There’s something about a bow and arrow that makes killing an enemy just so satisfying. Maybe it’s because, despite any armour or magic, one well-placed shot from your rogue’s hands has the power to end them instantly. If you happen to be a ranged weapon fan, Baldur’s Gate 3 has plenty of options to keep you happy!
Four types of bows exist in the game: Longbows, Shortbows, Hand Crossbows, and Heavy Crossbows. To keep things simple, let’s break down some of the best bows you can get your grubby little hands-on out of all available options.
7. Giantbreaker
Giantbreaker can be purchased from Brem after completing the “Find the Missing Shipment” quest.
A fantastic early-game weapon, Giantbreaker is sure to keep your party going strong. The crossbow can be found in Act One as a quest reward, and its unique ability has the chance to send enemies reeling. This heavy-hitting crossbow more than lives up to its name, and will serve you well.
What Giantbreaker Excels At:
- Reeling: Keep the fight forever in your favour, by sending enemies into a daze with the Giantbreaker's special ability.
- Easy to Obtain: Found in Act One, you only need to complete the, “Find the Missing Shipment” quest to get your hands on this crossbow.
- Stealth Friendly: Like all ranged weapons, this crossbow works best in the hands of a sneaky character. Rogues may perform the strongest of any class with the Giantbreaker.
Giantbreaker Stats:
- Damage: 1d10 + 1
- Effects: Enchantment + 1
- Heavy Hitter: Hit your enemy hard and send them Reeling for two turns with a -1 penalty on attacks for every turn.
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 8.1kg
- Value: 380gp
Location:
Giantbreaker can be bought from Brem, during Act One, after completing the quest, “Find the Missing Shipment.”
6. Hellfire Hand Crossbow
The Hellfire Hand Crossbow is found during Act 2 after a particularly tough battle. While the weapon may be tricky to get, it sure makes itself worthwhile right away! The Hellfire, true to its name, grants a couple of special abilities sure to scorch the eyebrows of anyone standing in the way.
What the Hellfire Hand Crossbow Excels At:
- Flame-on: The Crossbow grants the wielder the Hellstalker and Scorching Ray attack abilities.
- One-handed: If one shot isn’t enough, the one-handed nature of this weapon means you can equip two crossbows for back-to-back shots!
- Price: A whopping 770 gold can be earned if you decide to sell this crossbow instead.
Hellfire Hand Crossbow Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 2
- Effects: Enchantment + 2
- Hellstalker: While hidden or invisible, your attacks have the chance to inflict 1d4 burning damage.
- Scorching Ray: Hurl 3 flaming fast fireballs at your enemies for 2d6 fire damage each. Recharges on short rest.
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Weight: 0.9kg
- Value: 700gp
Location:
After dealing with Yurgir in the Gauntlet of Shar, the crossbow can be looted from his body.
5. Ne’er Misser
Ne’er Misser can be bought from Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers.
Available during Act Two, Ne’er Misser is a unique crossbow that can be easily bought at Moonrise Towers. This crossbow offers its user the ability to cast Magic Missile, ensuring you never miss. So even if you’ve got one eye, or are shooting in the dark, you’ll be sure to hit your target!
What Ne’er Misser Excels At:
- Magic Missile: This crossbow gives the wielder access to a magic missile spell; meaning you can cast three bolts of magic to automatically hit each target you select.
- Easy to obtain: Simply purchase the crossbow from Roah Moonglow and you’re all set!
- Force Damage: Ne’er Misser does 1d6 Force damage on each attack, unusual for a crossbow.
Ne’er Misser Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 1 Force damage
- Effects: Enchantment + 1
- Magic Missile: Once per short rest, the user can cast Magic Missile as a level 3 spell.
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 0.9kg
- Value: 310gp
Location:
Sold by Roah Moonglow inside of Moonrise Towers during Act Two.
4. Harold
Harold’s the name, and shooting goblin’s is his game. This crossbow can be found during Act One, as part of the “Find the Missing Shipment” quest. Harold specializes in cursing “his” targets, specifically through the Haroldish Doom ability which inflicts Bane on enemies.
