Bow

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It needs to be updated with information from A Link Between Worlds.

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	Fires an arrow in the direction you're facing! It's perfect for hitting foes from a distance!
— Description in A Link Between Worlds

The Bow is one of a handful of items that have been around since the original The Legend of Zelda. Bows often go unnamed throughout the Zelda series, but the most common bow name, the Hero's Bow, appears in Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess, while the Fairy Bow is used in Ocarina of Time.

Location

Being a staple item in the Zelda franchise, the bow is found almost always in a dungeon, and frequently among the first four (a rare exception is in the first Zelda game when played in the Second Quest, where the Bow is found in the fifth dungeon). To date, all of the console 3D installments have the item guarded by mini-bosses. In Link's Awakening, the bow must be bought from the Town Tool Shop for the price of 980 Rupees, almost as much as Link can carry. It can, however, be simply stolen. In The Minish Cap, it is once again not found in a dungeon, instead found in Castor Wilds.

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Uses

Using arrows as ammunition, the bow can be used to attack enemies, hit switches, and on occasion, trigger special events. In many of the games, Link starts out carrying a limited number of arrows, later expanded upon as the game progresses through several quiver upgrades. Many games also feature magic-infused types of arrows, such as the Light Arrow, Ice Arrow and the Fire Arrow, all of which are shot from the bow as if normal arrows. However, the Bow will not function without a constant supply of arrows, replenishable items that are, thankfully, found quite abundantly about the many overworlds and dungeons in the Zelda series. For the most part, like many other pivotal plot items, the Bow is found exclusively as a dungeon's main treasure towards the beginning of the game, and rightly so, as many puzzles and obstacles to be solved in later areas and dungeons require the Bow and the accurate piercing of its arrows.

Though all Bows have the same general purpose, in certain titles, the Bow is given extra traits unique to the style, structure, and plot of the game in question, and can even be adapted for use based on the game system a certain Zelda title is formatted for.

Arrow Charging

File:BowArtworkLoZ.png

File:Link Bow.png

Unique to Four Swords, The Minish Cap, and Spirit Tracks is the bow's ability to charge an arrow into a more powerful form, although in the majority of instances, the arrow in question is undoubtedly the Light Arrow, one that needs to be powered up anyway to retain the power to vanquish evil. Physically, the player must press and hold the button to which the bow is equipped in order to charge up the shot. In The Minish Cap, before one can charge the bow, the Light Arrow must be obtained from Gregal, or the bow will only continue to shoot standard arrows. However, in Four Swords Adventures, an entirely upgraded bow (Level 2) is required to obtain the charged shot; this can be secured at any Fairy Fountain in the region. Similarly, in Spirit Tracks, a new bow, the Bow of Light, must be found to shoot upgraded arrows.

On Horseback

File:Link's Awakening - Bow.png

In paying homage to the horseback archers of the Middle Ages, several games in the series such as Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Twilight Princess enable Link to use his bow while galloping along on Epona. Not only must Link multi-task, but often he is bombarded with enemy fire during his romp in Twilight Princess especially, since enemies such as Bulblins and Kargaroks are not shy about approaching and attacking Link while he is riding around in Hyrule Field, or even during his transport of Prince Ralis to Kakariko Village. This mode of archery is also incorporated into sidequests, namely the target practice at the Gerudo Archery Range in Ocarina of Time.

DS Usage

The Bow is used a bit differently in the DS Zelda installments, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, as the stylus and the touch screen are dominantly used during all aspects of gameplay. Unlike the manual aiming and shooting of the bow as seen in the console titles, the bow is shot simply by tapping the touch screen with the stylus in the direction of an object, or at the object itself. A line may also be drawn from Link to the object to better aim and shoot an arrow; even if the line does not reach the object in question, Link's vision range will increase, revealing objects previously concealed by the borders of the normal game screen.

Wii Remote

File:SS Bow.png

In Skyward Sword, players have to pull back the Nunchuck just like they are pulling back the string on a bow. By holding the C button on the Nunchuck, Link can shoot an arrow by releasing said button. However, the A Button can be pressed instead of using the aforementioned method, although it takes longer for the arrow to charge up. Normal enemies can be shot with the bow as well as items being knocked off of trees; however, dropped items from enemies (such as hearts) can also be shot with the bow, causing them to stick in the side of walls. Doing so will allow Link to reclaim the heart as well as the arrow.

Upgrading the Bow

In The Legend of Zelda and A Link to the Past, upon obtaining the Silver Arrow, the bow will consistently shoot arrows with the power to repel evil from that point on. The same applies to The Minish Cap, but with regard to the Light Arrow, which must be equipped to the bow before firing.

Four Swords Adventures highlights a new, arcade-like way of upgrading the bow into a much stronger version: Link must present his weapon to a Great Fairy at her Fountain, and she will raise the Bow to "Level 2" - a stage at which it not only gains the power to charge arrows, but also can shoot an array of three arrows at a time, instead of the standard one. Along with this, the bow in general has an unlimited amount of arrows, an upgrade in itself over the other Zelda titles that retain a replenishment value to arrows. All of the weapons in Four Swords Adventures are capable of upgrading via Fairy Fountain to their "Level 2" forms, except for Link's sword and the lantern.

