Struggling to dominate Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 since the Steam Early Access launch on December 11, 2025? With the v0.18 Harbinger Update dropping Summoner, massive world events, and non-stop patches (like 0.18.2 on Dec 16), the physical meta is all about Longbow supremacy and Heavy Armor stacks. Enter Roxis (@WHOisROXIS on YouTube/Twitch)—the Alpha 2 tryhard king with 300-1,500 hours since Phase 1, streaming his Bard DPS and level 25 races on twitch.tv/whoisroxis (aka hoisto vibes).
His viral weapons and armor tier list is the bible for min-maxing PvP sieges, PvE farms, and solo grinds in the current patch. Longbow S+? Spellbook AOE god? Heavy over Light? We break it down with full skill trees, builds, meta tips, and patch-proof strategies. Perfect for Fighter/Ranger/Bard mains racing to cap before wipes. Let’s gear up and crush Verra!
Roxis: The Alpha 2 Meta Slayer
Roxis’ Disclaimer: All weapons/armor clear content—this is an S-tier sweat guide. Patches drop weekly (e.g., 0.18.1 crash fixes on Dec 12), so subscribe for updates.
Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 Weapons Tier List: Longbow & Spellbook Rule (Current Meta)
Roxis tiers on skill tree power, cleave/range, procs, and PvP/PvE fit. Universal rule: Any class uses any weapon—autos scale with physical/magical power, and damage type flips (e.g., caster longbow = magic-scaled physical damage). Post-Harbinger Meta: Physical bows own PvP (35m longbow > 30m others, anti-heal/wound procs). Axes/Maces cleave PvE packs.
| Tier | Weapons | Roxis’ Breakdown (PvP/PvE) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| S+ | Longbow, Spellbook | Longbow: BEST WEAPON. 35m range, anti-heal/wound proc, pit/group buffs (supp), or damage ramps (DPS). Clean. Spellbook: Only ranged AOE—hits 4 targets + status spread (quad poison Rogues!). | Ranger/Fighter PvP poke, Bard AOE farms |
| S | 1H/2H Axe, 2H Mace | Axes: Double base dmg perks (others 1), phys ASP/pen—BROKEN. 2H Mace: Same tree, god cleave/anims. | Melee DPS melts |
| A | 1H/2H Sword, Scepter, 1H Mace | Swords: Base dmg/ASP, insane swings/cleave/range. Scepter: Magic Mace clone—cleave feels premium. 1H Mace: Solid filler. | Versatile hybrids |
| High A | Shortbow, Wand | Shortbow: Rogue/BS/Cleric—fast projectile/poison procs. Wand: Big hits/status, finisher lock downside. | Status spam |
| B | 1H Dagger, Rapier, Spear | Daggers: Stat stick, clunky. Rapier/Spear: Weak cleave/tree—avoid. PvP sticks only. | Filler |
Offhands (1H Only): Shield S PvP (block/miti/survivability). Focus = 200-var power stick, no def.
Community Echo: Bows meta (Longbow Ranger/Fighter), Spellbook caster flex. Matches Roxis: “Longbow, no questions.”
Alpha 2 Armor Tier List: Heavy + Medium Hybrid Meta (Diminishing Returns Explained)
Light: Magic def only (5 pc amp). Bait – skip in phys meta.
Medium: Balanced (5 pc all def). S but lags heavy.
Heavy: Phys def only (5 pc amp). S+ Meta King – stack Heavy + Medium splash (diminishing returns cap phys def).
Why Heavy Dominates: Longbow phys dmg (brown icon). Swap to magic weapons = melt heavy foes. All classes flex. Community: Heavy tanks/melee, hybrid mix.
Roxis’ Weapon Skill Trees: Max Trigger/Pen/Refresh First (PvE Bleed vs PvP Wound)
Trees shared (axes same). PvE/Leveling: Bleed. PvP: Wound/Snare/Anti-heal. Core Path: Trigger Chance → Pen → Refresh Follow-Through → Crit Dmg. Respec cheap—test! Stamina Starter: Early sprint → Printing (stam-to-dist king) → Health pool.
Axes (1H/2H)
Bleed (PvE) → Trigger → Pen → Refresh → Crit Dmg → Pen/Bleed → Hit Avoid → Rushing Blows (DPS)/Inner Fire (Supp).
Daggers/Rapiers/Spears
Bleed/Wound → Trigger → Pen → Refresh → Crit Dmg → Pen → Hit Avoid → Crushing/Supp → Finisher/Deadly.
Swords (1H/2H)
Bleed/Wound → Trigger → Pen → Refresh → Crit/Chance Dmg → Pen → Trigger/Avoid → Crushing/Supp.
Maces/Scepter
Stagger/DoT → Trigger → Pen → Refresh → Crit Dmg → Pen → Trigger/Avoid → Crushing (DPS)/Supp.
Longbow (God Tree)
Wound → Pen → Refresh → Crit Dmg → Pen → Wound/Trigger → Avoid → Crushing (DPS)/CC Dur (PvP: Crit > Dur).
Shortbow
Bleed (PvE)/Snare (PvP) → Trigger → Pen → Crit Dmg → Pen → Crit Chance → Avoid → Crushing/Supp.
Wand/Spellbook (Volatile > Burning Late)
Trigger → Deadly Finisher/Base Dmg → Refresh → Finisher/Deadly → Trigger → Cataclysmic/Harvest → CDR.
Spear: Anti-heal PvP/Dmg PvE → Trigger → Supp/Dmg.
Trees “copy-paste” now—diversification incoming.
Why This Meta Crushes Alpha 2 (v0.18 Harbinger Breakdown)
Dec 11 Launch: Summoner live, Harbingers, Fishing/Duels, Destiny boards. Phys bows/Heavy rule sieges. Dim returns = Heavy/Med hybrids. Roxis predicts: Spellbook AOE vs. mob bombs.
PvE (Farms/Dungeons): Longbow/Axe cleave. Spellbook quad-proc.
PvP (Sieges/Skirms): Shield, magic swap vs. heavy. Longbow poke + anti-heal.
Roxis’ Meta Builds: Bard DPS & Fighter (Level 25 Racers)
DPS Bard (Roxis Main): Spellbook/Shortbow + Heavy/Med. Resonant buffs + AOE poison/status.
Fighter: 2H Axe/Longbow + Heavy. Bleed/Trigger PvE melts.
| Build | Weapons | Armor | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bard DPS | Spellbook (Ranged), Shortbow (Alt) | Heavy/Med Hybrid | AOE farms, group buffs |
| Fighter PvP | Longbow (Main), 2H Axe | Heavy | Poke and cleave |
