Venator bow

UnchargedCharged

Venator bow (uncharged)
Released							11 January 2023 (Update)
Members							Yes
Quest item							No
Properties
Tradeable							Yes
Equipable							Yes
Stackable							No
Noteable							Yes
Options							Wield, Drop
Examine							A bow used by hunters from a forgotten empire.
Values
Value							750,000 coins
High alch							450,000 coins
Low alch							300,000 coins
Weight							4.5 kg
Grand Exchange
Exchange							85,933,214 coins (info)
Buy limit							-
Daily volume							421
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Advanced data
Item ID							27612

Venator bow (uncharged)Venator bow? (edit)Venator bow (uncharged)Venator bow? (edit)UnchargedCharged? (edit)? (edit)? (edit)File:Venator bow (uncharged).pngFile:Venator bow.png11 January 2023 (Update)? (edit)YesNo? (edit)? (edit)? (edit)YesNo? (edit)? (edit)YesNoYes? (edit)? (edit)Wield, DropWield, Check, Uncharge? (edit)? (edit)A bow used by hunters from a forgotten empire.750000750,000 coinstrue450,000 coins300,000 coins4500004.5004.5 kg? (edit)noyesVenator bow (uncharged)Venator bow085933214Not sold85,933,214 coins (info)infobox-cell-hiddeninfobox-cell-shown-? (edit)-421-

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Item? (edit)2761227610? (edit)2761227610Versions: 2Default version: Charged

SMW Subobject for ChargedHigh Alchemy value: 450000Examine: A bow used by hunters from a forgotten empire.Is members only: trueIs variant of: Venator bowWeight: 4.500Uses infobox: ItemImage: File:Venator bow.pngItem name: Venator bowValue: 750000Version anchor: ChargedRelease date: 11 January 2023Item ID: 27610

SMW Subobject for UnchargedHigh Alchemy value: 450000Examine: A bow used by hunters from a forgotten empire.Is members only: trueIs variant of: Venator bowWeight: 4.500Uses infobox: ItemImage: File:Venator bow (uncharged).pngItem name: Venator bow (uncharged)Value: 750000Version anchor: UnchargedRelease date: 11 January 2023Item ID: 27612

The venator bow is a two-handed ranged weapon that was once used by the venators, who were hunters and scouts that served the Zarosian Empire. Requiring level 80 in Ranged to wield, it is made by combining five venator shards.

The venator bow can be charged with ancient essence to gain a unique passive effect that consumes charges, although it can also be used uncharged as a regular bow without degrading.

The venator bow has an attack range of six (eight when using the "Longrange" combat style), and is able to fire any type of arrow.

Combat stats

UnchargedCharged

Attack bonuses
+0	+0	+0	+0	+90
Defence bonuses
+0	+0	+0	+0	+0
Other bonuses				Slot
+0	+25	+0%	+0	List

+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+90+90+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+0+25+25+0+0+0%02hList56Bow? (edit)? (edit)179179? (edit)? (edit)179179Versions: 2

SMW Subobject for ChargedMagic defence bonus: +0Weapon attack range: 6Is variant of: Venator bowSlash attack bonus: +0Magic Damage bonus: 0Stab attack bonus: +0Prayer bonus: +0Ranged Strength bonus: +25Weapon attack speed: 5Stab defence bonus: +0Slash defence bonus: +0Range defence bonus: +0Magic attack bonus: +0Crush attack bonus: +0Crush defence bonus: +0Strength bonus: +0Range attack bonus: +90Equipment slot: 2hCombat style: Bow

SMW Subobject for UnchargedMagic defence bonus: +0Weapon attack range: 6Is variant of: Venator bowSlash attack bonus: +0Magic Damage bonus: 0Stab attack bonus: +0Prayer bonus: +0Ranged Strength bonus: +25Weapon attack speed: 5Stab defence bonus: +0Slash defence bonus: +0Range defence bonus: +0Magic attack bonus: +0Crush attack bonus: +0Crush defence bonus: +0Strength bonus: +0Range attack bonus: +90Equipment slot: 2hCombat style: Bow

Combat style		Attack type	Weapon style	Attack speed	Range	Experience	Level boost
	Accurate	Standard	Accurate	5 ticks (3.0s)	6 tiles		+3 Ranged
	Rapid	Standard	Rapid	4 ticks (2.4s)	6 tiles		None
	Longrange	Standard	Longrange	5 ticks (3.0s)	8 tiles		+3 Defence

Creation

• Defeat the Phantom Muspah to obtain Venator shards. Combine five shards to create the Venator bow.

