MapleStory Classic Bowman gear guide
Updated October 21, 2026
Plan your Bowman equipment in MapleStory Classic World around affordable Henesys purchases early, then monster drops and crafting as you approach level 30. This guide covers levels 10–40, including weapon choices, DEX-focused armor, ammunition costs, and the upgrades worth preparing ahead of time.
Progression at a Glance
You should have completed your Bowman advancement before following this route. All listed prices are shop costs in mesos, and availability reflects pre-launch information, so entries without a confirmed acquisition method are marked accordingly.
| Level range | Equipment plan |
|---|---|
| Before 10 | Save money and keep useful armor dropped on Maple Island. |
| 10–15 | Visit Karl for a weapon and Sam for missing armor in Henesys. |
| 15–25 | Follow your chosen weapon line and check equipment requirements before purchasing. |
| 25–30 | Hunt Wild Boar for either level 30 weapon; prepare crafted gloves and footwear. |
| 30–40 | Rely on drops and professions rather than expecting further shop upgrades. |
Karl handles weapons; Sam handles armor. Their early selections follow five-level intervals, with the shop progression ending at level 30. Acquisition details for some level 30 armor pieces remain unconfirmed, however.
For armor offered in equally priced color variants, green is the DEX-oriented choice. Always check the individual stats rather than treating color alone as a complete equipment plan.
Save Before Your Advancement
Avoid spending your savings on Maple Island equipment that you will soon replace. A few island drops can already fill slots in your first Bowman outfit:
| Monster | Useful equipment |
|---|---|
| Shroom | Green Avelin Skirt, a level 10 bottom |
| Orange Mushroom | Green Winter Hat; Brown Hard Leather Boots |
Keep any of these that drop, then buy only the missing pieces when you reach Henesys.
Ammunition Costs and Crafted Arrows
Ordinary Arrows for Bows and Arrows for Crossbows each cost 1 meso at department stores around the island. Refill before heading out: a weapon upgrade does little good if you cannot keep firing.
Enhanced arrows are made through Woodcrafting rather than purchased from shops.
| Ammunition | Attack bonus | Woodcrafting level |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Arrows for Bows | +1 | 4 |
| Bronze crossbow arrows | +1 | 4 |
| Iron Arrows for Bows | +2 | 7 |
| Iron crossbow arrows | +2 | 7 |
These provide an additional attack bonus, but crafting still requires preparation. Develop Woodcrafting yourself or arrange supplies from another crafter.
Bow Upgrades: Levels 10–40
Bows have a complete Woodcrafting route throughout this level range. Karl offers the early purchases, while Ryden introduces a useful monster-drop alternative.
| Level | Bow | Stats | Required attributes | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | War Bow | W.ATK +30 | 25 DEX | Karl: 5,000; Woodcrafting 2 |
| 15 | Composite Bow | W.ATK +35 | 15 STR, 35 DEX | Karl: 7,000; Woodcrafting 3 |
| 20 | Hunter's Bow | W.ATK +42 | 20 STR, 45 DEX | Karl: 13,500; Woodcrafting 4 |
| 25 | Battle Bow | W.ATK +44 | 25 STR, 55 DEX | Karl: 16,500; Woodcrafting 5 |
| 30 | Ryden | W.ATK +50, STR +1 | 30 STR, 65 DEX | Wild Boar drop; Woodcrafting 6 |
| 35 | Red Viper | W.ATK +52 | 35 STR, 75 DEX | Woodcrafting 7 |
| 40 | Vaulter 2000 | W.ATK +60 | 40 STR, 85 DEX | Woodcrafting 8 |
Check STR as well as DEX before committing mesos or materials. From Composite Bow onward, each listed bow has a STR requirement.
The level 25 and level 35 bow steps each add 2 W.ATK over the preceding weapon. If money or materials are tight, weigh that modest gain against saving for Ryden or Vaulter 2000.
