To get the Composite Bow in Assassin’s Creed Origins, you’ll primarily acquire it by completing the main story quest “The Scarab” in the region of Alexandrea. It’s a crucial upgrade that unlocks advanced archery capabilities early in your Egyptian adventure, making combat and exploration more dynamic.
Welcome, fellow adventurers, to the sun-drenched sands of ancient Egypt! As Bayek of Siwa, your journey is filled with thrilling discoveries and challenging encounters. One of the most exciting early upgrades you can get is the Composite Bow. It significantly boosts your ranged combat power, letting you take down foes from a safe distance or precisely hit those elusive targets. Many players wonder where and when they can lay their hands on this essential piece of gear. Don’t worry, it’s not a hidden secret or a super-rare drop. I’m here to guide you step-by-step, making sure you get your hands on this powerful weapon without a hitch. Let’s embark on this quest together!
Unlocking the Composite Bow: Your Essential Guide
As a new assassin in Assassin’s Creed Origins, your trusty bow is your best friend. While you start with a basic hunter bow, upgrading to a Composite Bow is a game-changer. This bow offers a fantastic balance between draw speed, damage, and accuracy, making it ideal for a wide range of combat situations. From picking off isolated guards to engaging groups of enemies, the Composite Bow will be your go-to weapon for much of the early to mid-game. But how exactly do you get your hands on it? Let’s break down the simple, straightforward process.

The Main Story Path to Your Composite Bow
The most direct and intended way to obtain the Composite Bow is by progressing through the main storyline. Specifically, this powerful bow becomes available to you upon completing a critical early-game mission. Think of it as a reward for your dedication to Bayek’s personal quest for vengeance.
“The Scarab” Quest: Your Gateway to Better Archery
The quest you’re looking for is called “The Scarab.” This is a pivotal mission that takes place in the bustling region of Alexandrea. You’ll be tasked with investigating and dealing with a notorious Roman official. As you complete the objectives within this quest, you’ll find that your reward includes the Composite Bow.
This quest is typically available relatively early in your gameplay, after you’ve completed your initial training and introductory missions in Siwa. It’s designed to equip you with the tools you need to face the growing threats in the wider world of Egypt. Completing “The Scarab” not only advances your story but also provides you with a significant upgrade to your arsenal.
What to Expect During “The Scarab” Quest
During “The Scarab” mission, you’ll be guided by the game’s narrative to specific locations and targets within Alexandrea. You’ll engage in various activities, including:
- Investigation: Following clues and gathering information about your target.
- Stealth and Infiltration: Sneaking past guards and bypassing security measures.
- Combat: Engaging in both melee and ranged combat, where your bow will be put to the test.
- Boss Encounters: Often, major story quests culminate in a challenging fight against a key antagonist.
As you successfully navigate these challenges and complete the final objective of “The Scarab,” Bayek will be rewarded with the Composite Bow. This ensures you receive it at a point in the game where it’s genuinely useful and will immediately improve your combat effectiveness.
Alternative Ways to Obtain Composite Bows (and What to Know)
While the main story is the clearest path, players often look for other options, perhaps if they missed the quest reward or simply want to experiment. It’s good to know that while “The Scarab” is your guaranteed introduction, other Composite Bows can be acquired through different means as you play.
Purchasing from Merchants
Throughout your travels in Egypt, you’ll encounter various merchants selling different types of goods, including weapons. Some merchants will stock Composite Bows, especially as you progress further into the game and your overall player level increases.
- Where to Find Them: Look for weapon shops in major cities like Alexandrea, Memphis, and Cyrene. They are usually marked with a shield icon on your mini-map.
- Availability: The specific Composite Bows available will vary. Lower-level versions might appear early on, while rarer and more powerful variants become available at higher player levels and in later-game regions.
- Cost: Be prepared to spend Drachmas (the in-game currency). The price will depend on the bow’s stats and rarity.
