KCD2 Archery Guide: Bows, Crossbows and No Crosshair

Where the shot goes

• Bow — the arrow lands roughly where the arrowhead points.
• Crossbow — same idea, but the bolt tip is easier to see, which is why crossbows are the friendlier starting weapon.
• Firearm — ignore the projectile and watch the barrel; that is the line the shot follows. Bows and guns sway, and guns also recoil, both worse at low Marksmanship. Holding the aim too long tires Henry and makes the next shot drift, so the practical rule is to line it up and fire rather than hold.

Starting out

Crossbows are the beginner pick. Troskowitz sells an Old Hunting Crossbow for around 66 Groschen if you have the coin. For a free start, travel northeast of Troskowitz along the road to the point of interest called “Target on a tree” — there you get the Dogwood Town Bow, arrows, and a manual that raises Marksmanship when read. A stump near the practice target holds a Weak Bowman’s Brew; the recipe is sold by Barnaby north of Trosky Castle.

Leveling Marksmanship

Hitting targets and dummies does not earn XP. Only living targets count: animals first, then bandits. Hunting spots make animals easy to find, and a leveled Houndmaster helps locate them. Against bandits, the shoot-run-shoot rhythm keeps you out of melee while you chip them down. Arrows and bolts cause bleeding more easily than blades and can punch through armour layers or hit vulnerable spots, which is why a clean ranged opening often decides a fight before it starts.

Practical shooting

Pick a steady aim method and keep it repeatable. Reduce sensitivity if the aim feels floaty, and practise on a stationary target at medium range before live fights. Keep stamina in mind — entering a draw already drained ruins stability. And always carry the right ammo in the off-hand slot; without it the weapon will not fire at all. For how ranged fits a full build, read combat basics and the best weapons guide.