What Harold Excels At:
- Early game weapon: Found during Act One, Harold is a great choice for the early game of Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Haroldish Doom: Inflict Bane on a target whenever you damage them. Lasts for two turns.
- Damage: Compared to other early-game crossbows, Harold offers notable damage output.
Harold Stats:
- Damage: 1d10 + 1
- Effects: Enchantment + 1
- Haroldish Doom:
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 8.1kg
- Value: 480gp
Location:
Harold can be found during Act One as part of the “Find the Missing Shipment” quest.
3. Titanstring Bow
The Titanstring Bow can be found in two different locations during Baldur’s Gate 3, and it’s the perfect weapon for Fighter or strength-based members of your party. The bow takes the user's Strength stat into its attack modifier to deal damage. In short, high strength character + the Titanstring bow = lots and lots of dead enemies.
What Titanstring Bow Excels At:
- Fighter Focused: As mentioned, the strength modifier of classes such as Fighters or Barbarians makes this bow a natural fit.
- High Damage: A character like Lae’zel, with 17 STR, can inflict serious damage with this weapon.
- Easy to obtain: Found in either Act One or Act Two, you’ll be able to grab the Titanstring easily no matter what!
Titanstring Bow Stats:
- Damage: 1d8 + 1
- Effects: Enchantment + 1
- Titan Weapon: Deals additional based on your strength modifier.
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 1.1kg
- Value: 310gp
Location:
Can be purchased in Act One from Brem as part of the Missing Shipment Quest (that comes up a lot, huh?) or, during Act Two from Lann Tarv, who can be found inside Moonrise Towers.
2. Gontr Mael
Gontr Mael is a legendary longbow which can be found during Act Three inside the Steel Watch factory after a fight with the Steel Watcher Titan. This is one of the only legendary longbows in Baldur’s Gate 3 and it offers a plethora of abilities to its user. It also sports a hefty price tag, for the gold-minded adventurer.
What Gontr Mael Excels At:
- Ability Heavy: With three unique abilities, this longbow is one of the most powerful options in the game.
- Extra Action: The Celestial Haste Ability gives the wielder Haste, which itself grants an extra action. This means you’ll be able to perform another attack or similar actions on your turn.
- Chance for multi-target AOE: Thanks to how special arrows work, when used with this bow, the Promised Victory ability may trigger causing the Guiding Bolt attack to hit multiple targets.
Gontr Mael Stats:
- Damage: 1d8 + 3
- Effects: Enchantment + 3
- Promised Victory: Possibly inflict Guiding Bolt on a successful attack.
- Gontr Mael Glowing: Trigger a glowing light that illuminates a radius of 6 meters.
- Celestial Haste: Cast Haste as a level 3 spell and gain the spell effects for 5 turns, without suffering the Lethargic condition. Spell recharges once per long rest.
- Bolt of Celestial Light: Frighten your target with arrows.
- Rarity: Legendary
- Weight: 1.1kg
- Value: 1000gp
Location:
Looted from the Steel Watcher Titan in Steel Watch Foundry, which can be visited during Act Three.
1. The Dead Shot
The Dead Shot is one of the strongest bows in Baldur’s Gate 3. Available in Act Three for purchase in the lower city region of Baldur’s Gate, The Dead Shot not only offers great power for its price, but easy attainability. For these reasons, it tops our list of the 7 best bows in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What The Dead Shot Excels At:
- Crit Master: When using this bow, the number required for a critical hit is reduced by -1, and it can stack.
- Easy to Get: No questing or arduous adventuring required, simply roll up to the shop and plop down some coin to get your hands on this deadly bow!
- Keen Attack: Another ability, Keen Attack doubles the proficiency of the wielder with ranged weapon attacks.
The Dead Shot Stats:
- Damage: 1d8 + 2
- Effects: Enchantment + 2
- Improved Critical: The number needed to inflict a critical hit is reduced by -1 when attacking, and this effect can stack.
- Keen Attack: A passive feature that increases the chance to hit; the wielder doubles their proficiency with ranged weapon attacks.
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Weight: 1.1kg
- Value: 770gp
Location:
Can be found in Act Three, sold by Fytz the Firecracker at the Stormshore Armoury in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