Skyward Sword allows Link to upgrade the bow at the Skyloft Bazaar for a fee, which increases its range and strength.

In A Link Between Worlds, Mother Maiamai can upgrade many of Link's items, including the bow, if Link has bought the Bow(800 rupees, 400 if it is the first item bought) and has 10 Lost Maiamais, into the "Nice Bow". This Bow fires 3 arrows at once, one in the middle, and the two to diagonal left and right.

Game	Location	Image	Notes
The Legend of Zelda	Level 1 Level 5	BowLoZ.png	Costs one Rupee to fire an arrow, upgrades with Silver Arrows
A Link to the Past	Eastern Palace	File:Bow&ArrowsALttP.png	Upgrades with Silver Arrows
Link's Awakening	Town Tool Shop	File:LAbow.gif	Bought for 980 Rupees after the Shovel is sold
Ocarina of Time	Forest Temple	File:FairyBowG Large.png
Majora's Mask	Woodfall Temple
The Wind Waker	Tower of the Gods
Four Swords	Various levels	File:Bow(FS).gif
Four Swords Adventures	Various levels	File:Bow Sprite FSA.png
The Minish Cap	Castor Wilds	File:Bow TMC.gif	Upgraded to shoot Light Arrows (optional)
Twilight Princess	Goron Mines	File:Herosbow tp.png
Phantom Hourglass	Temple of Courage	File:ST Bow Sprite.png
Spirit Tracks	Fire Temple	File:ST Bow Sprite.png	Upgraded to the Bow of Light
Skyward Sword	Sandship	File:Bow Art SS.png	Upgraded to the Iron Bow and then to the Sacred Bow
A Link Between Worlds	Ravio's Shop		Upgraded to the Nice Bow

Name	Image	Uses	Upgrade Cost	Upgraded By
Iron Bow	File:Iron Bow (Skyward Sword).png	Increased power and range	File:Tumbleweed (Skyward Sword).png 3 Tumbleweeds File:Eldin Ore (Skyward Sword).png 2 Eldin Ores File:Monster Claw (Skyward Sword).png 3 Monster Claws File:Evil Crystal (Skyward Sword).png 1 Evil Crystal File:Rupee (Skyward Sword).png 50 Rupees	Gondo
Sacred Bow	File:Sacred Bow (Skyward Sword).png	Further increased power and range	File:Tumbleweed (Skyward Sword).png 5 Tumbleweeds File:Evil Crystal (Skyward Sword).png 2 Evil Crystals File:Lizard Tail (Skyward Sword).png 3 Lizard Tails File:Goddess Plume (Skyward Sword).png 1 Goddess Plume File:Rupee (Skyward Sword).png 100 Rupees	Gondo

Arrows and Special Varieties

File:Fireicearrows.png

Arrows are the most important aspect of the bow, considering they are the projectiles needed for it to function properly. Unlike the bow, which must be equipped to use, arrows are automatically drawn upon its brandishment. However, in many titles, such as Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess, different arrow varieties like the Fire Arrow and the Bomb Arrow must be equipped as well, not to mention the different arrow types that require varying increments of magic power; these arrows only exist in games like Majora's Mask and The Wind Waker that actually incorporate magic into the gameplay.

While in other titles Link must individually equip the Fire Arrow, Ice Arrow or the Light Arrow before the bow, The Wind Waker implements such arrow varieties right into the bow itself as modes, so that Link can easily and instantly switch between any of them (by use of the R button), without needing to go into any subscreens beforehand.

Non-canon Appearances

Non-Canon Information

Animated series

Main article: Zelda's Bow

In the animated series, the bow is mostly used by Princess Zelda and by enemies such as Stalfos and Moblins. The bow shoots beam-like arrows instead of the usual arrows, however. Link is only seen using it once in the "Underworld Connections" episode, where he fires an arrow tied to a rope to walk to the princess's alcove.

Super Smash Bros. Series

See SmashWiki's article on Bow for more information.

Link getting ready to fire an arrow from his bow in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the bow is Link, Young Link's, and Toon Link's neutral special move. For all the bows used by the Links, the more the bow is charged, the farther the arrow will travel.

In Melee, both Link and Young Link use the Fairy Bow from Ocarina of Time. However, instead of shooting normal arrows, Young Link's Fire Bow shoots Fire Arrows, although they do not travel as far as Adult Link's and actually inflict less damage.

The Hero's Bow from Twilight Princess replaces the Fairy Bow in Brawl as Adult Link's bow. The arrows of this bow fly much faster and farther than those in Melee, able to easily clear the wide Bridge of Eldin stage when fully charged. This is more akin to their canon appearances, as arrows in the Legend of Zelda series always fly straight forward and never succumb to the more realistic effects of gravity, as they always do in Super Smash Bros. In addition, The Wind Waker's version of the Hero's Bow is used by Toon Link; however, the arrows of his bow fly more slowly than those of any previous game, and also have a slight upward arc to their trajectory.