Requirements

Members		Ticks	? (edit)

Materials

Item		Quantity	Cost
	Venator shard	5	85,637,660
Total cost			85,637,660
	Venator bow (uncharged)	1	85,933,214
Profit			295,554

Passive effect and charging

The venator bow's ricochet effect.

An illustration of the bow's ricochet effect:
- Blue squares: Initial target.
- Purple squares: Potential secondary targets.
- Orange squares: Potential tertiary targets.
- Black squares: Unreachable targets.

The venator bow has a passive effect that requires ancient essence to use. When attacking a target in a multicombat area, the arrow will try to bounce to another target near the first. Then, the attack can bounce again, either back to the first target or to a third one. Each hit rolls accuracy independently, and the second and third hits both have a max hit equal to two-thirds of the original max hit, rounded down.

Bouncing arrows will only hit targets in a range of two squares from the target's centre tile (north-east tile for even-tiled NPCs). Bounces can still occur if an attack misses or one of the targets dies. A different sound effect plays depending on if the arrow hits one, two or three times.

Each ancient essence adds 1 charge to the bow, with it being able to hold up to 50,000 charges (costing 10 coins per attack, and a total of 500,000 to fully charge it with 50,000 essence). One charge is deducted per attack, and it will always lose one charge regardless of how many bounces occur from that projectile. Assuming the bow is used on rapid, the hourly rate of using it is 15,000 coins. The fully charged bow will last for 33.33 hours of continuous combat before reverting to its uncharged form.

The bow will notify the player of the charges remaining at increments of 500 charges. It will also notify the player when 100 and 50 charges remain.

Un-charging the bow returns all essence to the player's inventory.

Uses

Because of its potential to deal up to 233% of its standard max hit per shot, the venator bow is highly efficient at killing tightly-packed enemies in multicombat areas. Additionally, the arrows' tendency to bounce into nearby non-aggressive targets can help draw aggro, requiring less attention from the player. As such, the bow can be considered a lower cost-per-hour alternative to barraging or chinchompas. Popular spots to use it include abyssal demons and mutated bloodvelds in the Catacombs of Kourend.

The bow is ineffective in single-combat areas, and on most enemies with a size of 3x3 or larger (such as greater demons), since the bounce radius of 2 tiles makes it impossible for arrows to bounce from one large enemy to another unless stacked. It is very effective against the Grotesque Guardians due to the bosses' very low Defence and being stackable, allowing players to hit Dawn twice if Dusk is on top of her.

The bow is effective in killing enemies that drop champion's scrolls.

Comparison between other ranged weapons

Ranged weapons comparison table ()

