The introduction of crossbows added an entirely new dynamic to ranged combat and PVP in Minecraft, but what is ultimately the best choice to use for your projectile flinging desires? Does the crossbow really have the bow beat?

Minecraft Bow vs Crossbow - Which is Better?

Before we offer our verdict for the best ranged weapon choice in Minecraft, let's first break down the stats and relevant details for the bow and crossbow alike.

Bow

In Minecraft, the bow is an extremely versatile weapon, capable of keeping mobs and players at a reasonable range while dealing consistent high damage when enchanted. If an arrow is charged for over one second, it is also guaranteed to be a critical hit, but arrows can be fired sooner should the situation call for it. Bows can be crafted using three sticks and three string.

Stats

Damage:

• Full Charge: 3 Hearts
• Full Charge Critical: 3 – 5.5 Hearts
• Full Charge W/ P5: 7.5 Hearts
• Full Charge Critical W/ P5: 7.5 – 12.5 Hearts

Charge Time:

• Full Charge: 0.9 Seconds
• Critical Charge: 1 or More Seconds

Evaluation

Pros:

• Higher Single Target DPS (With Enchantments)
• Charge Time Versatility
• Powerful Enchantments
• Easy to Make

Cons:

• Medium Range
• Less Accurate

Crossbow

In Minecraft, the crossbow allows for accurate combat over vast distances and has a fast rate of fire with high area of effect damage when enchanted. A piercing enchanted crossbow is also capable of bypassing shields in PVP and reusing tipped arrows by picking them up again. While expensive, crossbows can alternatively launch firework rockets, which deal increasing levels of damage based on how many firework stars the firework contains. Crossbows can be crafted using three sticks, two string, an iron ingot, and a tripwire hook.

Stats

Damage:

• Regular Arrow: 3.5 – 5.5 Hearts
• Seven Star Firework Rocket: 5.5 - 9 Hearts

Reload Time:

• Reload: 1.25 Seconds
• Reload W/ QC3: 0.5 Seconds

Evaluation

Pros:

• Long Range
• High Accuracy
• Shield Pierce (With Enchantments)
• Greater AOE Capabilities

Cons:

• Lower DPS (Unless Hitting Multiple Targets)
• No Damage Boosting Enchantments

Our Verdict

For general use in both Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition, a fully enchanted bow is better in almost all circumstances than the crossbow. Power V and flame I provide consistent high damage in comparison to the crossbow, where its enchantments (outside of quick charge) only truly shine under more niche circumstances, like fights at such a range that the bow isn’t an option, which are few and far between. As for PVP in both Java and Bedrock Editions, bows remain the weapon of choice for about the same reasons, but with the caveat that you would also want to have a crossbow at the ready, especially in Java Edition. The niche circumstances where the crossbow shines, such as fighting at extreme range or needing to shoot through shields with piercing, occur much more often when fighting players. Switching to a loaded crossbow can also serve as a very quick extra bit of damage to help finish off a low-health player. So, again, an enchanted bow should remain the priority, but at least for PVP, you will want to have an enchanted crossbow as well as somewhat of a sidearm.