Bows are one of the three primary ranged weapons available to hunters, the other two being guns and crossbows. Bows use arrows as ammunition, as do crossbows. Blood elves, orcs, trolls and night elves begin the game knowing how to use bows; tauren, draenei and dwarves require training from a Weapon Master before they can equip and use bows. Bows cannot be crafted; only purchased, quested for or obtained from defeating an NPC.
There are two important factors to consider about the hunter’s weapon of choice: DPS (damage per second) and statistics (what the hunter gains upon equiping the weapon).
Choosing Wisely
Not all bows, guns or crossbows are ideal for hunters. Since hunters are not the only classes in the game that can use these ranged weapons (warriors and rogues can, as well), some are more designed with these other two classes in mind. Usually it is the statistics that are the best indicator (if the weapon has a dodge modifier, for example).
| Name | DPS | Weapon Speed | Obtained from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zod’s Repeating Longbow | 288.9 | 2.80 | Lady Deathwhisper (Icecrown Citadel – Heroic) |
| Zod’s Repeating Longbow | 255.0 | 2.80 | Lady Deathwhisper (Icecrown Citadel) |
| Njordnar Bone Bow | 253.1 | 2.90 | Lady Deathwhisper (Icecrown Citadel) |
| Njordnar Bone Bow | 224.9 | 2.90 | Lady Deathwhisper (Icecrown Citadel) |
| Frenzystrike Longbow | 212.1 | 2.80 | A Tribute to Insanity (Crusader’s Colliseum/Horde only) |
| Rhok’shalla, the Shadow’s Bane | 212.1 | 2.80 | A Tribute to Insanity (Crusader’s Colliseum/Alliance only) |
| Furious Gladiator’s Recurve | 200.2 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Furious Gladiator’s Longbow | 187.1 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Siren’s Cry | 187.0 | 2.80 | Auriaya (Ulduar – Heroic) |
| Thori’dal, the Stars’ Fury ** | 162.8 | 2.70 | Kil’jaeden (Sunwell Plateau) |
| Avalanche | 147.4 | 2.90 | Hodir (Ulduar) |
| Golemheart Longbow | 147.4 | 2.90 | General Vezax (Ulduar) |
| Crypt Fiend Slayer | 147.3 | 3.00 | The Captain’s Chest (Halls of Reflection) |
| Deadly Gladiator’s Longbow | 141.5 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Arrowsong | 141.4 | 2.80 | Patchwerk & Gluth (Naxxramas – Heroic) |
| Hateful Gladiator’s Longbow | 129.7 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Accursed Bow of the Elite | 129.6 | 2.80 | Instructor Razuvious (Naxxramas) |
| Savage Gladiator’s Longbow | 117.7 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Titanium Compound Bow | 117.6 | 2.90 | Herald Volazj (Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Heroic) |
| Trophy Gatherer | 108.3 | 3.00 | Gortok Palehoof (Utgarde Pinnacle) |
| Charmed Ancient Bone Bow | 107.9 | 2.80 | Vendor |
| Drakkari Hunting Bow | 103.5 | 2.60 | Drakkari Elemental (Gundrak) |
| Brutal Gladiator’s Longbow | 97.5 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Golden Bow of Quel’Thalas | 97.3 | 3.00 | Grand Warlock Alythess/Lady Sacrolash (Sunwell Plateau) |
| Military Compound Bow * | 96.5 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Black Bow of the Betrayer | 95.8 | 3.00 | Illidan Stormrage (Black Temple) |
| Bristleblitz Striker | 95.8 | 3.00 | Archimonde (Hyjal Summit) |
| Sin’dorei Recurve Bow | 95.8 | 3.10 | Vendor (Borean Tundra & Howling Fjord/Horde Expedition – Revered, Horde only) |
