Best Bow and Arrow in Skyrim: Top Picks for Every Playstyle

If you’ve spent hours roaming Skyrim’s frozen wilderness, you already know—archery isn’t just a combat style, it’s an art. Whether you’re a sneaky assassin lurking in the shadows or a Dragonborn who loves obliterating enemies from half a mile away, the right bow-and-arrow combo can change everything. I’ve tested these weapons across stealth builds, raw DPS setups, and utility-focused runs, so what you’re getting here is the real deal—not some random stat sheet.

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How I Chose the Best Bow and Arrow Combos

When I say “best,” I’m not just talking about base damage. Sure, numbers matter, but in Skyrim, the bow you choose needs to match your playstyle. I’ve considered:

• Base Damage & Draw Speed – because DPS isn’t just about power per shot, it’s about how fast you can send arrows flying.
• Enchantment Potential – a well-placed enchant can turn a good bow into a game-breaker.
• Ease of Access – some bows require epic questlines or late-game smithing skills, others you can grab mid-playthrough.
• Special Effects & Utility – invisibility, elemental boosts, or stamina-draining shots can tilt the battlefield in your favor.

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For Raw Damage Power – The Heavy Hitters

Dragonbone Bow + Dragonbone Arrows

If you’re going for pure, unapologetic damage, this is your king. With a base damage of 20, it’s the hardest-hitting bow in the game. Pair it with Dragonbone arrows (25 damage) and you’ve basically got a portable ballista. The downside? You’ll need the Dragon Armor smithing perk and access to dragon bones/scales to craft it. But if you’re deep into endgame crafting, nothing else will match the sheer force this combo delivers.

Pro Tip: Max out your Archery, Smithing, and Enchanting. Then slap on Fiery Soul Trap or elemental damage to make every arrow a devastating strike that also recharges your weapons.

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Dwarven Black Bow of Fate

This one’s for those who love unpredictability in their fights. Every shot has a 50% chance to absorb health, stamina, or magicka from your target. It’s not the raw powerhouse Dragonbone is, but it’s amazing for survival and sustained combat—especially in boss fights or when you’re swarmed by multiple enemies. You can grab it during the “Lost to the Ages” quest in Arkngthamz, tucked away in a hidden Dwarven ruin chamber.

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For Fast-Fire & DPS Over Time

Zephyr + Stalhrim Arrows

Zephyr doesn’t look like much on paper—its base damage is in the Dwarven range—but here’s the kicker: it fires 30% faster than any other bow in Skyrim. This means your DPS over time can rival, and in some cases surpass, heavier bows. I’ve shredded dragons mid-flight using Zephyr simply because they couldn’t recover between hits.

Pair it with Stalhrim arrows if you’re running frost enchantments—they get a 25% damage boost from Stalhrim’s unique property. You’ll get Zephyr during the “Lost to the Ages” quest too, so if you’re smart, you can pick it up before the Dwarven Black Bow of Fate.

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Bound Bow + Daedric Arrows

If you love conjuration magic, the Bound Bow is basically free infinite ammo in the form of Daedric arrows. It’s light, fast, and can be summoned in combat—perfect if you hate carrying heavy gear. With the Mystic Binding perk, its damage matches Daedric bows, which is insane for something you can conjure out of thin air. Plus, it’s great for stealth archers since summoning it doesn’t break invisibility.

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For Stealth & Utility

Bow of Shadows + Daedric Arrows

This is the stealth archer’s dream. The moment you draw it, you turn invisible for 30 seconds and your draw speed increases by 20%. It’s like someone took the Invisibility spell and hardwired it into your weapon. Perfect for assassinations, clearing out entire forts without being spotted, or even escaping when things go wrong. You’ll find it in the Anniversary Edition via a Creation Club quest called “In the Shadows.”

For Elemental Damage & Themed Builds

Nightingale Bow + Glass Arrows

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a legendary thief-assassin straight out of the Thieves Guild’s glory days, this is your weapon. The Nightingale Bow doesn’t just hit—it chills and shocks your target in one shot. That double elemental effect is perfect for draining stamina and magicka while also slowing enemies down.