Zelda's Bow from Twilight Princess also appears as a sticker, although it is referred to as the Hero's Bow.

Name	Image	Artwork from	Effect in The Subspace Emissary	Usable by
Hero's Bow	File:Light Bow Sticker.png	Twilight Princess	[Slash] - Attack +8	All

Soulcalibur II

How to perform:

In Soulcalibur II, Link can take out the Fairy Bow by simultaneously pressing the horizontal attack button and the vertical attack button. By holding the vertical attack button, the young hero will charge his bow. The more time that the bow is charged, the more powerful the attack becomes. A fully charged bow will allow Link to release a Fire Arrow instead of a normal arrow. By tilting the control stick upwards or downwards, the young hero can change the direction that the arrow will take, making the bow a high, mid, and low attack. A normal arrow will deal at least 40 HP worth of damage, while a fire arrow will deal a maximum of 60 HP damage. A hit from a bow's arrow, whether charged or not, will cause Link's opponent to fall to the ground.

Trivia

• Given the name "Hero's Bow", it may well be the same bow throughout many of the games, or at least inspired by the original bow. According to Dangoro, the Hero's Bow of Twilight Princess is said to have once belonged to "the Hero of the past".
• In Majora's Mask, all 4 main dungeon items pertain to the Bow. Woodfall Temple features the bow itself, while the Snowhead Temple has Fire Arrows, the Great Bay Temple has Ice Arrows, and the Stone Tower Temple has Light Arrows.
• In The Legend of Zelda, rather than employing a limited number of arrows, one rupee is lost every time an arrow is fired.
• The bow from Link's Awakening is extremely expensive as it costs 980 Rupees, thus making this one of the most expensive items for purchase in the whole Zelda series. To avoid paying this exorbitant sum, Link can simply steal it.
• In Soulcalibur II, Link releases a shot from his bow as a Special Attack. Like the Legend of Zelda series, the arrows can be charged; in the case of the Soul series, it is classified as a "Soul Charge," a technique that all characters can perform to temporarily increase the potency of their attacks. The Boomerang and Bombs that are similarly used by Link do not have this property.

Gallery

• BowArrowLoZArt.png

  Bow and Arrow artwork from The Legend of Zelda

• 

  The Bow in A Link to the Past

• Fairybow.png

  Official art from Ocarina of Time

• MM - Hero's Bow.png

  Official artwork of the Hero's Bow in Majora's Mask

• Herosbow Artwork.png

  Official artwork of the Hero's Bow in The Wind Waker

• Bow FSA.png

  The Bow icon in Four Swords Adventures

• Hero's Bow TP.png

  The Hero's Bow in Twilight Princess

• Bow ST.png

  The Bow in Spirit Tracks

• Iron Bow SS.png

  The Iron Bow in Skyward Sword

• Sacred Bow SS.png

  The Sacred Bow in Skyward Sword

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  Artwork of the Bow in A Link Between Worlds

• Nice Bow.png

  Render of the Nice Bow in A Link Between Worlds

• 

  Link using the bow, artwork from the remake of A Link to the Past

• LA Link.png

  Official art of Link with the bow in Link's Awakening

• WWLink Bow.png

  Link wielding a Bow in Four Swords

• TPherosbowconcept.jpg

  Concept art for the Twilight Princess Hero's Bow as seen in Hyrule Historia

• Link and Bow.png

  Official art of Link with the bow in Spirit Tracks

• 

  Concept art of Link using the Bow of Light as in Hyrule Historia

• SS Link Bow.png

  Link using the bow in Skyward Sword

• 

  Link getting ready to use the bow in Skyward Sword

• 

  Link using the bow in Skyward Sword

• RavioBowALBW.png

  Ravio demonstrating the Bow's use in A Link Between Worlds

• 

  Link charging the Fairy Bow in Super Smash Bros. Melee

• 

  Young Link charging the Fire Bow in Super Smash Bros. Melee

• 

  Toon Link charging the Hero's Bow in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

• Bow (SCII).png

  Link in the Bow Stance, as seen in Soulcalibur II

• LoZLinkBow1988NintendoHasbro.jpg

  Link using the bow; action figure from The Legend of Zelda

References

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name
		Bow	Hero's Bow	Fairy Bow	Rented Bow	Nice Bow
	Japanese	Template:Japanese	Template:Japanese
	French	Arc	Arc du Héros	Arc des fées
	FrenchCA			Arc des fées	Arc loué	Arc de luxe
	FrenchEU					Great arc
	German	Bogen	Heroen-Bogen
	Italian	Arco	Arco dell'Eroe
	Spanish	Arco	Arco del Héroe
	SpanishLA	Arco y flechas		Arco de las Hadas	Arco y flechas alquilados	Arco y flechas mejorados

Items in The Wind Waker
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Items in Twilight Princess
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