Few weapons in Skyrim carry the weight of divine legend quite like Auriel’s Bow. This ancient artifact isn’t just another high-damage bow you’ll stash in a chest after a few hours, it’s a centerpiece weapon with unique mechanics that can literally alter the world around you. Whether you’re hunting vampires through the Forgotten Vale or just want to blot out the sun for the aesthetic, Auriel’s Bow delivers gameplay possibilities no other weapon in the game can match.

But here’s the thing: you can’t just stumble across it in a random dungeon. Getting your hands on this bow requires completing one of Skyrim’s most atmospheric questlines, and mastering it means understanding its special arrow synergies. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from the exact steps to obtain it, to optimal builds, comparisons with other legendary bows, and strategies that’ll help you get the most out of this divine weapon.

What Is Auriel’s Bow?

Auriel’s Bow is a unique legendary weapon introduced in the Dawnguard DLC. Lore-wise, it’s an ancient Aldmeri artifact wielded by the Elven deity Auri-El (the Aldmeri aspect of Akatosh), making it one of the most storied weapons in Tamrielic history. You’ll acquire it during the final stages of the Dawnguard questline, and it comes with properties that go far beyond simple stat boosts.

Unlike most bows that serve as straightforward damage dealers, Auriel’s Bow interacts with special arrows to create world-altering effects. It’s also one of the few weapons in Skyrim with a direct narrative and mechanical connection to the game’s vampire vs. Dawnguard conflict.

Legendary Origins and Lore

According to in-game texts and dialogue, Auriel’s Bow was used by Auri-El himself to end the tyranny of the Snow Elves’ betrayers. The weapon was safeguarded in the Inner Sanctum of the Chantry of Auri-El, hidden deep within the Forgotten Vale, a frozen, isolated region accessible only through Darkfall Cave.

The bow’s connection to the sun is central to its lore. Auri-El is associated with light and time, and the weapon reflects that divine aspect through its interaction with Sunhallowed and Bloodcursed Arrows. The ancient Snow Elf Knight-Paladin Gelebor protects the bow’s legacy, and only those who complete the pilgrimage trials can claim it.

It’s worth noting that the bow plays a pivotal role in the Dawnguard storyline regardless of whether you side with the Dawnguard or the vampires. Harkon, the vampire lord, seeks the bow to fulfill the Tyranny of the Sun prophecy, permanently blotting out the sun to allow vampires to roam freely at all hours.

Unique Stats and Base Damage

Auriel’s Bow has a base damage of 13, which might seem underwhelming at first glance, it’s the same as a standard Daedric Bow. But, the weapon’s true power lies in its enchantment and special arrow synergies, not raw DPS.

The bow carries an innate enchantment: 20 points of sun damage, with an additional triple damage against undead. This makes it exceptionally effective against vampires, draugr, skeletons, and other undead enemies, core threats throughout Skyrim’s dungeons and crypts. The sun damage component bypasses certain resistances and stacks with perks like Overdraw and Fortify Archery enchantments.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Base Damage: 13
• Enchantment: 20 sun damage
• Bonus vs. Undead: 60 total sun damage (triple effect)
• Weight: 11
• Value: 1000 gold
• Speed: Standard bow fire rate
• Critical Damage: Standard 50% bonus

Auriel’s Bow can be upgraded at a grindstone using Refined Moonstone, and benefits from the Elven Smithing perk to double improvement effectiveness. At Legendary quality with maxed Smithing (100) and the Elven Smithing perk, you can push its base damage into the low 20s, respectable, but still not as high as a fully upgraded Dragonbone or Daedric Bow.

How to Obtain Auriel’s Bow

Auriel’s Bow isn’t found lying in a chest or dropped by a random boss. You’ll need to progress deep into the Dawnguard DLC questline and complete a lengthy, multi-stage dungeon crawl. Here’s the exact path.

Starting the Dawnguard DLC Questline

To access the bow, you first need to start the Dawnguard DLC. If you’re level 10 or higher, you’ll receive a prompt to investigate vampire attacks or be approached by a Dawnguard recruiter. Head to Fort Dawnguard, located southeast of Riften in the Rift hold, to begin the questline.

You’ll have a choice early on: side with the Dawnguard (vampire hunters) or join Lord Harkon’s vampire clan. The good news? You can obtain Auriel’s Bow regardless of your choice. The quest “Touching the Sky” is mandatory for both factions, so your alignment won’t lock you out of the weapon.