| Massive Recurved Bow * | 94.3 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Roc-Feather Longbow | 93.7 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Dragon Slayer’s Shortbow | 93.6 | 2.80 | Quest – Post-partum Aggression (Sholazar Basin) |
| Vengeful Gladiator’s Longbow | 93.2 | 3.00 | PvP Vendor (Arena) |
| Bow of Regression | 92.2 | 3.00 | Quest – Retest Now (Icecrown) |
| Shrieking Bow * | 92.2 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Bow of Bone and Sinew | 92.1 | 2.80 | Quest – Crush Dem Vrykuls! (Icecrown) |
| Wyrmstalker’s Bow | 92.1 | 2.80 | Quest – Sindragosa’s Fall (Icecrown/Alliance only) or Cradle of the Frostbrood (Icecrown/Horde only) |
| Serpent Spine Longbow | 90.7 | 3.00 | Lady Vashj (Serpentshrine Cavern) |
| Harnessed Longbow * | 90.2 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Acute Shortbow * | 88.1 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Ancient Sin’dorei Longbow | 86.3 | 3.00 | Zul’jin (Zul’Aman) |
| Advanced Flatbow * | 86.3 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| High-Strung Bow | 84.5 | 3.00 | Quest – Stocking the Shelves (Zul’Drak) |
| Tracking Bow * | 84.4 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Sunfury Bow of the Phoenix | 83.3 | 2.90 | Prince Malchezaar (Karazhan) |
| Astral Light Bow * | 82.8 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Twisted Longbow * | 81.1 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Longbow of the Ruby Rider | 79.7 | 3.00 | Quest – Wanton Warlord (Dragonblight) |
| Dutiful Longbow * | 78.0 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Coldspike Longbow | 76.6 | 2.90 | Quest – The Shining Light (Howling Fjord/Alliance only) or Trail of Fire (Howling Fjord/Horde only) |
| Valiance Longbow | 76.6 | 2.90 | Quest – The Siege (Borean Tundra/Alliance only) |
| Warsong Longbow | 76.6 | 2.90 | Quest – Cutting Off the Source (Borean Tundra/Horde only) |
| Expert’s Longbow * | 76.5 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Taut Driftwood Bow | 76.5 | 2.70 | Quest – Defeat the Gearmaster (Borean Tundra/Horde only) |
| Wrathtide Longbow | 75.5 | 3.00 | Warlord Kalithresh (The Steamvault – Heroic only) |
| Yew Bow * | 75.2 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Marksman’s Bow | 73.8 | 2.80 | Vendor (Hellfire Penninsula/Thrallmar – Exalted, Horde only) |
| Honorable Longbow * | 73.7 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Starbolt Longbow | 66.4 | 2.80 | Pandemonius (Mana-Tombs – Heroic only) |
| Valanos’ Longbow | 66.4 | 2.80 | Random World Drop |
| Skyfire Hawk-Bow | 64.6 | 2.40 | Warbringer O’mrogg (The Shattered Halls) |
| Melmorta’s Twilight Longbow | 64.5 | 3.00 | Chrono Lord Deja (The Black Morass) |
| Lohn’goron, Bow of the Torn-heart | 62.9 | 2.60 | Quest – The Cipher of Damnation (Shadowmoon Valley) |
| Windspear Longbow * | 61.1 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Soulstring | 60.7 | 2.90 | Four Horsemen Event – Old Naxxramas – No longer available |
| Dream Catcher Bow * | 60.0 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Orc Flatbow * | 58.5 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Rocslayer Longbow * | 56.9 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Grand Marshal’s Bullseye | 55.8 | 1.80 | PvP Vendor (Stormwind City/Alliance Only) |
