Shadower class guide

Shadower setups by content.

Pick the mode you are pushing, copy the matching skill tabs and companion mix, then tune artifacts, Hero Power, and manual timing around the wall you are actually failing.

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May 21 balance patch

What changed in the 05.21 Shadower update

The update is a mixed Shadower pass: movement and burst windows improved, several 4th Job timings became more important, and Smokescreen / Shadow Shifter now need a fresh skill-level read before copying older presets.

Phase Dash became easier to use, not free movement

Phase Dash can now be used in mid-air. The direction still locks once the dash starts, so treat it as committed repositioning and stun timing.

Into Darkness gives a longer burst window

Into Darkness now gives a longer Final Damage window with basic-attack immunity at the start. Summon and spend meso inside the part of the fight that actually survives.

Meso spend matters more after the 4th Job breakpoints

Level 105 Sudden Raid, level 107 Blood Money, and level 108 Assassinate mastery are all worth checking before changing the whole setup. A bad timing window can make a good preset look weak.

Smokescreen is more level-sensitive

Smokescreen carries Accuracy, Evasion, Defense reduction, ally damage reduction, and own Final Damage value. Check its current level before judging boss, Guild, or PvP value.

Shadow Shifter shifted toward Final Damage

Shadow Shifter now contributes passive Final Damage, and its later mastery adds more Final Damage while keeping the Evasion counter window relevant.

Skills and job data

Use this guide for setup logic, then check exact skill data on the Jobs page.

The content sections below show where the active skills sit in the preset. Blood Money is not shown in those auto-tab grids because it is passive; it changes how Meso Explosion and Assassinate perform after 4th Job.

Open Shadower skill referenceBrowse all Jobs
3rd JobPhase Dash

Movement, stun, and risky manual repositioning checks.

3rd JobMeso Explosion

Meso-stack spender and Blood Money engine after 4th Job.

3rd JobInto Darkness

Final Damage window and target approach; core for companion timing.

4th JobCruel Stab

Primary 4th Job attack in wave and boss pages.

4th JobAssassinate

Single-target burst and Blood Money finisher interaction.

4th JobSmokescreen

Final Damage, Defense reduction, PvP debuff, and support window.

Companion and artifact checks

Check these before rerolling the setup.

The content sections remain the slot-by-slot starting point. Use these checks when the run is close and the loss comes from timing, companion damage, or a content-specific artifact window.

Summoned companions should enter the winning window

If the target survives long enough, summon after the buffs, debuffs, and artifact stacks that decide the fight are live. Early uptime can still be better for fast farming.

Do not force a weak exact page over the effect mix

Use the sheet order first, but keep the effect goal in mind: Bishop for Skill Damage, I/L Mage for Normal Monster Damage, Bow Master for Attack Speed, Night Lord for Boss Damage, and Shadower / Dark Knight for utility.

Horn Flute is a boss-window test

For Chapter Boss and guild boss-style fights, compare Horn Flute when the result is decided inside the companion summon window. Test it against the lower sheet artifacts before replacing the core Book / Star setup.

Peach is a stability check, not a blanket replacement

Use Peach Tree Herb Pouch when the wall is debuff timing or a near-clear boss window. If the account simply lacks damage, solve the damage line first.

Cursed Doll belongs in PvP miss checks

Use it when Arena or Colosseum is being decided by Evasion-heavy opponents. It is not a reason to change the normal PvE artifact order.

Content setups

Open the content you are building for.

Each content setup follows the sheet row in the same order: skill tabs, main and alt companion, six sub companions, ability priority, artifact order, then swap notes. Use it as the starting build, then test the real wall in-game. Sub companions are not a fixed law; use them to fill the stat or utility your account is missing for that content.

Content setupChapter Hunt

Use this when the account is farming a chapter map and the result is decided by EXP per minute, kill rate, and whether companions are touching enough mobs.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSudden RaidPhase DashMeso Explosion
Tab 2
AssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Alt mainLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Sub companions
UniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageEpicI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedUniqueBow MasterAttack SpeedUniqueBishopSkill DamageLegendaryMarksmanStun / status utility

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Experience %2Critical for faster leveling
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Arwen's Glass Shoe3Hexagon Necklace4Icy Soul Rock5Fire Flower6Athena Pierce's Old Gloves

Sheet order: Book, Shoe, Hexagon, Icy, Fire Flower, then Gloves. Glass Shoe is the key KPM check because companion hits can overtake your own damage past Unique rarity.