Crossbow Upgrades: Levels 15–40
The starting weapon named Crossbow has no confirmed acquisition method. The practical opening is therefore a War Bow at level 10, followed by Battle Crossbow at level 15.
| Level | Crossbow | Stats | Required attributes | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Battle Crossbow | W.ATK +37 | 35 DEX | Karl: 7,000; Woodcrafting 3 |
| 20 | Balanche | W.ATK +39 | 10 STR, 45 DEX | Karl: 13,500; Woodcrafting 4 |
| 25 | Mountain Crossbow | W.ATK +47 | 15 STR, 55 DEX | Karl: 16,500; Woodcrafting 5 |
| 30 | Eagle Crow | W.ATK +52, DEX +1 | 20 STR, 65 DEX | Wild Boar drop; Woodcrafting 6 |
| 40 | Heckler | W.ATK +59 | 30 STR, 85 DEX | Woodcrafting 8 |
There is no confirmed level 35 crossbow entry in this progression. Keep that gap in mind when planning how long you may use Eagle Crow.
Henesys Armor: Levels 10–15
Sam supplies the basic outfit, but early drops can reduce your bill. Gloves enter the route at level 15 through Leatherworking.
Level 10 purchases
Every armor piece below requires 10 DEX.
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Winter Hat | Hat | W.DEF +15, DEX +1 | Sam: 1,200; Orange Mushroom drop; Leatherworking 2 |
| Green Avelin | Top | W.DEF +24, DEX +1 | Sam: 2,000 |
| Green Avelin Skirt | Bottom | W.DEF +17, DEX +1 | Sam: 1,600; Shroom drop |
| Brown Hard Leather Boots | Shoes | W.DEF +10, AVO +1, Speed +1 | Sam: 1,200; Orange Mushroom drop |
Buying all four armor pieces costs 6,000 mesos. Including a purchased War Bow brings the initial equipment bill to 11,000 mesos, before arrows.
Level 15 replacements
These pieces each require 20 DEX.
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Feather Hat | Hat | W.DEF +18, DEX +1, HP +5 | Sam: 1,800; Green Mushroom drop |
| Green Able Armor | Top | W.DEF +28, DEX +1, HP +5 | Sam: 3,000 |
| Green Able Armor Skirt | Bottom | W.DEF +20, DEX +1, HP +5 | Sam: 2,400 |
| Green Woodsman Boots | Shoes | W.DEF +12, AVO +1, Jump +1, HP +5 | Sam: 1,800 |
| Basic Archer Gloves | Gloves | W.DEF +8, DEX +1 | Leatherworking 3 |
If a Green Feather Hat drops while you are hunting Green Mushroom, that removes one purchase from your next Henesys visit.
Armor Planning: Levels 20–25
Level 20 introduces several DEX +2 pieces. At level 25, footwear joins gloves as a Leatherworking upgrade rather than a listed shop purchase.
Level 20 equipment
All entries require 10 STR, 30 DEX.
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Robin Hat | Hat | W.DEF +21, DEX +2 | Sam: 3,600 |
| Green Shivermail | Top | W.DEF +32, DEX +2 | Sam: 6,000 |
| Green Shivermail Skirt | Bottom | W.DEF +23, DEX +2 | Sam: 4,800 |
| Deer Huntertop | Shoes | W.DEF +14, AVO +2, STR +1, DEX +1 | Sam: 3,600 |
| Green Diros | Gloves | W.DEF +10, DEX +2 | Leatherworking 4 |
Despite its name, Deer Huntertop occupies the shoe slot.
Level 25 equipment
The confirmed entries below require 15 STR, 40 DEX.
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Hunter | Hat | W.DEF +24, DEX +2, HP +5 | Sam: 4,500 |
| Bennis Chain Pants | Bottom | W.DEF +26, DEX +2, HP +5 | Sam: 6,000 |
| Red Jack Boots | Shoes | W.DEF +16, AVO +2, Jump +1, STR +1, HP +5 | Leatherworking 5 |
| Blue Savata | Gloves | W.DEF +12, DEX +2, HP +5 | Leatherworking 5 |
Green Bennis Chainmail (Male) is associated with this equipment bracket, but its detailed stats, requirements, and acquisition method are not confirmed here. Do not budget around an assumed shop price.