| High Warlord’s Recurve | 55.8 | 1.80 | PvP Vendor (Orgrimmar/Horde Only) |
| Huhuran’s Stinger | 55.7 | 2.70 | Princess Huhuran (Temple of Ahn’Qiraj) |
| Ethereal Warp-Bow | 55.7 | 2.70 | Nexus-Prince Shaffar (Mana-Tombs) |
| Alley’s Recurve | 55.6 | 2.50 | Quest – Mark V is Alive! (Netherstorm) |
| Scorch Wood Bow | 55.5 | 2.20 | Quest – From the Ashes (Blade’s Edge Mountains) |
| Ranger’s Recurved Bow * | 55.4 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Talbuk Hunting Bow * | 54.1 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Splintermark | 53.4 | 2.50 | PvP Vendor (Zangarmarsh) |
| Heartstriker | 53.3 | 2.60 | Broodlord Lashlayer (Blackwing Lair) |
| Rhok’delar, Longbow of the Ancient Keepers | 53.3 | 2.90 | Quest – Rhok’delar, Longbow of the Ancient Keepers (Molten Core/Hunter Epic Quest) |
| Expert’s Bow * | 52.4 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Thalassian Compound Bow * | 50.9 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Feather-Wrapped Bow | 49.3 | 2.70 | Quest – Veil Rhaze: Unliving Evil (Terokkar Forest) |
| Razorsong Bow * | 49.3 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Mag’har Bow | 48.6 | 2.80 | Quest – Administering the Salve (Hellfire Penninsula/Horde only) |
| Viper Bow * | 48.5 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Striker’s Mark | 48.4 | 2.50 | Magmadar (Molten Core) |
| Windtalker Bow * | 47.8 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Bow of Taut Sinew | 47.7 | 2.20 | Ayamiss the Hunter (Ruins of Ahn’Qiraj) |
| Telaari Longbow * | 46.7 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Mandokir’s Sting | 46.3 | 2.60 | Bloodlord Mandokir (Zul’Gurub) |
| Ashenvale Longbow * | 45.6 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Azerothian Longbow * | 44.4 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Stout Oak Longbow | 44.2 | 3.30 | Quest – Thinning the Ranks (Terokkar Forest/Alliance only) or What Happens in Terokkar Stays in Terokkar (Terokkar Forest/Horde only) |
| Hoodoo Hunting Bow | 43.9 | 2.80 | Wushoolay (Zul’Gurub) |
| Eaglehorn Long Bow | 40.8 | 1.80 | Random World Drop |
| Outrider’s Bow | 40.8 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Horde only) |
| Outrunner’s Bow | 40.8 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Alliance only) |
| Gorewood Bow | 40.2 | 2.50 | Quest – Order Must Be Restored (Eastern Plaguelands/Alliance only) or The Scarlet Oracle, Demetria (Eastern Plaguelands/Horde only) |
| Ancient Bone Bow | 39.8 | 2.80 | Lord Alexei Barov, Doctor Theolen Krastinov, The Ravenian, Instructor Malicia, Lady Illucia Barov or Lorekeeper Polkelt (Scholomance) |
| Malgen’s Long Bow | 39.7 | 2.90 | Quest – The Challenge (Blackrock Depths), one of two random items from the chest generated upon successful completion of the event |
| Deep Strike Bow | 39.3 | 2.70 | Earthen Templar (Silithus) |
| Screeching Bow | 39.1 | 2.30 | Baroness Anastari (Stratholme) |
| Mag’hari Light Recurve | 39.0 | 2.10 | Vendor |
| Sandstrider’s Mark | 38.7 | 2.60 | Quest – Wanted: Deathclasp, Terror of the Sands (Silithus) |
| Riphook | 38.6 | 2.20 | Shadow Hunter Vosh’gajin (Lower Blackrock Spire) |
| Archstrike Bow * | 38.3 | 2.30 | Random World Drop |
| Satyr’s Bow | 38.1 | 2.40 | Zevrim Thornhoof (Dire Maul) |
| Hawkeye Bow * | 37.9 | 1.70 | Random World Drop |
| Hurricane | 37.8 | 1.60 | Random World Drop |