Progress through the questline, quests like “Awakening,” “Bloodline,” “A New Order,” and “Prophet”, until you reach “Touching the Sky.” This is where the real journey begins.

Completing “Touching the Sky”

“Touching the Sky” is one of Skyrim’s most visually stunning and mechanically involved quests. You’ll enter the Forgotten Vale through Darkfall Cave alongside Serana (or Gelebor, depending on your progress). The Vale itself is a massive, explorable area filled with unique enemies, frost giants, Falmer, and hidden lore.

Your objective: locate and fill the Initiate’s Ewer by collecting water from five Wayshrines scattered throughout the Vale. These Wayshrines are located at:

1. Wayshrine of Learning
2. Wayshrine of Sight
3. Wayshrine of Resolution
4. Wayshrine of Radiance
5. Wayshrine of Passage (leads to Inner Sanctum)

Each Wayshrine is guarded by Falmer or other creatures. You’ll need to draw water from each basin to progress. The quest is linear but expansive, expect to spend 1-2 hours exploring the Vale, especially if you’re hunting for loot, Paragons, or the unique Shellbug Helmet.

Once you’ve filled the ewer, proceed to the Inner Sanctum, the final location. This is where you’ll confront the last boss and claim the bow.

Defeating Arch-Curate Vyrthur

Arch-Curate Vyrthur is the final boss of “Touching the Sky” and the current guardian of Auriel’s Bow. He’s a Snow Elf who has been corrupted by vampirism and seeks to use the bow to complete Harkon’s prophecy.

The fight takes place in the Inner Sanctum’s chapel, which has multiple levels and frozen waterfalls. Vyrthur uses ice magic, summons Frozen Falmer, and teleports around the arena. He’s a tough magic user, so bring frost resistance potions or gear if possible.

Key tips for the fight:

• Stay mobile. Vyrthur teleports frequently, so don’t get locked into melee range.
• Use cover. The chapel’s pillars and structure can block his ice storms.
• Focus fire. Burn him down quickly to minimize summons.
• Bring Serana. She’ll tank and distract, giving you openings to attack.

Once Vyrthur falls, Auriel’s Bow is yours. You’ll also receive Auriel’s Shield if you didn’t pick it up earlier. Gelebor will appear after the fight to provide some closing lore and offer to craft special arrows for the bow, more on that in the next section.

Auriel’s Bow Special Abilities and Effects

Auriel’s Bow’s real power isn’t in its base stats, it’s in the special arrows you can craft and use with it. These arrows unlock environmental effects that no other weapon in Skyrim can replicate. Both types interact with the bow’s sun enchantment to create large-scale changes.

Sunhallowed Arrows: Explosive Sun Damage

Sunhallowed Elven Arrows are the “light” option. When fired from Auriel’s Bow into the sky (aim straight up during daytime), they trigger a massive AOE sun explosion that rains down beams of light in the surrounding area. Enemies caught in the blast take heavy sun damage, with undead taking triple damage as usual.

The effect is both functional and visually impressive, great for clearing groups of vampires, draugr, or Falmer. It lasts roughly 60 seconds and covers a wide radius, making it excellent for outdoor encounters or large dungeon rooms.

Sunhallowed arrows are the go-to choice for Dawnguard-aligned players or those roleplaying a vampire hunter. According to several tier list analyses on Game8, sun-based builds in Skyrim are among the most effective anti-undead strategies, especially when paired with Restoration perks like Necromage.

Bloodcursed Arrows: Blotting Out the Sun

On the other end of the spectrum, Bloodcursed Elven Arrows allow you to extinguish the sun entirely. Fire one into the sky, and day turns to night for 24 in-game hours. The sun is replaced by a blood-red eclipse, and vampires lose their daylight penalties completely.

This is the ultimate vampire support ability. If you’re running a vampire build, especially a Vampire Lord from the Dawnguard DLC, Bloodcursed arrows remove the single biggest drawback of vampirism: sun damage and stat debuffs during the day. You can roam freely, regenerate health and magic normally, and avoid the constant drain that makes outdoor daytime travel painful.

Bloodcursed arrows are also just… cool. The eclipse effect is atmospheric, and it’s one of the few player-controlled environmental shifts in Skyrim. Just remember: the effect lasts exactly one full day. You’ll need to reapply it after 24 hours if you want permanent night.

Both arrow types work exclusively with Auriel’s Bow. If you fire them from any other bow, they function as normal Elven arrows.

