Hatchet is the Ranger's mobile close-combat option, not simply a smaller Longbow. Its official introduction centers on moving past attacks, returning to striking range and converting a successful counter into further pressure. Start by learning which action creates an opening and which one spends that opening.
Separate movement, defense and follow-up
| Skill | What the official profile describes |
|---|---|
| Shocking Kick | A forward kick that connects into another attack |
| Stormsplitter | Evasive hatchet strikes followed by a lightning finish |
| Wind Blade | Deflect an incoming strike, then answer with a slash that can reach distant enemies |
| Storm Chaser | Close in with consecutive strikes immediately after a counterattack lands |
| Overcharge | A power-peaking lightning state enabling a chain of explosive attacks |
The condition matters as much as the name. Storm Chaser is described after a counterattack lands; do not assume that any backward movement creates the same opportunity. Similarly, an evasive attack is not evidence that every part of its animation ignores every type of damage.
A useful way to practice the loop
Begin against an opponent whose next attack you can observe. Practice leaving the attack's path, returning to range and stopping before the next retaliation. Once that movement is reliable, inspect the counter-related actions and watch for the successful-hit condition before trying to extend them.
If you keep losing contact, think about whether your movement took you away from the target or whether the target moved during your sequence. If you keep taking hits, shorten the sequence instead of adding another attack just because an input is available. These are learning suggestions, not a claimed optimal rotation.
Choose traits for the actions you use
Hatchet has its own weapon tree. Check the relevant skill's prerequisite and the branch leading to it before committing Trait Points. A bonus for a counter-oriented action is useful only if your current play regularly creates that action's opening. Character stat points are a separate allocation and do not automatically unlock the weapon tree.
The Ranger's other weapon, Longbow, offers marked-target ranged pressure. Choosing Ranger gives you a reason to understand both roles; it does not make every Hatchet approach a ranged attack or promise unrestricted use of another class's weapons.
Read launch-era tuning correctly
The October 29 producer letter explicitly lists Hatchet among the tuned weapons. It does not give a complete new table of damage, timing or SP costs. Use the current tooltip for those details rather than copying a numerical combo from an older demo clip. The official skill roles above explain the intended decisions without claiming a top-tier ranking.
Sources
Checked 8 November 2026. Dates distinguish current fixes from earlier guidance.