Looking for an awesome bow in Skyrim? This list features the best in the game and all the details on how to get them.
The stealth archer build is one of the most popular ones in Skyrim, and for good reason. Bows allow players to do so much damage from afar without the enemy being able to react. While having the right perks to ensure damage is high and stealth is decent is a great start for such a build, having a powerful bow is really what it boils down to.
Skyrim has a whole range of bows that are decent, but some of the most powerful ones can sometimes be difficult to find or get one’s hands on. While a few of these powerful bows require the player to complete specific quests, others can be found in loot, and some can be crafted with the right perks and materials.
Updated on October 6, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Skyrim is one of the most beloved open-world games of all time that fans can’t get enough of to this day. The modding scene, numerous re-releases, and incredible gameplay variety have ensured that Bethesda’s magnum opus will be played by numerous players to this day. Players can be everything from a rough melee fighter to a spellcaster who prefers to hang back while their companion functions as a tank. Of course, players can also pursue the stealth archer build that has become so popular with players, making it important for players to acquire the best bows in Skyrim to shoot down their foes in style. 23 Orcish Bow
Base Damage: 10
Effects: None
Location/Quest: Random loot and merchants
Skyrim can be really tough in the early going, and players are bound to die at the hands of some enemies before they get a grip on things. This makes it important to acquire the best bows in Skyrim so that players can take out dangerous opponents from afar without putting themselves in harm’s way. Exploring a settlement and fulfilling quests should be more than enough for players to gain a few levels, leading to the Orcish Bow becoming a rather common spawn.
It may not seem like much, but this bow can potentially be a godsend in the early game for players who are struggling to defeat tough enemies without losing all of their health in the process. Enchanted versions of this bow may be harder to find, but a regular Orcish Bow is decent enough for players who want to understand how archery works in the early to mid-game before moving on to some of the other bows they can get their hands on.22 Bow Of The Hunt
Base Damage: 10
Effects: Animals take 20 points of extra damage
Location/Quest: On an altar at the back of Clearspring Cave
Animal hunting is valuable in the early going for players who want to loot everything in sight and attain a small fortune. While maintaining a cash flow isn’t all that important once the Dragonborn has a decent hoard of gold at their disposal, there’s nothing wrong with trying to find a way to make hunting more efficient until then. This can be achieved if players head to Clearspring Cave and find a special bow at the altar inside.
Given how some enemies in Skyrim are just wild animals with nothing to lose, it’s easy to see why the Bow of the Hunt can be useful here. In such situations, it can potentially become one of the best bows in Skyrim as long as players know what to expect from this ranged weapon. It may be replaced throughout the game, but players can always keep this bow handy if they want to hunt without any issues.21 Nord Hero Bow
Base Damage: 11
Effects: None
Location/Quest: Complete the Companions’ questline to gain access to the Skyforge
The Companions are some of the most intriguing people players will encounter in Skyrim. Going through this questline to eventually discover that everyone in this guild is a werewolf is a fun reveal, with the Dragonborn getting the opportunity to unlock this transformation not long after.
Players who see this questline to the very end will be able to forge some powerful weapons via the Skyforge, including one of the best bows in Skyrim from a cosmetic standpoint. The Nord Hero Bow may not boast of any special enchantments but is pretty fun to use in the early goings before players eventually find more valuable bows to drop enemies from the shadows.20 Elven Bow
Base Damage: 13
Effects: None
Location/Quest: Random loot and merchants
The Elven Bow may not seem all that special in the late game, but players who have struggled to gain some levels and find decent equipment will be more than pleased by the look and feel of this weapon once it starts spawning in the game world. Not only does it look pretty neat, but the Elven Bow can hit for some serious damage too.
It’s a sleek-looking bow, and finding an enchanted version of this bow feels even better. Players will eventually outgrow this weapon as they progress through the game, but the memories they’ll have of downing enemies with a single shot won’t be forgotten anytime soon.19 Firiniel’s End
Base Damage: 13
Effects: 20 frost damage
Location/Quest: Bound Until Death quest
This bow is much better than most players would think, despite its low base damage of 13 points. In addition to it, however, Firiniel’s End does frost damage for 20 points, which is a special damage type that affects both the target’s health and stamina pool. It’s also just a nice-looking bow overall.
To get it, players will have to join the Dark Brotherhood and start the quest Bound Until Death. The bow can be found on the balcony facing the wedding couple on their left and can be used to finish the assassination.18 Nordic Bow
Base Damage: 13
Effects: None
Location/Quest: None
Players with the Dragonborn DLC have a decent low-end bow in their hands: the Nordic Bow.