How to Craft Special Arrows for Auriel’s Bow

You can’t craft Sunhallowed or Bloodcursed arrows at a forge. Instead, you’ll need to work with Knight-Paladin Gelebor, the Snow Elf who aids you during “Touching the Sky.” Here’s how the crafting system works.

Finding Knight-Paladin Gelebor

After defeating Vyrthur and claiming Auriel’s Bow, Gelebor will remain at the Wayshrine of Radiance in the Forgotten Vale. This is his permanent location, and you can return to him anytime after completing the quest.

Gelebor offers a unique service: he’ll bless Elven arrows to transform them into either Sunhallowed or Bloodcursed variants. The process is instant, costs nothing, and can be repeated as many times as you want, as long as you have Elven arrows to spare.

Gathering Elven Arrows

The limiting factor is Elven arrows. These aren’t the rarest arrows in Skyrim, but they’re not as common as Iron or Steel either. Here are the best methods to stock up:

• Loot Thalmor soldiers. Thalmor patrols and Thalmor-controlled locations (like the Thalmor Embassy or Northwatch Keep) often carry Elven arrows.
• Buy from merchants. Fletcher NPCs and general goods merchants sometimes stock Elven arrows once you’re level 20+.
• Pickpocket guards. If you have high Pickpocket, you can reverse-pickpocket a single Elven arrow onto a guard or archer, then let them fire it repeatedly. Retrieve the arrows afterward.
• Craft them. If you have the Dawnguard DLC (which you do, since you have the bow), you can craft Elven arrows at a forge with the Elven Smithing perk. Requires 1 Firewood and 1 Moonstone per arrow.

Once you’ve gathered a stack of Elven arrows, return to Gelebor. Speak to him and choose either:

• “I’d like you to bless some of my Elven arrows.” (Creates Sunhallowed Elven Arrows)
• “I’d like you to curse some of my Elven arrows.” (Creates Bloodcursed Elven Arrows)

He’ll convert your entire stack instantly. Note that you can only hold one type at a time in a single stack, if you want both, you’ll need to manage separate arrow inventories.

Many players maintain a stockpile of both types and swap depending on the encounter. Sunhallowed for undead-heavy dungeons, Bloodcursed for vampire playthroughs or atmospheric exploration. Some modding communities on Nexus Mods have even created mods to automate or expand the arrow crafting system, adding new visual effects or alternate blessings.

Best Builds and Playstyles for Auriel’s Bow

Auriel’s Bow excels in specific builds. While it’s functional in any archery setup, it truly shines when paired with perks, enchantments, and playstyles that emphasize its sun damage and special arrow mechanics.

Stealth Archer Optimization

The classic Skyrim stealth archer build works beautifully with Auriel’s Bow, especially in dungeons crawling with undead. The bow’s sun damage enchantment is always active, meaning every sneak attack benefits from both your Archery skill and the flat 20 (or 60 vs. undead) sun damage.

Key perks to prioritize:

• Overdraw (5/5): +100% bow damage.
• Critical Shot (3/3): +15% critical hit chance with bows.
• Deadly Aim: Sneak attacks with bows deal 3x damage.
• Quick Shot: Draw bows 30% faster.
• Steady Hand (2/2): Zoom in and slow time while aiming.

For armor, stack Fortify Archery enchantments on your head, gloves, ring, and necklace. With four pieces and maxed Enchanting, you can boost bow damage by 120-160%, turning Auriel’s Bow into a legitimate endgame weapon.

Consider the Ancient Shrouded Cowl (from the Dark Brotherhood “Locate the Assassin of Old” quest) for an extra 35% bow damage bonus. Pair with the Ancient Shrouded Gloves for double sneak attack damage with one-handed weapons (doesn’t apply to bows, but useful if you swap).

Vampire Hunter Build Synergies

If you’re roleplaying a dedicated vampire hunter or running Dawnguard-aligned content, Auriel’s Bow is thematically and mechanically perfect. The Necromage perk (Restoration tree) is a game-changer here, it boosts all spells and enchantments by 25% against undead.

Here’s the trick: the sun damage from Auriel’s Bow counts as a Restoration effect. With Necromage, your bow’s sun damage against undead increases from 60 to 75 points per hit. Combine that with Overdraw and Fortify Archery, and you’re one-shotting draugr deathlords on harder difficulties.

