So you have been playing Kingdom Come Deliverance II and stuck with the bow! You can certainly use it but how? Many players are confused about using the bow in the game. Some have even reported that it is not working properly. So, what is the deal here? Keep reading till the end to learn about using the bow in Kingdom Come Deliverance II.
In Kingdom Come Deliverance II, archery remains a skill-based mechanic with no crosshair, realistic aiming, and stamina-based drawbacks. That said, players are reporting an issue where they cannot hold the bow drawn for more than a couple of seconds before Henry automatically fires. This, obviously is not going to help if you are planning to get some kills using your bow. So, how to actually use it? If you too are confused about the same, this is just the guide you need.
Kingdom Come Deliverance II (KCD 2) Bow Not Working Issue: Is there any fix yet
From all the reports, it looks like there is a bug with bows not properly updating to player stats, causing the game to act as if you don’t meet the Strength or Dexterity requirements, even when you do. This results in automatic firing without proper aiming, making archery feel broken. Many players have reported the issue to the developers, but there has been no official fix yet. There is currently only one explanation as to why it’s happening. We have explained the cause as well as some tips and tricks for using the bow.
Necessary Stats
First of all, archery in the game isn’t just about aiming! It’s tied to deep RPG mechanics that require meeting specific Strength and Dexterity requirements for each bow. If Henry lacks the necessary stats, he will struggle to hold the draw, making shots feel uncontrollable or forced. So before you pick the bow, make sure you have the required stats to use it properly! To check, open your inventory, click on the bow, and look at the requirements listed on the left side. If your Strength is too low (e.g., a hunting bow requires 7 Strength but you only have 5), you won’t be able to use it properly. Leveling up your stats should resolve the issue. Now, if you have all the necessary stats and are still running into the issue, here are some workarounds that you can try.
Controls
Make sure you are using the correct controls: hold the right mouse button to draw the bow, then press the left mouse button to release the arrow. Since Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has a realistic archery system, any mis-input or premature release can make it seem like the bow isn’t working properly. So, make sure to double-check your technique and practice it a bit.
Restart
One simple fix that has worked for some players is to restart the game. If the bow isn’t functioning correctly—such as not holding the draw properly or auto-releasing too soon—a quick restart may resolve the issue. This has fixed the issue for some players so make sure to give it a shot. Reboot your PC too if you have to!
Build your Stats up
Even if you meet the listed Strength and Dexterity requirements, you might still struggle to hold the bow properly. Some players have found that leveling up Strength slightly beyond the requirement made a noticeable difference. For example, during an archery contest, one player’s bow aiming significantly improved the moment their Strength leveled up. So, try gaining an extra level or two in Strength before using the bow again.
Equip and check
Some players have fixed the issue by making sure the correct arrows are equipped. Simply having arrows in your inventory may not be enough—you need to attach them to your belt along with the bow. If the wrong arrows are selected or none are equipped, the bow may not function properly. Double-check your gear to ensure you have the right arrows set before trying to shoot.
Reload a previous save
You can also try out reloading a previous save and purchasing a weaker bow. If Henry isn’t strong enough for a high-tier bow, he may struggle to hold the draw properly. Switching to a lower-damage bow that matches his current Strength and Dexterity allows for smoother aiming and better control. If you’re having trouble, try using a weaker bow first and leveling up before upgrading to a stronger one.
Avoid Crouching
While not confirmed fully, the bow issue may be linked to crouching while using it. One report suggests that after fixing the problem temporarily, the bow worked fine for 20–30 minutes, but the moment they crouched, the issue returned instantly. This could indicate a possible bug or unintended interaction between the game’s stealth mechanics and archery system, causing the bow to malfunction. If you’re experiencing this problem, try avoiding crouching while using the bow to see if it helps.
Exhausted?
If Henry is exhausted, injured, starving, or affected by any negative status effects, he may struggle to hold the bow drawn. The game’s realistic stamina and survival mechanics mean that if he’s too weak, he won’t have the strength to keep the bow taut. Make sure he is well-fed, rested, uninjured, and not suffering from any debuffs before attempting to use the bow, as his overall condition may directly impact performance.
Don’t use stronger bows
Some players have experienced bow animation glitches when switching to a bow with higher stat requirements, even when their Strength and Agility are well above the needed levels. The issue causes the arrow to release automatically mid-draw, making aiming impossible. If you’re facing this problem, a temporary workaround is to stick to bows with low-stat requirements and avoid switching to higher-tier bows.
Verify Game Files
Another tried and tested fix is to verify the game files. This will make sure that you have no corrupted or missing data that is causing the problem. In Steam, right-click the game in your library, go to Properties > Installed Files, and select Verify integrity of game files. This will scan and replace any damaged or missing files, which might resolve unexpected bugs or glitches.
Check updates
Since this bow issue has been widely reported, the developers will likely address it in future patches. Make sure to check for updates regularly, as a fix could be included in an upcoming patch. Keeping your game up to date ensures you have the latest bug fixes and improvements, potentially resolving the problem without needing additional workarounds.
We hope that one of these workarounds did the trick for you and that you were able to get the bow working without any further issues. That is all we have to share for now, but do stick around with DigiStatement for more daily gaming guides and news. And speaking about Kingdom Come Deliverance II, click here to learn about the difficulty settings in-game and if they can be changed.
