Warborne: Above Ashes thrives on build diversity, player-driven combat decisions, and high-skill expression. Among its many weapon archetypes, Firearms stand out as one of the most tactical and punishing playstyles in the game. Designed around ranged burst damage, mobility perks, and damage-over-time effects, Firearms excel at controlling the battlefield from a safe distance while steadily burning enemies down.

This guide takes a deep dive into the Firearms combat style, explaining why it’s one of the strongest kiting and harassment builds available, how it functions in both PvE and PvP scenarios, and why the Drakespike (Rare) is currently the best-in-slot choice for players looking to dominate with ranged pressure and Warborne Above Ashes Solarbite.

Understanding the Firearms Playstyle

At its core, the Firearms archetype is about precision, positioning, and pressure. Unlike melee-focused builds that rely on sustained contact or heavy armor, Firearms users win fights by never letting enemies engage on their terms.

Core Identity of Firearms

Ranged Burst DPS: High upfront damage delivered quickly.

Damage over Time (DoT): Burn effects steadily drain enemy health.

Mobility-Driven Combat: Perks and skills reward repositioning and kiting.

Low Commitment Attacks: You can deal damage without overextending.

This makes Firearms especially effective for players who prefer hit-and-run tactics, map control, and smart disengagements rather than brute-force brawling.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Firearms

Before diving into gear and optimization, it’s important to understand where Firearms shine—and where they struggle.

Strengths

Exceptional Kiting Potential: Mobility perks allow you to reposition constantly.

Safe Damage Output: You can pressure enemies without risking close combat.

Burn Damage Scaling: DoT effects punish tanky builds and healers.

Zone Control: Firearms force enemies to move, retreat, or commit poorly.

Weaknesses

Lower Sustained DPS Without Setup: Firearms rely on burst windows and burn uptime.

Punishing Mistakes: Poor positioning can lead to instant death.

Reliance on Cooldown Management: Timing matters more than raw stats.

When played correctly, Firearms feel oppressive. When misplayed, they feel fragile. Mastery comes from understanding spacing, timing, and threat management.

Firearms in PvE Content

In PvE scenarios, Firearms are one of the safest damage dealers available.

PvE Advantages

Boss Kiting: Burn damage continues ticking while you reposition.

Add Control: Ranged burst allows you to quickly remove priority targets.

Low Resource Risk: Minimal exposure reduces healing dependency.

Firearms perform particularly well in encounters that feature:

Mobile bosses

High-damage melee enemies

Environmental hazards that punish stationary play

The ability to deal consistent damage while staying mobile gives Firearms a strong niche in both solo and group PvE content.

Firearms in PvP and Open-World Combat

PvP is where Firearms truly shine.

In Warborne: Above Ashes, player-versus-player combat heavily rewards initiative and positioning, and Firearms excel at both.

PvP Strengths

Harassment Power: You can soften enemies before they even reach you.

Burn Pressure: Healing becomes less effective against sustained DoT.

Disengage Tools: Mobility perks let you reset fights on demand.

Firearms builds are especially effective in:

Skirmishes

Small-scale PvP

Open-world encounters

Objective-based fights where zone control matters

A skilled Firearms user can dictate the pace of a fight, forcing opponents to chase, retreat, or overcommit.

Best Weapon Choice: Drakespike (Rare)

Among all Firearms options currently available, Drakespike (Rare) stands out as the best overall pick.

Why Drakespike Is the Best Firearm

Drakespike perfectly complements the Firearms playstyle by enhancing its two strongest traits: burn damage and ranged harassment.

Key Advantages

Built-In Burn Damage: Adds reliable DoT to every engagement.

Excellent Range: Allows consistent pressure from a safe distance.

Harassment-Focused Design: Ideal for poking, kiting, and disengaging.

Synergy with Mobility Perks: Enables damage while repositioning.

Unlike some Firearms that focus purely on raw damage, Drakespike thrives in extended fights where attrition wins battles.

Burn Damage and Why It Matters

Burn damage is one of the most underrated mechanics in Warborne: Above Ashes.

Benefits of Burn DoT

Bypasses Defensive Play: Burn ticks regardless of enemy actions.

Punishes Healing: Forces healers to react constantly.

Scales in Extended Fights: The longer the fight, the stronger it becomes.

Forces Movement: Enemies can’t comfortably hold positions.

Drakespike’s burn application ensures that every successful hit creates lasting pressure, even if the enemy disengages or hides behind cover.

Mobility Perks and Firearms Synergy

Firearms builds live and die by movement. Fortunately, their perk ecosystem strongly supports a mobile playstyle.

Key Mobility Concepts

Shoot While Moving: Never stand still unless absolutely necessary.

Reposition After Burst: Fire once, move immediately.

Maintain Optimal Range: Stay just outside enemy engagement distance.

Mobility perks turn Firearms into a nightmare matchup for slower, heavier builds. When paired with Drakespike, mobility allows you to maintain burn uptime while avoiding retaliation.

Optimal Combat Rotation

Firearms combat isn’t about spamming attacks—it’s about controlled bursts.

General Rotation Flow

Open with Ranged Burst: Apply initial damage and burn.

Reposition Immediately: Use mobility perks to create space.

Maintain Burn Pressure: Refresh DoT before it expires.

Punish Overextension: Capitalize when enemies chase recklessly.

Disengage When Needed: Reset the fight if cooldowns are down.

This rotation keeps enemies under constant pressure while minimizing risk.

Positioning and Map Awareness

A Firearms player should always be thinking about terrain.

Positioning Tips

Fight near open sightlines

Avoid corners and tight corridors

Use elevation whenever possible

Always know your escape routes

Drakespike’s range advantage allows you to exploit terrain better than most builds, turning the battlefield itself into a weapon.

Firearms vs Other Archetypes

Against Melee Builds

Kite relentlessly

Punish gap closers with burst

Let burn damage do the work

Against Casters

Outrange where possible

Force movement with harassment

Interrupt casting windows with burst damage

Against Tanks

Burn damage is key

Avoid direct trades

Win through attrition, not brute force

Firearms don’t win through direct confrontation—they win by never giving opponents a clean fight.

Gear and Stat Priorities

While Drakespike handles your weapon slot, the rest of your gear should enhance its strengths.

Stat Focus

Ranged Damage

DoT Amplification

Cooldown Reduction

Movement Speed or Mobility Bonuses

Avoid overly defensive gear—Firearms survive by not getting hit, not by tanking damage.

Skill Ceiling and Mastery

Firearms have one of the highest skill ceilings in Warborne: Above Ashes.

Mastery comes from:

Perfect spacing

Cooldown discipline

Reading enemy intent

Knowing when to disengage

Drakespike rewards players who think several seconds ahead, planning movement and pressure rather than reacting at the last moment.

Final Thoughts

Firearms are a defining archetype in Warborne: Above Ashes, offering a fast-paced, high-skill playstyle centered around ranged burst DPS, mobility, and burn damage. For players who enjoy controlling fights from afar, outmaneuvering opponents buy WAA Solarbite, and winning through smart positioning, Firearms are one of the most satisfying builds in the game.

The Drakespike (Rare) stands as the premier choice for this archetype, perfectly amplifying everything Firearms do best—safe harassment, consistent burn pressure, and battlefield control.

If you’re willing to master movement, timing, and precision, Firearms with Drakespike will let you dominate fights without ever standing still—and in Warborne: Above Ashes, that often makes all the difference.