Archer
KTD Archer artwork.png
Artwork of Archer Kirby from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Details
First game Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2014)
Latest game Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022, reference)
Other game(s) Kirby Fighters Deluxe
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby Fighters 2
Usage type Unlimited use
Obtained from Spynum
amiibo (Kirby: Planet Robobot): Pit, Dark Pit, Duck Hunt
Power(s) Shoots enemies with arrows from a long distance.
Similar to Cupid, Ranger
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Wait for the right moment, and open fire. Hide in the shadows, and become a Sharpshooter! Your precision aiming will let you hit a small target from long distance.
— Kirby: Triple Deluxe pause caption

Archer is a Copy Ability which gives Kirby a bow and arrow with which to sharp-shoot his foes with from a distance. The ability was first introduced in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, where it can be obtained by swallowing the enemy Spynum. Unlike with the relatively slow and clunky Cupid ability, Archer Kirby can shoot rapid-fire volleys of fast and straight-flying arrows from one end of the screen to the other. In addition, Kirby can carefully angle his arrows for a more precise hit, and can also charge them up to create powerful penetrating projectiles. Other moves include the ability to slash with an arrow like a sword at close quarters or don camouflage to avoid enemy attacks.

When Kirby gains the Archer ability, he obtains a fancy purple hat with a white trim and a big yellow feather sticking out the back. His bow is red with a star insignia in the center, and his arrows are silver-tipped with golden-brown shafts. Since its debut, Archer has only appeared one other time in the main series (in Kirby: Planet Robobot), with the rest of its appearances being in the Kirby Fighters games.

Overview and movesetEdit

Have you tried the new Archer ability yet? Doesn’t Kirby look charming wearing a fashionable hat while sniping enemies with arrows? The Archer ability enables three levels of attacks depending on the amount of power you charge up: the Shot, Snipe Shot, and Magic-Star Arrow. You can also use Arrow Slash to attack enemies up close. Kirby using his Hitman attack while hiding behind a bush is quite a sight, too! For the Archer ability, inhale a Spynum before it hits you!
— Satoshi Ishida, Miiverse post on 05/23/2014 9:18 AM

Since its debut in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Archer has remained more or less consistent in its look and functionality. Archer Kirby's moveset allows him to shoot different types of arrows in various patterns. He can also swing his arrows in close quarters or camouflage himself with a cardboard cutout colored in crayon. Archer Kirby's full moveset is as follows (excluding minor changes made in Kirby Fighters 2, detailed in a separate table below):

Archer moveset for Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Kirby Fighters Deluxe, and Kirby: Planet Robobot
while facing right
Skill Image Button Execution Description
Shot
B
Kirby fires an arrow straight forwards which flies until it leaves the screen or hits something.
Snipe Shot
Hold B to charge, and then release
Kirby charges up and releases a more powerful arrow.
Magic-Star Arrow
Hold B longer before releasing
After charging up further, Kirby releases a magical comet-like arrow that can pass through enemies it hits.
Sharpshooter
While holding B, press either of ↨
While prepping a Shot, Snipe Shot, or Magic-Star Arrow, Kirby can aim up or down for more precision.
Sky Shot
↑ + B
Kirby fires an arrow straight above him which flies until it leaves the screen or hits something.
Sky-Shot Shower
Press ↑ and then hold B, and then release
After charging up, Kirby shoots a powerful arrow above him that then splits into four and rains down in a small perimeter around himself, two on either side of him.
Arrow Slash
Dash + B
Kirby quickly slashes twice using an arrow while stepping forward, damaging foes up close.
Leaping Quiver
Dash jump + B in midair
While in the air, Kirby shoots three arrows diagonally downward very quickly.
Camouflage
Kirby hides behind a makeshift cardboard cutout meant to resemble an environmental object. While camouflaged, Kirby cannot be harmed by most attacks (not as effective in the Kirby Fighters games). Each time Kirby uses this move, the object he hides behind will be different (more details in the next table).
Hitman
B while camouflaged
Kirby shoots an arrow straight forward while still hiding under his camouflage. This arrow travels close to the ground.
Crawl
Either of ↔ while camouflaged
Kirby can slowly waddle left or right while holding his camouflage.

When Archer Kirby uses his Camouflage, the object he hides behind can be a number of different things chosen at random (similar to the Stone transformations in many games). These are as follows:

Camouflage forms  
Form Name Description Form Name Description

Grass
A green bush 犬たまご
Inutamago
The HAL logo

Flowers
A green bush with pink flowers King Dedede[conjectural title] A picture of King Dedede
(Not in Kirby: Planet Robobot)
樹木
Tree
A short tree デデデでデンZ
Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe[derived from Japanese]
A picture of King Dedede,
styled from Dedede's Drum Dash
(Kirby: Planet Robobot exclusive)

Rock
A large rock タランザ
Taranza
A picture of Taranza
(Kirby: Planet Robobot exclusive)
星ブロック
Star Block
A Star Block カンパニーロゴ
Company Logo
The Haltmann Works Company logo
(Kirby: Planet Robobot exclusive)
Japanese names taken from Kirby: Planet Robobot Official Nintendo Guidebook. English names and translations are unofficial.