Notes and swap logic

  • Track KPM and EXP per minute instead of CP. A lower chapter with stable kills can beat a higher page that slows down.
  • If Shadower misses lower-platform mobs, manual movement or a different map can beat a stat swap.
  • Keep EXP lines only while kill rate stays stable; an EXP page that slows kills too much is a trap.
Content setupStage Breakthrough

Stage Breakthrough is a two-part check: clear normal waves quickly enough, then finish the final target before the timer expires.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Sub companions
EpicI/L MageNormal Monster DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedUniqueBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss Damage

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Main Stat2Attack Speed3Min + Max Damage %4Damage % only before level 90
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Sayram's Necklace3Star Rock4Icy Soul Rock5Athena Pierce's Old Gloves6Rainbow Snail Shell

Sheet order: Book, Sayram, Star Rock, Icy, Gloves, then Snail Shell.

Notes and swap logic

  • Companion damage can become the main clear driver. Optimize for damage increase and boss clear once normal waves are stable.
  • If normal mobs are the issue, test Athena or Icy depending on MP control and whether the account stays above 50% MP.
  • If the selected alt main overlaps a sub effect, use the Unique or Epic page instead of repeating the exact same rarity.
Content setupChapter Boss

Use this when the wall is the chapter boss or the final boss-like target rather than normal wave speed.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryBow MasterAttack Speed
Sub companions
LegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageEpicNight LordBoss DamageUniqueBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryShadowerBuff removal

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Boss Damage2Defense Penetration needs testing3Main Stat
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Star Rock3Silver Pendant4Icy Soul Rock5Athena Pierce's Old Gloves6Rainbow Snail Shell

Sheet order: Book, Star Rock, Silver Pendant, Icy, Gloves, then Snail Shell.

Notes and swap logic

  • Silver Pendant is only valuable if stacks come online quickly while the companion window is active.
  • Reset or retime if the boss survives because the companion summon happened too early or the Pendant stacks came too late.
  • On newer Chaos accessories, compare a useful 4th Job line before rerolling a three-line item.
  • Test Horn Flute when boss HP left changes mainly during the companion summon window; compare it against Silver / Icy / Gloves before replacing Book or Star Rock.
Content setupWorld Boss / Guild Raid

Use this for long boss checks where boss damage, Defense Penetration, summon timing, and artifact multipliers decide the run.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryBow MasterAttack Speed
Sub companions
LegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageUniqueBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryMarksmanStun / status utilityUniqueMarksmanStun / status utilityEpicMarksmanStun / status utility

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Boss Damage2Defense Penetration
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Star Rock3Hexagon Necklace4Lit Lamp

Sheet order: Book, Star Rock, Hexagon, then Lit Lamp.

Notes and swap logic

  • Book and Lit Lamp can swap by level and whichever gives the higher multiplier for your current account.
  • Save the companion summon for the window that actually survives long enough to use it.
Content setupArena / Colosseum

Use this for Arena-style PvP. Colosseum uses the same PvP discipline, but you should still adjust against the actual opponent and current matchmaking.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessSudden RaidPhase DashDark SightCruel StabMeso Explosion
Tab 2
AssassinateNimble Feet

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryShadowerBuff removal
Alt mainLegendaryDark KnightSurvival utility
Sub companions
LegendaryBishopSkill DamageLegendaryHeroAttack supportUniqueHeroAttack supportUniqueShadowerBuff removalLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedUniqueBow MasterAttack Speed

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Main Stat2Attack Speed3Evasion4Debuff Tolerance5Crit Resistance
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Soul Pouch3Old Music Box4Icy Soul Rock5Lunar Dew6Flaming Lava

Sheet order: Book, Soul Pouch, Old Music Box, Icy, Lunar Dew, then Flaming Lava.

Notes and swap logic

  • Follow the listed skill order first. Into Darkness closes distance, then Phase Dash can chain into the stun window.
  • If Shadower is the main page, do not equip the exact same Legendary Shadower as a sub; use a different rarity or the next listed utility slot.
  • Cursed Doll is a matchup test when misses decide the fight, not the default PvE artifact swap.
Content setupGuild Conquest

Use this when the content needs buff removal and boss pressure more than normal-mob speed.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryDark KnightSurvival utility
Alt mainLegendaryShadowerBuff removal
Sub companions
LegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageLegendaryBishopSkill DamageLegendaryMarksmanStun / status utilityUniqueMarksmanStun / status utilityEpicMarksmanStun / status utility

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Boss Damage2Defense Penetration
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Athena Pierce's Old Gloves3Hexagon Necklace4Ancient Text Piece

Sheet order: Book, Gloves, Hexagon, then Ancient Text Piece.

