Like any good open-world survival game, RuneScape: Dragonwilds throws you out to fend for yourself and master a litany of mechanics. While the main quest line nudges you along the basics, it doesn't always hold your hand. Something you can easily miss early on is getting your own bow.
Both the Wand and Staff serve as great magical ranged options, but they're not effective against every enemy. Letting loose some arrows is a great way to quickly pick an enemy off or inflict some substantial damage before changing to melee. Here's what you need to do to craft a bow in RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
How to unlock bows in RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Chances are you first heard about bows during the Dragon Slayer quest, where the Wise Old Man suggests using one to hunt some deer. He doesn't provide any hints, nor should you expect him to give you the recipe; you'll need to discover all the ingredients first before you can get to crafting.
Your first proper ranged weapon is the Ash Shortbow, which requires 12 Ash Logs and 3 Coarse Threads. You can find Ash Logs all around, but Coarse Threads must be crafted first. The Crafting Table unfortunately won't cut it for these threads. You'll need a Spinning Wheel to craft the threaded materials for this and every future ranged weapon.
Don't fret if you haven't unlocked the recipe for that yet. All a Spinning Wheel needs is 12 Ash Logs, 2 Stone, and 4 Flax. The abundant blue flowers growing around Bramblemead Village are the Flax you need. Since you have already handled logs and stone, picking up Flax for the first time will unlock the Spinning Wheel recipe.
We’re not done with the blue flowers just yet. After you've built the Spinning Wheel, interact with it and throw in some Flax. One Flax will produce a single Coarse Thread in return. Receiving the Coarse Thread will add a slew of new recipes, including one for the Ash Shortbow.
How to craft a bow in RuneScape: Dragonwilds
If you've done everything above, you're pretty much set! Head over to a Crafting Table and scroll down to the Bows section. With those 12 Ash Logs and 3 Coarse Threads on hand, you'll be able to craft your first bow.
However, this weapon is no use if you don't have anything to shoot. The ingredients for Arrows need to be discovered first as well, although there is a good chance that hunting a chicken and picking up a Feather will pop them up.
Taking 1 Stone, 1 Ash Log, and 1 Feather to the Crafting Table will give you 33 Stone Arrows. Swapping out the Stone for a Small Animal Fang will give you the stronger Fang Arrows instead. Either one will pack a punch in the early hours of the game!
That's everything you need to know to craft a bow in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Stronger Shortbow variations will become available the more you explore, as well as the Longbow and beloved Crossbow weapons. They can all become even more fun if you keep using and leveling up your ranged skill to unlock new perks.
Speaking of crossbows, this isn't the only recent release to feature them. If you love when your ranged weapons feel really OP, check out our guide on where to find the Forgotten Crossbow in Mortal Shell 2.