Looting from Elite Bandits and Captains
Defeating powerful enemies, especially those who wield bows themselves, can sometimes result in them dropping their weapons. Elite bandits or Roman captains might be found patrolling certain areas or guarding strongholds. If you’re lucky, they might drop a Composite Bow upon defeat.
- Random Drops: This method relies on RNG (Random Number Generation), so it’s not a guaranteed way to get a specific weapon, but it can happen.
- Higher Difficulty Content: Targeting more challenging enemy encampments or patrols increases your chances of finding better loot.
Opening Treasure Chests
Hidden throughout the world are numerous treasure chests. Some of these chests contain weapons, including Composite Bows. Their rarity and quality will depend heavily on the chest’s location and whether it’s part of a specific quest or found in a high-level area.
- Exploration is Key: Actively exploring tombs, forts, and hidden nooks will uncover these valuable loot sources.
- Use Senu: Your eagle companion, Senu, can help you spot valuable items, including treasure chests, from high above.
Understanding Composite Bow Statistics and Tiers
As you acquire different Composite Bows, you’ll notice they have varying statistics. These stats determine how effective the bow is in combat. Understanding these will help you choose the best one for your playstyle.
There are typically three tiers of bows in Assassin’s Creed Origins: Ranged Weapons. These are:
- Hunter Bows: Balanced, good for general use.
- Warrior Bows: Fast firing rate, good for close-quarters combat.
- Predator Bows: Slow draw speed but high damage, excellent for stealth and picking off targets from afar.
The Composite Bow falls under the Hunter Bow category. Within this category, there are different rarities:
| Rarity | Description | Likelihood of Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Common (White) | Basic stats, good for starting out. | Very High |
| Rare (Blue) | Enhanced stats, slight damage or critical hit bonus. | Moderate |
| Epic (Purple) | Significantly improved stats, powerful bonuses. | Low |
Key Bow Statistics to Look For:
- Damage: The base damage your arrows inflict.
- Headshot Multiplier: How much extra damage headshots do. Crucial for stealth kills.
- Range: How far your arrows can travel effectively.
- Draw Speed: How quickly you can pull back the string to fire.
- Velocity: How fast the arrow travels, affecting how much you need to lead your target.
- Bonus Effects: Some rarer bows come with special perks like increased critical hit chance or elemental damage.
When you first get the Composite Bow from “The Scarab” quest, it will likely be a Common or Rare variant. As you play, you can find or purchase rarer versions with better stats.
Tips for Using Your Composite Bow Effectively
Now that you know how to get it, let’s talk about making the most of your Composite Bow. This weapon is incredibly versatile, but like any equipment, using it smartly amplifies its benefits.
Mastering Aiming and Trajectories
Arrows in Assassin’s Creed Origins aren’t always laser-guided. You’ll need to account for gravity and target movement, especially at longer distances.
- Practice in Safe Zones: Find a quiet area away from enemies and practice shooting at stationary objects or targets.
- Lead Your Targets: If an enemy is moving, aim slightly ahead of them to compensate for their speed and the arrow’s travel time. For a good reference on projectile motion in games, check out resources on ballistics and trajectory, which even apply to game physics.
- Use Senu for Recon: Before engaging, use Senu to scout enemy positions and identify potential weak points or isolated guards.
Stealth and Ranged Combat Synergy
The Composite Bow is perfect for starting combat stealthily.
- Headshots are King: A well-placed headshot can instantly eliminate an unsuspecting guard, allowing you to string together stealth kills or thin out groups before alerting them.
- Use Distractions: Fire an arrow at a noisy object (like a bell or crates) to lure enemies out of position, making them easier targets.
- Patience Pays Off: Don’t rush into a fight. Take your time to line up shots, especially when guards are patrolling or in difficult-to-reach locations.
Arrow Types and Crafting
As you progress, you’ll unlock the ability to craft different types of arrows. Many of these are fired using your Composite Bow.
- Standard Arrows: Your bread and butter for everyday combat.
- Fire Arrows: Excellent for dealing damage over time and causing panic among groups of enemies.