Notes and swap logic

  • Dark Knight and Shadower are here for boss damage-reduction buff control. Save stun orbs for the active companion window when possible.
  • If the selected alt main duplicates a sub page, rotate that sub into the next strongest matching utility slot.
Content setupGuild War

Use this as the Shadower row for Guild War, then read the dedicated Guild War guide for the full Accuracy, Marksman, Dark Knight, and artifact route.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Sub companions
LegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryMarksmanStun / status utilityUniqueMarksmanStun / status utilityLegendaryDark KnightSurvival utility

Use the dedicated Guild War guide as the source of truth for companion stacking. These sub companions are reminders of the missing stat buckets, not a fixed universal rule.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Accuracy check first2Boss Damage3Defense Penetration4Main Stat
Result check
1Miss rate2Survival3Boss HP left4Timer left

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Star Rock3Hexagon Necklace4Flaming Lava5Athena Pierce's Old Gloves

This is only the Shadower reminder row. For the actual artifact route, read the Guild War guide and adjust for Accuracy, Dark Knight stacking, Marksman stun, Lava, Chalice, and Hexagon timing.

Notes and swap logic

  • Read the Guild War Guide for the full companion and artifact route.
  • Guild War sub companions should fill what the account lacks: hit consistency, survival, control, boss damage, or attack-speed uptime.
  • Do not copy the Guild Conquest setup into Guild War; the win condition is different.
Content setupBoss Raid - Zakum

Use this for Zakum-style boss raids where Shadower needs safe burst timing more than risky movement. Keep the raid artifact check focused on Zakum Stone Piece.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidMeso Explosion
Tab 2
AssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Keep Phase Dash out when it pushes Shadower into danger. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Sub companions
LegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageEpicNight LordBoss DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryShadowerBuff removal

Main companion is the equipped choice. Sub companions supplement the missing boss stat; if your Bishop is weak, use the strongest equipped boss page you own.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Boss Damage2Defense Penetration
Result check
1Boss HP left2Survival3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Zakum's Stone Piece3Star Rock4Icy Soul Rock5Hexagon Necklace

Use Zakum Stone Piece for Zakum. Hexagon can replace Book only when survival and positioning are already clean enough to keep stacks.

Notes and swap logic

  • Do not use Phase Dash here if it makes Shadower dive into danger.
Content setupGrowth Dungeon - Weapon

Use this for the weapon Growth Dungeon when Mushmom or the boss-like target is the wall.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryBow MasterAttack Speed
Sub companions
LegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageEpicNight LordBoss DamageUniqueBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryShadowerBuff removal

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Boss Damage2Main Stat
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Star Rock3Clear Spring Water4Icy Soul Rock5Athena Pierce's Old Gloves

Sheet order: Book, Star Rock, Clear Spring Water, Icy, then Gloves.

Notes and swap logic

  • Treat this like a compact boss page: test boss HP left and summon timing before changing the whole setup.
Content setupGrowth Dungeon - EXP

Use this for EXP Growth Dungeon when normal-mob speed and efficient skill casts decide the run.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Sub companions
EpicI/L MageNormal Monster DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryMarksmanStun / status utilityLegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryShadowerBuff removal

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Main Stat2Attack Speed3Min + Max Damage %4Damage % only before level 90
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Sayram's Necklace3Clear Spring Water4Icy Soul Rock5Fire Flower6Athena Pierce's Old Gloves

Sheet order: Book, Sayram, Clear Spring Water, Icy, Fire Flower, then Gloves.

Notes and swap logic

  • Sayram can give higher ROI through Normal Monster Damage, but test it against Icy Soul Rock.
  • Marksman can help burst certain monsters when using I/L Mage or dash-heavy positioning.
Content setupGrowth Dungeon - Equipment

Use this for the equipment Growth Dungeon when you need stable normal-mob clear more than a special boss swap.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Sub companions
EpicI/L MageNormal Monster DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryMarksmanStun / status utilityLegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryShadowerBuff removal

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Main Stat2Attack Speed3Min + Max Damage %4Damage % only before level 90
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Sayram's Necklace3Clear Spring Water

Sheet order: Book, Sayram, then Clear Spring Water.

