Enemies in Core Keeper are no joke, and making a wrong move can cost you your life. Because of this, one of the most effective ways to approach combat in Core Keeper is from a distance, making ranged builds that utilize the best ranged weapons extremely effective. Here, we cover the best weapons, armors, and accessories for a Core Keeper ranged build in update 1.0.

Core Keeper Ranged Build: Best Ranged Weapons, Armors, & Accessories

The ranged build in Core Keeper is a relatively straightforward character class. Generally, you’ll use ranged weapons, such as bows, guns, and even slingshots, to shoot and defeat enemies from a safe distance. Additionally, other pieces of equipment are available to help increase your ranged damage output, such as armor sets and accessories. Also, the Ranged Skill Tree is home to various passive abilities that help increase range damage efficiency. These skills and talents are the following:

• Range Combat: +0 to 50% physical range damage
• Keeping Momentum: Gain +2% range damage every time an enemy is hit. Stacks 2 to 10 times.
• Focused Accuracy: +5 to 25% range damage after standing still for a short duration.
• Taking a Step Back: +4 to 20% chance on melee hit to increase range damage by 30%.

Best Ranged Weapons in Core Keeper 1.0

Ranged weapons in Core Keeper generally fall under the following categories: Bow, Gun, and Consumable. However, certain ranged weapons exist that don’t fall under these classifications. Also, the variety of ranged weapons means that the best options typically depend on user preference. Nonetheless, you’ll find a list of the best ranged weapons in Core Keeper below based on their categories. Note that each ranged weapon class has its choices ranked from bad to best. Note: Staves are now magic weapons instead of ranged weapons, as of Core Keeper Version 1.0.

Bows

Cupid Bow

• Item Level: 5
• Damage: 11 to 13
• Effects: Charm the enemy for 20 seconds
• Secondary Use: N/A

Wood Bow

• Item Level: 2
• Damage: 30 to 36
• Effects: N/A
• Secondary Use: Strong Shot

Wood Crossbow

• Item Level: 2
• Damage: 43 to 51
• Effects: N/A
• Secondary Use: Piercing Shot

Scarlet Crossbow

• Item Level: 9
• Damage: 142 to 172
• Effects: N/A
• Secondary Use: Piercing Shot

Iron Bow

• Item Level: 7
• Damage: 100 to 122
• Effects: +17.9 to 43.2% physical range damage.
• Secondary Use: Strong Multishot

Octarine Bow

• Item Level: 12
• Damage: 157 to 191
• Effects: +6.2 to 8.8% range attack speed.
• Secondary Use: Strong Multishot

Solarite Crossbow

• Item Level: 16
• Damage: 209 to 255
• Effects: +7 to 8% critical hit chance and +18 to 21% physical range damage.
• Secondary Use: Piercing Shot

Phantom Spark

• Item Level: 15
• Damage: 198 to 242
• Effects: +10 to 11% critical hit chance, +27 to 33% critical hit damage, and +20% chance to summon a ghost caveling upon killing an enemy.
• Secondary Use: Strong Multishot

Guns

Hand Mortar

• Item Level: 8
• Damage: 25 to 29
• Effects: Fires explosive projectiles.

Bomb Scarab Mortar

• Item Level: 14
• Damage: 41 to 49
• Effects: An upgraded version of the Hand Mortar. Fires explosive projectiles.

Flintlock Musket

• Item Level: 5
• Damage: 207 to 239
• Effects: Fires strong bullets that cause recoil to the wielder.

Grubzooka

• Item Level: 9
• Damage: 104 to 126
• Effects: Fires projectiles that can destroy different types of blocks.

Bubble Gun

• Item Level: 12
• Damage: 93 to 113
• Effects: +35 to 50% chance on hit to apply slippery movement.

Blowpipe

• Item Level: 10
• Damage: 118 to 144
• Effects: +16 to 26% chance to apply poison on hit and reduces enemy healing received by 75%.
• Secondary Use: Piercing Shot

Burnzooka

• Item Level: 16
• Damage: 180 to 220
• Effects: An upgraded version of the Grubzooka. It can destroy more blocks than its predecessor.

Void Gun

• Item Level: 17
• Damage: 255 to 311
• Effects: Fires projectiles that create a vacuum and pull nearby enemies to it.

Consumables

Snowball

• Item Level: 4
• Damage: 45 to 53
• Effects: +25% chance to stun targets on ranged hits.

