RuneScape offers many a method of taking down foes, whether it’s through a crossbow, scimitar or even halberd. Of all of them, bows are a reliable choice for ranged firepower. Players have loved the efficient DPS outputted from a distance, so much so that it’s one of the most popular play-styles in the game.
Whether you’re a returning veteran or a new player, you need to know which bows are the best and optionally, you can learn how to obtain them too. I’ll be giving you all the information you need to determine which bow you should be using at which stage of your character’s development!
So take a look at the top 10 best bows in RuneScape, specifically the Old School version!
10. Yew Comp Bow
Around the ranged level of 40 mark, you’ll need to use the Yew Comp Bow for maximum damage. Providing a nice ranged bonus of 49, this bow’s attack speed is respectful. Try to move on to greater things though as it really does lack firepower compared to those further down on this list!
Ranged Requirement: 40
Ranged Bonus: 49
Grand Exchange price: 1254
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Complete a Treasure Trail with a Medium difficulty. Or buy from the Grand Exchange.
9. Magic Longbow
With a high firing range and great ranged bonuses for its level requirement, the Magic Longbow should be obtained as soon as you hit ranged level 50.
Unlike the previous entry, the Magic Longbow has a special attack called Powershot. If you use it, you’ll consume 35% of your special attack energy but it’s guaranteed to hit!
Ranged Requirement: 50
Ranged Bonus: 69
Grand Exchange price: 1366
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Craft it with a Fletching level of 85 or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
8. Magic Shortbow
Almost identical to the Magic Longbow, the Shortbow variant sacrifices range for a much better fire-rate. Capable of outputting a ton of damage, using this bow in pvp situations is recommended. It shared the Powershot special attack I mentioned in the previous entry.
Ranged Requirement: 50
Ranged Bonus: 69
Grand Exchange price: 818
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Craft it with a Fletching level of 80, receive as a drop from Spiritual Rangers or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
7. Magic Comp Bow
Such power for its ranged level is bizarre, the Magic Comp Bow has a mixture of range and firepower. It fires fairly fast, at a good range and retains the Powershot special attack of other Magic Bow variants.
Ranged Requirement: 50
Ranged Bonus: 71
Grand Exchange price: 2977
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Complete a level 3 Treasure Trail or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
6. Seercull
Despite contributing less ranged bonuses than the Magic Comp Bow, the Seercull bow is superior due to its special attack called Soulshut. If you use it, you’ll consume your entire special attack energy reserve to guarantee a hit and lower the magic level of the enemy.
In PvE, this special attack is quite useless but against magic users, it can single handedly win you a fight!
Ranged Requirement: 50
Ranged Bonus: 69
Grand Exchange price: 25,200
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Dagannoth Supreme has a 1 in 128 chance of dropping this bow, or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
5. Craw’s Bow
PvP wise, Craw’s Bow does not justify its price. In the Wilderness though, no other bow will serve you better!
It’ll need to be charged with revenant ether, with each attack consuming 1. You can charge the bow in the Revenant Caves, by killing Revenants. Consuming a charge upon firing will increase the damage and accuracy by 50%.
Ranged Requirement: 60
Ranged Bonus: 75
Grand Exchange price: 67,900,000
(SPOILER) How to obtain: A possible drop from Revenants. Or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
4. Dark Bow
Hitting like a truck, the Dark Bow’s attack speed is extremely slow to make up such high damage. So slow that it’s by far the lowest in the entire game!
It does fire 2 arrows per shot though, at a huge range, greater than most other bows. Its true power lies in the special attacks, Descenet of Darkness and Descent of Dragons, that cost 55% of the player’s special attack energy each.
Descent of Darkness deals up to 30% more damage. Descent of Dragons can only be used with dragon arrows, dealing up to 50% more damage.
Ranged Requirement: 60
Ranged Bonus: 95
Grand Exchange price: 590,200
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Dark Beasts have a 1 in 512 chance of dropping this bow. Or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
3. 3rd Age Bow
Wow, over 300mill for one bow. Worth it though, as the 3rd Age Bow combines the fire-rate of a shortbow with the range of a longbow. As you can imagine, this bow provides a ton of DPS.
No special attack is needed to make this weapon one of the best in the game, as a high fire-rate and good range make it effective in both PvP and PvE.
Ranged Requirement: 65
Ranged Bonus: 80
Grand Exchange price: 357,500,000
(SPOILER) How to obtain: A possible reward from Treasure Trails. Or buy it from the Grand Exchange.
2. Crystal Bow
A max condition Crystal Bow can hit hard, with a nice attack range and very nice attack speed. For every 250 hits, the condition degrades by 1, starting at 10. After it degrades too but, it’ll have to be recharged for a hefty price.
One of the best aspects of this bow is its lack of ammo, you don’t need to equip any arrows to use this bow!
Ranged Requirement: 70 (and an Agility requirement of 50)
Ranged Bonus: Between 64 & 100 depending on condition
Grand Exchange price: 914,100
(SPOILER) How to obtain: Possible reward for completing Roving Elves, buy it from Islwyn or buy it from the Grand Exchange. If you buy it, Roving Elves must be completed to wield.
1. Twisted Bow
Worth more than every other bow on this list & every crossbow on this list combined is the Twisted Bow. Classified as a longbow, it has a high attack range with an attack speed lower than shortbows. Damage wise, this bow is unique….
The higher the magic level of the enemy you’re firing, the more damage this bow’s attack does, as well as it having higher accuracy. Capable of hitting up to 89, it’s extremely valuable against a variety of magical bosses!
Ranged Requirement: 75
Ranged Bonus: 70
Grand Exchange price: 1,200,000,000
(SPOILER) How to obtain: The Chambers of Xeric have a 2.38% chance of dropping this bow, or buy it from the Grand Exchange.