Sometimes the best place for an ambush is atop the ribcage of an ancient creature

Breath of the Wild features a variety of weapons that are useful for different types of tasks whether that’s fighting, chopping wood, or mining ore. Bows are an excellent weapon made to assist players in long-range fighting, which is especially good for those who want to take out a Guardian from a distance because frankly, no matter how many hours I have in the game, I’m never ready to deal with one of them. Bows can be dropped by monsters after defeating them, acquired from chests inside shrines or buried in the Hyrulian landscape, or in rare cases, crafted for you by NPC’s. 

Since most bows can be picked up after defeating enemies, they are a fairly easy resource to get, especially when you’re just starting out and haven’t braved many shrines yet. However, just as enemies start out weak and get stronger the further Link travels, so do the bows. This guide focuses on the strength of bows per the natural progression of the game from an early to late time frame, and while not all bows are included, this is a good list to follow for new players who are still unfamiliar with how the game works or their preferred fighting style.

 

5. Soldier’s Bow (early game)

For when Link’s ready to get serious

The game describes this bow as “A bow designed for armed conflict. Inflicts more damage than a civilian bow, but it will still burn if it touches fire.” While it’s good to acknowledge that the first bow players will likely get is the Traveler’s Bow, that is neither the strongest nor the best bow in Breath of the Wild. Instead, players should try and pick up the Soldier’s Bow as soon as possible - a stronger and sturdier option for traversing the starting regions of West Necluda and Lanayru.

The Soldier’s Bow is a higher quality bow with a little more oomph than the other early-game bows. While it is still vulnerable to fire unlike some of the more powerful metal bows, this durable weapon makes fighting enemies easier and quicker and gives players a chance to get used to the concept of long-distance fighting outside of using their remote bombs rune.

In need of arrows? Let the Bokoblins and Lizalfos take a few shots at you and collect the arrows left lodged in the ground. As you get stronger, this becomes an easy way to farm arrows when you’re low on rupees. Also, don’t forget that headshots do extra damage against enemies.

Why the Soldier’s Bow is Great For Early Game:

• An excellent weapon for beginner players
  • Floats in the water so it’s harder to lose
  • Can take out a low-level Red Bokoblin in one shot
• Handy in stormy environments
  • Because it’s made of wood, it won’t attract lighting which makes it especially useful for traveling and fighting in areas like Hyrule Ridge
  • Won’t conduct electricity  

Soldier’s Bow Stats:

• Base Power: 14
• Durability: 36
• Range: 20 

How To Get the Soldier’s Bow: 

• Locations: Hyrule Field and Faron Grasslands
  • Wielded and dropped by Lizalfos and Blue Bokoblins throughout Hyrule
• Other Locations:
  • A treasure chest on top of the Great Plateau’s Temple of Time 
  • Treasure chests near a Bokoblin Camp north of the Proxim Bridge
  • A treasure chest found in the South Nabi Lake just northwest of the Dueling Peaks Tower

 

4. Knight’s Bow (early-mid game)

A remnant of the soldiers who fought for Hyrule, now Link can carry their honor with him

Breath of the Wild describes this bow as such: “The sturdy metal construction of this bow offers superior durability, while its lack of firing quirks makes it quite reliable. Once favored by the knights at Hyrule Castle.” A trusty and reliable bow, the Knight’s Bow is a great weapon to have on hand for any adventurer.

While not incredibly strong, it is invaluable for players still in the early and middle sections of the game due to its impressive durability not often seen in early-game bows. The Knight’s Bow is a good mid-range bow that grants players a little more power than the Soldier’s Bow, but more importantly, lasts longer. 

While most other bows that players will have encountered at this point are weaker and made of wood, the Knight’s Bow is made of metal. This is part of what makes it stronger and so much more durable, but as a trade off, the metal can be used against Link in the environment, attracting lightning and making him more susceptible to Electric attacks. But while it will sink in water where wooden bows will float, this bow can be manipulated by the Magnesis Rune, and won’t burn when exposed to fire or Scorching Climates. 

Why the Knight’s Bow is Great For Early to Mid Game:

• Very high durability 
• Reliable bow for new and more experienced players
• Won’t burn when exploring Death Mountain or when up against fire-based enemies 

Knight’s Bow Stats:

• Base Power: 26
• Durability: 48
• Range: 20

How To Get the Knight’s Bow: 

• Locations: Gerudo Region and the Hebra Mountains region
  • Commonly wielded and dropped by Blue Bokoblins in the Gerudo Region and Black Moblins in the Hebra Mountains
• Other Locations:
  • 5 Treasure Chests littered across the Hebra Mountains Region
  • Hyrule Castle Town Ruins, southeast of the Central Square, is an outer wall with a Treasure Chest containing a Knight’s Bow
  • Castle Town Prison ruins, on the island west of Hyrule Castle, is a Treasure Chest at the far northeast corner with a Knight’s Bow
  • An enemy skull camp southwest of the Foothill Stable in the Eldin Region is a Treasure Chest containing a Knight’s Bow

*It’s important to be aware that Knight’s Bows will eventually be replaced by Royal Bows following the current “World Level” - essentially this means that as Link gets stronger, stronger enemies and weapons will spawn in place of weaker ones in various places throughout Hyrule.

