Home >  News >  Detailed Guide to Bow and Arrows in Minecraft

Detailed Guide to Bow and Arrows in Minecraft

Authore: ChristopherUpdate:Mar 16,2025

Minecraft's cubic world, while captivating, presents dangers from neutral mobs, monsters, and—in certain modes—other players. For survival, crafting shields and weapons is essential. While swords are detailed elsewhere, this guide focuses on crafting bows and arrows in Minecraft, crucial for ranged combat.

Table of Contents

  • What is a Bow in Minecraft?
  • How to Make a Bow in Minecraft
  • Getting a Bow from a Villager
  • Getting a Bow as a Trophy
  • Bow as a Crafting Ingredient
  • Arrows in Minecraft
  • Using a Bow in Minecraft

What is a Bow in Minecraft?

Bow in Minecraft

A Minecraft bow is a ranged weapon, offering a safer approach to combat. However, this advantage isn't universal; the Warden, for example, possesses ranged attacks requiring strategic combat. Note that skeletons, strays, and illusioners also wield bows, with skeletons posing a significant early-game threat.

Stray in minecraft

How to Make a Bow in Minecraft

Crafting a bow requires:

  • 3 Strings
  • 3 Sticks

Combine these at a crafting table as shown below:

How to Make a Bow in Minecraft

Alternatively, two damaged bows can be combined at a crafting table, repairing the bow and increasing its durability by an additional 5%.

Getting a Bow from a Villager

Fletchers offer bows for purchase: apprentice-level Fletchers sell regular bows (2 emeralds), while expert-level Fletchers sell enchanted bows (7-21 emeralds).

Getting a Bow as a Trophy

Get a Bow as a Trophy

Skeletons and Strays have an 8.5% chance of dropping bows upon death. The "Looting" enchantment on your sword increases this chance to 11.5%.

Bow as a Crafting Ingredient

Bows are also a component in crafting Dispensers. You'll need:

  • 1 Bow
  • 7 Cobblestones
  • 1 Redstone Dust

Arrange them as shown:

Bow as a Crafting Ingredient

Arrows in Minecraft

Bows require arrows. Crafting arrows needs:

  • 1 Flint
  • 1 Stick
  • 1 Feather

This yields 4 arrows.

Arrows in Minecraft

Arrows can also be obtained from slain skeletons and strays (though those shot by mobs are uncollectable), purchased from Fletchers (1 emerald for 16), found in chests within structures like Jungle Temples and Bastion Remnants, or collected from blocks after being shot. In Creative mode, arrows vanish upon impact. In Survival mode, arrows shot with an Infinity enchanted bow cannot be picked up. Arrows can also be obtained as a reward for defending a village.

Villager in minecraft

Using a Bow in Minecraft

Equip the bow and ensure arrows are in your inventory. Draw the bowstring (right-click) for increased damage; a full draw (one second) deals 6 damage, while longer draws can reach 11 damage. Arrow distance depends on draw strength and angle. Arrows travel slower underwater and in lava. For maximum distance (around 120 blocks), fully draw and aim at a 45-degree angle.

Potions can enhance arrows:

  • 8 Arrows
  • Any Lingering Potion

Arrange as shown:

crafting enhanced arrow

This applies the potion's effect (⅛ the duration) on impact. The Infinity enchantment doesn't negate this ammo consumption. Java Edition also features Spectral Arrows (crafted with a regular arrow and 4 Glowstone Dust), creating a small illuminated area on impact.

crafting spectral arrow

This guide covers bow and arrow crafting, acquisition, and usage in Minecraft. Ensure your bow's durability and arrow supply are sufficient before embarking on any adventure.