Notes and swap logic

  • Use the EXP dungeon logic if kill rate drops, but keep the artifact list tight unless a specific wall appears.
Content setupGrowth Dungeon - Hero Training

Use this when Hero Training needs a mix of normal wave speed and a stronger final target finish.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Sub companions
EpicI/L MageNormal Monster DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryHeroAttack support

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Main Stat2Attack Speed3Min + Max Damage %4Damage % only before level 90
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Sayram's Necklace3Clear Spring Water4Star Rock5Icy Soul Rock6Athena Pierce's Old Gloves

Sheet order: Book, Sayram, Clear Spring Water, Star Rock, Icy, then Gloves.

Notes and swap logic

  • If the boss barely survives, try swapping Sayram to Star Rock before changing the full setup.
Content setupGrowth Dungeon - Enhancement

Use this when Enhancement Dungeon becomes a boss-damage check around Balrog-style targets.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Sheet order is shown left to right, top row then bottom row. Blood Money is passive, so it is not placed as an active auto-tab slot.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryNight LordBoss Damage
Sub companions
LegendaryPaladinBasic Attack DamageUniqueNight LordBoss DamageEpicNight LordBoss DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryShadowerBuff removal

Main and alt main are the equipped companion choice. Sub slots show the sheet's effect mix; duplicate effects use Unique or Epic pages because the exact same rarity cannot be equipped twice.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Boss Damage2Main Stat3Attack Speed4Min + Max Damage %5Damage % only before level 90
Result check
1KPM / timer left2Boss HP left3Hit consistency4Summon timing

Artifacts

1Book of Ancient2Star Rock3Clear Spring Water

Sheet order: Book, Star Rock, then Clear Spring Water.

Notes and swap logic

  • Treat this as the boss-side Growth Dungeon page: boss HP left matters more than raw CP gain.
Content setupParty Quest - First Time Together

Use this when farming Squashy Ring. This is a clear-time page, so start with equipped bonuses that speed up rooms before swapping into boss-style damage.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Party Quest uses the skill tabs, but companion calls are disabled. Judge the setup by clear time, objective consistency, and whether the final target stalls.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Alt mainLegendaryBow MasterAttack Speed
Sub companions
LegendaryBishopSkill DamageLegendaryBuccaneerMain Stat %LegendaryHeroAttack supportLegendaryNight LordBoss DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster DamageUniqueBow MasterAttack Speed

Use the main companion as an equipped-bonus choice. Sub companions supplement the stat or utility your account is missing for that Party Quest; there is no fixed universal row if your pages are uneven.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Normal Monster Damage2Attack Speed3Skill Damage4Boss Damage if the final target stalls
Result check
1Clear time2Objective or final target left3Hit consistency4Debuff downtime

Artifacts

1Alliance Badge2Silver Pendant3Peach Tree Herb Pouch4Old Music Box5Book of Ancient6Icy Soul Rock

Alliance Badge is the group check: four players using it can add up to 40% Attack for everyone. Silver Pendant and Peach add party-friendly target pressure, Old Music Box protects uptime when debuffs interrupt casts, and Book / Icy fill personal damage gaps.

Notes and swap logic

  • Use clear time as the scorecard. If the party is organized, Alliance Badge can beat a private damage artifact because the Attack buff stacks across players.
  • If rooms are fast but the last target stalls, move Boss Damage and target damage-taken effects up before adding more farming stats.
  • Use the Party Quest Equipment Guide when deciding whether the Squashy Ring roll is worth keeping.
Content setupParty Quest - Dimensional Crack

Use this when farming Cracked Necklace. Balance room speed with skill damage, then compare runs by clear time instead of CP.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Party Quest uses the skill tabs, but companion calls are disabled. Judge the setup by clear time, objective consistency, and whether the final target stalls.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster Damage
Sub companions
LegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryNight LordBoss DamageLegendaryBuccaneerMain Stat %LegendaryHeroAttack supportUniqueBishopSkill DamageUniqueI/L MageNormal Monster Damage

Use the main companion as an equipped-bonus choice. Sub companions supplement the stat or utility your account is missing for that Party Quest; there is no fixed universal row if your pages are uneven.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Skill Damage2Normal Monster Damage3Boss Damage if the last room stalls4Main Stat %
Result check
1Clear time2Objective or final target left3Hit consistency4Debuff downtime

Artifacts

1Alliance Badge2Silver Pendant3Peach Tree Herb Pouch4Old Music Box5Book of Ancient6Icy Soul Rock

Start from the party package when teammates can coordinate it: Alliance Badge, Silver Pendant, Peach, then Old Music Box. Book and Icy are personal checks when Crit Rate or MP stability still decides the clear.