Synergies to layer:

• Auriel’s Bow (base sun damage + Necromage boost)
• Dawnbreaker (secondary weapon for close-quarters undead fights)
• Restoration perks: Necromage, Avoid Death, Respite
• Sunhallowed arrows for AOE undead clearing
• Ring of the Beast or Dawnguard Rune weapons for additional anti-vampire tools

This build dominates vampire lairs, draugr crypts, and any of the game’s undead-heavy quests. It’s also highly effective against Dragon Priests, many of whom are classified as undead.

Enchantments and Upgrades

Auriel’s Bow cannot be disenchanted or re-enchanted, the sun damage is permanent. But, you can still improve it at a grindstone and benefit from passive enchantment boosts.

Upgrade path:

1. Smithing 60 + Elven Smithing perk to unlock double improvement.
2. Gather Refined Moonstone (smelt Moonstone Ore at a smelter).
3. Improve the bow to Legendary quality at a grindstone.
4. Equip Fortify Smithing gear and drink a Fortify Smithing potion before upgrading to maximize results.

With maxed Smithing (100), four pieces of Fortify Smithing enchantments (each at 25%), and a Blacksmith’s Elixir, you can push Auriel’s Bow to around 23-25 base damage. Still not the highest in the game, but more than enough when combined with perks and enchantments.

Comparing Auriel’s Bow to Other Legendary Bows

Skyrim offers several legendary and unique bows. Auriel’s Bow is powerful, but how does it stack up against the competition? Here’s a breakdown of the top-tier bows and where Auriel’s fits in.

Auriel’s Bow vs. Zephyr

Zephyr is a unique Dwarven bow found during the Dawnguard quest “Lost to the Ages.” It’s located on a log spanning a waterfall in Arkngthamz, and you can grab it before even starting the quest.

Stats:

• Base Damage: 12 (1 less than Auriel’s Bow)
• Enchantment: Fires 30% faster
• Weight: 10

Zephyr’s speed enchantment is unique and extremely valuable for DPS-focused builds. The 30% fire rate boost is permanent and doesn’t consume charges, making Zephyr one of the highest sustained DPS bows in the game.

Verdict: If you care purely about DPS and don’t need sun damage, Zephyr wins. For undead encounters and special arrow utility, Auriel’s Bow is superior.

Auriel’s Bow vs. Nightingale Bow

The Nightingale Bow is a leveled unique bow obtained during the Thieves Guild questline (“Trinity Restored”). Its stats scale based on your level when you receive it.

At level 46+ (max tier):

• Base Damage: 19
• Enchantment: 30 Frost damage + 15 Shock damage
• Weight: 18

The Nightingale Bow has higher base damage and dual elemental damage, making it strong against most enemies. But, it lacks Auriel’s Bow’s sun damage multiplier against undead and has no special arrow effects. Some players on Twinfinite’s bow tier lists rank the Nightingale Bow highly for general use, but note its lack of utility beyond raw damage.

Verdict: Nightingale Bow is better for general-purpose damage. Auriel’s Bow is more specialized but vastly superior in undead-heavy content and offers unique environmental mechanics.

Auriel’s Bow vs. Daedric Bow

The Daedric Bow is the highest base-damage craftable bow in the vanilla game (excluding Dragonbone, which requires Dawnguard DLC).

Stats:

• Base Damage: 19
• Enchantment: None (player-enchantable)
• Weight: 18

The Daedric Bow starts with higher base damage and can be enchanted with dual enchantments via the Extra Effect perk (Enchanting 100). This flexibility makes it incredibly strong, you can stack Absorb Health, Chaos Damage, or other powerful effects.

Dragonbone Bow (Dawnguard DLC) pushes this further with 20 base damage, making it the highest-damage bow in the game.

Verdict: For raw, customizable damage, Daedric or Dragonbone bows win. Auriel’s Bow can’t be re-enchanted, so its ceiling is lower. But its sun damage and special arrows give it unique utility that crafted bows can’t match.

Overall Ranking:

1. Daedric/Dragonbone Bow (best raw damage, customizable)
2. Auriel’s Bow (best vs. undead, unique utility)
3. Nightingale Bow (strong all-arounder)
4. Zephyr (highest DPS, speed-focused)

Your choice depends on playstyle. If you’re hunting undead or want to manipulate the sun, Auriel’s Bow is unmatched.