| Blasthorn Bow * | 36.9 | 2.60 | Random World Drop |
| Ogre Toothpick Shooter | 36.4 | 2.20 Gordok Tribute (Dire Maul) | |
| Voone’s Twitchbow | 36.3 | 1.60 | War Master Voone (Lower Blackrock Spire) |
| Gryphonwing Long Bow | 36.1 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Houndmaster’s Bow | 35.0 | 1.80 | Houndmaster Grebmar (Blackrock Depths) |
| Outrider’s Bow | 34.8 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Horde only) |
| Outrunner’s Bow | 34.8 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Alliance only) |
| Verdant Keeper’s Aim | 34.8 | 2.80 | Quest – Corruption of Earth and Seed (Maraudon) |
| Thornflinger | 34.5 | 2.80 | Quest – Wildkin of Elune (Winterspring/Alliance only) |
| Quillfire Bow * | 33.3 | 2.30 | Random World Drop |
| Siege Bow * | 32.0 | 2.80 | Random World Drop |
| Stinging Bow | 31.2 | 2.80 | Random Drop (The Temple of Atal’Hakkar) |
| Needle Threader | 31.0 | 2.00 | Random World Drop |
| Bow of Searing Arrows | 30.9 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Highland Bow | 30.8 | 2.50 | Quest – Return to Primal Torntusk (The Hinterlands/Horde only) |
| Harpy Needler * | 30.7 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Sylvan Shortbow | 29.5 | 2.00 | Vendor |
| Outrider’s Bow | 28.8 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Horde only) |
| Outrunner’s Bow | 28.8 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Alliance only) |
| Massive Longbow | 28.4 | 2.80 | Vendor |
| Monolithic Bow | 27.6 | 2.70 | Random Drop (Uldaman) |
| Broken Longbow | 27.6 | 2.50 | Random World Drop |
| Crusader Bow * | 26.8 | 2.20 | Random World Drop |
| Skystriker Bow | 26.2 | 2.10 | Random World Drop |
| Quillshooter | 25.4 | 2.80 | Random Drop (Razorfen Downs) |
| Master Hunter’s Bow | 25.3 | 2.90 | Quest – Big Game Hunter (Stranglethorn Vale) |
| Trueshot Bow * | 23.7 | 1.90 | Random World Drop |
| Recurve Long Bow | 23.0 | 2.50 | Random World Drop |
| Baelog’s Shortbow | 22.4 | 2.30 | Baelog (Uldaman/Horde only) |
| Seasoned Marshwood Bow | 22.0 | 2.70 | Quest – The Reagent Thief (Dustwallow Marsh) |
| Outrider’s Bow | 21.3 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Horde only) |
| Outrunner’s Bow | 21.3 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Alliance only) |
| Harpyclaw Short Bow | 20.3 | 1.80 | Random World Drop |
| Nightstalker Bow | 20.3 | 1.70 | Blind Hunter (Razorfen Kraul) |
| Long Redwood Bow | 19.1 | 2.80 | Random World Drop |
| Dense Shortbow | 18.9 | 1.90 | Vendor |
| Whipwood Recurve Bow | 18.6 | 1.80 | Random World Drop |
| Balanced Long Bow | 18.6 | 1.80 | Random World Drop |
| Sturdy Recurve | 17.5 | 2.20 | Vendor |
| Ravenwood Bow | 17.4 | 1.90 | Fenros (Duskwood) |
| Archer’s Longbow | 17.3 | 2.60 | Random World Drop |
| Naga Heartpiercer | 16.7 | 1.80 | Lady Sarevess (Blackfathom Deeps) |
| Lunaris Bow | 16.5 | 2.70 | Quest – Answered Questions (Ashenvale/Alliance only) |
| Raptor’s End | 16.4 | 2.90 | Quest – Ormer’s Revenge (Wetlands/Alliance only) |
| Ranger Bow | 16.1 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Cliffrunner’s Aim | 15.9 | 2.30 | Quest – The Sacred Flame (Thousand Needles/Horde only) |
| Long Battle Bow | 15.9 | 2.20 | Random World Drop |
| Venomstrike | 15.8 | 2.40 | Lord Serpentis (Wailing Caverns) |
| Bow of Plunder | 15.4 | 2.60 | Quest – Dangerous! (Hillsbrad Foothills/Horde only) |