The enchantment strength actually scales with your level when you get it, so do yourself a favor—don’t rush through the Thieves Guild questline until you’re at least level 45 to get the strongest version. Pairing it with Glass arrows gives you a nice balance of speed and damage without overloading your inventory.

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Auriel’s Bow + Sunhallowed Elven Arrows

This bow is a literal blessing from the gods—especially if your enemies happen to be undead. Its sun damage triples against draugr, skeletons, and vampires, making it a must-have if you’re running Dawnguard content. The real magic happens when you fire Sunhallowed Elven arrows into the sky—it rains down sunlight like divine artillery.

I’ve used this combo to clear vampire dens without even entering the building. It’s that good. You’ll earn it during the Dawnguard main quest, so it’s one of those bows worth building a character around.

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Frost-Focused Power

Stalhrim Bow + Frost Enchanted Dragonbone Arrows

Stalhrim weapons have a hidden perk: they make frost enchantments 25% stronger. That means if you throw on a frost damage enchant and combine it with high-tier arrows like Dragonbone, you’re basically freezing enemies in place while chunking their health.

Perfect for crowd control or shutting down melee-heavy opponents before they can even close the distance. You’ll need to head to Solstheim and work with Glover Mallory to get access to Stalhrim crafting, but the payoff is worth the trip.

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Unique Utility Picks

Glass Bow of the Stag Prince

Here’s a fun one—every time you kill an animal with this bow, you gain extra health and stamina. The more animals you drop, the higher the buff climbs. Great for survival mode or long hunts in the wilderness where healing potions are scarce. It’s not going to out-DPS a Dragonbone Bow, but it’s a great flavor weapon if you like role-playing a hunter character.

Must Read: Best Skyrim Modlist for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation

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Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow (Bonus Pick)

Okay, it’s not a bow, but I have to mention it. The Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow ignores 50% of armor, making it lethal against heavily armored enemies like Ebony-clad warriors or certain bosses. Combine it with exploding bolts and you’ve got a ranged siege weapon in your hands.

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Best Arrows to Maximize Your Bow’s Potential

Your bow is only half the story—your arrows decide how much that hit will hurt. Here’s what I recommend:

• Dragonbone Arrows – Highest base damage at 25, perfect for late-game powerhouse builds.
• Daedric Arrows – 24 base damage and easier to stockpile than Dragonbone.
• Stalhrim Arrows – Perfect for frost builds thanks to Stalhrim’s elemental boost.
• Sunhallowed Elven Arrows – Special effect when paired with Auriel’s Bow.
• Exploding Bolts – For crossbow users who want crowd control and AOE damage.

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Playstyle Summary Table

Playstyle	Best Bow & Arrow Combo
Maximum Raw Damage	Dragonbone Bow + Dragonbone Arrows
Survivability & Sustain	Dwarven Black Bow of Fate + Daedric Arrows
Elemental Burst	Nightingale Bow + Glass Arrows
Undead Slayer	Auriel’s Bow + Sunhallowed Elven Arrows
Rapid DPS	Zephyr + Stalhrim Arrows
Frost Control Build	Stalhrim Bow + Frost Enchanted Dragonbone Arrows
Hunter/Survival Play	Glass Bow of the Stag Prince + Steel or Orcish Arrows
Armor-Piercing Power	Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow + Exploding Bolts

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My Final Take

The beauty of Skyrim is that “best” depends entirely on your adventure. If you want to melt health bars, go Dragonbone. If you live for stealth takedowns, the Bow of Shadows or Nightingale Bow is pure magic. And if you like flashy, godlike moments? Auriel’s Bow turning the sky into a weapon never gets old.

Whatever you choose, remember: a bow in Skyrim is more than just a weapon—it’s your signature. Upgrade it, enchant it, pair it with the right arrows, and it will define your legend across Tamriel.