Archer is built on fully charged shots — the Sepsis talent now requires a fully drawn bow to trigger its splash damage increase. Hunter is built on high-frequency hits, and its effective range was extended to suit that. Both are Bow playstyles rather than separate weapons.
Which Blackarrow arrows were nerfed?
Mysticfly Arrow had its True damage scaling slightly reduced, Paralysis Arrow had the duration of its Exhausted state cut, and Shadow Step's charge-speed boost on breaking Stealth was toned down.