| Outrider’s Bow | 15.2 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Horde only) |
| Outrunner’s Bow | 15.2 | 2.40 | PvP Vendor (Warsong Gulch/Alliance only) |
| Precision Bow | 15.0 | 2.60 | Random World Drop |
| Farstrider’s Longbow | 14.4 | 1.70 | Quest – The Traitor’s Destruction (Ghostlands/Horde only) |
| Heavy Recurve Bow | 12.7 | 2.40 | Vendor |
| Short Ash Bow | 12.4 | 1.90 | Random World Drop |
| Taut Compound Bow | 11.8 | 2.50 | Random World Drop |
| Light Bow | 11.5 | 1.70 | Random World Drop |
| Well Crafted Long Bow | 10.9 | 2.70 | Quest – Bring Me Kel’gash’s Head! (Ghostlands/Horde only) |
| Stiff Recurve Bow | 10.9 | 2.80 | Random World Drop |
| Reinforced Bow | 10.7 | 2.20 | Vendor |
| Fine Longbow | 10.6 | 2.70 | Vendor |
| Mishandled Recurve Bow | 9.2 | 2.40 | Random World Drop |
| Fine Shortbow | 8.8 | 1.70 | Vendor |
| Heavy Shortbow | 8.8 | 2.50 | Random World Drop |
| Daryl’s Hunting Bow | 8.7 | 2.30 | Quest – A Hunter’s Boast (Loch Modan/Alliance only) |
| Laminated Recurve Bow | 8.5 | 2.60 | Vendor |
| Orcish Battle Bow | 8.4 | 1.90 | Quest – Centaur Bracers (The Barrens/Horde only) |
| Light Hunting Bow | 7.6 | 1.70 | Random World Drop |
| Farstrider’s Bow | 7.3 | 2.80 | Quest – Beast Training (Eversong Woods/Blood Elf only) |
| Quel’Thalas Recurve | 7.0 | 2.70 | Quest – Goldenmist Village (Ghostlands/Horde only) |
| Hunting Bow | 6.9 | 2.60 | Random World Drop |
| Ven’jashi’s Bow | 6.8 | 2.00 | Quest – Zul’Marosh (Eversong Woods/Horde only) |
| Ashwood Bow | 6.2 | 2.10 | Quest – Crown of the Earth (Teldrassil/Alliance only) |
| Hickory Shortbow | 6.0 | 2.00 | Quest – Securing the Lines (Durotar/Horde only) |
| Feeble Shortbow | 5.6 | 1.80 | Random World Drop |
| Worn Ranger’s Bow | 5.0 | 2.10 | Quest – The Ring of Mmmrrrggglll (Eversong Woods/Horde only) |
| Hornwood Recurve Bow | 4.5 | 2.10 | Vendor |
| Cadet’s Bow | 4.0 | 2.00 | Random World Drop |
| Primitive Bow | 3.9 | 2.70 | Random World Drop |
| Sunstrider Bow | 3.9 | 2.30 | Quest – Felendren the Banished (Sunstrider Isle/Horde only) |
| Thistlewood Bow | 3.9 | 2.30 | Random World Drop |
| Cracked Shortbow | 3.9 | 2.30 | Random World Drop |
| Polished Shortbow | 3.8 | 2.00 | Vendor |
| Stiff Shortbow | 3.8 | 2.00 | Vendor |
| Warder’s Shortbow | 3.3 | 2.30 | Starting bow – Blood Elf only |
| Worn Shortbow | 3.3 | 2.30 | Vendor/Starting bow – Night Elf, Orc, Troll only |
* Denotes that this weapon comes in a variety of random enchantment versions. Agility, Intellect, Power (attack power), Marksmanship (attack power), Spirit, Stamina, Strength, Bandit (agility, stamina & attack power), Bear (stamina & strength), Beast (strength, agility & stamina), Boar (spirit & strength), Champion (strength, stamina & defense), Eagle (intellect & stamina), Falcon (agility & intellect), Gorilla (intellect & strength), Monkey (agility & stamina), Owl (intellect & spirit), Tiger (agility & strength), Whale (spirit & stamina) and Wolf (agility & spirit). Bandit, Beast and Champion random enchants are only available in the Outlands and Northrend.
** Keep in mind that Thori’dal, the Stars’ Fury does not use ammunition and so its DPS is calculated with that in mind. As such, while some bows list a lower DPS number, they will actually be superior when including ammunition into the equasion.