FromSoftware's Soulsborne games have always offered ranged options, but bows historically took a backseat to melee combat. Elden Ring changes that balance completely. With a huge variety of bows, greatbows, and crossbows, ranged combat is more viable and rewarding than ever. Players can now create long-range builds that can melt bosses, control enemy groups, and play tactically from a distance.

While not every bow deserves a slot in your inventory, some stand out for their raw damage, unique weapon skills, or powerful scaling. In this guide, we'll go over the best bows and greatbows in Elden Ring, explain how to get them, and discuss why each weapon earns its S-Tier or A-Tier ranking. If you're hunting for top-tier ranged weapons or farming Elden Ring Items to enhance your build, this breakdown has everything you need.

S-Tier Bows and Greatbows

Lion Greatbow

·Default Damage: 120

·Max Upgrade Damage: 294

·Scaling: Str D, Dex D

·Weight: 9.5

·Skill: Radahn's Rain

·How to Get: Trade the Remembrance of the Starscourge to Enia at the Roundtable Hold.

The Lion Greatbow stands as the undisputed king of ranged weapons in Elden Ring. It packs devastating base damage, and when paired with Radahn's Spear Greatarrows, it becomes a boss-killing machine. Its signature skill, Radahn's Rain, unleashes a storm of arrows across a massive area - a clear homage to General Radahn's legendary boss fight. If you want a weapon that can delete enemies before they reach you, this is it.

Pulley Bow

·Default Damage: 77

·Max Upgrade Damage: 188

·Scaling: Str D, Dex D

·Weight: 5.0

·Skill: Mighty Shot

·How to Get: Found north of Gelmir Hero's Grave.

Despite being a regular bow, the Pulley Bow deserves S-Tier status because of its incredible range - the best in the entire game at a firing distance of 55. It's lightweight, efficient, and scales well even in Dexterity-focused builds. With its long reach, the Pulley Bow is the perfect choice for players who love picking off enemies before they even aggro. Its clean, modern design has also earned it cult-favorite status among fans.

Full Moon Crossbow

·Default Damage: 50

·Max Upgrade Damage: 175

·Weight: 4.0

·Skill: Kick

·How to Get: Found inside a bell tower at the Raya Lucaria Academy.

Though technically a crossbow, the Full Moon Crossbow deserves mention thanks to its magical scaling. Requiring just 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity, and 14 Intelligence, it's tailor-made for sorcerer builds. It fires magic bolts that deal tremendous burst damage - perfect for mages who want a secondary ranged option without swapping to a staff. The only downside is managing ammunition, but its power more than makes up for that.

Golem Greatbow

·Default Damage: 130

·Max Upgrade Damage: 318

·Scaling: Str D → C, Dex E → D

·Weight: 14.5

·Skill: Through and Through

·How to Get: Rare drop from Golem Archers.

The Golem Greatbow is a monster of a weapon, both in power and size. With 130 base damage and one of the highest Strength scalings in the game, it hits like a freight train. It's Through and Through skill fires piercing shots that can skewer multiple enemies in one go. The only drawback is its hefty weight and steep stat requirements (24 Strength, 18 Dexterity), but once you wield it, few enemies can stand in your way.

Ansbach's Longbow (Shadow of the Erdtree DLC)

·Default Damage: 74

·Max Upgrade Damage: 181

·Scaling: Str E → D, Dex D

·Weight: 4.5

·Skill: Fan Shot

·How to Get: Complete Ansbach's questline in the DLC.

A new addition from Shadow of the Erdtree, Ansbach's Longbow, introduces the Fan Shot skill, which releases eight arrows in a spread pattern. It's perfect for applying status effects like Bleed, Frostbite, or Sleep across multiple enemies. This bow rewards creativity and pairs beautifully with status-oriented builds. If you want early access to DLC gear, you can also buy Elden Ring Items to speed up the process.

Horn Bow

·Default Damage: 65 Physical, 30 Magic

·Max Upgrade Damage: 159 Physical, 73 Magic

·Scaling: Str E → D, Dex D, Int E

·Weight: 4.5

·Skill: Mighty Shot

·How to Get: Found it in the Iofra River, near the River Bank Site of Grace.

The Horn Bow is a hybrid powerhouse, dealing both physical and magic damage. It shines in spellblade and hybrid builds, especially when paired with magic arrows. The fact that it can be infused with Ashes of War makes it one of the most flexible ranged weapons in the game.

A-Tier Bows and Greatbows

Erdtree Bow

·Default Damage: 40 Physical, 50 Holy

·Max Upgrade Damage: 98 Physical, 122 Holy

·Scaling: Str E, Dex E → D, Fai D

·Weight: 4.0

·Skill: Mighty Shot

·How to Get: Found in a chest in Leyndell, Royal Capital.

The Erdtree Bow deals mixed physical and Holy damage, making it a reliable choice against undead or corrupted enemies. It fires quickly and doesn't require heavy investment in stats, making it an ideal pick for Faith-based characters who prefer lightweight gear.

Erdtree Greatbow

·Default Damage: 60 Physical, 65 Holy

·Max Upgrade Damage: 147 Physical, 159 Holy

·Scaling: Str E → D, Dex E → D, Fai D

·Weight: 11.0

·Skill: Through and Through

·How to Get: Reward from the Fringefolk Hero's Grave puzzle.

A larger version of the standard Erdtree Bow, this Greatbow allows for elemental buffs and Holy scaling, giving it a unique niche. While it doesn't hit as hard as the Lion or Golem Greatbows, its synergy with Faith builds and Wondrous Physick setups makes it a great alternative.

Arbalest

·Default Damage: 69

·Max Upgrade Damage: 308

·Weight: 6.0

·Skill: Kick

·How to Get: Found in Stormveil Castle, on the ramparts.

The Arbalest is a classic choice for players who want raw, consistent damage. It doesn't scale with stats, but its fully upgraded damage output is astonishing for a crossbow. Simple, effective, and perfect for Strength builds needing a secondary weapon.

Serpent Bow

·Default Damage: 75

·Max Upgrade Damage: 183

·Scaling: Str E, Dex D, Arc D

·How to Get: Found in the Abandoned Cave near Smoldering Wall.

The Serpent Bow specializes in poison damage, making it one of the most interesting ranged weapons in the game. It pairs beautifully with Arcane builds and can melt bosses slowly over time through poison stacking. It's also a strong PvP choice due to its status-infliction potential.

Final Thoughts

Ranged combat in Elden Ring has finally found its place among the game's best playstyles. Whether you prefer the brute strength of Greatbows, the precision of longbows, or the status-focused trickery of crossbows, there's a powerful ranged weapon for every Tarnished.

S-Tier picks like the Lion Greatbow and Pulley Bow dominate in both PvE and PvP, while versatile options like the Horn Bow and Serpent Bow offer unique hybrid opportunities.

Mastering these weapons turns Elden Ring's toughest encounters into long-range showcases of skill - proving that you don't need a colossal sword to conquer the Lands Between.