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In ARK, the Crossbow usually deals more damage per shot than the Compound Bow when both fire Stone Arrows. The Compound Bow only pulls ahead in the comparison when it uses Metal Arrows, and it is not a like-for-like ammunition test because the Crossbow’s listed ammunition does not include Metal Arrows. For taming with Tranq Arrows, the Crossbow is the stronger choice for torpor. Compound Bow damage also depends on drawing the string fully before release.
The figures below come from the ARK Official Community Wiki and should be treated as reference values rather than a universal result for every edition, server configuration, creature defense value, or weapon quality. “Damage” here means damage from a shot unless a section specifically discusses torpor or firing speed.
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At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossbow | Higher Stone Arrow damage and Tranq Arrow torpor | 95 damage with a Stone Arrow; 35 listed with a Tranq Arrow | November 2026 |
| Compound Bow | Metal Arrow damage when a full-draw shot is practical | Up to 75 with a Stone Arrow; up to 175.5 with a Metal Arrow; full damage requires a full draw | November 2026 |
The Crossbow ranks first for the ordinary Stone Arrow and taming cases most players mean by this question. The Compound Bow is the specialist option for Metal Arrows, where its listed damage is higher than the Crossbow’s Stone Arrow figure.
Does the Compound Bow do more damage than the Crossbow in ARK?
Usually, no. With Stone Arrows, the ARK Official Community Wiki lists 95 damage for the Crossbow and up to 75 for the Compound Bow; its raw-damage table lists the Compound Bow at 74. Either reference puts the Crossbow ahead for a comparable Stone Arrow shot. See the [Weapons reference] and [raw base-damage table] for the separate listings.
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That answer changes when ammunition changes. The Compound Bow can fire Metal Arrows and is listed at up to 175.5 damage on its weapon page. The raw table gives 202.5 for that combination. The Crossbow page does not list Metal Arrows as compatible ammunition, so this is not a direct same-ammunition duel. It is better described as “Crossbow wins with Stone Arrows; Compound Bow has the higher listed ceiling with Metal Arrows.”
For knockout work, the Crossbow is again the practical winner at comparable weapon quality. The weapons reference lists 35 damage for a Crossbow firing a Tranq Arrow and up to 27 for a Compound Bow, and identifies the Crossbow’s Tranq Arrow shot as delivering more torpor.
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Stone Arrows are the cleanest comparison because both weapons are listed with them. The Crossbow’s 95 damage is higher than the Compound Bow’s approximately 74–75, so a fully drawn Compound Bow shot still does not match a Crossbow shot in this setup.
| Weapon and ammunition | Reference value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Crossbow + Stone Arrow | 95 damage | Higher listed damage per shot in the ordinary comparison |
| Compound Bow + Stone Arrow | Up to 75 damage on the weapon page; 74 in the raw table | Full draw is required for the maximum; still below the Crossbow’s listed value |
The “up to” wording matters. A Compound Bow that is released early has not reached its maximum, so an under-drawn shot can be lower than the published maximum. Conversely, a Crossbow shot is not described as needing the same variable draw process before release.
These are per-shot figures, not a promise that every combat encounter will subtract exactly that many health points. Creature defenses, weapon quality, and server settings can change the number shown in play. Use the table to identify the weapon’s listed baseline, then account for the target and your configuration.
When does the Compound Bow beat the Crossbow?
The Compound Bow’s advantage appears when it uses Metal Arrows. Its weapon reference lists up to 175.5 damage with a Metal Arrow, while the raw base-damage table lists 202.5. Both values are substantially above the Crossbow’s 95 Stone Arrow listing, but they come from different reference tables and should not be merged into one supposedly exact universal number.
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There are two reasons to state the figures separately. First, the Compound Bow page and the raw-damage page are presenting different kinds of reference data: the Base Damage page says its numbers are raw values taken from the dev kit, while the weapon page presents its own listed ranged-damage value. Second, the Crossbow entry does not list Metal Arrows as ammunition, so there is no matching Crossbow-with-Metal-Arrows row to compare.
