Highlights
- The bow and arrow in Red Dead Redemption 2 are best used for hunting.
- Regular arrows are great for hunting normal-sized game and can be bought for a low price, while improved arrows are ideal for taking down legendary animals.
- Small game arrows cause less damage and are perfect for hunting small creatures, while poison arrows can weaken large prey and enemies. Fire arrows are useful for creating chaos against groups of enemies.
Red Dead Redemption 2 features a variety of weapons, and when players think about the best weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2, the bow and arrow aren't exactly the first to come to mind. Nevertheless, in certain situations, the bow has certain advantages over more powerful firearms. For the most part, bows and arrows should be used in Red Dead Redemption 2 for hunting, as missed shots won't scare away all the surrounding wildlife and arrows don't damage the animals as much.
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Not only is a clean animal carcass useful for selling at a high price but by using a bow instead of more explosive weapons, players will have a better spell of stealth. However, not all arrows are created equal in RDR2 as players can upgrade the Regular Arrows at campfires. Players will also need to buy the corresponding pamphlets from a Fence to upgrade their arrows.
Updated February 3, 2024 by Joe Grantham: While hunting isn't as realistic in Red Dead Redemption 2 as it is in the best-dedicated hunting games, Rockstar nonetheless did an excellent job. As any amateur hunter knows, different methods are required for taking down different prey, especially those of vastly different sizes. In RDR2, this often means using different arrows, most of which deal more damage than the basic ones, although the Small Game Arrows deal slightly less to not damage the precious pelts of tiny creatures.
6 Regular Arrows
Useful Against Normal-Sized Game
Fairly early on in the game, players will be asked by Pearson to go out hunting with Charles to provide much-needed food for the camp. During "The Aftermath of Genesis" mission, players will be given a simple hunting bow and Regular Arrows. Charles will then teach Arthur how to hunt, which involves trying not to damage the animal too much so that finer crafting materials can be procured.
For hunting purposes, these Regular Arrows will serve players great, especially on normal-sized game that are less likely to be damaged. These arrows can sometimes be retrieved and players can buy a bunch of 5 Regular Arrows for just $0.50 from General Stores and Gunsmiths. Regular Arrows are also needed to craft the best arrows in RDR2.
5 Improved Arrows
Useful For Taking Down Larger Game Thanks To Improved Damage
Crafting Materials
- 1 X Arrow, 1 X Flight Feather
Improved Arrows do exactly what they say on the tin, and are simply a higher-damage variant of Regular Arrows. Dealing an extra 0.6 damage these arrows are ideal for taking down the most legendary animals in Red Dead Redemption 2, such as Grizzly Bears and Bison.
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To craft Improved Arrows, players will need a pamphlet for them, as well as the exact amount of Regular Arrows they wish to upgrade. They will then need to collect Flight Feathers from flying birds they shoot down, with just one being needed for each Improved Arrow. Crafting is completed at campfires.
4 Small Game Arrows
Useful For Taking Down Smaller Creatures As They Cause Less Damage
Crafting Materials
- 1 X Arrow, 1 X Flight Feather, 1 X Regular Shotgun Shell
Small Game Arrows are naturally better for hunting small game as they deal 0.8 less damage, and so don't damage the animal as much, allowing players to get perfect pelts. If players are good with their aim, these arrows can also be used to take down regular-sized animals as long as the vitals are hit.
To craft Small Game Arrows, players will need a pamphlet bought from a Fence, and then a Flight Feather and Regular Shotgun Shell to add to the Regular Arrow. As more resources are required, players will want to make sure they have a good shot before letting loose. These arrows should not be wasted.
3 Poison Arrows
Used To Weaken Large Prey Or Even Enemies
Crafting Materials
- 1 X Arrow, 1 X Flight Feather, 1 X Oleander Sage
Poison Arrows are arguably the most flexible arrows in RDR2 as they can be used to weaken and slowly take down larger prey, but also can be used to deter dangerous animals from further aggression. Poison Arrows can also be situationally effective against human enemies, especially if players have run out of ammo for their guns.
The rarest component for crafting Poison Arrows is Oleander Sage, which can be found along rivers in Lemoyne, including at Macomb's End. This is the same plant that is used to make Poison Throwing Knives, which are ranked among the best throwable weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2.
2 Fire Arrows
Useful Against Human Enemies & Can Cut Off Routes
Crafting Materials
- 1 X Arrow, 1 X Flight Feather, 1 X Animal Fat
Fire Arrows are the only arrows in Red Dead Redemption 2 that should not be used for hunting, with them instead finding their niche in creating chaos against large groups of enemies. These arrows will set grass, wood, and other flammable objects on fire from far away.
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Ironically, even though Fire Arrows aren't used for hunting, players will need to hunt animals to acquire Animal Fat to craft them. Although other creatures drop Animal Fat, geese, and ducks are the best to farm for this vital resource.
1 Dynamite Arrows
Ideal For Taking Down The Largest Animals
Crafting Materials
- 1 X Arrow, 1 X Flight Feather, 1 X Dynamite
For players who like to start fights with a bang, Dynamite Arrows are the perfect option to set the fireworks going from range. Dynamite Arrows are by far the highest damage arrows in RDR2 and can even be used to take down the largest game found throughout the Wild West.
To craft Dynamite Arrows, players will need to obtain the pamphlet from the Wapiti Indian Reservation and of course get their hands on some Dynamite, which can be purchased from Fences. As with any arrows, they must be crafted at a campfire.
