Best Dark Souls 3 Bows With Locations [2024]

While bows are usually used as a secondary weapon, they can be extremely devastating. Bows, with high enough scaling, can cause a lot of damage, making them effective at both PvE and PvP.

1. Composite Bow

Best Bow for PvE & PvP.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Critical
Attack	73	-	-	-	-	100
Defense	0	0	0	0	0	0-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	-D	-	-
Requires	12	12	-	-
Skill	Rapid Fire
Stability	0
Range	42
Durability	65
Weapon Category	Bow
Wgt.	3.5
Attack type	None
FP Cost	—(4/4)
Purchasing Value	3500
Soul Value	150

Composite Bow Stats Table.

Introducing the Composite Bow, a swift short bow. It excels at short to mid-range combat, making it perfect for locked-on enemies, PvP, and quick foes.

With Quick attack and rapid-fire, it offers versatility. Quick attack lets you shoot after dodging or while sprinting (75% damage), while rapid fire shoots about two arrows per second (50% damage).

In PvE, it’s a potent secondary weapon for clearing ads, maintaining distance, and recovering from dodges. Its ability to fire while sprinting aids in escaping tough situations.

While it can help finish off foes with high health, some may find it undermines the game’s challenge. In summary, the Composite Bow stands out as one of the top all-around bows.

To acquire the Composite Bow, you must give the Dreamchaser’s Ashes to the shrine handmaiden.

2. Black Bow Of Pharis

Best Long-Range Bow.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Critical
Attack	67	0	0	0	0	100
Defense	0	0	0	0	0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	C	-	-
Requires	9	18	-	-
Skill	Pharis Triple-Shot
Stability	0
Range	63
Durability	65
Weapon Category	Bow
Wgt.	3.0
Attack type	None
FP Cost	—(7/7)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	150

Black Bow of Pharis Stats Table. 

The Black Bow of Pharis, a Dark Souls classic, stands out as arguably the most potent PvE bow in Dark Souls 3. It’s distinguished by being a unique longbow, held horizontally during shots, and offers the longest range among all bows.

It boasts the Pharis triple shot, enabling three-arrow shots and versatility with various arrow types, affecting its damage output.

In PvE, this longbow excels due to its high damage, extended range, and adaptability with various arrows, making it effective against stationary large enemies and bosses.

However, it’s not ideal for close-range encounters or quick escapes, lacking the ability to shoot immediately after dodging or while sprinting.

In the Farron Keep swamp, in the area close to the Keep Ruins bonfire, you will come across three elder Ghrus, giant boss-like enemies with a massive health pool (they won’t be easy to them).

You will have to kill all three. One of them will drop the back bow of Pharis upon his death.

3. Dragonslayer Greatbow

Best Bow for Strength-Based Builds.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Critical
Attack	126	0	0	0	0	100
Defense	0	0	0	0	0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	D	-	-
Requires	20	20	-	-
Skill	Puncturing Arrow
Stability	0
Range	50
Durability	100
Weapon Category	GreatBow
Wgt.	10.0
Attack type	None
FP Cost	—(20/20)
Purchasing Value	–
Soul Value	1000

Dragonslayer Greatbow Stats Table.

The Dragonslayer Greatbow, a standout among the best bows, impresses with its high damage output, dealing 427 attack at +5 with 40 strength and dexterity. It exclusively fires great arrows, packing a punch but demanding a slow shooting pace due to its high damage.

This bow requires a few seconds to load an arrow, making it less suitable for PvP engagements when compared to other options like the Pharis bow or Composite bow.

For PvE, it proves versatile, from damaging enemies and clearing ads to delivering high boss damage. Overall, it’s an exceptionally potent PvE bow and can serve well in specific PvP scenarios, provided you have high strength.

The Dragonslayer Greatbow is outstanding, particularly for those with high strength.

You can find one lying with 5 Dragonslayer Greatarrows on a corpse on top of Anor Londo, where most Silver Knight archers are posted in Dark Souls 3.

4. White Birch Bow

Best Bow for Strategic PvP Battles.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Critical
Attack	92	0	0	0	0	100
Defense	0	0	0	0	0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	D	-	-
Requires	8	20	-	-
Skill	Unseen Arrow
Stability	0
Range	49
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Bow
Wgt.	2.5
Attack type	None
FP Cost	-(6/6)
Purchasing Value	–
Soul Value	300

White Birch Bow Stats Table.

The White Birch Bow facilitates evasion and smooth escapes from tense encounters, featuring a special arrow-hiding ability for strategic gameplay.

Effective in both PvP and PvE, although not as a primary weapon, the White Birch Bow’s speed and adaptability accommodate various scenarios.

Its arrow invisibility adds a layer of complexity to PvP battles, leaving opponents second-guessing your moves. Quick firing combined with invisible arrows allows for confusion and multi-angle attacks in a short time.

