Mastering Great Arrows in Elden Ring: Best Types, Uses, and Where to Find Them
In the vast and brutal world of Elden Ring, mastering ranged combat offers a significant advantage—especially for players who favor strategic positioning over close-quarters mayhem. Among the game’s powerful projectile options, Great Arrows stand out for their sheer impact and utility. These massive bolts, typically used with Greatbows, provide long-range damage and tactical advantages that can be the difference between victory and death.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Elden Ring Great Arrows—from their different types and where to find them, to tips on maximizing their effectiveness in both PvE and PvP encounters.
What Are Great Arrows?
Great Arrows are a class of ammunition specifically designed for use with Greatbows like the Lion Greatbow or Golem Greatbow. Compared to standard arrows, they deal significantly more damage, boast greater range, and often come with additional effects such as knockback, stagger, or elemental damage.
Due to their size and power, Great Arrows require more stamina to use and are less suited for rapid firing. However, their burst damage potential makes them ideal for opening a fight, breaking enemy guards, or punishing slow bosses from a distance.
Best Great Arrows in Elden Ring
There are several types of Great Arrows in Elden Ring, each with unique advantages. Here are some of the most effective options:
1. Great Arrow (Standard)
Use: Basic, all-purpose projectile.
Where to Get: Available from Nomadic Merchants or Twin Maiden Husks.
Best For: General combat and ranged support.
2. Radahn’s Spear
Use: Fires with a unique visual effect when used with Radahn’s Lion Greatbow.
Where to Get: Purchased after defeating Starscourge Radahn.
Best For: High-end PvE and boss fights; excellent for stylish long-range kills.
3. Golem’s Great Arrow
Use: High stagger and knockback potential.
Where to Get: Dropped by Golem Archers in Limgrave and Liurnia.
Best For: Disrupting enemy formations and interrupting spellcasters.
4. Fire Great Arrow
Use: Deals additional fire damage.
Where to Get: Crafted or bought after unlocking specific bell bearings.
Best For: Enemy mobs and bosses vulnerable to fire.
5. Rotbone Great Arrow
Use: Inflicts Scarlet Rot buildup.
Where to Get: Craftable using Rotbone materials.
Best For: Long attrition fights or poison-heavy builds.
Where to Buy or Craft Great Arrows
Many Great Arrows can be purchased from merchants across the Lands Between, such as:
Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold (after offering appropriate bell bearings).
Nomadic Merchants scattered across Limgrave, Caelid, and Altus Plateau.
Isolated Merchants, especially in hard-to-reach locations, often sell rare variants.
For craftable arrows like Rotbone and Fire Great Arrows, you’ll need the associated Cookbooks and materials—usually found in hidden caves or dropped by specific enemies. Investing in the Armorer’s Cookbook series is essential for players planning to rely heavily on crafted ammunition.
How to Use Great Arrows Effectively
Using Great Arrows is about timing, positioning, and patience. Here are some key tips:
Pre-Fight Advantage: Use Great Arrows to initiate fights by landing a critical hit on unaware enemies.
Boss Fights: Exploit slow or stationary phases to unleash powerful single shots without risking close-range retaliation.
PvP Pressure: Although harder to land in fast-paced duels, a well-aimed Great Arrow can stagger or knock back opponents, disrupting their rhythm.
Crowd Control: Use knockback arrows like Golem’s to scatter enemy groups or push them off ledges.
Note: Equip a Greatbow with sufficient Strength requirements and make sure you’re not overloaded, as these weapons are heavy and consume stamina quickly.
Elden Ring Great Arrows may not suit every build or playstyle, but for players who enjoy commanding the battlefield from a distance, they offer unmatched power and versatility. With the right preparation and tactical use, they can turn even the toughest encounters in your favor.
Whether you're looking to cosplay Radahn, control enemy movement, or simply add a new layer of strategy to your build, don’t underestimate the impact of a well-timed Great Arrow.