Name		level required	Ranged attack	Ranged strength (Max ammo)	Price	Notes
	Twisted bow	85	+70	+20 (+80)	1,668,548,042	Has a passive effect where the higher the target's Magic level is, the more accurate and damaging the bow becomes. Uses arrows as ammunition up to and including dragon. Offers an attack speed of that of a longbow.
	Bow of Faerdhinen	80	+128	+106	162,505,219	Has the highest ranged bonus of any ranged weapon, including a +106 Ranged Strength bonus. Receives noticeable damage and accuracy bonuses if worn alongside pieces of crystal armour. Has the furthest attack range of any bow or crossbow in the game (tied with composite bows and the crystal bow) of 10 squares. When created, the bow starts off at 10,000 charges and degrades. The bow can be upgraded to the bow of Faerdhinen (c) to stop it from degrading.
	Zaryte crossbow	80	+110	(+122)	358,799,399	It is the only crossbow that grants defensive bonuses. One of two crossbows with a prayer bonus, along with the Armadyl crossbow from which it is crafted. Has a special attack which provides double accuracy on the next shot and guarantees the special effect of any enchanted bolts used if it hits. Costs 75% special attack energy. Its passive effect strengthens the effects of enchanted bolts by 10%.
	Venator bow	80	+90	+25 (+85)	85,933,214	Has a passive effect when charged with ancient essence that allows arrows to ricochet to nearby targets when in a multicombat area. Uses arrows as ammunition up to and including dragon. Has an attack speed of 5, between that of a shortbow and a longbow.
	Scorching bow	77	+124	+40 (+100)	54,843,710	Untradeable; created from a tormented synapse and magic longbow (u) with 74 Fletching. Uses arrows as ammunition up to and including dragon. Has a passive effect that increases accuracy and damage by 30% against demons. Offers a special attack that binds demonic creatures in place for 20 ticks (12 seconds) and deals burn damage. Special attack cannot be used against non-demonic creatures.
	Toxic blowpipe	75	+30	+20 (+55)	6,212,774	Requires Zulrah's scales (up to 16,383) and any unpoisoned darts to charge. Ranged strength bonus stacks with the darts that are used to charge the blowpipe (up to +55 ranged strength with dragon darts). Has an attack speed of 3 (same as darts) in a non-pvp encounter or 4 in a pvp encounter (same as shortbows). Offers a special attack where accuracy is increased by 100% and damage is increased by 50%, and heals the user by half of the damage dealt. Costs 50% special attack energy. Has 25% chance to inflict venom on an opponent.
	Heavy ballista	75	+125	+15 (+165)	1,533,361	Has the second highest ranged bonus of any ranged weapon, including a +15 Ranged Strength bonus. Requires completion of Monkey Madness II to equip. Only accepts javelins as ammunition. Ava's devices retrieves fired javelins. Offers a special attack which increases accuracy and damage by 25% each for one shot. Costs 65% special attack energy.
	Eclipse atlatl	75	+87	+40 (Melee)	2,167,041	Uniquely uses the player's melee strength bonuses when determining the amount of ranged damage dealt to a target. The max hit is based off of visible boosts to melee stats (eg. super combat potion) and ranged boosting prayers (eg. Rigour). Only accepts atlatl darts as ammunition. If worn with the rest of the eclipse moon armour set, it offers a set effect which has a 20% chance to inflict a stackable burn effect on the targets. Offers a special attack which consumes the remaining burn effect in exchange for increasing the player's minimum and maximum hit. Costs 50% special attack energy.
	Dragon hunter crossbow	70	+95	(+122)	58,213,298	Offers the third highest one-handed Ranged attack bonus in the game, outclassed only by the Armadyl and Zaryte crossbow. Increases accuracy and damage by 30% and 25% respectively when fighting draconic creatures.
	Armadyl crossbow	70	+100	(+122)	54,824,589	Has a slightly longer attack range than other crossbows. One of only two crossbows that offer a prayer bonus, the other being the Zaryte crossbow. Offers a special attack where the player's accuracy and enchanted bolts activation chance for that shot is doubled. Costs 50% special attack energy. One-handed, allowing the use of an off-hand shield or god book.
	Crystal bow	70	+100	+78	480,608	Offers a ranged strength of +78. Neither consumes nor requires ammunition. Has an attack speed of 5, between that of a shortbow and a crossbow. Has the furthest attack range of any bow or crossbow in the game (tied with composite bows and the bow of Faerdhinen) of 10 squares. Receives noticeable damage and accuracy bonuses if worn alongside pieces of crystal armour.
	Webweaver bow	70	+85	+65	19,143,072	Upgraded version of the Craw's bow, which requires the fangs of Venenatis to create. Must be charged with revenant ether to be fired, but it does provide its own ammo, similar to the crystal bow. While charged, an additional 50% ranged accuracy and damage boost is applied when attacking any NPC in the Wilderness. This effect will stack with a Slayer helmet or a Salve amulet and their variants, but not both simultaneously. This makes it the strongest ranged weapon in the Wilderness. Has a special attack that hits an enemy four times in succession with increased accuracy, each dealing up to 40% of the player's max hit, along with a chance to inflict poison, starting at 4 damage. Costs 50% special attack energy.
	Karil's crossbow	70	+84	(+55)	103,163	One of the fastest crossbows, together with the hunters' crossbow. Can only fire bolt racks, which cannot be retrieved by an Ava's device. If worn with the rest of Karil the Tainted's equipment, it offers a set effect which lowers the target's Agility level (only works on players). Wearing an amulet of the damned together with the whole equipment set grants a 25% chance for an attack to hit twice, in which case the second hit will inflict half the damage of the first. Like all Barrows equipment, it degrades and will fully degrade after 15 hours of combat. It is repairable.
