There are spiders in the fields and Creepers underground. There’s even an Ender Dragon between you and ultimate victory. A sword is a mighty thing, but it’s a perilous one in Minecraft. Getting up close and personal with your enemies can mean a painful reset back at your bed. You can avoid all that, however, by crafting a ranged weapon to keep your foes at bay. With enough ammunition and a good vantage point, these blocky monsters will never know what hit them. Here’s how to make a bow and arrow and live your stealth archer dreams in Minecraft.
Minecraft Bow Crafting Guide
Some RPGs treat a bow and arrow as a singular item, but not Minecraft. You’ll need to craft your weapon and ammunition separately. There are also plenty of variations of both, especially once you get into enchantment. You need a good foundation before you can get your Legolas on, however. Making a bow in Minecraft requires Sticks x3 and String x3. A set of four arrows requires Flint x1, Stick x1, and Feather x1. Here’s what you need to do:
- Create a Crafting Table (using Planks x4)
- Place the Sticks x3 and String x3 on the table’s grid (pictured above)
- Collect your bow
- Place the Flint x1, Stick x1, and Feather x1 on the table’s grid (pictured above)
- Collect your arrows
You’ll receive four arrows each time you craft them, but it’s still wise to stock up on extra materials to craft more. Even an Infinity Bow requires at least one arrow to shoot, so be sure to keep a stockpile on hand. Running out of ammo mid-fight never feels good. Once you have a stockpile, you can start mixing arrows with Lingering Potions to imbue them. With a full quiver and a trusty bow at your back, there’s nowhere you can’t explore.