Other Ranged Weapons

Slingshot

• Item Level: 5
• Damage: 53 to 63
• Effects: N/A

Galaxite Chakram

• Item Level: 14
• Damage: 108 to 132
• Effects: +39 to 50% critical hit damage.

Throwing Daggers

• Item Level: 14
• Damage: 108 to 132
• Effects: +14 to 17% critical hit chance.
• Secondary Use: Bouncing Shot

Ricochet Shuriken

• Item Level: 16
• Damage: 85 to 103
• Effects: +4.5 to 5.1% range attack speed and +22 to 25% critical hit damage.
• Secondary Use: Piercing Shot

Best Accessories for Ranged Builds in Core Keeper 1.0

Certain accessories exist in Core Keeper that help increase ranged damage efficiency. Some of the best accessories for this particular character build include the following:

Gold Crystal Ring

• Item Level: 7
• Effects: +17.3 to 41.6% physical range damage.

Mold Vein Necklace

• Item Level: 11
• Effects: +23.7 to 38.9% physical range damage.

Polished Gold Crystal Ring

• Item Level: 13
• Effects: +19.9 to 28.1% physical range damage and +3.9 to 5.2% range attack speed

Hydra Tooth

• Item Level: 16
• Effects: +4 to 5% chance on hit to deal triple the amount of damage and +24.6 to 28.8% physical range damage

Best Armors for Ranged Builds in Core Keeper 1.0

Core Keeper has various armors fit for the ranged build. However, some armor sets stand out from the rest, particularly when considering this character build. These armor sets include the following:

Ranger Armor

The Ranger Armor Set is your basic ranged build defensive equipment in Core Keeper. Each component in this armor set doesn’t require you to be at a high level, making it an ideal choice for beginner rangers. However, the value of this armor set may quickly diminish as you progress through the game, especially when dealing with harder-hitting bosses.

• Max Health: +27 to 170
• Armor: +18 to 88
• Physical Range Damage: +3.7 to 17%
• Range Attack Speed: +3.6 to 10.8%
• Critical Hit Damage: +7 to 22%
• Set Effect: +1 to target(s) pierced by projectile attacks

Bronze Armor

One shortcoming of the ranged build in Core Keeper is the increased vulnerability when enemies are close. Switching to a melee weapon can help reduce that danger and increase survivability. The Bronze Armor Set can work well with this strategy, as it provides bonuses to both melee and range damage.

• Max Health: +44 to 170
• Armor: +23 to 87
• Mining Damage: +5 to 16%
• Physical Melee Damage: +7.4 to 23.3%
• Physical Range Damage: +6 to 18.9%
• Set Effect: N/A

Caveling Armor

The Caveling Armor Set provides similar benefits to wearing the Bronze Armor Set. However, this particular armor set has a reduced boost to maximum health but improves the wearer’s dodge chance. Additionally, the Traveling Armor Set might only be for the brave, as it doesn't provide armor enhancements.

• Max Health: +59 to 180
• Dodge Chance: +11 to 23%
• Physical Melee Damage: +7.5 to 17.5%
• Physical Range Damage: +8.1 to 19.6%
• Mining Damage: +8 to 20%
• Set Effect: N/A

Hunter Armor

Arguably the best armor set for the ranged build in Core Keeper, the Hunter Armor Set lets its wearer transform into a turret. In particular, wearing the entire set increases your critical hit chance while standing still. The set also enhances your physical range damage and dodge chance, improving survivability and overall damage output.

• Max Health: +59 to 112
• Dodge Chance: +10 to 15%
• Physical Range Damage: +20.5 to 36.7%
• Set Effect: +15% critical hit chance after standing still for a short period

Tips & Tricks

Using the best ranged weapon in Core Keeper or equipping the best armor for this character build may only get you so far into this subterranean world. So, here are some tips and tricks to help improve your Core Keeper ranged character build playthrough:

• Swap weapons. Don’t be afraid to change from a ranged weapon to a melee weapon when the situation calls for it.
• Choose a good ranged weapon at the start. Core Keeper enemies tend to hit hard, which means damage numbers can be ruthless for beginners. Attack from a safe distance to live and tell the tale.
• Keep your distance. It goes without saying that ranged weapons help increase survivability. However, ensure that you don’t get carried away mashing the attack button and maintain distance from enemies.