What is the Tribal Bow, and what’s it used for?
Native cultures worldwide have used some variation of the bow and arrow as weapons and hunting tools as far back as recorded history. It’s only natural that the hostile Waruha Tribe of Green Hell would have their own bow style. The powerful Tribal Bow is a refined and expertly made weapon that easily outperforms craftable bows.
This guide will walk you through how to find a Tribal Bow and offer some tips on how it can best be used.
Where to find a Tribal Bow in Green Hell
Tribal Bows cannot be crafted and instead must be looted from Waruha camps or taken from the bodies of defeated Waruha Hunters. The ability to claim them from defeated enemies makes them technically renewable.
The best option for locating this tool is to track down a Waruha Hunter, as they carry these bows as their primary weapon. Hunters are moderately rarer than spearmen or warriors but aren’t rare overall.
Waruha Hunters specialize in striking targets at range with their powerful bows. Though their range is somewhat shorter than that of a bow-equipped player, their arrows can be difficult to avoid and deadly in numbers.
We highly recommend players wear a decent set of Armor before planning to hunt down these enemies, as this enemy’s high attack damage can easily punch through weak defenses.
When fighting lone hunters, players can choose to engage either in melee or at range. In ranged combat, take advantage of the fact that the enemy is standing still to aim for their head. Just be ready to dodge any arrows launched at you.
Though they mainly fight with a bow, don’t expect hunters to be defenseless in melee. If approached, hunters will sling their bow over their back and pull out a short knife such as an Obsidian Bone Blade or Stick Blade. Retreating will prompt the hunter to stow their knife and re-equip their bow. That being said, it should be noted that they are much more vulnerable in melee than better-trained close-combatants like Waruha Warriors.
When facing groups of natives, it is prudent to target hunters early to allow players to focus on handling melee combatants. However, Waruha Hunters can be baited into shooting other tribesmen by keeping other natives between you and the hunter.
It is best to dodge arrows rather than attempt to block them. Though it is possible to block incoming projectiles, it’s also possible for those projectiles to slip past your defenses by striking the player anywhere other than the torso.
How to equip the Tribal Bow
The Tribal Bow can be found in the tools tab of the inventory and occupies one of the four standard tool slots (numbered 1-4). It can be equipped at any time by pressing the number key corresponding to the slot this tool occupies.
Tips and tricks for using the Tribal Bow
The Tribal Bow is a powerful weapon best used for mid to late-game hunting, bow fishing, and ranged combat. Though identical in function to craftable Bows, the Tribal Bow is much more expertly made, giving it additional durability and damage. Because of this, the Tribal Bow is a much better weapon overall.
Tribal Bows can be drawn by holding down the attack button (default LMB.) The crosshair will contract, and your aim will improve as it is drawn back. Releasing the attack button will fire the arrow. To cancel a shot when it is drawn, press the block button (default R.)
It should be noted that all bows naturally have an unholy amount of sway when drawn. Increasing the Archery skill will not improve this, though it will increase damage and decrease draw time.
Players can steady their aim when a bow is drawn by holding the run button (default Shift.) Note that steadying your aim will rapidly drain your stamina, so make sure you have sufficient energy.
Arrows fired from a Tribal Bow that strikes an animal or native warrior in the head will typically kill them instantly, so practice your aim. Fired arrows that don’t break can be recovered from the ground or whatever they stick into.
Harvesting a carcass with arrows stuck in it will automatically recover them.
Arrows are chosen randomly from the backpack and cannot be swapped manually. However, players wishing to change their loaded arrow type can repeatedly bring up their watch, causing the bow to be “stowed” and thus randomly selecting another arrow.
The greatest advantage these tools offer to early-game players is their durability. Tribal Bows taken from enemies will always have above 90% durability, lasting much longer than player-made weapons early on.
What ammunition can it use?
Tribal Bows, Bows, and Bow Traps can use one of three types of arrows as ammunition: Arrows, Metal Arrows, and Tribal Arrows.
Arrows
Arrows are standard projectiles that deal moderate damage and fly relatively straight. Arrows can be crafted with the following materials:
- 1 Small Stick
- 2 Feathers
Metal Arrows
The metal arrow is an improved projectile with more damage than a standard arrow. Metal arrows can be crafted by combining the following materials:
- 1 Small Stick
- 2 Feathers
- 1 Rope
- 1 Metal Arrowhead
Tribal Arrows
Tribal arrows are non-craftable projectiles that can be found or taken from enemy archers. They deal more damage than craftable arrows but do not fly as straight or as far. Tribal arrows can be collected from Waruha Hunters or found at certain locations such as the Drug Facility.
Final thoughts on the Tribal Bow
If you find one of these Triubal Bows, hang onto it. The Waruha have clearly been making bows for much longer than our character, and the additional expertise put into its construction makes it far superior to what can be crafted. Creepy Jar was probably thinking the same thing as us when they made these bows: If you can’t beat them, join them. If the enemy makes better weapons than you, why not use them against them?
Looking for some more pointers to help you survive Green Hell? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started or our walkthrough on How to Survive Your First Day.