	Hunters' sunlight crossbow	66 50	+79	(+60)	5,462	Offers the sixth highest one-handed Ranged attack bonus in the game, outclassed by the Zaryte crossbow, Armadyl crossbow, Dragon hunter, dragon crossbow and rune crossbows. Uses Sunlight antler bolts and Moonlight antler bolts as ammunition, giving +55 and +60 ranged strength which are equivalent to Amethyst arrows and Dragon arrows, respectively. Unlike most crossbows, it has a base attack speed of 4, making it comparable to a Magic shortbow (i) but with a slightly higher range (8 tiles) and accuracy. The addition of a ranged boosting shield further increases the accuracy and damage while also providing defensive bonuses. The Hunters' sunlight crossbow is significantly cheaper than the Magic shortbow (i) and Dragon crossbow. It is also easier to obtain for Ironmen, requiring 74 Fletching to make. However, Ironmen can only obtain the ammunition via Hunter.
	Dragon crossbow	64	+94	(+122)	1,220,988	Offers the fourth highest one-handed Ranged attack bonus in the game, outclassed by the Zaryte crossbow, Armadyl crossbow, and dragon hunter crossbow. Offers a special attack where the player can hit any target in a 3x3 area, while in a multicombat area, making it one of three range weapons that can hit multiple targets. Costs 60% special attack energy.
	Rune crossbow	61	+90	(+115)	10,105	Offers the fifth highest one-handed Ranged attack bonus in the game, outclassed by the Zaryte crossbow, Armadyl crossbow, Dragon hunter, and dragon crossbows. It is considerably cheaper than the Armadyl and dragon hunter crossbows.
	Craw's bow	60	+75	+60	19,008,294	Must be charged with revenant ether to be fired, but it does provide its own ammo, similar to the crystal bow. While charged, an additional 50% ranged accuracy and damage boost is applied when attacking any NPC in the Wilderness. This effect will stack with a Slayer helmet or a Salve amulet and their variants, but not both simultaneously. This makes it the second strongest ranged weapon in the Wilderness, surpassing the damage output of a toxic blowpipe with dragon darts. Shares the same bonuses as the magic shortbow (i) with the ranged strength of dragon arrows.
	Dark bow	60	+95	(+60)	1,368,936	Offers the fifth highest Ranged attack bonus in the game, behind the bow of Faerdhinen (+128), heavy ballista (+125), the Zaryte crossbow (+110), and the crystal bow and Armadyl crossbow (+100). Has the ability to shoot two arrows at a time. The slowest weapon in the game, with an attack speed of 9 (5.4 seconds). Offers a powerful special attack, which if used with dragon arrows increases damage dealt by 50% with a minimum hit of 8 (30% with any other arrow type with a minimum. hit of 5). Costs 55% special attack energy.
	Magic shortbow	50	+69	(+55)	830	The only shortbow to offer a special attack, which fires 2 shots in rapid succession but with reduced accuracy. Costs 55% special attack energy. Can be imbued with a magic shortbow scroll, increasing its ranged attack bonus to +75 and lowering the special attack cost to 50%.
	Magic shortbow (i)		+75		37,074
	Magic comp bow	50	+71	(+55)	3,144	The only composite bow to offer a special attack, which is guaranteed to hit the target but is not boosted by damage-boosting prayers or the Slayer helmet (i). Costs 35% special attack energy. Shares this special attack with the magic longbow. Is slightly more accurate than the magic longbow and 1 tick faster (1 tick slower than the shortbow), while keeping the same attack range of the longbow.
	Seercull	50	+69	(+55)	44,793	Has slightly less accuracy but otherwise identical stats to the magic comp bow. Has a special attack that targets mages by lowering their Magic level, costing 100% special attack energy.
	Magic longbow	50	+69	(+55)	1,312	The only longbow to offer a special attack, which is guaranteed to hit the target but is not boosted by damage-boosting prayers or the Slayer helmet (i). Costs 35% special attack energy. Shares this special attack with the magic comp bow. Like all longbows, is 2 ticks slower than the magic shortbow, in exchange for 3 additional attack range. Unlike the magic shortbow, cannot be imbued.
	Adamant crossbow	46	+78	(+100)	2,801	Offers the sixth highest one-handed Ranged attack bonus in the game. Has an attack speed equal to that of longbows and an attack range equal to that of shortbows. Because of the slower attack speed and the potential for overkill from its higher max hit, it deals less damage over extended periods than the magic shortbow, and should be used primarily when additional defence is needed through the use of a shield, or if enchanted bolt effects are needed.
	Chinchompas	45 (Grey)	+45	N/A	Varies	One of the four ranged weapons that offers the ability to hit more than one opponent at a time (similar to burst or barrage Ancient Magicks), the others being the special attack of the dragon crossbow, with a similar attack, and rune thrownaxe, with a ricochet special type attack, and Venator bow with a passive ricochet attack. Regarded to be the best way of training Ranged, but at a very high cost. Has an attack speed of 4 (the same as scimitars, maces, and whips). If a player dies with chinchompas equipped or in their inventory, they will disappear, as they are live animals.
		55 (Red)	+70	+15
		65 (Black)	+80	+30
	Salamanders	30 (Green)	+20	(+16)	137	Unique and versatile two-handed weapons that facilitate the use of all three combat styles.
		50 (Orange)	+29	(+22)	170
		60 (Red)	+47	(+31)	66
		70 (Black)	+69	(+49)	435
		80 (Tecu)	+87	(+60)	283,360
	Dorgeshuun crossbow	28	+42	(+49)	2,222	Is one tick faster than most other crossbows, and it is able to fire bone bolts, which are significantly cheaper than most other ammunition of similar strength.
	Throwing knives	40 (Rune)	+25	+24	Varies	Have high damage output, but are significantly more expensive compared to other low-level options.
	Shortbows	40 (Yew)	+47	(+49)	359	Offer slightly less damage output than using rune knives, but are a lot cheaper.
	Darts	30 (Adamant)	N/A	+17	Varies	Are cheap, deal decent damage and are easy to buy from the Grand Exchange. Adamant darts have comparable damage output to using a shortbow with rune arrows, so players should use whichever is cheaper.
	Dwarf multicannon	N/A	N/A	N/A	743,138	Can be set up and used alongside other weapons for passive Ranged damage and experience. Cannot be set up in all areas. Has a static max hit of 30 with cannonballs and 35 with granite cannonballs. Derives accuracy from player's current attack style (Ranged while ranging, Melee while meleeing, and whichever is higher with powered staves) while rolling against the target's Ranged defence.