Prepare Your Level 30 Gear with Wild Boar
Wild Boar is especially useful because it drops both Ryden and Eagle Crow. Hunting it during your late twenties gives you a chance to obtain your next weapon before you can equip it.
Land of Wild Boar is two portals away from Perion and fits this stage of progression. Drops are not guaranteed, so Woodcrafting 6 remains the fallback for either weapon.
For armor, the following level 30 pieces all require 20 STR, 50 DEX:
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Hawkeye | Hat | W.DEF +27, DEX +3 | Unconfirmed |
| Green Hunter's Armor | Top | W.DEF +40, DEX +3 | Unconfirmed |
| Green Hunter's Pants | Bottom | W.DEF +29, DEX +3 | Unconfirmed |
| Red Hunter Boots | Shoes | W.DEF +18, AVO +3, STR +3 | Leatherworking 6 |
| Green Marker | Gloves | W.DEF +14, DEX +3 | Leatherworking 6 |
Do not assume that reaching level 30 means you can immediately replace every armor slot. The crafted gloves and boots have clear acquisition paths; the listed hat, top, and pants do not yet have confirmed ones.
Equipment Beyond the Shops: Levels 35–40
Bowman shop stock does not extend beyond level 30. Continue using serviceable equipment while gathering crafted replacements or hunting for drops.
Level 35 armor
Both listed pieces require 25 STR, 60 DEX.
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Silky Boots | Shoes | W.DEF +20, AVO +3, STR +3, HP +5 | Leatherworking 7 |
| Mithril Scaler | Gloves | W.DEF +16, DEX +3, MP +5 | Leatherworking 7 |
Acquisition methods remain unconfirmed for the level 35 Pole-Feather hats, Legolia and Legolier tops, and most corresponding pants. Treat these as uncertain upgrades rather than required stops.
Level 40 armor
Each entry requires 30 STR, 70 DEX.
| Item | Slot | Stats | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Distinction | Hat | W.DEF +33, DEX +4 | Unconfirmed |
| Brown Piette Pants | Bottom | W.DEF +35, DEX +4 | Red Drake drop |
| Yellow Pierre Shoes | Shoes | W.DEF +22, AVO +4, STR +3, DEX +1 | Leatherworking 8 |
Red Drake drops level 40 Piette and Piettra bottoms, but that monster is beyond this guide's intended hunting range. An equipment level of 40 does not make its drop location a suitable level 40 farming target.
Which Professions Matter Most?
Woodcrafting is the main weapon-and-ammunition profession for Bowman. It provides every bow listed here, the confirmed crossbow steps, and both upgraded arrow tiers.
Leatherworking fills the accessory gaps, covering the listed glove progression and footwear beginning at level 25. It also offers Green Winter Hat at Leatherworking 2.
| Crafting level | Woodcrafting milestones | Leatherworking milestones |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | War Bow | Green Winter Hat |
| 3 | Composite Bow; Battle Crossbow | Basic Archer Gloves |
| 4 | Hunter's Bow; Balanche; bronze arrows | Green Diros |
| 5 | Battle Bow; Mountain Crossbow | Red Jack Boots; Blue Savata |
| 6 | Ryden; Eagle Crow | Red Hunter Boots; Green Marker |
| 7 | Red Viper; iron arrows | Green Silky Boots; Mithril Scaler |
| 8 | Vaulter 2000; Heckler | Yellow Pierre Shoes |
These are profession-level requirements, not full material recipes. Compare the materials you already own with the listed shop prices before choosing to craft an early weapon.
Quick Tips
- Save Maple Island mesos and keep useful Shroom or Orange Mushroom armor drops.
- Start with War Bow even if you intend to switch to crossbows; the starter Crossbow has no confirmed acquisition route.
- Check level, STR, and DEX requirements before buying or crafting.
- Prefer DEX-bearing green armor when Sam offers equally priced color variants.
- Carry enough arrows for the trip; basic ammunition costs 1 meso each.
- Hunt Wild Boar in your late twenties for a chance at Ryden or Eagle Crow.
- Prepare Woodcrafting 6 as a backup for your level 30 weapon.
- Expect crafting and drops to replace shop purchases after level 30, and keep older armor when an upgrade's availability is uncertain.