Tips and Strategies for Maximizing Auriel’s Bow

Getting the most out of Auriel’s Bow requires smart perk choices, situational awareness, and understanding its niche. Here are some advanced tips:

Stock up on Elven arrows early. Start hoarding them as soon as you know you’re going after Auriel’s Bow. By the time you complete “Touching the Sky,” you should have 100+ arrows ready for Gelebor to bless. This lets you spam Sunhallowed or Bloodcursed effects without running dry.

Use Sunhallowed arrows outdoors during the day. The sun explosion effect only triggers if you fire into the sky during daytime. Indoors or at night, the arrows still deal sun damage but won’t produce the AOE blast. Plan your usage accordingly.

Bloodcursed arrows are a vampire’s best friend. If you’re running a vampire character, keep a stack of Bloodcursed arrows on hand at all times. Fire one at the start of a play session, and you’re set for hours of real-time gameplay without sun penalties.

Pair with the Necromage perk. As mentioned earlier, Necromage boosts the sun damage significantly. If you’re building around Auriel’s Bow, invest in Restoration even if you’re primarily an archer. The 25% boost to enchantments against undead applies to the bow’s innate sun damage.

Combine with elemental arrows. You’re not limited to just special arrows. Mix in Exploding Fire Arrows (from the Dawnguard DLC) or other crafted arrows for variety. Auriel’s sun damage will stack with any arrow type.

Don’t sleep on Auriel’s Shield. If you grabbed Auriel’s Shield from the Inner Sanctum, it pairs thematically with the bow and offers a unique blocking effect: after blocking 10 attacks, it releases a power bash that deals sun damage. Great for hybrid archer/tank builds.

Improve it before enchanting your gear. Max out Auriel’s Bow at a grindstone before you start stacking Fortify Archery enchantments. This ensures you’re calculating bonuses from the highest possible base damage.

Roleplay with it. Auriel’s Bow is one of the few weapons in Skyrim with deep lore ties and visual spectacle. Lean into that. Use it for dramatic moments, blotting out the sun before a vampire siege, or calling down sunlight to cleanse a draugr crypt. It’s not just a stat stick: it’s a narrative tool.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players can misuse or overlook aspects of Auriel’s Bow. Here are the most common errors:

Ignoring the special arrows. Some players grab Auriel’s Bow, use it as a standard weapon, and never return to Gelebor. Don’t make that mistake. The Sunhallowed and Bloodcursed arrows are the reason to use this bow over a Daedric or Dragonbone alternative.

Not upgrading it at a grindstone. Auriel’s Bow can be improved to Legendary quality, and the difference is significant. Don’t leave it at base stats.

Using it as a general-purpose bow. Auriel’s Bow is specialized. It’s phenomenal against undead and for utility (sun manipulation), but it’s outclassed by Daedric or Dragonbone bows in raw damage against non-undead. Use it situationally, or pair it with a second bow for versatility.

Firing Sunhallowed arrows indoors. You won’t get the AOE sun explosion effect in dungeons or at night. Save your Sunhallowed arrows for outdoor daytime encounters where the mechanic actually triggers.

Forgetting to restock Elven arrows. Unlike most unique weapons, Auriel’s Bow relies on a consumable resource (Elven arrows) for its best abilities. Keep a steady supply, or you’ll be stuck using it as a vanilla sun-damage bow.

Not leveraging the Necromage perk. If you’re running a vampire or undead-focused build, skipping Necromage is leaving damage on the table. The perk synergizes perfectly with Auriel’s sun enchantment.

Selling or dropping Auriel’s Shield. If you picked it up, keep it. It’s a unique item with its own mechanics, and it complements the bow thematically. Even if you don’t use it actively, it’s worth holding onto for collection purposes.

Conclusion

Auriel’s Bow is more than just a weapon, it’s a piece of Skyrim’s mythology brought to life. From its roots in Aldmeri legend to its role in the Dawnguard conflict, this bow carries weight both narratively and mechanically. The sun damage enchantment makes it a top-tier choice against undead, and the special arrow mechanics give it utility no other bow in the game can replicate.

Whether you’re blotting out the sun as a vampire lord or raining divine wrath on draugr as a Dawnguard hunter, Auriel’s Bow rewards players who invest in understanding its strengths. Pair it with the right perks, stack some Fortify Archery gear, and keep a healthy supply of blessed arrows on hand. Do that, and you’ll have a weapon worthy of its divine origins.

Now get out there, complete “Touching the Sky,” and claim your place among Skyrim’s legendary archers.