In practical terms, choose the Compound Bow when your goal is high single-shot damage and you have Metal Arrows available. Do not conclude that it is always the stronger weapon: with the more common Stone Arrow, the ranking reverses.
Are Tranq Arrows more effective from a Compound Bow or Crossbow?
The Crossbow is more effective for taming with Tranq Arrows according to the weapons reference. It lists 35 damage for the Crossbow and up to 27 for the Compound Bow, and specifically says the Crossbow delivers higher torpor with Tranq Arrows.
That makes the Crossbow the safer default for knocking out a creature when both weapons are of comparable quality. Higher torpor per shot can mean fewer arrows for the same knockout objective, although the creature’s species, torpor drain, damage resistance, weapon quality, and server settings still affect the number of shots and the timing of follow-up hits.
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Do not substitute the Metal Arrow comparison for a taming comparison. Metal Arrows are a damage-ammunition case; Tranq Arrows are chosen for torpor. The weapon that has the larger damage figure in one ammunition category is not automatically the best tool for another job.
How does Compound Bow draw time affect damage?
A Compound Bow must be fully strung for maximum damage. The ARK Official Community Wiki’s raw-damage reference says bow damage scales with draw time and reaches its maximum after 1.2 seconds. A quick release therefore produces less than the listed maximum, which can make the weapon appear weaker than its paper value.
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- Draw before aiming for a final comparison. Hold the draw long enough to reach the full-damage state rather than releasing immediately.
- Compare like-for-like shots. Put a fully drawn Compound Bow shot beside a Crossbow shot, using the same ammunition category and equivalent weapon quality where possible.
- Separate the purpose. Use ordinary damage figures for killing or damaging a target; use the Tranq Arrow torpor comparison for taming.
- Read the result in context. If the target survives, inspect its defenses and your server’s settings before deciding that the weapon’s listed value is wrong.
The 1.2-second figure describes the reference’s maximum-damage draw behavior; it is not a universal claim that every animation, platform, or server mod will feel identical. The important decision rule is that an undrawn or partially drawn Compound Bow shot should not be compared with its maximum listed number.
Is damage per shot the same as damage per second?
No. Damage per shot tells you how much one successful hit is worth in the reference data. Damage per second also depends on reload or attack time, draw time, aim, hit rate, ammunition handling, and the target’s ability to stay in range.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe cited research establishes the Crossbow’s high per-shot Stone Arrow value and notes slower attack-speed context, but it does not provide a controlled DPS calculation for the two weapons. It would therefore be misleading to declare a universal DPS winner from the damage numbers alone.
For a single high-value shot, such as opening an encounter or applying a carefully timed hit, per-shot damage is the relevant measure. For sustained fire, you would need a defined test setup: identical weapon quality, the same target and defenses, a stated reload and draw routine, and the same server rules. Those conditions are not supplied by the reference tables, so keep the conclusion limited to damage per shot and torpor per shot.
Which weapon should you carry for different jobs?
Use the ammunition and objective first, then consider handling and availability. This decision table keeps the comparison within what the references support.
| Your objective | Preferred starting choice | Reason | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage with Stone Arrows | Crossbow | Listed at 95 damage versus approximately 74–75 for the Compound Bow | Actual health loss varies with target defenses, quality, and settings |
| Damage with Metal Arrows | Compound Bow | Its page lists up to 175.5; the raw table lists 202.5 | The Crossbow’s listed ammunition does not include Metal Arrows, and the two Compound Bow figures come from different references |
| Knocking out a creature | Crossbow | Tranq Arrow listing is 35 versus up to 27, with higher torpor credited to the Crossbow | Creature behavior and torpor drain still determine timing |
| Fast, partially drawn shots | Neither should be judged by maximum Compound Bow damage | The Compound Bow reaches its maximum only at full draw | Compare a complete firing routine, not an isolated maximum |
Why do the Compound Bow numbers show 175.5 and 202.5?