Despite its low damage, it excels at maintaining distance, frustrating PvP adversaries, and dealing with ads, making it one of Dark Souls 3’s finest bows.

The White Birch Bow is a DLC weapon and you will require the Ringed City DLC to acquire it. It can be found near the Ringed City Streets bonfire.

Near the bonfire, in the swamp, is an area full of hobbled clerics. There, lying atop a corpse, you can find the Millwood Greatbow.

5. Shortbow

Best Bow for Quick Combat.

 

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Critical
Attack	77	0	0	0	0	100
Defense	0	0	0	0	0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	D	-	-
Requires	7	12	-	-
Skill	Rapid Fire
Stability	0
Range	42
Durability	40
Weapon Category	Bow
Wgt.	2.0
Attack type	None
FP Cost	-(4/4)
Purchasing Value	1000
Soul Value	100

Short Bow Stats Table. 

The Shortbow is very similar to the Composite Bow and is useful for all the same reasons. It is very quick and has the same skillset.

The Short bow’s ability to quickshoot right after a dodge and while sprinting makes it a very effective weapon for both PvP and PvE. It requires a strength level of at least 7 and a dexterity level of at least 12.

All in all, the Short Bow is an excellent alternative to the Composite Bow and excels in causing damage quickly and helping make distance.

This bow cannot be buffed or infused and can be bought from Greirat once he returns from his expedition to the undead settlement (it is also a starting weapon for the thief class). A great option for people wanting a quick secondary bow.

6. Millwood Greatbow

Best Bow for High Damage Output.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Critical
Attack	139	0	0	0	0	100
Defense	0	0	0	0	0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	C	E	-	-
Requires	12	28	-	-
Skill	Pierce Earth
Stability	-
Range	39
Durability	100
Weapon Category	GraetBow
Wgt.	9.0
Attack type	None
FP Cost	-(20/20)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	1000

Milwood Greatbow Stats Table. 

While the Dragonslayer Greatbow tops my list as the favorite great bow, the Millwood Greatbow offers another excellent choice. It features an A strength scaling, demanding a minimum strength level of 28 and a dexterity level of 12 for effective use.

Although it has the shortest range, it boasts the highest damage among all great bows and, indeed, all bows in general.

The lower range and strength scaling directly correlate with its exceptional damage output, making it a top pick for strength-based builds. If you prioritize strength as your primary stat and can overlook the reduced range,

I recommend opting for the Millwood Greatbow over the Dragonslayer Greatbow. You’ll find it on a corpse guarded by Millwood knights. In conclusion, it stands as an outstanding choice for strength-based builds.

Best Bows Comparison Table

Here is a comparison table for my picks of Best Bows:

No.	Bows	Best for	Physical Attack	Range	Durability	Wgt.	FP Cost
1	Composite Bow	Best Bow for PvE & PvP.	73	42	65	3.5	-(4/4)
2	Black Bow	Best Long-Range Bow.	67	63	65	3	-(7/7)
3	Dragonslayer Great bow	Best Bow for Strength-Based Builds.	126	50	100	10	-(20/20)
4	White Birch Bow	Best Bow for Strategic PvP Battles.	92	49	50	2.5	-(6/6)
5	Shortbow	Best Bow for Quick Combat.	77	42	40	2	-(4/4)
6	Millwood Great bow	Best Bow for High Damage Output.	139	39	100	-	-

Why Others Were Not Chosen?

1. Longbow: Lacks the unique Pharis triple shot and might be considered less versatile for PvE scenarios.
2. Darkmoon Longbow: Its reliance on magic damage might not be as universally effective as the high damage output of the Dragonslayer Greatbow.
3. Dragonrider Bow: High strength and dexterity requirements, make it less accessible, and it lacks unique features compared to the selected bows.

What Would I Recommend?

As an experienced Dark Souls 3 player, I would recommend the Black Bow of Pharis and the Dragonslayer Greatbow as two excellent choices from the guide.

The Black Bow of Pharis stands out for its long range, high damage, and versatility, making it an ideal pick for PvE scenarios where engaging enemies from a distance is crucial. Its unique Pharis triple shot adds an extra layer of adaptability, making it effective against various enemy types.

On the other hand, the Dragonslayer Greatbow is a powerhouse for strength-based builds, delivering exceptional damage in both PvE and specific PvP situations. While it has a slower shooting pace, its high damage output compensates for it, making it a formidable choice for players who prioritize strength in their builds.

These two bows offer distinct advantages, catering to different playstyles and scenarios in the challenging world of Dark Souls 3.

Up Next:

• Best Dark Souls 3 Mage Builds.
• Dark Souls 3 Best Daggers.
• BEST Dark Souls 3 Boss Soul Weapons.