Is the Dragonbone Bow Good in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
Yes, the Dragonbone Bow is exceptionally good in Skyrim, often considered one of the best bows in the game. It boasts a strong combination of high base damage, respectable firing speed, and relatively easier acquisition compared to some other top-tier bows. While it might not be the absolute most powerful bow in every single scenario, the Dragonbone Bow excels as a consistently powerful and reliable option for archers of all levels. It offers a solid balance that many players find perfect for various combat encounters, from battling dragons to clearing out bandit camps. Let’s delve deeper into why this particular bow stands out.
Dragonbone Bow: A Breakdown of its Strengths
The Dragonbone Bow’s strength lies in its well-rounded performance. Here’s a closer look:
Impressive Damage
At its base, a standard Dragonbone Bow deals 20 damage, which is significantly higher than many other bows available. This damage output allows for effective engagements against a wide range of enemies without needing extensive upgrades or enchantments. Coupled with the right perks, this base damage can be amplified to devastating levels. The base damage is a key reason why many players choose this bow as their go-to option.
Firing Speed Advantage
While it might be heavier than some bows, the Dragonbone Bow surprises many by firing faster than the Daedric Bow. This improved firing speed translates to better damage per second, making it more effective in sustained engagements. Faster firing also allows players to adjust their shots more quickly and react to enemy movements. The Dragonbone bow has a fire rate of about 0.75 shots/second according to some tables, though other calculations put it slightly lower, at around 0.3624 shots/second (2.759 seconds/shot), which is still respectable considering its damage output.
Craftability and Acquisition
Unlike some other top-tier equipment that requires incredibly rare drops or complicated quests, the Dragonbone Bow is relatively easy to acquire. It can be crafted once you reach a high enough Smithing skill and learn the Dragon Armor perk. This ensures that dedicated players can obtain a powerful bow with less reliance on random chance. The required materials, namely Dragon Bones and Dragon Scales, while rare, are obtained by fighting dragons, which is a core part of the Skyrim experience.
Versatility
The Dragonbone Bow is a versatile weapon that works well with various play styles. Whether you prefer a stealthy archer, a combat archer, or a mix of both, the Dragonbone Bow will consistently deliver solid performance. Its high base damage and reasonable speed make it a reliable choice in nearly any combat scenario.
Limitations to Consider
While the Dragonbone Bow is excellent, it isn’t perfect:
Weight
The Dragonbone Bow is among the heaviest bows in the game, weighing in at 20 units. This can impact your overall carrying capacity, especially if you rely heavily on other heavy equipment. Weight management can be a factor for players focusing on stealth or carrying a lot of loot.
Not the Absolute Best
Although highly effective, the Dragonbone Bow might not be the absolute best bow in every single situation. The Bow of Shadows, a Creation Club addition, might outperform it in some specific scenarios due to its unique effects, even with its lower base damage. Also, a heavily enchanted or upgraded Daedric Bow might surpass the Dragonbone Bow in pure damage output, though this requires a significant amount of time invested into enchanting.
Conclusion: A Top-Tier Choice
In conclusion, the Dragonbone Bow is undoubtedly a top-tier choice for archers in Skyrim. Its combination of high base damage, faster firing speed than the Daedric Bow, and relatively easier acquisition make it a reliable and powerful option for a variety of gameplay styles. While there might be situational alternatives, the consistency and strength of the Dragonbone Bow solidify its place as a beloved and powerful weapon in the world of Skyrim. If you’re looking for a strong, dependable bow to handle anything Skyrim throws at you, the Dragonbone Bow is an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Dragonbone Bow
1. How does the Dragonbone Bow compare to the Daedric Bow?
The Dragonbone Bow generally does more base damage and fires faster than the Daedric Bow at its base level. The Daedric Bow may surpass it if heavily enchanted and upgraded, but at default settings, the Dragonbone Bow comes out on top. Also the materials for the dragonbone bow are easier to get through normal gameplay than daedric hearts.
2. What is the base damage of a Dragonbone Bow?
The base damage of a standard Dragonbone Bow is 20. This makes it one of the highest base damage bows in the game before considering any enchantments or upgrades.
3. How fast does the Dragonbone Bow fire?
The Dragonbone Bow fires faster than a Daedric Bow. While specific calculations vary slightly, it typically fires around 0.75 shots per second, which translates to faster damage output compared to many other bows.
4. What materials do I need to craft a Dragonbone Bow?
To craft a Dragonbone Bow, you’ll need Dragon Bones and Dragon Scales. These materials can be obtained from defeated dragons, making it a natural reward for exploring and fighting the various dragons that roam Skyrim.
5. What is the weight of the Dragonbone Bow?
The Dragonbone Bow weighs 20 units, making it one of the heavier bows in the game. This can be a consideration for players managing their carrying capacity.
6. Is the Dragonbone Bow the best bow for killing dragons?
The Dragonbone Bow is a very effective bow for killing dragons due to its high damage and decent firing speed. However, some players might prefer bows with special enchantments or effects for specific encounters, such as using elemental damage for dragons weak to specific elements. The main thing for dragons is that you have a high damage output bow, and a way to aim at flying targets, and the Dragonbone Bow suits that.
7. What is the best enchantment for a Dragonbone Bow?
The “best” enchantment depends on your playstyle. Soul Trap is a popular choice for recharging weapon enchantments, and others may choose enchantments that increase damage such as Fiery Soul Trap, or Chaos Damage.
8. Can you get a Dragonbone Bow without Smithing?
While you can craft the Dragonbone Bow with high Smithing skill, you can also sometimes find it as loot from various containers and enemies, albeit rarely. In addition, with the Anniversary Edition there is an item that lets you craft with no Smithing requirement.
9. How does the Dragonbone Bow compare to the Bow of Shadows?
The Bow of Shadows has a lower base damage of 19 but has a special effect making it arguably the most powerful bow when accounting for all of its abilities. While the Dragonbone Bow provides consistent damage, the Bow of Shadows introduces other mechanics into combat.
10. Is the Dragonbone Bow better than a crossbow?
This depends on your playstyle. Crossbows generally deal more damage per shot but fire much slower. If you prefer a more rapid firing approach with lower per shot damage, the Dragonbone Bow might be better.
11. What is the maximum damage a Dragonbone Bow can achieve?
The maximum damage can be significantly increased through Smithing upgrades, enchantments, and potions that boost archery damage. There is no hard limit, and dedicated players can push damage output to extremely high levels.
12. Which race is best for using the Dragonbone Bow?
Any race with a bonus to archery skills will do well, but the Bosmer (Wood Elf) are traditionally considered the best due to their starting archery and other relevant bonuses. Other good options include Redguards, Khajiit, and Dunmer.
13. Does Dragonbone equipment have any advantages over other types?
Dragonbone weapons have high damage output as well as weight. In some cases, Dragonbone weapons are the most powerful in their class, such as the Dragonbone Mace being the most powerful craftable one-handed weapon.
14. How do you get the Dragon Armor perk to craft the Dragonbone Bow?
You need a Smithing skill of 100 and the Dragon Armor perk. The fastest way to level Smithing is to craft iron daggers early game, and with some investment in crafting the Dragonbone Bow becomes possible.
15. Can you temper the Dragonbone Bow?
Yes, the Dragonbone Bow can be tempered at a grindstone to significantly increase its damage output. The tempering material is Dragonbone, allowing you to temper it fairly easily, assuming you have defeated some dragons.