Minecraft Archery: Complete Bow Guide

The blocky world of Minecraft is as enchanting as it is dangerous, teeming with hazards like neutral mobs, monsters, and in some game modes—other players. For self-defense, every player can craft shields and various weapons. Learn more about swords in another guide, but here we’ll cover how to craft a bow in Minecraft—and, of course, the arrows you’ll need, since a bow without them only serves decorative purposes.

Table of Contents

What is a Bow in Minecraft? Crafting a Bow in Minecraft Obtaining a Bow from Villagers Earning a Bow as a Drop Using a Bow as a Crafting Component Arrows in Minecraft Mastering Bow Combat in Minecraft 0 0 Share Your Thoughts

What is a Bow in Minecraft?

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A bow in Minecraft is a long-range weapon that lets you engage foes from a safe distance. However, this benefit doesn’t apply to every enemy. The Warden, for instance, uses ranged attacks of its own, turning each encounter into a tactical challenge.

Some hostile mobs, such as Skeletons, Strays, and Illusioners, are also armed with bows. Skeletons in particular pose one of the biggest threats during the early game.

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How to Make a Bow in Minecraft

To craft a bow, gather:

3 String;3 Sticks.

Once you’ve collected these materials, head to a crafting table and arrange them in the grid as shown.

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If you have two damaged bows, you won’t need string or sticks. Instead, combine them to repair the bow. The resulting bow’s durability will be the total of both plus a 5% bonus.

Get a Bow from a Villager

You don’t always have to craft a bow—a Fletcher villager at the “apprentice” level sells a plain bow for 2 emeralds. An Expert-level Fletcher offers an enchanted bow, though the price ranges from 7 to 21 emeralds.

Get a Bow as a Trophy

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Bows can also be obtained by defeating Skeletons or Strays. These mobs have a small chance (8.5%) to drop a bow. Improve your odds by enchanting your sword with Looting, increasing the drop rate to 11.5%.

Bow as a Crafting Ingredient

Besides combat, bows are used in crafting Dispensers. To build one, collect:

1 Bow;7 Cobblestone;1 Redstone Dust.

Place all ingredients in the crafting grid following this pattern:

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Arrows in Minecraft

A bow isn’t much use without ammunition. If you have arrows in your inventory, your character automatically uses them when you shoot. You can craft arrows using:

1 Flint;1 Stick;1 Feather.

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Crafting yields 4 arrows per set. Arrows can also drop from Skeletons or Strays—usually 1 or 2, sometimes with a Slowness effect. However, arrows fired by these mobs aren’t retrievable.

Fletchers also sell arrows: 16 regular arrows for 1 emerald. At higher levels, they offer enchanted arrows at varying prices.

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In Java Edition, having the “Hero of the Village” status may reward you with regular or tipped arrows. You can also find arrows in generated structures like Jungle Temples or Bastion Remnants, where dispensers and chests typically contain 2–17 arrows.

In Survival mode, you can pick up arrows that hit blocks—unless shot by Skeletons, Illusioners, or bows enchanted with Infinity. Creative mode arrows disappear upon collection.

Using a Bow in Minecraft

To use a bow, equip it and keep arrows in your inventory. Hold the right mouse button to draw the bowstring, and release to fire. A full draw (1 second) inflicts 6 damage; waiting longer can increase it to 11.

Arrow range depends on draw strength and launch angle. Even in water or lava, arrows travel—though slower and shorter.

For maximum distance (roughly 120 blocks), draw fully and aim at a 45° upward angle. Shooting straight up (same draw) reaches about 66 blocks high.

Tip: enhance arrows with potions by combining:

8 Arrows;1 Lingering Potion.

Arrange them as shown:

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Tipped arrows apply their effect for ⅛ of the potion’s duration. Note: Infinity enchanted bows don’t work with these special arrows.

Java Edition also features Spectral Arrows, which illuminate the area where they land. Craft them from 1 arrow and 4 Glowstone Dust, as below:

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This guide has shown you how to craft and obtain bows and arrows in Minecraft, along with key usage strategies. Before leaving on any adventure, make sure your bow is fully repaired and you have plenty of arrows. That way, you’re prepared to hunt, gather resources, and stay safe against all dangers.