I'm thinking most likely if there is gonna be a third Archer explorer class its gonna use Compound Bows with Metal Arrows and some kind of Defense Piercing/Ignoring gimmick making it stupidly OP. /twocents
For my thoughts, Nexon would either follow their predicted pattern, or create a class that is largely based off of something else.
3rd Branch adventurer bowman - If you think about it, aside from different weapon mastery, a few distinct attacking skills and animations, both MMs and BMs are pretty much the same.
They share a lot of the same skills and buffs. And some skills are essentially the same, but has different animations. It won't take them too much work for them to just clone copy one of bowman classes, edit/add a few things, and give it some elemental theme (holy, DoT/poison or lightning-based if following the pokemon trend), then call it original.
If they don't take that route, they'll probably create a class that is largely based off of other ideas. To me in this case, a bowman that excels at close-mid range attacks and uses a new weapon type (something Bow in the weapon-type name).
Mercedes seems to be partially or more based off of the Acrobat/Sharpshooter class from Dragon Nest. So that led me to think they'll create something else based off of that. They'll probably be trying to do something to make the class unique or whatever. This is still speculation though.
Resistance Thief - I'm betting they'll use claws that doesn't use/consume throwing stars and a sub-equip that can be potentialed. Their playstyle might differ a little bit and be a bit overpowered, but who knows how at this point.
Before reading this thread the only thoughts i had on a 3rd archer Is a spirt bow. Weapon being some kind bracelet or even a ring.
Lets make this OP LOL
Spoiler
Spirit bow class
has Four! Weapons. Each a ring which goes on the ring slot. Each potable and scrollable.
Each Ring has a different element Fire, Ice, Poision and Lightning. And potential stats on each ring stacks together i.e 30% on ea ring ez 120% boss. har harr
Buy NX Today!
As for Thief resistance.. I had a thought about this not so long ago. With a linking story to the Pirate legend.
So lets start with "Lotus" the pirate legend.
Lotus is a master pirate, can equip a pistol and her gloves are a 2nd weapon for punching of course, however she has special Lotus only gloves which slightly lower attack than the average knuckle for the level. Her skills use both weapons with her own twist on things and has the ability to requip instantly at close and long range. so you don't have to change skills. This will be the only class in maple with two main stats. Yes two! STR and DEX. str calculating her close quarters skills and dex for long. Now you think eww that mains half the damage of sair and bucc.. WRONG nope she has a beginner skill to double her str and dex.
Now for the backstory.
Lotus was frozen amongst all the other legends however she was captured by the black wings. And tests and experiments to obtain her powers. Now enters the Thief resistance. The Thief resistance is an orphan child by the name of Sky, who was caught stealing supplies from the mines to feed his sick sister. After capture he was submitted to an experiment. Where the black wings injected him with a formula made from Lotus' DNA. After this he breaks out of the mines with his new powers and because he now feels a link towards lotus he saves her. and escapes to edelstien to find his sister was kidnapped!
After finding out he grabs his fathers massive katana and tries to save his sister, Lotus however stops him and decides to train with him. until he is strong enough to defeat the black mage!
Sky uses a massive katana and his stats will be LUK and STR (not dex, however his beginner skill gives him +40 dex from lv10 and adds 1 dex each lvl, however dex does not add to his range it is only so he can wear thief gear) STR is for his new weapon range the Katana. His skills would be similar to a samurai with massive combos and a +% to damage when in midair.
Wow that was a long post i kinda got carried away haha..
I know you can't really put logic and MapleStory in the same sentence, but i think it would be very likely that Nexon would make the 3rd branch Archer even more OPed than a Mercedes just so it can attract some people to playing it. Or at least give it a link skill like every other new class coming out so far. Also, considering they have already introduced the Archer Hero first before the 3rd branch one, I'd say we can either fear or expect the aftermath of revamps of the bowman class later on... Still all speculation but who knows.
tbh, the weapon can be kind of out there. For all Nexon cares, the + Archer could wield a teddy bear with some cheesecake as a side. Phantom uses a cane and a deck of magic cards. I wouldn't exactly call that "thief." (Phantom's thiefiness comes mostly from his skill-stealing, imo). I like the boomerang idea best though :3
I made a class on another forum, while the server was down. It's related:
Quote:Third and final Archer explorer. Random dude from Henesys chosen by angels to join their ranks. Instead of huge, impressive wings, he gets wings at his ankles (lol).
-Beginner Skills-
Draw a Bead
+10% accuracy
+5% Critical Rate
+10% Critical Damage
--Can be linked to another character on the account at level 70
Fervor
+Increased damage when partied with a Cleric, Priest, or Bishop within 10 levels of your own level.
+Decreased damage if the Bishop decides to AFK.
---+10% or -10%
-1st Job Apprentice Angel-
Pin Cushion
+Master level 10
+Toggle: Increases damage subsequent attacks deal to a target. +1% damage per stack, maximum 10 stacks. When the enemy dies, recover 2 arrows per stack.
