This guide will show you how to get the crossbow, its ammunition, and details of this weapon in the new 1.12 update of DayZ.

First Published May 23, 2023, 18:11

Excitement is in the air as the new 1.21 update of DayZ is bringing back a fan-favorite weapon, the crossbow. If you're as excited as we are to get your hands on this powerful weapon as well as know more about its details, then this guide has you covered. 

Below we'll walk you through everything you needed to know about the crossbow in DayZ. INcluding how to get it, the different kinds of ammunition/bolts it uses, and some general tips on how this weapon can aid you the next time you're surviving DayZ. 

Table of Contents

How to Get the New Crossbow in Dayz

The crossbow in DayZ can be located throughout the entire map, appearing at various spawn points alongside hunting supplies, castles, and occasionally in military camps. Specific spawn locations for the crossbow include castles, elevated areas favored by hunters (Deer Stands), animal shelters, and military camps situated in the Tier 2 region of the map (Chernarus & Livonia). 

It's worth noting that there isn't just a single crossbow available in the upcoming 1.21 version of DayZ; rather, there are five distinct variations. While it doesn't appear that there is any difference between them aside from aesthetics, if any differences are found, we'll be sure to update this article accordingly. 

How To Find and Craft Bolts for the Crossbow

Once you find a crossbow in the game, your next concern will be ammunition, which can be obtained from the same locations as the crossbow itself. These locations include elevated hunting spots, military camps in the Tier 2 area, castles, and animal shelters. 

However, only one of the three bolt variations, namely the steel bolt, can be found in these places. In the game, it is simply referred to as the "bolt." Additionally, there are two types of "Improvised Bolts" that can be crafted:

1. Crafting an Improvised Bolt: Combine a Knife and a Short Stick to create a bolt.
2. Crafting an Improvised Bolt with Springs: Combine an improvised bolt with a spring to obtain a bolt with springs.

The distinction between these two improvised bolts lies in their damage, maximum range, and effective range. We will delve further into the specifics of their damage values later on. But to simplify it, the improvised bolts with Springs are the ideal type of bolt to use second to the rare normal bolts which can only be found. 

Newly Added Crossbow Attachments 

In the current iteration of the crossbow, it is possible to equip various scopes and sights to give you a tactical advantage in battle. The crossbow is equipped with a Picatinny rail, enabling the attachment of sights compatible with M4, Pioneer, or LAR rifles. 

The following scopes and sights are compatible with the crossbow in the new update:

1. Red Dot
2. Combat Sights
3. ATOG 4x
4. ATOG 6x
5. RVN
6. Starlight Optic (NVG)

Please note that as of update 1.21, the sights are pre-adjusted to specific distances, which vary depending on the weapon. For instance, the ATOG 6x on a LAR can be zeroed to 600 meters, while on a crossbow, it can only be set to 100 meters, so be aware of that before risking your life trying to find a scope or sight.

Crossbow Damage, Effective Range, and Tips

The crossbow consistently inflicts 125 points of damage and 85 points of shock damage at a maximum range of 20 meters. To enhance its performance, you can improve the maximum effective range, bullet speed, and accuracy by selecting different types of bolts.

Here is a simplified table summarizing the damage output of the crossbow based on the bolts used:

By examining this table, it becomes evident that the crossbow can still be effective even with weaker bolts. However, if you intend to utilize the crossbow to its fullest potential, there are some important points to keep in mind.

Here are some key general considerations that will help you maximize the crossbow's effectiveness in combat, and help keep you alive regardless of your chosen setup.

• Firing and reloading the crossbow can be heard by other players within a 25-meter radius.
• Infected players are unable to detect any sounds originating from the crossbow.
• Fired bolts can be retrieved after shooting them.
• The quality of crafted bolts is influenced by the condition of the knife used, but it currently does not affect their statistics.
• The crossbow occupies 28 inventory slots in a 4x7 arrangement.
• Reloading can be done in different ways:
  • Pressing R cocks the string.
  • Holding R both cocks the string and insert bolts.
  • Pressing R twice removes a loaded bolt from the crossbow.
• The condition of the crossbow deteriorates with each shot but can be repaired using epoxy.
• The crossbow is not susceptible to jamming.

And there you have it, a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about the crossbow coming in the 1.21 update of DayZ. Be sure to consider all this information before picking up the crossbow and it will serve you well as you survive the harsh environment of DayZ. 

For more DayZ news, be sure to check out our dedicated section or take a look at some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:

MAJOR NEWS -

Latest Patch Notes | Next DayZ Update Leaks & News | 

SETTINGS GUIDES -

How Long Does Night Cycle Last in the Game | How Long Does It Take For Loot To Respawn | Does DayZ Support Crossplay? | Is DayZ Good On The Steam Deck?

GAME GUIDES - 

How To Play Single-Player | Best DayZ Loot Locations | Blood Type Chart & Compatibility Guide | Toxic Zone Guide: Loot, Duration, Sickness Cure, More | All Toxic Zone Locations | Ghillie Suit Guide: How To Craft, Recipe | Flag Pole Guide: How To Build, Kit Recipe, Radius | How To Regain Blood Quickly | How To Craft and Find Planks | How to Make Bandages | How To Build A Gate For Your Fence | How To Make Rope From Rags and Guts | How Do You Make A Splint | How to Cure Sickness | How to Rotate Inventory Items | How To Make Fire | How To Find Mime And Carnival Masks | How To Kill Yourself & Respawn in Dayz

WEAPON GUIDES - 

Where to Find the M79 Grenade Launcher

EVENTS - 

DayZ Christmas Event: Start Time, Rewards, & Weapons

Written by Shane Moosa

Shane started his career as a freelance writer for Gamezo while working full-time as a software developer. You can often find Shane trying his hand at no-hit runs of Souls Games such as Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3 (and being quite unsuccessful). To relax, Shane will often boot up sessions of Overwatch 2 or Hunt: Showdown, but his interests are spread across various games, from AAA titles (He loved the Dead Space Remake and RE4 Remake) to indies such as Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Hades. Shane is always willing to try new games though, so feel free to drop him an email with what you think he should check out next.

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