Combat is a central element in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, and having a reliable weapon is crucial, especially for Henry, who starts off with little to nothing after the prologue. Fortunately, you can equip yourself with the Dogwood Village Bow early in the game, and it won't cost you a dime.
Early Dogwood Village Bow Location in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
After parting ways with Hans, your next objective is to find a way into the wedding. You can achieve this by taking up a job with either a blacksmith or a miller, making yourself useful enough to earn an invitation. Even if you decide against the blacksmith job, the map marker for it will guide you directly to the location where you can pick up the Dogwood Village Bow. If you choose to work as a blacksmith to attend Semine's wedding, you'll also want to know how to acquire the hermit's sword, but that opportunity comes later.
The blacksmith job is located in Tachov, which is north of Troskowitz, where the prologue ends and the game world opens up. From Troskowitz, head west along the road, then continue north as the path curves. When you reach a fork where a small road branches to the west and the main road splits ahead, veer right towards a cluster of trees. This area is easy to overlook as it blends in with the surroundings. The training area within the trees is concealed, making it hard to spot at first glance.
Within the cluster, you'll find a target with arrows stuck in it. Collect these arrows for free ammo, then look to the right side of the tree where the Dogwood Village Bow is leaning against the trunk in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*. You can also grab some brew from a stump and pick mushrooms in the area. Once you've gathered what you need, you can proceed with your current quest.
Related: 5 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Beginner Tips For Escaping the Peasant Life
Other Ways to Get the Dogwood Village Bow in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Alternatively, you can purchase the Dogwood Village Bow, though it's not the most powerful ranged weapon available. It can be bought from Huntsman's Son Vitek in Tachov, but considering the proximity to the free version, it's more economical to pick up the free bow if you lack ranged options. Vitek also sells other, more effective weapons, and you can earn money through alchemy by collecting herbs and brewing potions to sell.
Having a ranged combat option is advantageous, particularly since you can't adjust the difficulty. The combat in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* closely resembles that of its predecessor, and melee combat isn't for everyone. Personally, I prefer using ranged weapons whenever possible.
If you decide to continue to Tachov to work as a blacksmith, you can sleep and save after demonstrating your sword-forging skills. Alternatively, head to the miller to progress with the main quest. With a ranged weapon at your disposal, combat in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* becomes significantly easier.
And that's how you can secure the free Dogwood Village Bow early in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*.
*Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
