The Best Bows in Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Dominic Anderson February 19, 2024

In Tears of the Kingdom, you explore Hyrule and encounter various weapons. Some are intended to be wielded in the main hand, while others are secondary weapon types.

Bows are secondary weapons that pair well with two-handed or one-handed weapons. As a ranged weapon, a bow specializes in dealing damage to foes from a distance, keeping you out of the reach of melee enemies.

Tears of the Kingdom features many different bows, each with different stats and effects. Read on to learn about the different bows and which are the most worthwhile to get.

Bows in Tears of the Kingdom Explained

You obtain more powerful bows as you get stronger and progress in the game. In the beginning, you can acquire basic wooden bows that deal a small amount of damage, while later in the game, bows have special effects that can come in handy in various situations and against different mobs. You can also use the Fuse ability to customize your bows and arrows. If you don’t know the specific bow’s damage, look at the number at the bottom right corner of the item.

Here is a list of every bow in Tears of the Kingdom ranked by their base damage (shown in brackets):

Old Wooden Bow (4) – This bow is used for hunting.
Wooden Bow (4) – Suitable for hunting small animals.
Boko Bow (4), Spiked Boko Bow (12), Dragonbone Boko Bow (24) – Versions of Boko Bow. Each upgraded bow gets more power and durability.
Construct Bow (5), Strong Construct Bow (11), Mighty Construct Bow (24) – Sturdier than wooden ones and fireproof. The Mighty Bow is more durable than the other two and harder to draw.
Traveler’s Bow (5) – Low damage and durability.
Swallow Bow (8) – You can draw out this weapon faster than other bows, which can be helpful in challenging situations.
Lynel Bow (10×3), Mighty Lynel Bow (20×3), Savage Lynel Bow (32×3) – This one can fire multiple shots dealing damage to more than one enemy. The Savage upgrade can deal much damage to foes wearing thick armor.
Phrenic Bow (10) – Suitable for distant and close enemies.
Demon King’s Bow (12-60) – The damage of this bow depends on how many hearts you have.
Duplex Bow (14×2) –Yiga Clan members use this bow, which fires two shots stunning the enemy.
Soldier’s Bow (14) – A standard wooden bow, which you should avoid using near fire.
Falcon Bow (14) – This bow has an increased fire rate.
Lizal Bow (14), Strengthened Lizal Bow (25), Steel Lizal Bow (36) – A wooden bow strengthened with fish bones. The updated version deals almost twice as much damage as the standard one, while the Steel one is more robust and has increased durability.
Forest Dweller’s Bow (15×3) – Fires three arrows with each attack.
Zora Bow (20) – Not that strong, but highly durable.
Gerudo Bow (25) – Made for attacking distant targets while hunting.
Knights Bow (26) – Very reliable and durable.
Great Eagle Bow (28×3) – Great for attacking multiple foes since it fires three arrows, each dealing plenty of damage.
Dusk Bow (30) – Shoots long-range arrows and is one of the most substantial bows in the game.
Zonaite Bow (30) – Arrow distance depends on how much you charge the bow.
Royal Bow (38) – Showcases significant damage and combat skills.
Royal Guard’s Bow (50) – Highest base damage but has low durability.

The Strongest Bows in Tears of the Kingdom

Although some bows have higher base damage than others, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are stronger. While base damage should be considered when searching for a specific bow, other effects must be considered. Let’s look at some of the most powerful bows.

Dusk Bow

You can acquire the Princess’ bow early in the game, which is helpful since this weapon can deal powerful damage to enemies. It has 30 base damage, 40 durability, and 40 range, making it suitable for long-range attacks. To obtain the Dusk Bow, you have to find the Hyrule Castle:

Go to Skyview Tower.
Launch towards the Hyrule Castle.
Find the Sanctum when you land.
Go up the stairs to find the Throne Room.
Use Ascend to avoid gloom damage.
Search for the bow in the top tower.

Alternative ways of obtaining Dusk Bows are:

Purchasing it after it breaks at Bargain Statues with Poes.
Wait for the Blood Moon to reset the item and return to Hyrule Castle.

Savage Lynel Bow

This bow is one of the best you can acquire in the game. It’s best used against multiple enemies at close range since it fires three shots. It has 20 range and 45 durability. Savage Lynel Bow is deadly since its arrows pierce any armor. As the name suggests, it can be acquired by locating and defeating a Lynel, whom you can find around Hyrule Fields and Central Hyrul Depths.

Royal Guard’s Bow

With the highest base damage in the game, Royal Guard’s Bow is worth having. Apart from the damage, this weapon can fire arrows at high speed, but its durability is low, with only 20. This means you should be careful since it can break off easily and should be repaired more frequently. It can be found in Princess Zelda’s Study.

Demon King’s Bow

Demon King’s Bow can reach a base damage of 60 with sufficient hearts, making it a mighty weapon. It has 42 durability, which is more than enough, and a 30 range suitable for close and long-range attacks. You can obtain it from the final boss, Ganondorf.

Great Eagle Bow

Another bow that shoots multiple arrows, the Great Eagle Bow, deals 28×3 base damage. It’s very sturdy with 60 durability and great for long attacks with 40 range. This bow has the best stats, but it’s expensive to obtain. You need to buy it with three diamonds at Rito Village.

However, considering it’s not easily breakable and can defeat even the most formidable foes, you might consider grinding for it. If you want an alternative, the Forest Dweller’s bow also fires multiple shots. You can find it in a hidden chest within the Tama Pond area. Although this bow deals less damage, it’s much easier to obtain.

Zonaite Bow

The Zonaite Bow can be deadly for individual enemies. Its range depends on how much you charge the arrows and how many Energy Cells you have, so it can potentially reach further than any other bow in the game. This allows you to deal damage to enemies from a safe distance. It has a decent base attack, and its durability is 50. You can acquire it at Kikakin Shrine.

Acquiring the Best Bows in Tears of the Kingdom

Knowing each weapon’s strengths, advantages, and weaknesses in Tears of the Kingdom. You can find the best bows for multiple enemies, tough bosses, single-target foes, and their special effects. You can combine the bows with different materials and change their properties to fit your needs. With so many options in the game, finding a bow for any situation won’t be an issue.

Now that you know the best bows, you should know the full quest list in Tears of the Kingdom.

FAQs

What Modifiers can a bow have in Tears of the Kingdom?

Bows can have one of three different weapon modifiers. Attack Up increases the bow’s attack power. Durability Up increases the bow’s durability, allowing for more use before it breaks. Quick Shot increases the bow’s draw speed, allowing you to fire more quickly.

How many bows can you carry in Tears of the Kingdom?

At the start of the game, you can only hold five bows at a time. However, if you collect enough Korok Seeds and find Hestu, he will upgrade your Inventory, allowing you to carry up to 14 bows.