Notes and swap logic

  • Use clear time and final-target time together. Dimensional Crack can look fine on room speed but still lose time on the final target.
  • If debuffs are causing downtime, Old Music Box can beat a higher-paper damage piece because the character keeps acting.
  • Use the Party Quest Equipment Guide when deciding whether the Cracked Necklace roll is worth keeping.
Content setupParty Quest - Remnant of the Goddess

Use this when farming Condensed Power Crystal. This is the most boss-like Party Quest row, so keep Skill Damage and target pressure high while still checking the party artifacts.

Skill tabs

Tab 1
Into DarknessDark SightNimble FeetSmokescreenSudden RaidPhase Dash
Tab 2
Meso ExplosionAssassinateDark FlareCruel Stab

Party Quest uses the skill tabs, but companion calls are disabled. Judge the setup by clear time, objective consistency, and whether the final target stalls.

Companions

Main picks
Main companionLegendaryBishopSkill Damage
Alt mainLegendaryNight LordBoss Damage
Sub companions
LegendaryI/L MageNormal Monster DamageLegendaryBow MasterAttack SpeedLegendaryBuccaneerMain Stat %LegendaryHeroAttack supportUniqueBishopSkill DamageUniqueNight LordBoss Damage

Use the main companion as an equipped-bonus choice. Sub companions supplement the stat or utility your account is missing for that Party Quest; there is no fixed universal row if your pages are uneven.

Ability priority

Hero Power / ability
1Skill Damage2Boss Damage3Normal Monster Damage if rooms are slow4Main Stat %
Result check
1Clear time2Objective or final target left3Hit consistency4Debuff downtime

Artifacts

1Alliance Badge2Silver Pendant3Peach Tree Herb Pouch4Old Music Box5Book of Ancient6Star Rock

Use Alliance Badge first when the party can stack it. Silver Pendant and Peach help everyone push the target, Old Music Box keeps damage uptime clean through debuffs, and Book / Star fill the personal damage slots.

Notes and swap logic

  • Use clear time as the scorecard. If four players can coordinate Alliance Badge, the group Attack stack can be the strongest single artifact decision.
  • If the final target is the wall, compare Boss Damage and target damage-taken effects before chasing more normal-room speed.
  • Use the Party Quest Equipment Guide when deciding whether the Condensed Power Crystal roll is worth keeping.

Manual timing

Use manual play when the wall is close enough that timing changes the result.

Full auto is still the farming default. Manual timing matters when the run is already near a clear and the loss comes from movement, burst order, summon timing, or a final target living with low HP.

1Let the target settle

Do not spend the burst while Shadower is dashing away, climbing, or walking into a bad angle. Reposition first when the wall allows it.

2Place utility only when it connects

Dark Flare and Phase Dash are useful when they hit the right enemies. Drop or delay them when the cast steals time from the real damage window.

3Spend Meso during the damage window

Meso Explosion and Blood Money are strongest when the spender lands with Into Darkness, Smokescreen, boss debuffs, and companion damage already lined up.

4Summon for the part that survives

If the boss or final wave lives long enough, summon after the key buffs, debuffs, and artifact stacks are active. If farming mobs die instantly, earlier uptime can be better.

5Stop when the bottleneck changes

If the run fails from misses, low Crit Rate, bad KPM, or survival, fix the stat or artifact problem instead of forcing more manual inputs.

Cubing priority

Prioritise cube lines in descending order, not by CP.

Use cubing to solve the wall shown by the content setup. Crit Rate and Critical Damage come first because the rest of Shadower's burst only pays off when the hits actually crit.

  1. Solve Crit Rate first.Crit Damage is only premium when the character is critting reliably.
  2. Lock Critical Damage.Once Crit Rate is stable, Critical Damage becomes the cleanest general damage line.
  3. Pick the content damage line.Normal Monster Damage for Chapter Hunt and normal dungeons; Boss Damage for boss, Guild, and boss-like walls.
  4. Add Defense Penetration where it matters.Use it for Chapter Boss, World Boss, Guild Conquest, Guild War, Boss Raid, and late wall content.
  5. Check 4th Job lines on accessories.4th Job Skill Level or 4th Job damage can beat plain filler when paired with two premium lines.
  6. Keep fillers only after the core is solved.Main Stat, Max / Min Damage, and Attack Speed are keepable when the other lines already answer the content wall.

