Have you ever wanted the best bow in Skyrim? Well, of course, you have! Today I am going to be showing you the best five bows in the Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and how to get them. So whether you are trying to play a Dark Elf archer assassin or just a plain old ranged specialist, this bow list is for you.
Oh and if you decide to become a mage halfway through, check out our list of the best mage armors in Skyrim.
Table of Contents
5. Auriel’s Bow
Fifth on the list is Auriel’s Bow.
As far as bows go in Skyrim, Auriel’s doesn’t do a tremendous amount of damage. But the damage isn’t why its on the list. Instead, the fact that it can destroy undead as quick as you can nock your bow is why it made the list.
Anyone having trouble dealing with Dragur in Skyrim will no longer have this problem after acquiring Auriel’s Bow.
How to Get: The bow is acquired in the Inner Sanctum within Forgotten Vale. It is obtained at the end of “Touching the Sky,” after defeating Arch-Curate Vyrthur.
Damage: 13
Speed: Fast.
4. Daedric Bow
The Daedric bow is probably the best-looking and most aesthetically pleasing bow in all of Skyrim. It also does the most damage of all bows in vanilla Skyrim.
For any wannabe archer, the Daedric bow is definitely on the collector’s list. I normally keep one of these in my inventory at all times, mainly because you never know when you wanna roleplay a Daedric warlord.
How to Get: To acquire the Daedric bow you can get it from the following fixed locations:
- Niranye in Windhelm often sells enchanted bows after level 47 once she is available as a fence.
- Tonilia in Riften often sells both unenchanted and enchanted bows after level 47.
- Brood Cavern, one by a dead archer, available after level 47.
- An enchanted bow may be found on the counter in Syndus‘ shop in The Ragged Flagon after level 47.
- Can be bought by the Black Market spell.
Otherwise, you can start finding Daedric bows around level 46-47.
Damage: 19
Speed: Very Fast
3. Dwarven Crossbow
In terms of raw damage, no bow in Skyrim is going to come close to the Dwarven Crossbow. This crossbow is the highest damage crossbow, and therefore bow, in Skyrim.
There is an enhanced version of the crossbows which ignores 50% of the enemy’s armor. Needless to say, this is the crossbow you want to have. One-shotting even heavily armored combatants with a crossbow is the most fun someone can have with their pants on.
The crossbows were introduced in the Dawnguard DLC so if you want to wield one of these bad boys in battle you are going to need to purchase that (but who doesn’t have it?).
How to Get: To acquire the enhanced dwarven crossbow you will need to complete the “Ancient Technology” quests and talk to Sorine Jurard who will sell them and can teach you how to smith them.
Damage: 22 (Plus armor piercing)
Speed: Extremely Slow
2. Nightingale Bow
The Nightingale bow in Skyrim is the roleplaying archer’s dream. A bow gifted by Nocturnal herself? Yes, please!
Besides the RP potential this bow has, it is also an extremely powerful bow to use. It has the same damage as a Daedric bow but has powerful enchantments that allow it to freeze and shock enemies. This gives it an ever-so-slight edge over the Daedric bow.
How to Get: The Nightingale bow is a reward given to the Dragonborn by Karliah after they complete the Thieves Guild quest “Blindsighted.”
Damage: 19
Speed: Very Fast
1. Dragonbone Bow
Besides Karliah’s bow (a bow you can only get by using console commands) the Dragonbone bow is the highest damage bow in Skyrim.
The Dragonbone bow is also a great addition to any RPer’s collection of Dragon based armor and equipment. Nothing says “badass” more than a bow made from the spine of your enemies.
How to Get: One of the Keepers in the Soul Cairn uses this bow and Dragonbone Arrows in combat. The Dragonbone bow, as well as some arrows, can be looted from it at once the Dragonborn is level 45.
Damage: 20
Speed: Fast
Honorable Mention – Bound Bow
The Bound bow is one of the strongest in the game, having the same base damage as the Daedric bow, and has the unique benefit of being available extremely early in the game. Because the only requirement to get this bow is conjuration, some players can have this powerful Skryim bow as soon as they can afford to buy it from a mage.
Because it technically isn’t a bow, and there are those that don’t like to level conjuring, I list this as an honorable mention.
Personally I always go some in conjuration (especially when joining the Dark Brotherhood) but I can understand why some might not end up getting it.
How to Get: Purchase the tome from any of these merchants.
Damage: 18 (24 if you get the Mystic Binding Perk)
Speed: Fast.
