Rust Compound Bow
Mid-tier silent ranged weapon. Faster draw than Hunting Bow, more damage, longer range.
Fast facts
| Tier | T1 workbench (research) or loot |
|---|---|
| Ammo | Wooden / Bone / HV / Fire Arrow |
| Magazine | 1 (single-shot) |
| Reload | ~1.2s nock (faster than Hunting Bow) |
| Range | Medium (80-100m effective) |
| Recoil | None — bow draw |
| Acquisition | Craft at T1 workbench OR loot from crates / military crates |
| Stealth | Silent |
| Damage | ~50 body / ~100 headshot at full draw (community-consensus) |
The Compound Bow is the mid-game upgrade to the Hunting Bow. Faster draw cycle, more damage per arrow, longer effective range — but still silent, which keeps it relevant late wipe for stealth ambush. The trade-off vs the Crossbow is rate of fire (Compound is faster) vs raw damage (Crossbow hits harder). Many solo players carry one for stealth-kill setups.
Pro tips
- Faster draw means faster follow-up shots — Compound is the better bow for moving targets.
- Pair with HV Arrows for sniper-tier range — flat trajectory at 80m+.
- Still silent — keeps the stealth advantage of the Hunting Bow.
- Loot is the easiest source — military crates and elite crates often have one.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Compound Bow different from the Hunting Bow?
Faster draw cycle, more damage per arrow (~50 body vs ~35), longer effective range. Also requires T1 workbench to craft (or you can loot one). Strictly better than the Hunting Bow once you have it.
How do you get a Compound Bow in Rust?
Either craft at a T1 workbench after researching the blueprint, or loot one from military crates / elite crates / scientist drops. Looting is faster early wipe.
Is the Compound Bow silent?
Yes — same as the Hunting Bow. Best stealth ranged weapon in the game until you reach the Crossbow tier.
What ammo is best for the Compound Bow?
Bone Arrows for general PvP (highest damage per arrow). HV Arrows for distance shots (flatter trajectory). Wooden Arrows for cheap hunting and animal kills.