Star Force priority

Spend Star Force where it changes the next clear.

Star Force is expensive, so read the failure first. Push it when a requirement, weapon wall, or survival check is blocking progress; stop when the next failure is hit rate, timing, Crit Rate, or companion uptime.

  1. Unlock the next content gate.Spend first where Star Force requirement blocks the next farm, dungeon, or boss attempt.
  2. Push the weapon when damage is the wall.Boss walls and Stage Breakthrough usually show more from weapon-side pressure than scattered upgrades.
  3. Raise armor when the run dies early.PvP, Guild War, and boss mechanics can require survival before damage lines matter.
  4. Stop when the bottleneck changes.If the loss is hit rate, platform contact, companion timing, or Crit Rate, more Star Force can be the expensive answer to the wrong question.

Tips and tricks

Checks that explain most failed Shadower pages.

  • Buffs and setup skills belong early.The sheet places setup skills before the damage spenders in most content rows. Keep the order unless your own test proves a better wall-specific timing.
  • Blood Money is passive.Do not place Blood Money as an auto-tab active skill. Judge it through Meso Explosion, Assassinate, and 4th Job timing.
  • Measure the wall, not the CP.Use EXP per minute, boss HP left, hit consistency, and timer remaining as the real result.
  • Manual timing can be a damage fix.Stage Breakthrough and boss walls can fail because Shadower spends burst while moving, misses lower-platform mobs, or summons outside the real damage window.
  • Summon inside the burst window when the target survives.Into Darkness, Smokescreen, boss debuffs, and companion-window artifacts can make summon timing worth more than early uptime.
  • Do not merge Guild War and Guild Conquest setups.Guild War starts with hit rate and survival. Guild Conquest starts with buff removal, boss pressure, and control timing.
  • Check 4th Job lines on Chaos and high-tier PQ accessories.Old keep rules written before those lines are incomplete for newer drops.
  • Book and Icy are not automatic forever.They are strongest when Crit Rate or MP management is still relevant; move them down when those problems are solved, then test newer boss-window artifacts against the lower slots.
  • PvP needs opponent testing.Accuracy, Evasion, Crit Resistance, and Cursed Doll value change by matchup.

FAQ

Common Shadower questions

Does the second skill tab auto-cast after 4th Job?

Yes. After 4th Job unlocks the second active tab, skills placed there auto-cast. That is why each content setup shows both tabs instead of only six visible skills.

Why does the guide not put Blood Money in the active tab?

Blood Money is passive. It matters a lot for 4th Job damage, but it should be judged through Meso Explosion, Assassinate, and the account's burst timing rather than placed as an active skill button.

When should I build Defense Penetration?

Use Defense Penetration for Chapter Boss, World Boss, Guild Conquest, Guild War, Boss Raid, and late wall content. It is not the first answer for early Chapter Hunt if the issue is normal-mob kill rate.

Is Bishop always the main companion?

No. The sheet changes main companion by content. Chapter Hunt starts I/L Mage, Stage and boss routes often start Bishop, and PvP or Guild content can start Shadower or Dark Knight.

What if the main companion duplicates a sub companion?

You cannot equip the exact same companion page twice. If the chosen main duplicates a listed sub page, use a different rarity of that job if the setup wants the same effect, or replace the sub slot with the next strongest matching effect you own.

Should Chaos accessories keep 4th Job lines?

Check them seriously when paired with Critical Damage, Boss Damage, Normal Monster Damage, Max / Min Damage, or a strong content line. A 4th Job line is not automatically best, but it is no longer automatic trash.

How should I use Cursed Doll?

Use Cursed Doll as an anti-evasion PvP comparison when misses are deciding Arena or Colosseum. It should not replace the normal PvE artifact setup just because it is newer.

Guide changelog

Updates

  • - Split Cubing and Star Force priority into separate guide sections, revised Party Quest around clear-time and equipped companion bonuses, added Remnant of the Goddess, and linked Guild War back to the dedicated guide.
  • - Re-audited the content setup sections against the Shadower v1.4 sheet, corrected Chapter Hunt artifact order, restored the sheet's skill-tab order, removed passive Blood Money from active tab slots, and aligned companions, ability priorities, artifacts, and notes section by section.
  • - Updated the hero copy, removed content-header teaser copy, tightened the May 21 patch read, and added current companion / artifact checks for summon timing, Horn Flute, Peach, and Cursed Doll.
Sources referenced