The Zaryte crossbow is a two-handed ranged weapon requiring 80 Ranged to wield, firing up to dragon bolts at a speed of 6 ticks (3.6s). It carries a massive +110 ranged attack bonus plus unusual defensive and Prayer bonuses, and is built almost entirely around its special attack, Evoke, which guarantees enchanted-bolt effects — most famously ruby bolts (e) for a near-guaranteed 110 damage against high-health bosses. It is created by upgrading an Armadyl crossbow with a nihil horn (a rare Nex drop) and 250 nihil shards, and trades on the Grand Exchange for roughly 360M coins.
Equipment bonuses
The Zaryte crossbow's headline stat is +110 ranged attack — among the highest of any crossbow. It is also unusual for a crossbow in granting defensive bonuses (+14 stab, +14 slash, +12 crush, +15 magic, +16 ranged defence) and a +1 Prayer bonus, the latter shared only with the Armadyl crossbow it is built from.
Attack bonuses
Defence bonuses
Other bonuses
It attacks once every 6 ticks (3.6 seconds) in standard styles and has a base attack range of 8, and requires 80 Ranged to wield.
Grand Exchange price history
How to get the Zaryte crossbow
The Zaryte crossbow is not a direct drop — it is crafted by upgrading an Armadyl crossbow with a nihil horn and 250 nihil shards.
The nihil horn is the bottleneck: it is a rare drop from Nex at a rate of 1/258. Nihil shards are also obtained from Nex as a common drop. Because the horn is the gating piece, most players build the crossbow only after committing to extended Nex farming, or simply buy the finished crossbow off the Grand Exchange instead.
You can check the current market price using our OSRS GE price tracker before deciding whether to grind the components or buy outright.
Special attack and passive effect
The Zaryte crossbow's special attack, Evoke, consumes 75% of your special attack energy. It gives the attack doubled accuracy and, on a successful hit, guarantees the special effect of any enchanted bolts you have loaded.
The crossbow also has a passive effect that strengthens enchanted-bolt effects by 10% even on normal attacks. With ruby bolts (e), the Blood Forfeit effect deals 22% of the target's current hitpoints (up from 20%) with the damage cap raised to 110 (up from 100). With diamond bolts (e), the Armour Piercing max hit rises to 126% of normal (up from 115%).
This is why the weapon is prized: an Evoke special with ruby bolts (e) reliably lands close to 110 damage on high-health enemies, making it one of the strongest special-attack weapons in the game. Pairing it with a Lightbearer to regenerate special energy faster makes the combination even more potent over long fights.
Is the Zaryte crossbow worth it?
At roughly 360M coins, the Zaryte crossbow is an endgame purchase, but it fills a role no cheaper item matches: it is the best dedicated special-attack ranged weapon for burst damage against high-health, non-draconic bosses, and the strongest weapon against enemies weak to heavy Ranged attacks such as the Leviathan.
For everyday DPS against draconic monsters, the dragon hunter crossbow still outclasses it. The Zaryte crossbow earns its price specifically through the guaranteed ruby-bolt-(e) special, so it is most valuable to players who already do high-end PvM and benefit from reliable 110-damage spec hits. If you are not yet at that content, a standard crossbow and the budget bolts will serve you while you build toward it — see our ranged gear guide for the upgrade path.
Zaryte crossbow FAQ
What level do you need for the Zaryte crossbow?
You need 80 Ranged to wield the Zaryte crossbow. It has no other skill requirements.
How do you get the Zaryte crossbow?
You make it by upgrading an Armadyl crossbow with a nihil horn and 250 nihil shards. The nihil horn is a rare drop from Nex at 1/258. You can also just buy the finished crossbow on the Grand Exchange.
What is the Zaryte crossbow's special attack?
Its special attack is Evoke, costing 75% special energy. It doubles the attack's accuracy and guarantees the special effect of any enchanted bolts you are using on a successful hit — most often used with ruby bolts (e) for guaranteed high damage.
Why is the Zaryte crossbow used with ruby bolts (e)?
The Evoke special guarantees the ruby bolt (e) Blood Forfeit effect, and the crossbow's passive raises it to 22% of the target's current hitpoints with a 110 damage cap. Against high-health bosses this reliably deals close to 110 damage per special.
Is the Zaryte crossbow better than the dragon hunter crossbow?
It depends on the target. The Zaryte crossbow is the strongest weapon against most high-health, non-draconic enemies and for special-attack burst damage. Against draconic monsters, the dragon hunter crossbow still outclasses it.
How much is the Zaryte crossbow worth?
It trades for roughly 360M coins on the Grand Exchange, though the price moves with the market. Check the live price on our GE price tracker.
Does the Zaryte crossbow have defensive bonuses?
Yes — unusually for a crossbow it grants +14 stab and slash defence, +12 crush, +15 magic, +16 ranged defence, plus a +1 Prayer bonus. Most crossbows give no defensive stats.
What bolts can the Zaryte crossbow use?
It can fire any crossbow bolts up to dragon bolts. Enchanted bolts such as ruby bolts (e) and diamond bolts (e) are the most popular, since the crossbow strengthens their effects by 10% passively and guarantees them with the Evoke special.
Update history
The interaction between the Zaryte crossbow special attack and enchanted sapphire bolts' Clear Mind effect was adjusted.
The item was added to the Grand Exchange's item sink list.
Using the crossbow's special attack now correctly applies the teleport-blocking effect that exists when using offensive special attacks in PvP combat.
The crossbow's passive effect was added to the Worn Equipment set bonus interface.
The item became obtainable, released with Nex: The Fifth General.
The item was added to the game, but was unobtainable.
Source: OSRS Wiki — Zaryte crossbow (Changes).
