Crossbows in Kenshi are the only portable ranged weapons in the game. They come in a few different types and varieties, each using different ammo and with their specific uses and applications. As well as their regular standards in quality, as with all armour and weapons in the game.
Their accuracy depends on several factors, such as the armour worn, the quality of the crossbow, and environmental factors, i.e. you won’t shoot too well in a dust storm without anything keeping the dust out of your eyes. And finally, the character's skill level when using them.
They require characters to be skilled in not just the Crossbow skill but also the precision shooting skill. A character not well versed in using Crossbows can and, more than likely, end up hitting friendlies by accident with friendly fire.
So, without further ado, here are the best crossbows in the game world of Kenshi and how you can get them into the hands of your squadmates.
5. Toothpick
The Toothpick.
The Toothpick is light, cheap and quick to reload and shoot. Like all crossbows, it will cause bleed damage on its targets, but it should always be coupled with a sidearm melee weapon.
The ammunition it uses are bolts conveniently named “Toothpicks” to save any confusion. It is a good weapon for beginner crossbowmen as it's rapid reload speed and weak damage, at least at the lower quality Toothpicks that litter the Border Zone, make it great for training up rangers without putting too much hurt on your allies.
Higher-tier crossbows can kill enemies and allies outright in a single well-placed shot. So don’t go giving high-tier crossbows to untrained squadmates.
To find one of these, you can buy one from most ranger shops throughout Kenshi or loot them from dead or dying Dust Bandits from around the Border Zone, although they might be carrying Junkbows. It's an even worse Crossbow than the Toothpick.
Swamp bandits will be more likely to have these on them. All of varying quality. Depending on your playthrough, there could be a masterwork quality toothpick in a ranger shop somewhere in Kenshi. You’ll just have to go exploring, as the artefacts system makes these spawns random per playthrough.
Toothpick Details:
All stats are at masterwork level quality, the maximum possible quality of Crossbow.
- Damage - 19.075 - 31.975
- Accuracy Deviation - 6.25 degrees
- Reload Time - 1.2875 - 3.00s
- Range - 49.375m
- Velocity - 102.35m/s
- Bloodloss - 50%
- Required Skill - 90
Note: The required skill doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to use it. Merely that, to achieve the guaranteed stats as listed, requires that the user be at that skill level.
4. Ranger
The Ranger.
A mid-range, bog standard all-rounder that can deal consistent damage in a skilled pair of hands. A weapon used by mercenary support units and uniformed, organised forces as it is more reliable than the junk slapped together in the swamps.
You can pick these up at most ranger shops, but the best quality ones can be found in ruins or may occasionally spawn in a shop. All dependant on your play through and the RNGesus of the artefacts system.
With a much higher range than the Toothpick, it can be fired safely from a distance by dedicated rangers who can manoeuvre to safety before firing again. A few squadmates equipped with these bad boys can make a deadly complement to your fighting force.
Rangers use regular bolts, which can be bought in plentiful bunches from ranger shops. They aren’t too easily found out there in the world, though.
Unlike Toothpick bolts which will be found on nearly all the swamp and dust bandits equipped with crossbows, make sure you stock up on ammunition while you’re in town.
Ranger Details:
- Damage - 38.15 - 57.225
- Accuracy Deviation - 3.10 degrees
- Reload Time - 2.05 - 4.025s
- Range - 79m
- Velocity - 113.85m/s
- Bloodloss - 60%
- Required Skill - 60
3. Spring Bat
The Spring Bat.
Not very accurate, and with a short range, the Spring Bat makes up for this by having the power to punch right through heavy armour. It was designed by rebels during the formative years of the United Cities to counter their heavily armoured military might.
Although it's a decent crossbow that can be effective in the hands of lower-skilled squadmates, its powerful shot can run the risk of a deadly misfire. So it’s better to ensure that it’s being used by someone who knows what they’re doing if you’re running with a mix of melee and ranged combatants.
It uses Heavy bolts, which can be purchased at any ranger shop. They are rarer than regular bolts, so if you see plenty in stock, buy them all up so your spring bat operator doesn’t run out in the middle of a fight. However, some outlaws will be equipped with them and thus carry some heavy bolts.
Spring Bat Details:
- Damage - 63.4 - 101
- Accuracy Deviation - 7.20 degrees
- Reload Time - 3.55 - 7.90s
- Range - 54.25m
- Velocity - 136.85m/s
- Bloodloss - 100%
- Required Skill - 70
2. Old World Bow MKII
The MKII.
A much more advanced bow than its Old World cousin, the MKI, the MKII is challenging to operate for the untrained. Its complicated features make it difficult to reload with any smooth rhythm, but if you have the skill, it's one of the best long-range weapons out there.
It fires regular bolts, so you know that ammunition will be plentiful out there whenever you stop by a town to stock up. It can be deadly in the right pair of hands before your opponents even get close enough to land a hit.
When looking for one, you can buy them at ranger shops, and they have a semi-decent chance of showing up in specialist or masterwork quality. Then again, they are from the old, ancient and forgotten world, so you could find a very good one out there in the ruins.
Old World Bow MKII Details:
- Damage - 57.5 - 76.575
- Accuracy Deviation - 2.29 degrees
- Reload Time - 2.29 - 6.57s
- Range - 118m
- Velocity - 136.85m/s
- Bloodloss - 100%
- Required Skill - 80
1. Eagle’s Cross
The deadly Eagle’s Cross.
The longest-range and deadliest crossbow in the game. In the wrong hands, this can instakill your own allies if a shot lands on a core body part, so make sure whoever uses it is of the highest possible skill.
Firing rather heavy Long bolts that only come in stacks of ten rather than thirty, you may want to be selective of when and where to use this bad boy. The bolts themselves are harder to find, so pick them up where you can if you’re fielding an Eagle’s Cross.
Defensively, this thing works great as it can snipe foes before they even know what hit them. It also works great as an ambush weapon and can give you the edge when starting a fight when you can pick off the strongest opponents first.
You can find an Eagle’s Cross at ranger shops. Occasionally spawning a specialist or even a masterwork quality one. Other than that, they are quite rare unless you’re diving around in the ancient ruins.
As a note, you won’t be able to assassinate faction leaders with this or any other crossbow, for that matter. As Crossbows, when users become legendarily skilled with them, can be quite overpowered, the developers of Kenshi wanted to force a melee fight and have made faction leaders immune to them. A shame, really, as Emperor Tengu definitely deserves a long bolt to the face.
Eagle’s Cross Details:
- Damage - 76.85 - 127.35
- Accuracy Deviation - 1.55 degrees
- Reload Time - 4.05 - 8.10s
- Range - 188m
- Velocity - 182.85m/s
- Bloodloss - 100%
- Required Skill - 80
Conclusion
Whether or not you want to solo around the world of Kenshi or run with a squad, the crossbow skill shouldn’t be neglected. It can open up a lot more strategy to your combat gameplay when you have characters that can lay down some hate before the enemy gets in close for melee combat.
While most of these bows listed above can be found in ranger shops throughout the world at varying levels of quality, it's also perfectly possible to craft your own masterworks if you have the base, time and dedication to do it. Not every character needs to fight. Some are perfectly content with staying at home crafting all day until they can make the best weapons in the world.
All rangers can have a melee sidearm, so it isn’t the end of the world when they run out of ammo, and it means that you can have a well-rounded, highly skilled combat team suited for any occasion.
