Compound bow

This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.201.54. If this is no longer the current patch, you can help by updating it.

This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.201.54.

compound bow

$ 50.00 Commerce Value 5 lbs. Weight
	arrow
	Medium (5)
	1
	1
	3
	)
	Compound Bow
Extra Info: Requires two hands to wield
Infobox data from game version 2.0.201.54

compound bow

Some tinker has fastened wheels to the limbs of this bow. Cables work to accentuate the archer's strength, mechanically flexing the limbs further inward as the string is drawn.

Weapon Class: Bows & Rifles
Accuracy: Medium
Projectiles fired with this weapon receive bonus penetration based on the wielder's Strength.

Perfect

Compound bows are missile weapons belonging to the Bow and Rifle weapon class. They use arrows as ammunition.

The compound bow is unique among bows in that it benefits from the user's strength. More specifically, their strength modifier is added to the →PV of arrows fired from the bow, up to a certain limit.

When the player loads an arrow into a compound bow, the game will display the maximum strength-modified penetration that is achievable with that arrow and the compound bow. For example, if a steel arrow is loaded, the display will always look like the following:

However, the actual PV will be →4, plus the wielder's strength modifier, up to the displayed limit. Thus, the actual PV is not shown in game.

Mechanics

Currently, all arrows in the game have a base penetration value of →4. However, each type of arrow has a different maximum penetration, which can be achieved only with the compound bow and sufficient strength. Higher-tier arrows have a higher potential cap for strength-modified penetration. There are currently no other bows in the game that apply the wielder's strength modifier to arrow penetration, and the only other bow that allows higher than →4 with any arrow is the turbow.

Scoring a critical hit with the compound bow will add a +2 bonus to its PV.

Arrow	Normal Stats		Stats When Fired From Compound Bow
	PV	Damage	Base PV	Max PV	Str Required To Achive Max PV	Damage
wooden arrow	→4	1d41-4 (Avg: 2.5)	→4	→6	20	1d41-4 (Avg: 2.5)
steel arrow	→4	1d3+12-4 (Avg: 3)	→4	→7	22	1d3+12-4 (Avg: 3)
boomrose arrow	→4	1d21-2 (Avg: 1.5)	→4	→5	18	1d21-2 (Avg: 1.5)
carbide arrow	→4	1d4+12-5 (Avg: 3.5)	→4	→8	24	1d4+12-5 (Avg: 3.5)
folded carbide arrow	→4	1d4+23-6 (Avg: 4.5)	→4	→9	26	1d4+23-6 (Avg: 4.5)
fullerite arrow	→4	1d4+34-7 (Avg: 5.5)	→4	→10	28	1d4+34-7 (Avg: 5.5)
crysteel arrow	→4	1d4+45-8 (Avg: 6.5)	→4	→11	30	1d4+45-8 (Avg: 6.5)
flawless crysteel arrow	→4	1d4+56-9 (Avg: 7.5)	→4	→12	32	1d4+56-9 (Avg: 7.5)
zetachrome arrow	→4	1d4+67-10 (Avg: 8.5)	→4	→13	34	1d4+67-10 (Avg: 8.5)

Obtaining

The compound bow does not have any guaranteed loot drop locations or creatures that wield it. It can be somewhat difficult to find for this reason. It is included only as a random loot in the Missile 2 and Missile 3 item tables. For this reason, it is most likely to be found randomly in low-to-mid tier zones, such as goatfolk villages, or purchased from dromad traders.

Considerations

This section is opinion-based. Your mileage may vary.

• Can be a very effective ranged weapon for high-strength characters during the early game.
• Arguably, has the highest damage potential of any bow, exceeding the potential of the turbow at very high strength levels.
• Accuracy is higher than other bows, giving it utility with boomrose arrows. Consider adding the scoped mod to improve accuracy even more.
• Not advisable for characters with low strength, because the compound bow will also lower an arrow's base PV based on strength. Other bows won't do this.
• High tier ammo is difficult to come by.