 

3. Steel Lizal Bow (mid game)

Sharp and spiky just like the Lizalfos, this bow takes ‘know your enemy’ to a new level

According to the in-game description, “This bow is wielded by Lizalfos who are expert marksmen. The metal that reinforces much of the weapon adds some additional weight but offers heightened durability.” A great weapon dropped by enemies unlike the rudimentary Boko Bows, this bow is a testament to expert craftsmanship and gives Link an advantage in the wilderness of Hyrule.

Built for durability, the Steel Lizal Bow makes an excellent addition to any players’ inventory. Not only do you get more valuable monster parts by fighting the Lizalfos that wield these bows, but you get bows that are stronger, sturdier, and sometimes easier to find during the middle of the game than other bows. This is a good bow that will carry players through the middle stages of the game as they get closer to purifying all the Divine Beasts and confronting Calamity Ganon.

While strong, this is a bow that is made of metal, and so it must be handled with caution in stormy areas since it will attract lightning and increase Link’s elemental electricity damage if struck while he has this equipped. But it can be manipulated by the Magnesis Rune in case players need a blunt object to catch an enemy off guard, and won’t burn when exposed to fire or Scorching Climates.

Why the Steel Lizal Bow is Great For Mid Game:

• Deals a lot of damage and has an incredibly high durability 
• Allows players to engage in smarter and more effective long-distance attacks
• Fireproof 

Steel Lizal Bow Stats:

• Base Power: 36
• Durability: 50
• Range: 20

How To Get the Steel Lizal Bow: 

• Locations: Enemies in the Hebra Mountains and Akkala Highlands
  • Often wielded and dropped by Black Lizalfos

 

2. Royal Bow (mid-late game)

A mark of Link’s growth as a Champion, this is a beautiful and impressive bow to possess

The Royal Bow is a weapon associated with the royal family of Hyrule, as proved by the in-game description: “In the past, the king of Hyrule presented this bow to only the most talented archers in the land. Its combat capabilities are as impressive as its extravagant design.” This is a bow that undoubtedly showcases players’ progress within Breath of the Wild and grants them the power they deserve to wield after putting so much hard work into the game.

The Royal Bow packs a serious punch, making it perfect for experienced players who want to get the most out of every arrow in a fight. This bow is also a great measure of Link’s strength, since as explained in number 4, Royal Bows replace all Knight’s Bows as Breath of the Wild’s “World Level” increases. The stronger you become, the easier it is to find these bows, giving Link an even stronger advantage in fights as his skills and stats increase to prepare for the battle against Calamity Ganon.

If power and durability are compared, the Royal Bow is one of the strongest in the game. Although its metal construction exposes Link to the threat of Electricity and Lightning, the pros of this weapon outweighs the cons by far. 

Why the Royal Bow is Great For Mid to Late Game:

• High power
• High durability 
• Marks players’ progress in the game, rewarding them as they get stronger 

Royal Bow Stats:

• Base Power: 38
• Durability: 60
• Range: 20

How To Get the Royal Bow: 

• Locations: Tabantha Frontier and Hebra Mountains
  • Wielded and dropped by high-tier enemies in the Tabantha Frontier and Hebra Mountains
• Other Locations: 
  • Treasure Chest in Muwo Jeem Shrine in the Faron Region
  • Treasure Chest in Shora Hah Shrine in the Eldin Region

 

1. Savage Lynel Bow (late game)

Time to make all your enemies tremble in their boots

Breath of the Wild states that “This Lynel bow is made from a special steel found at the peak of Death Mountain. It has tremendous stopping power and can pierce thick armor as easily as thin paper.” With one of the most intense descriptions in the game, it’s no wonder why this bow is such a formidable and coveted weapon in Breath of the Wild.

Forged from steel found on Death Mountain itself, this is a bow with good durability, and a level of attack power that blows away any other weapons. While the Duplex Bow wielded by the Yiga Clan can fire off 2 arrows at once, the Savage Lynel Bow fires off an impressive 3 for the price of one, and considering that it’s Lynels who wield these bows - one of the most terrifying enemies in the game - this Bow comes with both undeniable power and a reputation.

However, like several other bows in this list, this bow is made of metal, meaning it will conduct electricity and attract lighting if Link has it equipped during a storm. It will sink in water, can be manipulated by the Magnesis Rune, and is impervious to flame, making it useful against fiery enemies or in Scorching Climates like Death Mountain.

Why the Savage Lynel Bow is Great For Late Game:

• It’s a very powerful weapon excellent for experienced Breath of the Wild players, especially those aiming to go up against Ganon or other challenging enemies in the game.
• While it’s damage output rates at 32, this bow is unique in that it fires off 3 arrows at once while only consuming one, tripling the damage administered to enemies without wasting arrows
• With good durability and tripled attack power, this makes the Savage Lynel Bow a weapon well-worth the effort of retrieving it

Savage Lynel Bow Stats:

• Base Power: 32
• Durability: 45
• Best Possible Bonus: +20 attack power 

How To Get the Savage Lynel Bow: 

• Location: Hyrule Field and Hebra Mountains
  • Wielded and dropped by Golden Lynels, Silver Lynels, and White-Maned Lynels

No matter a player's experience or play style, there is a wide range of bows available throughout the game that cater to all types of gamers in the Breath of the Wild universe. Whether you prefer to avoid fights or attack everything in sight, there is a weapon that matches your needs, which means Link can fight both efficiently and fashionably.

You may also be interested in:

• [Top 10] Zelda: Breath of the Wild Best Armors To Wear (Early To Late Game)
• [Top 10] Zelda: Breath of the Wild Best Starting Things To Do
• [Top 12] Zelda: Breath of the Wild Best Recipes