Transcript

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Gallery

• 
  Concept art of the venator bow by Mod Jerv.

Changes

Date	Changes
Date unknown	The venator bow now counts as a Zarosian item in the God Wars Dungeon.
[[{{#explode:2 February 2023| |0}} {{#explode:2 February 2023| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:2 February 2023| |2}}]] (update)	Remaining charges chat message are now broadcasted more frequently, at every increment of 500 charges, and when hitting 100 and 50 charges. Secondary hits should now roll their own accuracy checks instead of using the one from the initial hit. Arrows can now ricochet even if their target dies. The speed of the ricocheting arrows has been increased.
[[{{#explode:12 January 2023| |0}} {{#explode:12 January 2023| |1}}]] [[{{#explode:12 January 2023| |2}}]] (update)	Hotfix All bounces will correctly hit up to 66% of max hit damage. The Venator bow is now able to be used within Barbarian Assault.

Trivia

• "Venator", in Latin, means "hunter".
• The charged venator bow is currently the only bow in-game to show its bow string when wielded.
• When pitched in the poll blog, the item's name was "Bloodletter bow". This was because the name of the quest and its rewards were polled by the development team as a "Mysterious Quest", where they wished to keep the Zarosian nature of the rewards a secret.
  • The true name of the quest and its rewards from the boss were then revealed in the Winter Summit 2022 a month later.
• In RuneScape, venators acted as scouts, hunters and spies for the Zarosian Army.