They are not necessarily a contradiction in the game. The Compound Bow weapon page lists up to 175.5 damage with Metal Arrows, while the Base Damage page identifies its numbers as raw values taken from the dev kit and lists 202.5. Those pages are different reference layers, so the article should preserve the attribution instead of pretending one number is the definitive value for every context.
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The same issue appears, in smaller form, with Stone Arrows: one reference lists up to 75 for the Compound Bow and the raw table lists 74. The difference does not change the ranking against the Crossbow’s 95, but it does matter if you are trying to reproduce an exact number in a particular edition or configuration.
Does ARK edition or server configuration change the answer?
It can change the number you see, even though the reference comparison remains useful. The supplied sources do not establish that every value is identical across ARK: Survival Evolved, ARK: Survival Ascended, unofficial servers, mods, difficulty settings, or other configurations.
For a reliable in-game decision, identify your edition and server rules, compare weapons of similar quality, and check the damage or torpor actually reported against the same target. Treat the wiki figures as the baseline comparison: Crossbow over Compound Bow for Stone Arrow damage and Tranq Arrow torpor, Compound Bow as the Metal Arrow damage option.
What is the simplest rule to remember?
If both weapons fire Stone Arrows, pick the Crossbow for higher listed damage per shot. If you have Metal Arrows and want the Compound Bow’s specialized high-damage shot, the Compound Bow is the relevant choice. If the goal is a knockout, use the Crossbow with Tranq Arrows. Always fully draw the Compound Bow before comparing it with its maximum published value, and do not confuse a per-shot comparison with a DPS test.
For source details, consult the ARK Official Community Wiki’s Weapons, Compound Bow, Base Damage, and Crossbow pages.
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Does a higher-quality blueprint change which weapon is stronger?
It can change the size of the damage gap because weapon quality affects the weapon’s effective damage. Compare weapons at similar quality before applying the Stone Arrow or Tranq Arrow ranking; a primitive weapon versus a high-quality blueprint is not a controlled comparison.
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Why is my in-game damage lower than the wiki number?
The listed values are reference damage, not a guarantee for every target. Creature defenses, server configuration, weapon quality, and the particular ARK edition can all alter the number displayed during combat.
Can I compare a Metal Arrow Compound Bow shot directly with a Crossbow shot?
Only as a broad ammunition-and-role comparison. The Crossbow reference does not list Metal Arrows as compatible, so the fair same-ammunition comparison is Stone Arrow versus Stone Arrow; the Metal Arrow figure shows the Compound Bow’s separate high-damage use case.
What should I verify before a taming trip?
Confirm that you are carrying Tranq Arrows rather than ordinary or Metal Arrows, and make sure your weapon’s quality and server settings match the assumptions behind your shot planning. The reference favors the Crossbow for torpor, but the creature’s torpor drain and resistance determine how quickly it can be knocked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a higher-quality blueprint change which weapon is stronger?
It can change the size of the damage gap because weapon quality affects the weapon’s effective damage. Compare weapons at similar quality before applying the Stone Arrow or Tranq Arrow ranking; a primitive weapon versus a high-quality blueprint is not a controlled comparison.
Why is my in-game damage lower than the wiki number?
The listed values are reference damage, not a guarantee for every target. Creature defenses, server configuration, weapon quality, and the particular ARK edition can all alter the number displayed during combat.
Can I compare a Metal Arrow Compound Bow shot directly with a Crossbow shot?
Only as a broad ammunition-and-role comparison. The Crossbow reference does not list Metal Arrows as compatible, so the fair same-ammunition comparison is Stone Arrow versus Stone Arrow; the Metal Arrow figure shows the Compound Bow’s separate high-damage use case.
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Confirm that you are carrying Tranq Arrows rather than ordinary or Metal Arrows, and make sure your weapon’s quality and server settings match the assumptions behind your shot planning. The reference favors the Crossbow for torpor, but the creature’s torpor drain and resistance determine how quickly it can be knocked out.
