Skyrimis a game of exploration. To survive in this game, you have to keep your focusand stay calm amidst the chaos of any battle.
A majestic sensation runs through your body as the arrow hits rightly on the target. For that to happen, you need to equip the best Skyrim bow that you can find. These Skyrim bows make a lot of difference in your Skyrim game. Wondering are the best Skyrim bows that you can discover? Read on to know.
Scoped Bows is a mode that adds zones in the most accessible way. The design of these arches is very similar to all other Dunmer creations, so they fit very well with Skyrim. Mod adds a total of 32 arches to the game, giving you a wide variety and many more options to complete your archery experience. Check Out This Mod. Scoped Bows is a mod that adds scopes in the most lore-friendly way possible. The design of these bows looks very much like any other creation made by the Dunmer, so it does fit quite nicely into Skyrim. The mod adds a total of 32 bows into the game, which gives you plenty of variety and many more options to complement your. I wasn't a big fan of crossbows to begin with, but I sure did enjoy that thing. I am unsure if it was vanilla or a mod. As for the other bows, the best I have seen do some amazing things with your quiver and shootin' mechanics, but that might be too much to deal with according to your post. Good luck finding the perfect mod.
1. Stalhrim Bow
InSkyrim, the bow has two uses: one as a weapon for long-range attack, and as abashing weapon during close combat like this one. Stalhrim bow has theadvantage of absorbing strength from other Stalhrim crafted items. Thus, youcan recharge your weapon’s ability. Stalhrim can easily be found in many commonareas of the game.
Theonly disadvantage of this bow is low speed.
Where to find: You can quickly loot it from any of the chests. Glover Mallory maintains vast stock. Try creating one by completing ‘A New Source of Stalhrim’ quest.
Base Damage: 17 Encumbrance: 15 Speed: 0.56 arrows/sec
2. Dragonbone Bow
Dragonbone Bow undoubtedly has the credit of highest base damage. With just a single shot you can knock down anything. It creates maximum damage on your enemy. When you have a smiting level of 100, you can get this bow. This bow works exceedingly well on your magicka enemies.
Sometimes it takes a longer time to get a dragonbone bow. However, do not lose heart as it is worth the wait. However, you must also note that it is heavier than most of the bows but very effective. A good bow like a dragonbone bow can help you climb up levels faster and safer.
Base Damage: 20 Rate of damage per second: 15
3. Glass Bow
Whilepicking a bow, you must consider the damage rate and speed per second. Also, while playing the game, you should use yoursmithing level for obtaining the best bow and always try to max out thesmithing levels. Though rated only as of the second best, the glass bow has aspeed advantage. It has a speed of 0.625 arrows per second when compared withthe Stalhrim. You can quickly loot it from enemies as it is a commonly used bowin Skyrim.
Base damage: 15 Encumbrance weight: 14
4. Zephyr
InSkyrim, Zephyr is one of the most tranquil high-level weapons you can use. Theeffectiveness of any bow is proven by the damage caused in its first shot. Zephyr’s damage rate is ranked the highest inSkyrim. The speed of Zephyr is popular. It will work miracles if you hone your Skyrim skills. You have to enterthe Lost to the Ages quest. Here, look for Katria’s indications and seek thebow.
Rate of damage per second: 22.12
5. Nightingale Bow
What charms you while using the Nightingale bow is the frost and shock damage. However, ensure that you have crossed at least the 46th level to get the best version of the bow. Only after this level, you get the best damage and a weightless version. For a beginner, forsworn bows are ideal while playing the initial levels.
Once you are comfortable with this, you can handle a nightingale bow efficiently. Try completing the ‘Blindsighted’ quest and earn the bow from Karliah.
6. Dwarven Black Bow of Fate
Thisbow has excellent damage dealing capacity. Chances of getting a Dwarven blackbow is equivalent to how RNG works during the game. Consider yourself lucky toget this bow and increase your winning chances at each level. With each shoot,you can absorb close to 20 stamina or health. To obtain the bow, go to theKagrumez gate, and collect all the resonance gems there. It will lead to the bow’s location.
Base Damage: 13 Rate of damage per second: 9.7
7. Daedric Bow
As a beginner, you need a bow with good damage and low weight. The daedric bow would be the right choice. It has low speed suitable for starters, so try to get the enchanted version of the bow which can be found in chests or legendary dragons. You can earn this bow after reaching level 47. Besides, a player should also specialize in where to search for these weapons correctly, do not leave any chest unseen.
You have good chances of landing upon a Daedric. Selecting a conventional bow like this one can help you, especially when your fighting skills are low. You can plan an imminent attack on enemies using a Daedric bow. You can loot it from a dead archer or also buy it from the black market. When having a smithing skill of 90, you can get this.
Base Damage: 19 Speed: 0.5 arrows per second
8. Firiniel’s End
Theenchantment of Firiniel’s conclusion is quite impressive. When you want to ripthe opponent of his energy, the bow comes handy. However, remember that you canscore more only when the damage output of the bow is high.
Onedrawback of Firiniel’s end bow is that it has weak damage base. To get the bow,complete the Dark Brotherhood quest and subsequently, Gabriella will help youget the bow.
9. Auriel’s Bow
Themost tiresome part of Skyrim can be easily handled when you have Auriel’sBow. Have you ever encountered theDraugr who is tough to get rid of? Such enemy types quickly exhaust your healthand weapon stock. Auriel’s bow serves as the right solution for thisissue. It has perfect enchantment stats.
Youwould find it easy to remove those undead enemies out of your way. The looks ofAuriel’s bow is stylish. What is so special about Skyrim is that even if youget a mediocre bow, you can improve its enchantment. That way you can make evena below-average bow work great in your fight. Sun hallowed arrows work wellwith Auriel’s bow.
Base Damage: 13 Rate of damage per second: 13
10. Glass Bow Of The Stag Prince
Thisis a type of glass bow and is right in terms of enchantment as well as damage.You should be shroud enough to get this bow at the earliest. For every twentyanimals you kill using the bow, your health and stamina goes up by 5. Use the‘Bound bow’ spell which you can get even during the initial stages of the game.
Asimple secret is that the material of the bow upgrades its performance. You canimprove the bow using grindstones, firewoods, or blacksmiths. This willincrease its power and prolong its usage for the maximum number of levels. Youcan buy it from Ramshackle trading post. Try with Falas Selvayn.
Damage:16 Rate of damage per second: 10
Conclusion
Try to grab the best Skyrim bow as early as you can in your game. As you move on to higher levels, there are plenty of options to upgrade/reconfigure your weapons. What are you waiting for then?
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.
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.
Read also: Best Houses In Skyrim: Top 7 Ranking Of Houses You Can Buy
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
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
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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.
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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?
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.
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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?