Skyrim allows everyone to freely customize their character’s build and what their main type of weapon should be. If you prefer range attacks, you may have to look for the best bows in Skyrim.
We’ve listed a number of bows you should consider for your character. It is not ranked according to which is the best, but a general top 10 for you to check out. The damage and the rate of fire are the main factors taken into consideration.
- The Huntsman is the only weapon that fits your description, I think. However, these simple bow mods are pretty good: Better bows, Unique Bows, this looks nice, too. Can't find any other decent bows, other than already mentioned.
- A quick collection of some of the best Archery mods, looking to make Skyrim combat even more fun and challenging! Mods: -Elemental Archery (0:29) -Exploding.
The bow can be obtained during the quest “Forbidden Legend” where it is dropped by Sigdis in Geirmund’s Hall. Finding the bow after level 36 will give you the best version of the bow. There you have it! The list of best bows in Skyrim. The game has bows to suit all kinds of players and their styles. For The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on the Xbox One, a GameFAQs message board topic titled 'Favorite bow mods'.
In other words, a bow with a high damage per second (DPS) is one you should look out for. Of course, you may want to take into account enchantments as well.
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1. Stalhrim Bow
The first on the list is Stalhrim, which is a bow commonly found in many areas. It has a frost damage which becomes stronger if you place the bow with other items crafted from stalhrim. The base damage is 17 and its encumbrance is 15.
It has the speed of 0.56 arrows per second, meaning it’s pretty slow compared to some of the other bows.
How to get it:
You can actually buy the bow from Baldor Iron-Shaper in Skaal Village, Glover Mallory in Raven Rock or even as a random loot in chests.
You can also create one with a smithing level of 80 and the Ebony Smithing perk. To unlock such smithing capability, you have to complete the relevant quest called “A New Source of Stalhrim“.
2. Glass Bow
Next on the list of best bows in Skyrim is the Glass Bow. It has a base damage of 15 and an encumbrance (weight) of 14. It has a lower base damage than the Stalhrim but it is slightly faster with a speed of 0.625.
How to get it:
There are plenty of ways to get it including buying it from general goods merchants, taking it from other enemies you kill, or even in loot chests.
You can also craft it when you have a smithing level of 70 and the Glass smithing perk.
3. Nightingale Bow
The Nightingale Bow is more unique as it’s a quest reward from the Thieves Guild. The damage and weight of the bow together with the enchantment level depends on the level of your character when you obtained the bow.
This means if you get it when you’re level 10, the bow is at its weakest stats. To be safe, only do the quest after you’re level 46 and you’ll get the best possible version of the Nightingale bow. The enchantments are basically frost and shock damage.
How to get this bow:
Complete the quest “Blindsighted” and you’ll be given this bow by Karliah.
4. Gauldur Blackbow
Like Nightingale, this Gauldur Blackbow is also dependent on level. If you find the bow when you’re above level 36, you will get the best stats available.
Assuming you got the best version, the damage is 14 and the weight is 18, which is average. However, it has a much faster firing rate of 0.875, making it a decent bow.
How to find it:
You can obtain this bow during the quest Forbidden Legend, where it will be dropped by Sigdis in Geirmund’s Hall.
5. Firiniel’s End
Firiniel’s End is also a quest related bow and has a base damage of 13 with a weight of 12. Its speed is around 0.687, which isn’t too impressive as well. That said, many bows are weaker.
The enchantment to this bow deals frost damage to the health and stamina of enemies.
How to get it:
You have to start the quest Bound Until Death (which is a Dark Brotherhood quest). The bow is attainable both during or after the quest, at the balcony of Castle Dour, Solitude.
6. Daedric Bow
Next on the list is Daedric Bow, which is one of the best bows in the game. It has a pretty high damage of 19 and a weight of 18. Unfortunately, it’s slow, with a speed of just 0.5.
The Daedric Bow resembles a recurve bow, one you normally see in archery competitions.
How to find it:
For unenchanted versions, you can get it from chests or by revered or legendary dragons. For enchanted ones, you can get them after you have reached level 47, at Windhelm (Niranye), Riften (Tonilia) or even at The Ragged Flagon (Syndus).
You can also attain it from the Brood Cavern (from a dead archer) or even be bought by a black market spell.
This bow can also be crafted with a level 90 smithing skill and the Daedric smithing perk.
7. Zephyr
Zephyr is a Dwarven bow that is attainable during a quest. It has a 14 base damage and a weight of 10. It’s quite light and fires really fast, at the speed of 1.0.
It actually has one of the highest DPS in Skyrim, making it a really useful bow for archers.
How to get it:
You have to do the quest Lost to the Ages where Katria (Nord ghost) herself will tell you where she died. The bow is still at the end of the log and you have to walk carefully to pick it up. You can’t use a spell to grab it.
8. Auriel’s Bow
This bow is an ancient artifact and is attained from one of the main quests, Touching the Sky.
It has a pretty decent attack of 13 and a weight of 11. That said, it’s speed is also 1.0, which means it has a high DPS, just behind Zephyr. The bow also has an enchantment which deals sun damage, and triples the damage if the enemy is an undead.
How to find it:
You have to get it at the Inner Sanctum within the Forgotten Vale. It’s attained at the end of the quest (Touching the Sky), after you defeat the Arch-Curate Vyrthur.
9. Ebony Bow
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Next on the list is Ebony Bow, which is commonly used among higher level players. It isn’t a quest related weapon, so you can get it in many places.
This bow has a high base damage of 17 and a weight of 16. It is pretty slow, with a speed of 0.56.
How to obtain this bow:
You can get it anywhere in Skyrim once you have reached levels 36 (for unenchanted) and 37 (for enchanted). You can also get it at blacksmiths, general goods merchants, enemies or even as a random loot.
This bow can also be crafted with a level 80 smithing skill and the Ebony smithing perk.
10. Dragonbone Bow
The last bow featured here is the Dragonbone Bow and it’s also the bow with the highest base damage (if you exclude Karliah’s bow). It has the damage of 20 and the weight of 20.
With its weight, it’s surprisingly fast as it has a speed of 0.75. This means its DPS is also pretty impressive.
How to get this bow:
In Soul Cairn, there’s a keeper who uses this bow along with Dragonbone arrows.
Another way is to craft it but it requires a level 100 smithing skill and the Dragon armor perk.
Best Bows In Skyrim?
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If you had to choose one bow, which would the best option for an archer? Many people actually favor the Dragonbone Bow because of its high damage and since it requires the maximum smithing level, it’s bound to be pretty strong.
The Zephyr is also a pretty good bow in Skyrim even if the base damage is average, as it has one of the highest DPS due to its firing rate.
What are your thoughts? What’s your favorite bow in Skyrim?
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