Game appearancesEdit

Archer Kirby's video game appearances  
Game Role Notes
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Copy Ability Obtainable from Spynum.
Also selectable in Kirby Fighters.
Kirby Fighters Deluxe Playable character Selectable in all game modes.
Comes with an unlockable Rare Hat.
Kirby: Planet Robobot Copy Ability Obtainable from Spynum.
Kirby Fighters 2 Playable character Selectable in all game modes after reaching Fighters Rank 28.
Comes with two unlockable Rare Hats.
Kirby's Dream Buffet Reference A collectible Character Treat featuring Archer Kirby appears.

Kirby: Triple DeluxeEdit

 
Archer Kirby charging up a Magic-Star Arrow against Coily Rattler in Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Archer makes its debut in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, and can be obtained from the enemy Spynum. There are a number of puzzles in this game which specifically require the use of the Archer ability and involves the player tilting the Nintendo 3DS to line a pathway for Kirby's arrows.

Archer is also available as one of the abilities in the sub-game Kirby Fighters.

Kirby Fighters DeluxeEdit

Archer is one of the available Copy Abilities which can be selected in Kirby Fighters Deluxe. It functions identically to the way it did in Kirby Fighters. Additionally, an unlockable Rare Outfit for Archer Kirby can be obtained in this game, which gives him a green hat with upward-facing frills and a different bow with a largely green coloration.

Kirby: Planet RobobotEdit

 
Archer Kirby firing a Magic-Star Arrow in Kirby: Planet Robobot

Archer returns in Kirby: Planet Robobot, and is still supplied by Spynum. Aside from gaining a few new Camouflage forms, it is unchanged from its appearance in Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby Fighters 2Edit

 
Archer Kirby (wearing a Rare Hat) using Leaping Quiver on a rival Parasol Kirby in Kirby Fighters 2

Archer returns in Kirby Fighters 2, playing largely the same way it did in its previous appearance. It is unlocked for use by the player upon reaching Fighters Rank 28. This game also features two Rare Hats for the ability, those being the Hunter's Hat (unlocked at Rank 64) and the Cyber Hat (unlocked at Rank 92). Choosing the Cyber Hat also replaces the cardboard Camouflage cutouts with holographic equivalents.

For more precise competitive-oriented information on the Archer ability in Kirby Fighters 2, see Mizuumi Wiki's page.

MovesetEdit

Archer moveset in Kirby Fighters 2  
Skill Button Execution Description Damage (unmodified)
Shot
Press and release B
Kirby shoots an arrow straight forward. 12
Snipe Shot
Hold B to charge, then release
Kirby shoots a more powerful arrow which passes through opponents and other objects, but not walls. 16
Magic-Star Arrow
Hold B longer before releasing
Kirby shoots a powerful magic missile that passes through opponents and other objects, but not walls. 32
Sharpshooter
While holding B, move ↑/↓
Kirby can aim his bow up or down while holding an arrow to shoot. N/A
Sky Shot
↑ + press and release B
Kirby fires an arrow straight upward. 20
Sky-Shot Shower
Move ↑ and hold B to charge, then release
After charging up, Kirby shoots a magic arrow into the sky that then splits into four and rains down in a small perimeter around himself. 26 (main arrow)
22 (energy streams)
Arrow Slash
Dash + B
Kirby pulls out an arrow and swipes opponents with it at melee range. After the first swipe, he steps forward and performs a second. 8 (first hit)
12 (second hit)
Leaping Quiver
Dash + B in midair
Kirby fires three arrows in rapid succession diagonally downward. 12 (first arrow)
7 (second arrow)
7 (third arrow)
Camouflage
Kirby hides behind a cardboard cut-out with crayon drawing on the front resembling a background object. He can still take damage, but has a lower profile. N/A
Hitman
B while camouflaged
Kirby shoots a low-to-the-ground arrow, and can shoot them very rapidly. 10
Crawl
Move ←/→ while camouflaged
Kirby shuffles slowly to the left or right, keeping his low profile in the process. N/A

Kirby's Dream BuffetEdit

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Archer Kirby is depicted alongside Fighter Kirby on the "Archer vs. Fighter" Character Treat, using artwork from Kirby Fighters Deluxe. Archer does not appear as an ability in Kirby's Dream Buffet itself.

Flavor textEdit

Image Game Flavor text
  Kirby: Triple Deluxe Wait for the right moment, and open fire. Hide in the shadows, and become a Sharpshooter! Your precision aiming will let you hit a small target from long distance.
  Kirby Fighters Deluxe American English:

Wait for the right moment, and open fire. Hide in the shadows, and become a Sharpshooter! Use precision aiming to fire upward, across, and diagonally.

British English:
Wait for the right moment, then open fire. Hide in the shadows, and become a Sharpshooter! Use precision aiming to fire upward, across, and diagonally.

  Kirby: Planet Robobot Wait for the right moment, and open fire. Hide in the shadows, and become a Sharpshooter! Your precision aiming will let you shoot through tight spots.

TriviaEdit

 
Early sketch art of roles for Team Kirby Clash, including a scrapped role based on Archer

GalleryEdit

VideosEdit

Official Kirby Portal video showcasing Archer

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning
Japanese スナイパー
Sunaipā
Sniper
Traditional Chinese 狙擊手
jū jī shǒu
Sniper
Simplified Chinese 狙击手
jū jī shǒu
Dutch Boogschutter Archer
French Archer Archer
German Bogenschütze Archer
Italian Arciere Archer
Korean 스나이퍼
Seunaipeo
Sniper
Portuguese Arqueiro Archer
Russian Лучник
Luchnik
Archer
Spanish Arquero Archer