InNo Rest for the Wicked, diving into the game for the first time can be extremely challenging, but the right build can make the difference between thriving and barely scraping by In this guide for the brutal Action RPG, we’ll take a look at one of theearly-game buildsthat can help you get started and support you on your journey.
No Rest For the Wicked Archer Build
Unlike most RPGs,No Rest for the Wickeddoesn’t use a class system that determines your initial attribute spread. Instead, you start with 10 points in each attribute, and your build will depend on how you allocate your points as you level up.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a build that usesDexterityas the main stat—an early-gameArcher builddesigned for levels 1–10.
Gear and Spells
For theArcher build,we’ll be using theShort Bowas our main weapon in the offhand slot. This build emphasizes a different playstyle—rather than relying on your main-hand weapon, you’ll prioritize using your offhand bow.
That said, you’ll still need a main-hand weapon to generateFocusfor your arrow shots. For this, we’ll be using aone-handed knifeweapon.
The Bow, being an offhand weapon, cannot be used for standard attacks. All bow attacks costFocus, making it essential to have a melee weapon to parry or land hits in order to generateFocus.
The bow comes withtworunespellsby default:
In the early game, you can leave the remaining two rune slots on the Short Bow empty and fill them later as you progress. This build benefits from havingeight spell slots—double the usual four—giving you the option to include various support spells.
No Rest For the Wicked Cleric Build
Getting started in No Rest for the Wicked isn’t easy—but the right build can set you up for success. This guide covers a powerful starter setup to carry you through the early game.
For themain-hand weapon, we’ll be using theHunter’s Knife, a fast one-handed weapon.
Since the knife serves as a secondary weapon, it’s fine to leave the remaining spell slots open or fill them with support runes likeStamina WellspringorRepairfor added utility during exploration.
Armor Pieces
For armor, we recommend theWretched Archerleather set in the early game, as it keeps yourequip loadlow. The goal is to maintain aNormal Weight Classso you can dodge effectively without being slowed down.
While it’s possible to equip heavier armor like theMesh set, doing so will push you into theHeavy Weight Class, which reduces mobility and undermines the build’s strengths. Only use heavier armor if you’re comfortable with the slower roll.
Enchantments and Affixes
For the enchantments onthe pieces of gear, we’re going to wantaffixesthat are going to help us deal with managingbecause the bow is soFocus-pointdependent when using it. Ideally, we’ll want to search for affixes such as additional gain and reducedFocuscost on our equipment.
HavingFocus efficiencyas a priority will enable you to shoot off your arrows easily so that you can use the bow to its full potential while keeping you at a distance from enemies.
For curses, avoid affixes that hinder your resource efficiency—like higher ability costs, combat drain, or slower recovery. These significantly weaken the build, so it’s best to re-roll them if the gear is worth keeping, or swap to a different piece altogether.
Early in the game, ring options are limited and based on drops, but the ideal choice is aRune Ring:
Another strong option is anAgility Ring, which increases movement speed and reduces stamina costs—perfect for enhancing an agile playstyle.
Forgems, even though you won’t find many to infuse into your gear at this stage of the game, you’ll want to prioritize ones that bolster your Focus stat—Chipped Jewels, in particular—as increasing your Focus pool will allow you to fire off more arrow shots.
Other useful gems to look out for include theChipped Topaz, which increases Focus gain, and theChipped Moon Stone, which regenerates Focus during combat. Infusing these will make managing your Focus points much easier and make the build more comfortable to use overall.
In the early game, you can either infuse the gems you find or save them for later, as they aren’t essential to the build just yet.
Consumables
While there are no must-have consumables for this build, some items are particularly helpful early:
Stat Allocation
As mentioned, this build focuses onDexterity, but don’t dump all points into it. A balanced stat distribution is essential in the early game.
A good approach per level-up:
This way, you’re not too fragile and can still function well in combat.
By level 10, aim for:
This gives you around120 HP,60+ Stamina, and150 Focus, which are solid baselines for survival, combat endurance, and frequent bow usage.
Also, aim to keep yourmaximum Equip Load around 200to avoid entering the Heavy class.
Final Thoughts
No Rest for the Wickedcan be punishing if you start with a weak setup. ThisArcher buildprovides a solid foundation for the early game, but it requires practice and awareness.
Keep in mind: using the bow as a primary weapon plays very differently from other styles. You’ll still need to land melee hits to gain Focus, and mastering parry timing is essential—each successful parry grants 100 Focus, enough to eliminate most enemies with your bow.
No Rest For The Wicked Gauntlets Build
This guide showcases a build for No Rest for the Wicked players hitting level 11, designed to carry you through the mid-game with strength and versatility.
If you struggle to dodge, consider switching toFast Weight Classby using even lighter armor. This enables faster rolls and lets you reposition more easily—critical for getting in a few knife hits to recover Focus before returning to ranged combat.
So, this wraps up my guide to putting together theArcher buildforNo Rest for the Wicked. I hope you find this guide helpful on your journey through the island of Sacra. If you have any more tips you would like to add or share or additional questions, please leave them in the comments below!!
