Task guide / Upcoming Early Access · Oct 27 devlogs
Bow & Arrows
For the most accurate shot, stop moving, hold aim to draw the bow until the draw meter turns green, then press attack to fire. Do not hold a full draw indefinitely: after a few seconds the character shakes and accuracy worsens. Recover surviving arrows after the fight to keep your supply going.
Updated 2026-10-30 · Upcoming Early Access · Oct 27 devlogs
What to do, in order
Start with a Bow and matching Arrows already available in your inventory or hotbar. This route covers aiming, firing and recovering shots with that equipment.
Equip the Bow and carry Arrows. Hold aim to raise and draw it. Watch the dynamic reticle and the draw meter: green is full tension, which improves speed, damage and accuracy compared with a quick partial shot.
Official upcoming-EA screenshot showing a Bow drawn at a target and a green draw meter. Stop moving and fire with attack when the meter is green. Movement spreads the shot. If a full draw starts shaking, take the shot or reset your aim rather than waiting for it to become more accurate.
Allow for the arrow’s curved path under gravity on longer shots. The official update says headshots give a large damage bonus and limb hits do less, but it gives no exact multiplier.
After the area is safe, recover intact arrows from surfaces or the ground. Arrows stuck in a zombie fall to the ground when it dies. Some arrows break on impact and cannot be recovered; do not plan as if every shot is free.
An allied NPC can use a Bow and the correct Arrows. The update says NPC bow shots do not hurt you or other allies. Supply the matching ammunition rather than expecting gun ammunition to work with the Bow.
After the shot
Your arrow is released at full draw, the target takes the hit and any surviving arrows can be recovered. Keep enough spare arrows for breakage.
If shots spread or arrows disappear
If shots spread, stop moving, draw to green and avoid holding so long that shaking starts. If you cannot recover a shot, it may have broken on impact. If an NPC does not fire, check that the Bow has matching Arrows.