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Top 10 Best Arrows in Skyrim

Utilising the right arrows is something a lot of archers don’t take seriously enough, it’s all too common to have Skyrim auto-equip whichever arrows it feels like. When you enter that boss fight, you could be doing a significantly lot more damage than you currently are, all down to using the wrong arrows.

As arrows don’t take up any weight, it’s worth picking up as many arrows of any kind that you can. This does slightly feed into the auto-equip problems but again, keep track of it yourself. To let you know which arrows you should have equipped, see the list below!

 


10. Orcish Arrow

Orcish Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 12

How to obtain: Upon reaching level 6, you’ll be able to find these arrows as loot, or buy them from merchants.

Exceptionally easy to obtain with high damage, Orcish Arrows are the perfect choice for archers just starting to get going on their adventures. Found in shops all over Skyrim from a low level, spending a bit of gold will keep your reserves topped up for the foreseeable future.

 


9. Nordic Arrow

Nordic Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 14

How to obtain: Requires Dawnguard DLC, then craft these arrows at any Blacksmith Forge.

Sporting a signifant damage upgrade over the previous entry, Nordic Arrows are another good choice during the early stages. You can’t really buy them from merchants or even find them as loot though, so crafting them can get fairly expensive. However, your Smithing skill will skyrocket if you craft yourself a ton of Nordics Arrows.

 


8. Dwarven Arrow

Dwarven Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 14

How to obtain: You’ll be able to find these arrows as loot in dwarven ruins, or buy them from merchants.

Dwarven Arrows are easy to obtain due to their fairly exclusive nature, being found in droves in and around dwarven ruins. There doesn’t appear to be a specific level requirement before these arrows become available so have fun collecting them as early as possible!

 


7. Elven Arrow

Elven Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 16

How to obtain: Upon reaching around level 15, you’ll be able to find these arrows as loot, or buy them from merchants (rarely and with a limited supply).

While fairly rare, Elven Arrows wield significant damage. There’s no reliable place to obtain copious amounts of them, just keep an eye out as much as you can. You’ll want to hoard these arrows as much as possible, prepare yourself for the next entry..

 


6. Sunshallowed Elven Arrow

Sunshallowed Elven Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 16

How to obtain: Obtain Auriel’s Bow via the Touching the Sky quest, then Knight-Paladin Gelebor will give you some of these arrows. After which, you can return to him with normal Elven Arrows to get them enchanted too.

Fairly niche but far more powerful than any other arrow previously mentioned on this list. If you fire a Sunshallowed Elven Arrow at the sun with Auriel’s Bow, it’ll inflict huge damage to all nearby enemies. This entry is the only unique entry on the list, I had to mention one and I feel I chose correctly!

 


5. Glass Arrow

Glass Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 18

How to obtain: Upon reaching level 25, you’ll be able to find these arrows as loot, or buy them from merchants from level 30.

Requiring a fairly high level to even encounter these arrows, you’ll have to go through quite a few quests before you can start collecting them. It’s worth it though, as Glass Arrows hit like a truck.

 


4. Stalhrim Arrow

Stalhrim Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 20

How to obtain: Requires the Dragonborn DLC. Complete the A New Source of Stalhrim quest, you’ll then be able to craft this arrow type after reaching a Smithing level of 80.

It’s surprisingly easy to start using these arrows, as you don’t need to reach a specific level to unlock the relevant quest. Unless you want to avoid the Dragonborn DLC additions, you might want to travel to Solstheim and get your hands on these arrows, it’ll certainly boost your early viability.

 


3. Ebony Arrow

Ebony Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 20

How to obtain: Upon reaching level 40, you’ll be able to find these arrows as loot, or buy them from merchants.

Ebony equipment is incredible and the arrow variant certainly continues the trend of high-tier items. Flaunting high damage, each shot will demolish your opponent, particularly if fired from an Ebony Bow.

 


2. Daedric Arrow

Daedric Arrows, some of the best arrows in Skyrim

Damage: 24

How to obtain: Upon reaching a high level (specific level unknown), you’ll be able to find these arrows as loot, or buy them from merchants.

Daedric Arrows are extremely rare, understandably. Such high damage must be justified by a scarce rarity, unless you can craft them. With the 2nd highest base damage, as well as fairly reasonable crafting requirements, you could easily make a case for Daedric Arrows to be first on the list.

 


1. Dragonbone Arrow

Dragonbone Arrows, the best arrows in all of Skyrim!

Damage: 25

How to obtain: Dawnguard DLC is needed, then you can craft them at a Blacksmith’s Forge with a Smithing level of 100.

No other arrow type in the entire game can compare to Dragonbone Arrows, the damage output is simply crazy for anything else. Acquiring enough arrows to use in battle can be a chore, a Smithing level of 100 requires a huge grind and plenty of resources. Overall though, the sheer enormity of damage is enough to give this entry the number 1 spot!

ikomrad

Wednesday 11th of December 2019

Horker II arrows do 24 dmg. it's easy to find Horkers to kill for their tusks, which is what you need to make the arrows.

Nordic carved arrows are also pretty nice .

David

Monday 15th of July 2019

The Scout Arrows and the Royal Daedric Arrows have higher damages than Dragonbone Arrows, but the highest damage belongs to the Bone Arrows. Hatreds Arrows are also excellent, but very difficult to obtain.

jack

Wednesday 30th of January 2019

also the only skyrim list i agree with

jack

Tuesday 29th of January 2019

my favourite is the nordic arrow from the dawnguard dlc not like its from the dragonborn dlc