- Poison Arrows: Effective for taking down tougher enemies or eliminating targets without direct confrontation.
- Regularly Craft: Keep your arrow supply topped up by crafting them at any time (provided you have the resources) or by visiting the Hunting Bow’s crafting menu. You can learn more about resource gathering and crafting from official Ubisoft guides.
You can craft arrows from your inventory screen, under the “Tools” tab. It’s a good habit to check your arrow count frequently and craft more whenever you have the materials.
A Note on Bow Upgrades
While you can’t “upgrade” a bow in the traditional sense of improving its stats directly (like in some RPGs), you do upgrade your effectiveness with bows by finding better tiers of bows – Rares, Epics, and eventually Legendary bows as you progress.
The Composite Bow you get from “The Scarab” will be a solid, reliable weapon for a good portion of the early game. As you level up and explore, you will naturally find or be able to purchase stronger Composite Bows, or potentially move on to other bow types if they suit your evolved playstyle.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q1: Can I miss out on getting the Composite Bow if I don’t pay attention to the story?
A1: It’s difficult to miss. The game actively guides you through “The Scarab” quest, and the bow is presented as a direct reward upon its completion. If you somehow fail the quest (which is rare), you would likely be prompted to retry it, ensuring you still get your bow.
Q2: Is the Composite Bow the best bow in Assassin’s Creed Origins?
A2: The Composite Bow is an excellent Hunter Bow and is one of the best all-around bows for the early to mid-game. However, “best” depends on your playstyle. Predator Bows offer superior stealth and ranged damage, while Warrior Bows excel at rapid firing. Many players find the Composite Bow’s balance ideal for most situations.
Q3: How much does a Composite Bow cost if I buy it from a merchant?
A3: The cost varies greatly depending on the bow’s rarity and the merchant. A common Composite Bow might cost a few hundred Drachmas, while a rarer, higher-level version could cost several thousand. Merchants in larger cities and advanced regions tend to have more expensive and better-quality bows.
Q4: Will I find better versions of the Composite Bow later in the game?
A4: Absolutely! As you increase your player level and explore more challenging areas, you will encounter merchants selling higher-tier Composite Bows, and you’ll find them more frequently as loot drops from enemies and treasure chests. You can even find legendary bows that offer unique perks!
Q5: Can I craft the Composite Bow from the start?
A5: No, you cannot craft the Composite Bow itself from the start. You must acquire your first Composite Bow by completing “The Scarab” quest. However, you can craft arrows for it, and once you have obtained at least one Composite Bow, you can craft different arrow types for it at crafting stations or through your inventory.
Q6: Are there any specific requirements to use the Composite Bow?
A6: The main requirement to effectively use any bow, including the Composite Bow, is to meet the player level associated with that specific bow. When you acquire a bow, it will have a recommended player level. You can equip and gain its benefits immediately, but you’ll perform better if your Bayek’s level is at or above the bow’s recommendation. You can view bow stats in your inventory.
Q7: What’s the difference between a Composite Bow and other bow types in the game?
A7: Composite Bows are classified as Hunter Bows. They offer a good blend of damage, draw speed, and accuracy, making them versatile for most engagements. Warrior Bows are faster but deal less damage per shot, ideal for aggressive play. Predator Bows are slow to draw but incredibly powerful and accurate, perfect for silent, long-range assassinations.
Conclusion
Acquiring the Composite Bow in Assassin’s Creed Origins is a rewarding step in Bayek’s journey. By completing the main story quest “The Scarab” in Alexandrea, you’ll gain this essential weapon, significantly enhancing your combat capabilities. Remember, this is just the beginning! As you continue to explore the vast and vibrant world of ancient Egypt, keep an eye out for even rarer and more powerful Composite Bows, explore different merchant inventories, and don’t hesitate to experiment with crafting various arrow types. Mastering your bow will open up new tactical possibilities, allowing you to approach challenges with confidence and precision. Happy hunting, Medjay!