++Only applied to enemies hit by arrows.
++Wears off after 5 seconds unless refreshed
Punishment
+Master level 20
+Active: Shoot arrows to punish enemies, dealing damage at a distance. 120% damage per arrow. Shoots 2 arrows.
+Passive: All attacks deal increased damage to enemies further away. Maximum +15% damage.
Glide
+Master level 10
+Passive: Use the wings on your feet to move about. Movement Speed +40%, Jump +20%. Permanently increases distance from the ground. Passively allows shooting while jumping.
Fletcher
+Master level 10
+Passive: Increase weapon attack by 15. Increase maximum arrows per quiver by 1000.
Indignation
+Master level 20
+Passive: Permanently increases Punishment damage to a max of 140% damage per arrow.
+Active: All attacks shot are flaming, and set the environment and enemies ablaze. Burns for 100% damage per second for 4 seconds at a 40% chance. Ground fire deals 250% damage per second and can hit up to 8 enemies. Toggle skill. Flame and burn damage cannot critical. All attacks cost additional MP.
Flight
+Master level 15
+Use your wings to move through the air without losing altitude. 1 second duration per level. +50% movement speed while in the air.
Gust
+Master level 20
+Brandish your wings and perform a kick, creating strong winds and knocking all enemies backward. Max enemies hit: 8. Damage: 300%
Divine Conditioning
+Master level 10
+Increases STR and DEX through extensive training. STR and DEX +40.
-3rd Job Seraph-
Volley
+Master level 20
+Shoot 3 arrows with pin-point accuracy. Damage 180%.
+Passive: All arrow effects +20% damage when applied using this skill.
Volatile Attack
+Master level 20
+Toggle: All arrows are propelled forward with explosive energy, damaging enemies at their point of impact. Max enemies hit: 6. Damage: 300%. All attacks cost additional MP while this is active.
Spiritual Exaltation
+Master level 20
+Support: For every member in the party +2% to all stats, maximum 10%. Movement speed +10%, maximum movement speed +20%, avoidability +10%. Lasts 240 seconds.
Resilience
+Master level 20
+Passive: +30% HP and MP, +100% DEF, +100% MDEF.
Ray of Light
+Master level 15
+Consecrate an area. Allies standing in the exalted zone are healed over time, 4% HP per 2 seconds, 2% MP per second. +20 attack to allies standing in the area. Lasts 120 seconds. Cooldown: 40 seconds.
Soul Bind
+Master level 20
+Chance to bind enemy into servitude upon death. 15% at max level. Soul Servant duration: 40 seconds. Damage 480%.
Judgement
+Master level 30
+Channel an Archangel's spirit to increase battle prowess, strike fear, and inspire allies. Duration 120 seconds. Cooldown: 180 seconds.
+Increases attack speed by 1 stage, increases damage by 20%, reduces damage taken by 10%.
+Aura: allies gain 1% lifesteal, 10% defense penetration, and 10% critical rate.
+Aura: enemy attack interval +20% (+10% for bosses), movement speed -30%
Grand Ark
+Master level 10
+Transport self and party members to a town of your choice. Consumes 5 magic rocks. Cooldown: 1200 seconds.
Maple Warrior
+Master level 30
+Increases the stats of all party members.
Spell Bow
+Master level 20
+Toggle: Fire arrows charged with purifying energy, poisonous to evil things. Enemies hit by your attacks continue to take 120% damage every second for every Pin Cushion stack.
+Stacks with other arrow spells. All attacks cost additional MP while this is active.
Prayer
+Master level 10
+Increases the effectiveness of the skills Ray of Light and Divine Conditioning.
+Divine Conditioning: +100 STR and DEX
+Ray of Light: attack increased to 40, duration extended to 180 seconds, instances increased to 2 per map, cooldown reduced to 10 seconds.
Reckoning
+Master level 30
+Fires 5 arrows that never miss. 200% damage per arrow.
+In case of a miss, arrows deal half damage instead.
+Arrow effects +30% damage when applied with this skill.
Soul Arrows
+Master level 15
+Passive: Improves the skill Pin Cushion, applies two stacks per attack. Allows for arrow effects to apply Pin Cushion at a set chance (5% per level, 75% max), but only one stack.
Apocalypse
+Master level 30
+Call for a celestial airstrike
+Looks really cool but ultimately sorta useless
+Screen-wide attack. 4 hits, 500% damage per hit.
Intervention
+Master level 10
+Grants you a chance at dodging attacks. If you succeed, all attacks for the next second return 5% HP.
Battle Groove
+Master level 30
+Improves your Judgement to its maximum potential. Adds a neat fire walk animation when you run around.
+Final stats:
--self: attack speed +1 stage, damage +30%, damage reduction 20%
--friendly aura: 3% lifesteal, 20% defense penetration, 15% critical rate
--hostile aura: +30% attack interval (+15% boss), movement -60%
--Duration: 160 seconds Cooldown: 0 seconds