[Top 5] Kenshi Best Ranged Weapons And How To Get Them

Updated:

10 Oct 2023

Ranged weapons are few and far between in the world of Kenshi. In fact, the only portable ranged weapons are crossbows, which can either be bought, looted or constructed by the player in their own base.

Static ranged weapons exist and are a massive boon to defending your player-built outpost. They come in a range of differences, and with the right people using them, you can mount them all over your walls and lay waste to anyone foolish enough to attack you.

In this article, we’ll cover a few different ranged weapons and go over their pros and cons for you to consider.

5. The Eagles Cross

The Eagles Cross.

The sniper of crossbows is deadly in the right pair of hands as it can “one-shot” virtually any character or animal and instakill them. Be careful because this can also apply to friendly characters in your party. It’s probably best to solo with this one if you don’t want to murder your own crew accidentally.

Higher tiers of this crossbow can sometimes spawn in ranger shops in places like Mongrel or looted from ancient ruins in the far flung places of the map.

Or you can craft your own version along with the bolts to go with it that are quite rare and expensive. Coupled with its slow reload and fire rate, it's probably better to use the Eagles Cross defensively rather than openly attacking with it.

Eagles Cross Stats

All stats are listed at masterwork quality.

Damage - 76.85 - 127.35
Accuracy Deviation - 1.55 Degrees
Reload Time - 4.05 - 8.10
Range - 188m
Velocity - 182.85m/s
Blood Loss - 1.00x
Required Skill - 80

4. Mounted Crossbow

Precisely what it says on the tin, the mounted crossbow is exactly that. A Crossbow on a mount.

The earliest piece of defensive equipment you can research and should have unlocked before venturing out to make your own outpost. You can mount these on defensive walls and the roofs of constructed buildings with roof access.

They’re quick and easy to throw up, so you can litter your base with them if you have the people to man them. It’s a common practice among most players to man turrets like these with skeleton characters.

The reasons are quite simple. Skeletons don’t get hungry, aren't affected by weather such as dust storms and can quite quickly level their skill high enough when your base gets raided. Before long, you’ll have a bunch of snipers all over your walls that ceaselessly keep watch. Never needing to eat, rest or take breaks.

One unfortunate thing about mounted crossbows is that they cannot be upgraded to the MkII version once research unlocks them. They must be individually dismantled and have MkII’s built in their place.

Mounted Crossbow Stats

Mounted turrets do not come in qualities and are affected more by the user's stats.

Pierce Damage - 55
Accuracy Deviation At 0 Skill - 5 Degrees
Rotation Speed - 0.7
Max Reload Time - 8s
Min Reload Time - 2s
Range - 65m
Velocity - 100m/
Accuracy Perfect At Level - 70

3. The Harpoon Turred MkII

The big brother of the harpoon turret.

If mounted crossbows don’t seem hefty enough to protect your base, why not consider an upgrade? Once you unlock harpoon turrets, you can upgrade them again to the MkII versions.

With higher ranges, damage and a faster reload than the mounted crossbows, these bad boys will make most raiders think twice before coming to your outpost. You can also fill those Black Dragon Ninjas with harpoons before they even reach your front gate.

Harpoon Turret MkII Stats

Pierce Damage - 90
Accuracy Deviation As 0 Skill - 3 Degrees
Rotation Speed - 1
Max Reload Time - 4s
Min Reload Time - 2s
Range - 120m
Velocity - 100m/s
Accuracy Perfect At Level - 80

2. Old World Bow MkII

The best all-rounder portable crossbow in the game.

Coming in with a good range, damage and fire rate, the Old World Bow MkII is favoured over the Eagles Cross. Especially when you have a squad full of friends. It can still cause “One-shot” kills, but rarely and in the right hands, you’ll hardly be hitting your mates anyway.

For both offensive and defensive fighting, it's the best option for your most skilled rangers if you’re looking for an all-rounder that you can take with you anywhere in the world. Although it doesn’t have the range of the Eagles Cross, it certainly makes up for it with its versatility.

Old World Bow MkII Stats

Damage - 57.5 - 76.575
Accuracy Deviation - 2.29 Degrees
Reload Time - 2.29 - 6.57s
Range - 118m
Velocity - 136.85m/s
Blood Loss - 1.00x
Required Skill - 80

1. The Multi-Barrel Harpoon Turret

Oh yeah. This thing is satisfying to see in action.

So you put some harpoon turrets on your walls and buildings but thought, “I’m just not getting the fire rate that I want”. Well, search no more. The multibarreled harpoon turret has a six-shot, rotating barrel. A minigun of harpoons.

Slap on a skilled skelly operator, and these things will lay waste to your enemies. Cutting down raiders of all kinds with extreme prejudice. It is a hell of a thing to witness.

If you do some clever building, you can construct yourself a kill box lined with these beasts and watch as hordes of foes throw their lives under a hail of harpoon fire.